Am I charging enough? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

06/22/2006 06:52:32 PM · #1

I am just starting my wedding photography business and it has been a challenge to decide what to charge. I did the first wedding for only $200...and after all that work (I have spent over 30 hours on post processing alone) I have decided that is not nearly enough! LOL

I have three other booked right now...all of which I am charging $550. I have had a couple of other inquiries, but after the initial discussion I have not heard back from any of them. So my dilema is...am I not charging enough to be taken seriously...or do they think I am crazy for asking that much when I have only actually taken 2-3 weddings...

Also...I have a few people interested in senior pictures and would appreciate any advice anyone has on what to charge for that as well.

Thanks everyone!

love

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

06/22/2006 06:56:18 PM · #2

$200 is a steal! Do a google search for wedding photographers and look at their price lists!!!

I have 4 package prices (and I am rather cheap myself): from $500 to shoot only! No printed images to $2000 for a rather lavish affair.

Don't sell yourself short!!

06/22/2006 07:16:33 PM · #3

The $550 price is for shoot only, and they DON'T get the images on a CD either (unless they pay more). The base price gets them: engagement pics, proofs hosted on collages.net, a CD show of the collages.net proofs, and a custom designed album layout (They have to pay extra if they want it printed into an album).

DjFenzl

06/22/2006 07:19:59 PM · #4

there was a recent thread talking about photographers charging $10,000+ for weddings.

I think someone posted as well the rule of thumb is 8% of the total cost of the wedding.

Charge for the market you want to shoot.

Message edited by author 2006-06-22 19:31:28.

ralph

Nikon Z9

06/22/2006 07:29:43 PM · #5

i've been asking 200$+ for a single image

don't cheapen yourself

06/22/2006 07:35:50 PM · #6

$800 is the lowest I will thouch a wedding for, and I think I am going up to $1,000 this fall. It is a lot of work and stress. I did a $4,000. wedding over memorial weekend. I took over 1,000 shots. I was so sick of messing with those shots. That one was so high priced because the bride wanted me to follow her around for 3 full days 24-7. I priced it thinking she would say no, but crap she bucked up the cash, and as most photographers I just could not look at a check for that amount and say no. Price what you are worth and the time and stress of the event, also my advice is find a good contract. My frist weddings I had one that called off the event but never let me know because there was no deposit. I make them pay 50% NON-Refundable deposit on the booking date, the rest is due 1 week before the wedding. I have had to follow around too many brides trying to get a check only to be ask can I waite untill the photos get back I spent all my money. One took 6mths to pay. And NEVER give them prints untill the check has cleared. I got a bounced check for $900 on a Dec. wedding. This chick ripped off everyone, flower shop the tux shop all are sewing in total $16,000 in bad checks. I got payed because I held her photos hostage she was not getting 1 photo untill she paid. Some how she came up with the cash. The PPA can offer you insurance as a wedding photographer. For instance if the Bride doesn't like her photos, or something goes wrong and you loose the immages she can take you got court, and get not only her money back but the cost to re-do the whole wedding as she needs photos of her special day. I may sound bitter about weddings, if they go well you get wounderful photos, but I have been doing them for 8years and I keep saying I'm going to quit them. (it is like smoking hard to kick you know just one more)I do however limit myself to no more that 1 a month, it is a love/hate thing.
Good luck
and watch you back

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

06/22/2006 07:44:55 PM · #7

Ok...well at least I am doing some things right! LOL

I do get 50% of the package price at booking, the other half 2 weeks prior to the wedding.

I am in the process of getting PPA membership and insurance for just that reason.

And I do have a contract already...though maybe I should have a lawyer look at it?

@bryantbus...I can't believe she wanted you to follow her for 3 whole days! I think I would have thrown something at the camera by then! But there is no way I could have turned down $4000 either!!

I just am not sure my portfolio backs up a larger price tag just yet...does that mean I am cheapening (sp?) myself,,,or just being realistic?

TechnoShroom

Canon EOS-30D

06/22/2006 07:51:35 PM · #8

Originally posted by Megatherian:

I think someone posted as well the rule of thumb is 8% of the total cost of the wedding.

Hmmm... costs $126 to get married here so that would be an additional $10.08 for the photographer. Cool. Married plus photos of the blessed event for under $140.

06/22/2006 07:54:19 PM · #9

I have a friend that wanted us to do her daughters, but we didn't feel ready yet. I just learned that they were charged $2400 for the wedding, but that included all the proofs, a small package print deal, and a hard-bound photo book with about 25-30 pages.

I spent 2 days with my sister in-law at her rehearsal, wedding, and reception, and they gave us the camera and flash to do it with. The tax return paid for more lenses.

Considering all the drive time, and everything else involved, I can totally respect $2400 for a wedding.

Chris - did you check out other photogs in the area? I bet many would charge upwards of $3000 just for the wedding, reception, and portrait session. I think you may have undersold yourself... IMO. Depending on whether you included prints in the $4000 package that is.

Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited AF

06/22/2006 07:55:28 PM · #10

Originally posted by TechnoShroom:

Originally posted by Megatherian:
I think someone posted as well the rule of thumb is 8% of the total cost of the wedding.

Hmmm... costs $126 to get married here so that would be an additional $10.08 for the photographer. Cool. Married plus photos of the blessed event for under $140.

I think for a $126 wedding, you go to Walmart portrait studio. One may argue if that is all you have to spend.... maybe you should hold off for a bit.

v5planet

Pentax K7

06/22/2006 07:57:05 PM · #11

Originally posted by TechnoShroom:

Hmmm... costs $126 to get married here so that would be an additional $10.08 for the photographer. Cool. Married plus photos of the blessed event for under $140.

I imagine "price of wedding" as originally stated includes the price of any lavish reception party, decorations, bands, etc., etc. I don't know much about weddings, but seems like the ceremony itself is the easiest thing, financially.

06/22/2006 08:02:00 PM · #12

Oh yea- get this the frist day Friday was photos of B&G on a brige 45min drive at 2:30 then rehersel at 5pm then the dinner at 6:30 then a birthday party at 8pm. Sat. B- getting her hair and makeup done 9am, bridal brunch 11:30, B- at church getting dressed 2 wedding photos of B&G and wedding party 3:30 Wedding 5:30 Rec dinner 7:00 DJ-(open bar!!) 8:30-2am 2:30 am to 5am "after glow" at a bar she rented out and pre-paid for booze to avoid braking laws. Next day because everyone came to town for her wedding lets have a family ren/fish fry 11:00-5:00pm. These are just the high lights. Bridezilla
You look like you are off to a good start. You should post some of your wedding shots in a file on your portfoilo get some critiques.

06/22/2006 08:11:50 PM · #13

Originally posted by wavelength:

Originally posted by TechnoShroom:

Originally posted by Megatherian:
I think someone posted as well the rule of thumb is 8% of the total cost of the wedding.

Hmmm... costs $126 to get married here so that would be an additional $10.08 for the photographer. Cool. Married plus photos of the blessed event for under $140.

I think for a $126 wedding, you go to Walmart portrait studio. One may argue if that is all you have to spend.... maybe you should hold off for a bit.

ARRR I live in a one horse town. Missouri, everything is cheep. If I were in St. Louis or KC I could easy charge that, and I am moving up in price. I think the top priced studios in Springfield are up to $2,500 and you are right, I should have charged more for that one. But you know what that is like they say how much I need to know now and well you just toss a out a #.

06/22/2006 10:24:23 PM · #14

Here are a few of my shots from last wedding...they are in my workshop folder...how do I move them to the portfolio?

Do I need to have them in portfolio for people to be able to see them, or can everyone see them in my workshop?

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

06/23/2006 09:10:45 AM · #15

You did it right! Wow those are nice I like the BWs the best. The one with the window I wish she was lookin in to the light, but still nice colors. How many shots do you normaly take at a wedding? Do they get proofs? You have to watch that they will go home and scan the photos, it is getting harder to protect your copy right. I use www.candid2000.com as my lab. They will set your shots up on a web site, you link it to your own so it looks like you did it. Then you set your own prices, they take credit card payments on line ship for FREE to your custmer with your return address, deduct the cost of processing and send you a check. Let me tell you it is nice. They have been my lab for 8 years and do a wonderful job. I think you have to apply for an account and they do not print for the public.

pawdrix

Nikon D700

06/23/2006 09:28:43 AM · #16

I would look at it like its a weeks salary, for pretty specialized work. And you're not flipping hamburgers either...or cutting grass.

Basically you charged a little over $6.50 per hour (@ 30hrs) and I bet when you add up all the phone calls, the wedding itself and then the processing, plus whatever else you may have made even less...am I right???

Whats an hour of your time worth?

Message edited by author 2006-06-23 09:29:21.

ShaneBlake

Nikon D7100

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

06/23/2006 09:29:32 AM · #17

i've done two weddings now. the first was for a coworker who was specificially looking for an amature to shoot her second, and much smaller, wedding. $300 and i gave her the photos on disk w/ no processing. bought myself the sb-600 and new cf card i needed to do it.

my second, i charged a friend $450 for the wedding and a two hour engagement photo shoot here in town. i got a new sb-800 and tripod/ball head for my trouble. i gave them all 900 images on dvd w/ a promise to process 80 of them for printing.

half way through this second wedding my wife turns to me and whispers "you didn't charge them nearly enough for as much as you're working"

nope. i didn't. but next time, the price will go up again...

06/23/2006 09:32:02 AM · #18

Originally posted by bryantbus:

You did it right! Wow those are nice I like the BWs the best. The one with the window I wish she was lookin in to the light, but still nice colors. How many shots do you normaly take at a wedding? Do they get proofs? You have to watch that they will go home and scan the photos, it is getting harder to protect your copy right. I use //www.candid2000.com as my lab. They will set your shots up on a web site, you link it to your own so it looks like you did it. Then you set your own prices, they take credit card payments on line ship for FREE to your custmer with your return address, deduct the cost of processing and send you a check. Let me tell you it is nice. They have been my lab for 8 years and do a wonderful job. I think you have to apply for an account and they do not print for the public.

Wow, those guys are cool. I've checked out expressdigital and they just charge way too much. I might try these guys out though.

06/23/2006 09:34:49 AM · #19

Originally posted by carisakD70:

Here are a few of my shots from last wedding...they are in my workshop folder...how do I move them to the portfolio?

Do I need to have them in portfolio for people to be able to see them, or can everyone see them in my workshop?

Yes, at the bottom of your workshop page, you can select all, and then move them to another folder.

elsapo

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

06/23/2006 09:42:54 AM · #20

I recently had my first wedding and I charged $500 and that included a few prints. Since it was my first wedding I thought it was good. Next time I'll probably bump up to at least $750 because it was a lot of work!

06/23/2006 11:02:09 AM · #21

Originally posted by wavelength:

Originally posted by bryantbus:
You did it right! Wow those are nice I like the BWs the best. The one with the window I wish she was lookin in to the light, but still nice colors. How many shots do you normaly take at a wedding? Do they get proofs? You have to watch that they will go home and scan the photos, it is getting harder to protect your copy right. I use //www.candid2000.com as my lab. They will set your shots up on a web site, you link it to your own so it looks like you did it. Then you set your own prices, they take credit card payments on line ship for FREE to your custmer with your return address, deduct the cost of processing and send you a check. Let me tell you it is nice. They have been my lab for 8 years and do a wonderful job. I think you have to apply for an account and they do not print for the public.

Wow, those guys are cool. I've checked out expressdigital and they just charge way too much. I might try these guys out though.

Yea I only pay $1.99 for 8x10's and they do several different wedding albems they provide the lay out software FREE over 200 lay outs. I sell the crap out of a 6x6 albem just like the big 10x10 for the Bride but smaller for the Mothers, and sisters. Wow they love it I get $80.00 for these additional abems they say it is a stell comp to others prices, I just takes me a about 10min to order and cost me about $15.00. You also get FREE up loading software, it works so easy just drag and drop and you have a print out with a thum nale of your shot to keep for bookeeping. I know there are a lot more good labs out there I have just worked with these guys so long, and a good lab makes you more money. Call there toll free # is 1-888-321-4665 Roz is the oppereater tell her Chris Bryant sent you she will send you a free info packet.