Fahad Loc: NewYork

I've been recently given a project to shoot the wedding of an acquaintance and been asked to quote a price. This is gonna be my second wedding shoot, the first one I did for a friend, was free. I want suggestion on what kinda services/packages should I offer them and how should they be priced? Should I give them only printed photos or should I give them a dvd?

I have no intentions to rip them off in terms of money, I want to keep it reasonable.

Suggestions please....

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

If I thought I could do all the running around , I'd charge at least $100/hour + expenses, remember you have at least 12 hrs of shooting work, checking out the rehearsal, the brides house, the church and the reception, then the darkroom/computer time, Bob.

Fahad Loc: NewYork

That's true..... I'm expected to be there the whole day

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

While I am not a wedding photographer I have shot a few weddings for friends. They and I think the photos came out very well so everyone is satisfied.

I know you will get much better answers from the professional wedding photographers right here on UHH but one thing you might consider is asking the couple what they are expecting. Knowing this ahead of time might give you some answers as far as what package(s) to offer. Possibly they will tell you they do not want any shots except for the wedding itself and the reception. At least it gives you some idea of the type of photos they want. Of course you should be ready to offer the types of shots you think will work well too. There are old standards in wedding photography such as the bride in her wedding dress, families together, brides maids, groomsmen, groom and best man, toast at the reception, first dance and so on.

Good luck with the shoot and let us know how it turned out.

Dennis

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Since you don't do this for a living, you can't charge top dollar. I would survey maybe 5-8 pros, find out what they charge, toss out the lowball and highball price, and take an average of what is left.

You don't want to hurt professionals that earn their living doing this, and you don't want to create the illusion that a couple can take advantage of you because you are a "beginner."

Now, to address the other question that you didn't ask - why not refer this to a pro on the condition that you can assist as a second shooter. Let him or her take all the responsibility for consultations, scheduling, contracts, etc etc etc. It will be an excellent learning experience, and, after a few of these, you will be prepared to do these on your own.

The fact that you need to ask what to charge means you aren't quite ready, and this is a very important day for the couple, and you don't want unforseen circumstances to catch you unprepared and you end up spoiling their day.

Bobbee

Here r your hours.

heyjoe Loc: cincinnati ohio

yes i agree,work with a pro a few times,less stress,and you will learn 10 times faster,how the whole day is planed,ask pro for $200 for your help,
but your true payment is a free day of training,good luck

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

And if you use an assistant (highly recommended) you need to add that time is as well. Now you understand why pros get a minimum of $4000 for a wedding.

Bobbee

There are two things to consider with Pros vs, lets call it non-pros.

One is maybe experience, You will have pros that are shooting for 10 plus years and have the composure to sail through a wedding and possible issues. Then there is Pros that make their lively hood on their photography and if they are not charging thousands to do weddings they cannot meet their bills. So that said you can clearly see why people would pay that much. Or on the flip side, why that amount is charged. Then you have a group, who have experience, turn out good pictures and don't rely on the photography to eat pizza. This may support the weddings where they just cannot budget a photographer that charges such high fees. It is what it is. The second crew does their work. The first crew, although they will NEVER do the second crews wedding, will take every opportunity to downgrade the second group.

Do your wedding, charge what you think is fair. I shoot with an assistant and it does help. Next Sunday I will be without because it is a very short, small affair and there is no need. Like 1-2 hours and only pictures of the B&G and the Brides three children on a gazebo by the water.

I guess the rule here is there are no rules. Not every wedding is cut and dry. Like yesterday I met my September couple in Orlando, I am hopefully waiting for them to call and cancel, and will thank them for doing it. I can see trouble coming. Otherwise I will put on my 'A' game and hope for the best, which I think will not be good enough.

Take care and enjoy your wedding.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Bobbee

OK, lets try a litmus test.

Go find 5 'professional' photographers. Tell them you are an armature wedding photographer with one wedding under your belt and going to do your second. Tell them you want to price out the second wedding and want to know what they charge to do a wedding. Let us know what they say to you.

Then, offer them the wedding, under the condition you are their second shooter. Tell us again, their response.

I see this suggestion all the time and I know what my responses would be. I would like to see what 'Pro' answers would be. Maybe we can stop this suggestion or embrace it for all it's worth.

To tell you the truth, I have met 'quote unquote Professional photographers at venues. My impression is 50/50. Wondering what your distribution will be.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

$2000 plus.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

Another great answer from Gene!

If you are wanting to get into the business like as being said you will need to be an understudy. Find a pro that will take you on for more than a one shoot. You bring your friends & family to the table. Win-win for all.

J. R.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Have to agree, last wedding we attended the pro was a joke, arrived late, didn't know how to pose people, had her 'Kodak' digital camera battery go dead.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If I were in this situation, I would do a serious Google search.