R.L.Photos Loc: Topeka, Ks

I am running a small photography business along with working a full time job. I would like my love for photography to generate some income, so far it has been very sparse. I have photographed some weddings and I like doing so, but they were friends of mine so they got a big discount. Now thanks to some flyer advertising I have a request for a save the date photo session. My dilemma is what to charge. I am worried that if I charge too much they will not book me and if I charge too little I won't make enough to make it worth my time and I will not get respect as a professional. I feel this could lead to photographing their wedding if they like the save the date photos. I could shoot them a price of $200 and let them know that would also go towards a wedding package costing $800 to $1000. These are low dollar amounts compared to the Topeka, KS area where I am located. If anyone has some advice and would be willing to share I would appreciate the help and hopefully be able to return the favor. Thank you! Real Life Photos.

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

I think your idea sounds good the way it is. I too have a small photo business and am trying to break into doing weddings. I don't want to do the super delux package yet, but I feel there is a niche for a photographer to gain experience with lower rates to start, my idea is to do a smaller type wedding where the people can't afford or don't want the high priced job, even if those prices are "standard" for the industry. I will be interested in seeing some response from other members, but I can tell you now there will probably be a lot of negative comments from some real professionals who will say leave it the real professionals, based on comments I see for similar questions from those of us who want to start on the ground floor. There will be some who are helpful(?) by giving you 10,000 things you need to do, and how much aggravation is involved. I talked to a photographer recently about advice on doing weddings and he said "Oh, weddings are easy, everybody is happy, it is fun!" I nearly fainted.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Let's see some of your work. Maybe you are worth $800. maybe $8000. Maybe twenty bucks. Locale aside, the quality of your work has a huge impact on your pricing.

Charging too little is the thing most newbies do. Of course some people are overpriced at $100.00, but if you have even a little experience and reasonable skill, you should charge a reasonable fee. The pricing will depend on what you deliver - an album - prints, or worst of all, a CD of everything you shoot.

R.L.Photos Loc: Topeka, Ks

I am currently building a new website it is not ready yet. I can be found on face book at Real Life Photos it's the Topeka, KS one. I liked your post about the online photography schools. I am still going to follow up on looking at improving my photography education.

zneb240 Loc: New South Wales - Australia

Hey R.L. Photos - I don't have any specific advice but just wanted to wish you well in your endeavours. Look forward to seeing your website when it's up and running.... keep us informed.

Warren

Nikonhermit Loc: In This Place

Captain, every one of your comments has the uncommon quality of good, sound common sense. You add great value to this site. Thank you.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

I think that you have to decide what kind of Photography you are going to provide. Are there going to be three shooters that take 1500 shots each in RAW that you will have to spend many hours in PP. Are you going to find the locations and have the time to take the Bridal Magazine type shots (Think Zucker) ? Or are you going to go the other way and do 200 shoots or less and put them on a disk and tell the customer to go for it in ordering prints. Most of us are somewhere in between. And there is a place for all of us. There are folks out there that can only afford the sell them the disk guy. Just because a photographer does the sell the disk thing does not mean they do not get good pictures.

I would see what the photographers charge that are working in a style of photography that you are comfortable with and match their prices. I think you will find good and bad in all price ranges. If you are going to the disk think don't act like you are going do a lot more.

I find that Weddings are a lot of fun to do. I do weddings alone but always have the Wedding couple assign someone from each family to help me round up folks etc. And set down guidelines before the wedding so things will go smoothly. My PP is minimal for the 4X6's they get of the Wedding then the ones picked for enlargements get full treatment. - Dave

ronz Loc: Florida

I would suggest to truly evaluate your wedding photography and give yourself a grade. I see ads in Craigs List for photographers to shoot weddings for $3-400. That is probably what they feel their work is worth. If you have a good eye and can capture those special moments, you are well on your way. There are snap-shooters and photographers due to today's digital market. Decide what you are and charge for your services. If you are good, you will have no trouble filling your schedule regardless of your price. There are brides who believe the photographer is the first to hire and not the last. Good luck

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Had a budding but now professional wedding and portrait photographer explain it this way as he was starting out. "if if is a very close friend, I will shoot their wedding for $300. If it is someone I know, like a friend of a friend, I will charge them $600. If I do not have any ties as a friend, the average price is about $1200 if I do it myself."
He commented that his weddings seldom exceed that price unless there is travel, accommodations, or a second shooter needed, and in those cases, those items are priced accordingly.
Hope this helps keeping in mind this conversation took place a few years ago. After 2008, many businesses around here adjusted prices downward, but that trend is slowly reversing itself the past 12-18 months in my opinion.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Sorry for the typo - the second "if" should read "he". LOL

DrPhrogg Loc: NJ

I have 3 suggestions: 1) DON"T EVER be the primary photographer on family weddings. If you have a bad day, they are still family and never go away. Shoot for fun, give them the CD, but ask for a release so you can use the photos in a sample album or on line. (There are sample releases on line) 2) Charge $200-300 over your actual costs for friends; same contract release. 3) For strangers or referrals, I charged enough up front to cover my time & expenses, then had an al-la-carte contract for the finished product. I counted on my pictures being good enough so they ordered more than they planned. Prices for each size print, for different albums, for CD, parent brag books, etc, were all individual- make up your own package. Then pay 1/2 when ordered & 1/2 when delivered.
Never work without a contract unless you work for free. Undercut the studio competition by 20%. Price will vary with region. I work from home and have no business overhead.
One last thought. I did a family shoot (film) where the primary bragged he took 100 pictured & made every one count. He overexposed the entire wedding. Ansel Adams wasn't that good. I take 2-3x the promised number and pick the best during PP. If you are good, your reputation will spread, and you can raise your prices a bit. Good luck.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Chances are if you are family, you will be a guest before the photographer, but words to heed from DrPhrogg.

tiphareth51 Loc: Somewhere near North Pole, Alaska

Good luck with your endeavor. I was the wedding photographer for several family weddings...300 guests, the swankiest setting in town. Did all the albums, prints, etc. gave it to them as their wedding gift.
Word does get around as their friends really liked their photos, the albums, the cd, etc. Hence, more business! Be sure to get that important paperwork through.
It would be fun to see your photos...hope you post some.

bogeyeliot Loc: Signal Hill, CA

Hear, Hear!

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

I found your facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RLphotosTopeka

I think you should think about charging $100 for the save the date session with that going toward a credit for a wedding package. I don't think you are at the point where you could charge $1,000 for a wedding, maybe the $500 - $750 range.