Pricing for Weddings

[Javier]

I have done one wedding and only charged $200.00 and gave the couple a DVD with all the images. I included some enhanced photos using photoshop. I felt that for the amount of work (4 hours + photoshop time) I did not charge enough. I just got asked to do another wedding in June and this couple wants the same agreement (pay for my time and full rights to images). This time I want to charge $400 for my time.

What's the going price for this type of agreement?
Is $400 for 4 hours fair? Couple also wants engagement pictures.

Thanks so much for your advice.

[KeepsakeGirl]

How many images are you shooting in 4 hours?
What is the approx. # of images you'll give them on DVD?

For engagement + wedding day of 4 hours, you're looking at least 5-6 hours with this client. $400 for a possible 6 hours is too low IMO. Think of all the editing you'll do for the engagement + wedding images AND once you sell them the digital files you won't make another dime from that client.

[CypressPhotog]

Welcome to TPF. You should go on the Weddings forum, then check out some of the photographers' websites that post there. They all have their pricelists there. I think that you will find you are asking entirely too little money for your time as long as you are offering a quality product. Most of the photographers here don't give a free dvd of all of the images. They either charge for it or only give low res images to proof on cd. Stick around TPF for awhile and especially check out the Weddings forum...there are many skilled people to learn from here.

[ndsimm]

Originally Posted by Javier

I have done one wedding and only charged $200.00 and gave the couple a DVD with all the images. I included some enhanced photos using photoshop. I felt that for the amount of work (4 hours + photoshop time) I did not charge enough. I just got asked to do another wedding in June and this couple wants the same agreement (pay for my time and full rights to images). This time I want to charge $400 for my time.

What's the going price for this type of agreement?
Is $400 for 4 hours fair? Couple also wants engagement pictures.

Thanks so much for your advice.

First of all, welcome to the forum. Since you're new, I'll go easy on ya.....
You already know you gave away the farm on the first wedding so I won't beat you over the head for that one, but you are about to do the same for the second. If your hourly rate was $100 per hour, I'd say that $400 was fair for your time and then add in the print cost. Without telling you exactly what to charge (because that choice is all yours) consider what you said:
Your time at the wedding and all the requests that goe along with it.
Your time to process ALL the images
Your time to put together the images on a DVD
Your time to burn the DVD
Your time to package the DVD and make it look "purty"
Your time to meet again with the couple to deliver the package
Your LOST revenue because you gave away the rights to the images and future print purchases

Please don't take what I am saying the wrong way, I've just been where you are going and wish someone had been there to slap me around a few times to stop me from doing the same thing. Your time is worth something, your work is worth even more. Don't be afraid to charge what you are worth. Based on what they are asking for, I'd at least double what you are thinking of charging at least. Yes, they might go with someone else, and even though this is your second wedding, don't sell yourself short....

[Javier]

I gave the last wedding couple about 300 images, some of those were duplicates with photoshop enhancements like black and white conversions and vinettes type editing. My main work has been sports photography but have recently been getting inquiries to do weddings. I guess I should charge extra for the engagement pictures.

thanks for your adice

[Javier]

Nathan...I have book marked your web site...this will help with pricing .

Thanks!
Javier

[MyKey]

There is no right or wrong in setting your price, however the biggest mistake young photographers make is time, taking the images is the easy part, the real work comes after the fact. All of this time should be noted in your price. Also as your experience and demand goes up so should your price. A good rule of thumb is if your top package is purchased more than once a year your too cheap. If you do not have any openings - your too cheap. If you are cheaper than everyone else around you that you know of but yet feel your work holds up to theirs or is even better, your too cheap.

Dont be scared to ask what you personally feel you are worth, if you undercut yourself now it is something that is very hard to change. Remember to be fair to yourself before anyone else, make yourself happy and the clients will be happy in the long run.

[cmalana]

Besides time and materials which everyone has already pointed out, there are a few more things to also consider:

1.) Depreciation on camera gear, computer gear, software, flash cards, etc.
2.) Interest rates or cost of capital
3.) Business Insurance
4.) Advertising and General expenses (administrative expenses like postage, quotes, or buying the client that cup of coffee during a meeting :)
5.) Any association dues (PPA, etc.)

Once you start adding things up, then a fair price will come up...and like everyone said, don't forget what your time is worth, as well as expected return on YOUR investment (mark-up).

I'm sure I missed some more things but all the above are part of the cost of doing business so should factor into the price...Hope that helps!

[Kathi]

I would have to agree with the masses here, Javier. You are selling yourself way too short. Feel free to check out our website (www.rjphoto.net) for prices too - we are pretty "average" for the Houston market. As the others pointed out, don't be scared to charge what you are worth. With your 2nd wedding, you need to charge for your time, for the engagements, and either for prints made or for a CD of all prints. Add up the charges for each to get your total. Make sure you charge for the printable CD though, especially since you are giving away the chance to sell them prints instead. Once they have the CD, your profit from that wedding is done. So get your worth out of it.

[sbp]

And there is also another thing goes with it.
As you said you did engagement too low and see what happen they was lower price for marriage.
Now who ever they refer to you will come to you asking for lower price.

You are setting low from beginning and it will be hard to raise price after this trend.

If you think your pictures are good In my view atleast double the price this time.