Who's the Quinceanera expert?

[Firegirl]

I'm on the books to do a Quinceanera (actually a "Sweet Sixteen") in February. I'm pretty much not an event photographer and really just do some family portraiture and team photos. The meat of this post is about money money money. I've already broken the first rule of photography....I accepted the job for a friend!!!! Am I doomed already? Really though, if somebody has some good insight about money and contracts please let me know. I can be PM'd if you like. As always....thanks!

[a2rob]

I am no expert but I have shot several Quinceanera's in the past.Are you going to charge this friend??
I normally charge $300.00 for 4 hours of coverage.

[ndsimm]

get as much as you can in writing...friend or not. most often, these things run like weddings, so that may give you a starting point. find out how many hours they wnat you for. What time will the actual ceremony be, vs. the time for the reception? The receptions can sometimes last until 1 or 2 am so again, how long will they need you for? What size prints are you offering? album?

hope that helps....good luck

[Firegirl]

Oh, heck yeah I'm charging! It's one of her relatives, not her. Even so I'd charge her something. We're talkin about a portriat session plus the event in which I'll be there from about 4ish until 10:00....so they have said. What is reasonable $$ to say about any time spent after the 10:00 deadline. Also, does anybody have a contract to share so I can get some ideas?

[KeepsakeGirl]

Do you do weddings? If so, charge about 80% what you would if you did a wedding for the same # of hours. The only thing missing here is a groom. EVerything else is almost the same. including the portrait session.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

I would have in the contract the first 5 or 6 hours is X an hour and any hour or partial thereof over that is at XXX an hour I woukd make it at least a 50% premium above the first group of hours rates so that you don't get rooked into being there till 1 am or later without getting well compensated for your time. (More than likley few of the pics after the first 5 or six hours worth of shooting will get chosen unless there is a specific ceremony that they will be doing that gets delayed for some reason so those later hours are not going to gain you many print sales so you need to make your $$ up on your hourly rate).

[KeepsakeGirl]

oh yea...

get pics of the centerpieces early in the evening before the mesicans take them.








hahah. they're my people so i can say that! lol ...i wasn't joking tho

[ndsimm]

Originally Posted by KeepsakeGirl

oh yea...

get pics of the centerpieces early in the evening before the mesicans take them.

hahah. they're my people so i can say that! lol ...i wasn't joking tho

your people do that too????