How many wedding photographers here are making at least this amount of profit?

[yhpargotohp]

Here's a question I would like to ask to all the wedding photographers in this forum...

How many of you that have been shooting weddings for only 2 years or less on a full time basis are actually making a profit of $18,000 or more each year??? How many are making less???

And I do mean profit, as in after you take out your taxes, and all your other expenses of running the business. Profit as in what's left to pay your rent, car note, utilities and what's left over in your pocket, that's what I mean by profit.

I had been reading some other posts recently on here where someone said they've shot under 30 weddings in the last 2.5 years, I believe it was Toms, and then someone posted after them what they've shot so far etc. So that just got me to thinking about how many of you are succeeding above a threshold profit of $18,000 a year? Why did I choose $18,000? I just think that's the lowest acceptable amount for a person to be able to live on and do photography full time.

[Tom]

I wouldn't want to live off 18k take home full time. I guess it is all about perspective, when I was 21 and in college, that would have been great. Now that I am 31, and am married, 18k doesn't work. Mortgage, insurance, food, dates, travel, gas, car - not a chance.

Weddings aren't my only photographic pursuit for profit. I also do a lot of corporate work as well. But I break your threshold this year in weddings alone.

One big difference in me and most new wedding photographers I have seen is that I started out and spent years working as a photojournalist and a corporate photographer before I took on weddings. What I seem to see so often is that someone gets a camera and sets up shop right away without spending much time learning the skills or the business side. I think that is why a lot of those people fail. They simply aren't experienced enough for the type of work they are doing and the market is so competitive that they get weeded out quickly.

[yhpargotohp]

Hi Tom, I understand what you are saying. I was just using the 18k figure as a bottom line figure, meaning that in my mind anything less than that would be failure or poverty. I guess some of it's also curiosity. I've seen some wedding photographers here that have their basic packages as high as $4,000+ so I was kind of thinking wow, is that person making over $100,000 a year if that's what they charge for a starter package? It seems there's a ton of wedding photographers and some seem to be making dramatic differences in income then others.

I seen the pictures with you and all the kids in Sedan or where ever that was, that's cool that you've got to travel the world so much, I admire that. Sounds pretty exciting. That's also good how you donate to those charities.

I like your posts, they are very informative, I've been reading back through lots of your older ones. It was also interesting how you laid out your 5 year plan and price increases on another recent thread.

I agree with you that talent and skill are very important, and those that lack it will just weed themselves out of the industry. Just as you said in a post, most of your business is coming from refferals, not through paid advertising. Therefore if you don't have the skill to take quality/artistic wedding photos why would the bride/family/friends that view their albums reccomend you to anyone else?, so I agree with you 100%.

I guess my post was more just curiosity or nosey'ness, haha

Or maybe just wondering what does the average wedding photographer make in profit in the austin area, as in what would your average wedding photographer make in profit per year as compared to what would the average profit for a wedding photographer be here that had extroidinary skill.

You know, I guess a analogy would be like guitar players, in terms of musical talent, you've got Angus Young of AC/DC who's what I would consider average, he's great for what he does, and he gets the job done, he's competent and skilled, but then on the other hand you have someone that's extroidinary like Steve Vai and he is like Mozart or Bach when it comes to music, you know he has all the skill Angus has, but he just takes it to such a higher level as in it goes beyond knowledge of music, beyond what a person can be taught, as in like wow I don't know how he does it but he must be truly gifted to play on that level.

I don't know if that analogy makes sense to anyone, haha.

Just trying to get a realistic idea of wedding photographers here. You know like is it unrealistic to expect to profit $65,000 a year, if you aren't the Beethoven or Picasso of photographers, but yet you are above average and get the job done.

[d2creative]

Originally Posted by yhpargotohp

I've seen some wedding photographers here that have their basic packages as high as $4,000+ so I was kind of thinking wow, is that person making over $100,000 a year if that's what they charge for a starter package?

There's a big difference between gross and net.

[yhpargotohp]

yes, i know, that's why i stated profit (net)
trying to get a real figure as in after you pay cost of business, how much is left to spend on bills or yourself.

[yhpargotohp]

I guess also, it seems like weddings is the real cash cow for photographers, or would that be untrue? it seems like with weddings there is far more potential than doing headshots for models, or shots for dancers, or children photography.

[bryanlindsey]

Originally Posted by yhpargotohp

You know like is it unrealistic to expect to profit $65,000 a year

I don't think that's unrealistic at all. I shoot in my spare time and will net just a little less than the figure you posted from weddings.

[yhpargotohp]

wow bryan, that is highly impressive that you do that well, and only in your spare time, i'm glad to hear thats not unrealistic, it is certainly something to try & aspire to.

[ShutterSpire]

Originally Posted by yhpargotohp

I guess also, it seems like weddings is the real cash cow for photographers, or would that be untrue? it seems like with weddings there is far more potential than doing headshots for models, or shots for dancers, or children photography.

I would say NO. Portrait photographers have the potential for much higher profit due to the less time involved and limited post processing. I have heard many photographers that can get (after sales) approx $800-$1500 from one session and can do several of these in a day.

[yhpargotohp]

Bryan, I like that photo in your gallery the best of the couple that have their faces together and you captured one of her eyes and ones of his eyes, that is a very creative one, the soul is in the eyes.

The brides in most of your photos in the galleries are very beautiful, like exceptionally beautiful, like hollywood actresses.

[yhpargotohp]

Originally Posted by ShutterSpire

I would say NO. Portrait photographers have the potential for much higher profit due to the less time involved and limited post processing. I have heard many photographers that can get (after sales) approx $800-$1500 from one session and can do several of these in a day.

I guess so, since there's 20+ hours work probably involved left to do after the wedding is over & shot.

So have you thought about doing Portraits to supplement your Weddings until you get more work with weddings?

[Tom]

I've seen some wedding photographers here that have their basic packages as high as $4,000+ so I was kind of thinking wow, is that person making over $100,000 a year if that's what they charge for a starter package?

There are also a lot of big time photographers that say they start at 15k or something for a wedding, then give discounts of like 1/2 off because "I really feel a connection with you!OMG!" to actually book the wedding. The only real big time photographer on here is Mike Fulton, but most of his financial success is from portraits, not weddings. He said on another thread he doesn't shoot many weddings anymore.

I seen the pictures with you and all the kids in Sedan or where ever that was, that's cool that you've got to travel the world so much, I admire that. Sounds pretty exciting. That's also good how you donate to those charities.

It has been very rewarding. I would probably do non-profit photography full time if I could.

I like your posts, they are very informative, I've been reading back through lots of your older ones. It was also interesting how you laid out your 5 year plan and price increases on another recent thread.

I based my prices on what I and some photographers I trust believe my skill level is at compared to the market I compete in. My 5 year plan is a personal goal. That may change, too. I also paid for a quite expensive mentoring session with a very successful photographer, which is what really put my prices in line. I had no effing clue how to price before I paid him for a mentorship. By far the best money I have spent as a photographer. It has earned me back tens of thousands more than I spent in just 6 months.

Just trying to get a realistic idea of wedding photographers here. You know like is it unrealistic to expect to profit $65,000 a year, if you aren't the Beethoven or Picasso of photographers, but yet you are above average and get the job done.

I know a few photographers that are making six figures, but that is the exception, not the rule. The line of top 10% of photographer incomes nationally is about $62k gross. A LOT of photographers talk really large, but aren't really living large. I'm not sure if I will make it to 65k profit this year with all the gear I have bought. If so, it means I need to buy some more EL Rangers!

I guess also, it seems like weddings is the real cash cow for photographers, or would that be untrue? it seems like with weddings there is far more potential than doing headshots for models, or shots for dancers, or children photography.

I think portraits are far more lucrative for all but the best wedding photographers. Weddings are big money once, with a lot of unappreciated work behind it. You can make nice chunks of change on multiple portrait sessions a day. A friend of mine that is a portrait photographer is making about 1.5-2k in orders on average per session. It adds up quickly.

[suerenee]

I spend 50-90 hours per wedding total--depending on the package they order. I shoot Seniors and Families too but, in my biz plan, the real money is with the weddings. Family shoots are great around christmas when there are less weddings, etc.

I suggest you look at writing a biz plan that will tell you exactly how many weddings/sessions you have to do to make the amount of money you want to make.


But remember..your business can work for you too....

My biz pays for my cell phone...when I was working in an office I paid it out of my salary.
My biz pays for 1/2 of my house keeper (I office from home and have both a meeting space and office)
My biz gives me a mileage dedcution
My biz contributes to my HSA, IRA and equipment savings fund...
My biz buys my lunch when I go out with clients or other photogs.

I'm far from you number b/c I just started FT and really would still have a day job had I not been laid off....

But for my biz plan I know I can "make" less money and still be okay b/c I have biz expenses that overlap into my daily life.

Angel, There is no thread that will tell you if you can make it or not. It's a hard life. You work more than 9-5, you work all day, every day. You tell everyone you meet that you are a wedding photographer. You never leave the house without your cards. Right now I have to FORCE myself to take a day off and even at that I don't do it...I'll take calls because brides go down their list and if you are not answering the next photographer will. What you have to decide is if this is something that you can't imagine NOT doing. I love shooting weddings so much I am ready to make lifestyle changes in order to do it.

i don't want to sound preachy...just want to give you that little push. :)

[yhpargotohp]

Thank you susan, these are the types of insightful knowledge I am looking for.
I'm so envious of you for having your own maid, lucky!

[suerenee]

Originally Posted by yhpargotohp

Thank you susan, these are the types of insightful knowledge I am looking for.
I'm so envious of you for having your own maid, lucky!

Oh believe me...I only have a maid b/c i work from home. When I worked in an office I didn't have one. I also have my 84 year old grandmother living with us so I'm a full time mom, caretaker and photographer. ...and that's why I'm up editing at 11:05 on a Sunday Night. :P