Wedding Pricing - Where to start

[LoungeLizard]

Aric - all very good advice (as usual). The point of the show for a new person looking at getting into the business is to see what else is out there.

The other thing I would have suggested is to go to a trade show to look at products and such.

It is very difficult - as you know - to give a "full answer" in a medium such as this so my basic assumption is that the person would have done some thinking about a business plan, expense ratios, etc.

You have a wealth of experience and I admire you for it - and your willingness to share.

[brad]

Sorry if I sounded harsh ... its been a long weekend.

Aric said it very well and spent a lot more time on his response than I did on mine. :)

[hmiles619]

Originally Posted by brad

Sorry if I sounded harsh ... its been a long weekend.

Aric said it very well and spent a lot more time on his response than I did on mine. :)

not a problem brad. Even if you were I wouldnt get worked up over what is said on an internet message board. I've had my share of long weekends and know what they can do to me too.

thanks for the info everyone

[Breezy]

Some awesome advice here.
Thanks for all of it

[Gateruner]

I would say that the advice is right on in so far. I would like to add one thing. It is very hard to justify charging market price for weddings when you havent done any. If you havent been a second shooter I would say you need to. If you have and now decided to take a run at it then you need to follow all of the above. I did the numbers and fortunately for me right now i am not having to add in the expense of a studio. My pricing turned out to be about in the middle of the spectrum right now. You might feel that discounting your pricing for the first few events is fair in order to get some experience. My first 2 weddings I discounted the price just because I felt it was right to do so as they were my first weddings booked. My third I didnt discount it but threw in a complimentary engagement session mostly because I know them and they are both teachers but that is probably the end of that. However none were done for free. To much work involved to not make a good profit.

Here is the biggest thing I have learned so far. The research and time it takes to get to the point of creating a price list takes alot more time than you think. Just getting the Album companies to acknowledge you as a business and give you there pricing is a pain. Determining who you want to use as a printer or are you going to try to buy your own equipment which is expensive. Designing your logos, business cards etc. The amount of work away from the camera is alot more than you might think.

[jkderby]

If you are really good and know how to market and present yourself, don't do 4 times your cost. Try 10 times your cost. Marketing is the key.

[Rolland]

For PPA membership go to: http://www.ppa.com/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3
One other thing is protect yourself from a law suit, have a contract that clearly states that your liability is strictly limited to return of any money paid.