How much to charge for Bridals / Engagement Sessions?

[SPStakem]

Hey guys. I know people have asked this before but I just got an email from a lady asking me what I charge for Bridals and Engagement photos because of the Bridals she saw on my site. The only thing is the ones on my site are from a Bridal Workshop that I participated in. So I have no idea what to charge seeing it would be my first time. Any advice??? Thanks!

[Paulo]

Good luck with your potential client. I don't really have a set "$" amount to suggest to you. Consider looking up say 10-20 photographers (similar skill level as you) around your area and get an idea of the 'average' market value for engagement sessions. Apply whatever you learned from your previous bridal workshop and go for it.

[princessmocha]

I wish I have the answer ....I've seen people charging $150, and some others charge up to $750 for a 2 hours session . I agree with Paulo, do some price check/research.

[HotHolly]

In the end, you decide what you charge and what you want your profit to be. I'd figure it out based on time. If you are someone that wants to take time, both shooting and processing, you need to figure out how to cover that. $150 session fee is very reasonable.

If you want the gig, decide what you are doing ahead of time, how many images you are taking, time shooting, time with PP, and what type and number of proofs (paper digital). $100/ hour is what is considered doing an event at cost. So, if you can do the math. Aric posted a bunch of detailed time info on how much time goes into a wedding on here somewhere. You might want to peek at that thread.

You can always push bigger print sizes on bridals too. Like 16"x20" or larger.

And don't tell her about the model, unless she directly asks. She liked the photos - that's what matters. And since it was a workshop, I don't think that matters either. Some photogs hire models to get nice port pieces. Same difference.

We usually suggest that a bride use a MUA to get the best photos possible (it also means less editing for you). The bride in your photo has really nice skin and great MU. That MUA is in your area, if you want to suggest someone. At the very least, suggest Dillard's MU counter.

There's more info than you asked for. lol. I must feel chatty!

[bondarnes]

Another thought would be to give a figure of say $500.00 and add that it includes $350.00 of portrait credit. It's just a smoother way of saying Session fee is 150. and there is a 350 minimum order.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

What Don said, give them a set price that includes XX amount of credits against the prints that they want (you may cut your margin a bit on the prints over your costs if you feal a bit guilty about charging too much).

Also don't forget that if there is a "site use" fee that the bride is responsible for that, so if she just has to have her photos taken on the STEPS of the Meyerson she knows that she has to pay the fee to get in there same with some high end hotels and their fees.

Also if you have to rent a studio space be sure to think about that cost in your price set.

Don't think of it that you are charging them $150 for 2 hours in front of the camera think of it more in the lines of 2 hours in front of the camera and XXX hours in post production on the comp doing PS work by you so your total time may be closing in on 10 hours depending on how much post work that you are doing along with the time spent meeting with them, discussing the shoot and presenting the photos to them.

(ps read the wedding section here for a lot of horror stories and some others experiences with bridzillas).

[SPStakem]

Thank you guys for all your advice. I am going to have to think about this one a bit then get back to her. I'm going crazy as well because I need to get a new computer bad and so I am afraid to say I will do any kind of events before I get my new computer because it will have photoshop and everything I need on there. And I can't decide between a Mac and PC! It is driving me nuts! But again thank you guys for your help.

[boldimagery]

Shuan,

A few questions for you. How much do you plan to earn this year on photography? How much are your annual expenses? How many session do you want to do? What would you like your annual salary to be?

You answer those questions and you will have your price. What do I charge? $350. I like Don's approach to it too. Very very clever!

Mac all the way baby! Worth every penny. I never have ever been so productive. Vista... SUCKS! It will eat your RAW files for breakfast. Literally.

[Wendyp]

Another question along these lines. I was shooting engagement and bridal sessions that involved a couple hours and several poses and locations. But now I'm rethinking this because when it's said and done 98% of the time the bride choses a more traditional portrait from the sessions anyway. Now I'm thinking of a two-tiered price structure...one for a basic portrait session (about 45-60 mins)and one for a "story" session which would include a story book or DVD slideshow.

What are you all doing in the way of bridal/engagement sessions.

[AndrewCCM]

Originally Posted by boldimagery

Shuan,

A few questions for you. How much do you plan to earn this year on photography? How much are your annual expenses? How many session do you want to do? What would you like your annual salary to be?

You answer those questions and you will have your price. What do I charge? $350. I like Don's approach to it too. Very very clever!

Mac all the way baby! Worth every penny. I never have ever been so productive. Vista... SUCKS! It will eat your RAW files for breakfast. Literally.

Agree with everything here accept the PC / Mac comment. If you have the money to spend and don't like building your own machines, Mac's are quite cool. If you want similar horsepower at 1/3 the cost without the cool factor.. Build your own. I am digressing into another PC/Mac thing. But it was part of the OP message so I don't feel all that bad.

For the record, i use both platforms. I am faster and more productive on XP based machines. But that is just me.

[boldimagery]

Wendy,

IMO that gets too complicated. Shoot for your heart. Let them buy what they want. Use the stuff your in love with for your portfolio to get better clients that appreciate your art. It takes time and patience but it is worth it.

Besides, put it in a book, in a story format for them in a predesign, they will love it. Then you up sold them on their own photos. You have remember. Most people do not see the big picture. You have to show it to them.

[Wes]

I've got a semi-related question.....

Is it fairly common for the person shooting the wedding to also be the same person shooting the bridals?