Moral Question About Shooting a Family Wedding

[CardonaImaging]

My cousin is getting married in October and of course i got the invite. Now she wants me to shoot it. So.... Should i charge her? I mean i'm gonna be there anyway and the wedding is small. I was thinking either shoot it for free as a gift(pretty nice gift) or knock off 50% to pay for the trip and fun. And yes i have done several weddings. Weddings are not my main profession but I've stepped out and shot a few. Just curious what your views are. Thank you in advance for your input

 

[Trever1t]

Who can answer? This depends on your relationship with her.

 

[CardonaImaging]

I only have 3 cousins on that side of my family, so i'd say we're close. We don't see or communicate as much as we should. She's definitely not one of those cousins i barely know

 

[BlueMeanieTSi]

Here's what I get out of it and how it should be worded.

At a minimum this is what is expected: knock off 50% to pay for the trip and fun.

Making this part: I was thinking either shoot it for free as a gift(decent gift)

 

[Trever1t]

if it were me and my cousin asked I would advise them to hire a team but if she insisted I do it I would do it as the gift.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

$2000

 

[CardonaImaging]

Thanks Trever.. You're right. I need to find out if she's trying to save a buck or if she personal wants just me to shoot it..I'll keep that in mind

 

[Alex_B]

Well, you will be there anyway ... but if you are there as a photographer, you experience will be different from being without business ... also most of the work comes after the wedding. So it is up to you to decide if you are close enough to be worth the effort. I do such things for close friends who cannot afford hiring someone else. But everyone should understand if you decline, since it will be lots of work.

 

[Jaemie]

if it were me and my cousin asked I would advise them to hire a team but if she insisted I do it I would do it as the gift.

^^ That's what I would do.

 

[JAC526]

Bitter is cheap.....I'd charge 10,000 for family.

Don't mix business with family. It very rarely works out.

Plus do you want to have fun? Or make sure you get all the shots etc. etc. etc.

If the cousin's budget is really hurting then i would consider more seriously but man, if there was any way to avoid it....I would.

 

[Trever1t]

It really depends on the relationships but a good photographer who knows his clients is going to get shots a stranger would probably miss.

 

[camz]

I shot my cousin's wedding in 2010 free of charge(twas our wedding present to her). She just had to pay for materials for the prints and albums. It's alot of work and I will not do it for anybody else - she's like a sister to me and she had financial issues at the time.

I personally prefer not to do business with family and friends - it's too close. And I'm assuming that's why you're in the fritz not knowing what to charge them? Me personally, I've done it once, unless they really really need my help I would personally decline. If you do manage to charge family, then treat them like clients if they're willing to pay your professional amount.

Don't you rather be a part and enjoy your cousin's wedding instead?

 

[orljustin]

I'd rather party.

 

[morganza]

Would be a little bit weird to ask money indeed, but if I was you, i'd give some sort of discount like the replies in this thread suggested. Hope you find your awnser!

 

[Tradewinds]

One the ball starts rolling it is hard to stop. If you shoot your cousin's wedding (for free or 50% off) other family members will expect the same deal.