Wedding Photography pricing

blessingsphotography · Jan 23, 2011

I am a amature photographer in a small town outside of Houston, Texas. I currently shoot portrait photography, a photography student. I have been requested by 2 friends to photograph their weddings. (one in april and the other september) They are both willing and ready to pay but have requested a pricing proposal. I have looked all over my area for pricing but can't seem to get one that I think is reasonable. I have heard anywhere from $50-$100 an hour. I normally on my portrait photography give a set amount for the session and then the client pays for the printing as well. I need help..any and ALL advice is greatly appreciated!!!

StevePPhoto · Jan 23, 2011

If they are your friends I would charge them like 300 for the whole thing w/out prints, if you can produce decent images

blessingsphotography · Jan 23, 2011

Yes I can produce great photography, I'm still learning but I am far from a "new photographer"

CCericola · Jan 23, 2011

For friends I would give them a discount. There should also be a discount for hiring an inexperienced wedding photographer. I would charge them a flat fee and give them a disk of the images for printing. Between now and your first wedding I would ask some professionals is your area if you can apprentice under them during some weddings so you get a feel of what needs to be done. Remember, there are no re-shoots when it comes to a wedding. And a fowled up wedding can cost you money, reputation and a friendship if not done right.

Robin Usagani · Jan 23, 2011

You are the only person who can answer this qustion.

Warren The Guy · Jan 23, 2011

If it were your first wedding shoot, you might consider free for your friends without printing. hehe. That what a friend should do.

Biggs88 · Jan 23, 2011

Weddings are a once in a life time event.

If you think you can complete the task on point, charge what its worth to you.

If you do not think you can do a full wedding 100%, do not charge at all.

If you think you cannot complete the job well, don't do it at all.

You know what you are able to do. Act accordingly.

safeshot · Jan 23, 2011

Biggs88 said:
Weddings are a once in a life time event.

If you think you can complete the task on point, charge what its worth to you.

If you do not think you can do a full wedding 100%, do not charge at all.

If you think you cannot complete the job well, don't do it at all.

You know what you are able to do. Act accordingly.

agree 100% or if your at 2 or 3 make sure there is another photographer there that can back you up with some good wedding shots,, Iam glad I had backup at my first wedding shoot,, I have another wedding next weekend and will havebackup then also, but I am doing it free of charge just to get the practice :thumbup:

Bitter Jeweler · Jan 23, 2011

blessingsphotography said:
Yes I can produce great photography, I'm still learning but I am far from a "new photographer"

:addpics:

MohaimenK · Jan 23, 2011

Bitter Jeweler said:
blessingsphotography said:

Yes I can produce great photography, I'm still learning but I am far from a "new photographer"

Click to expand...

:addpics:

Sometimes one must do a little bit of research :study:

Message

aprock83 · Jan 23, 2011

I think since you are a friend that you shouldnt charge them for anything but whatever it costs to get prints or photo book or whatever is wanted. Just think of it as a wedding gift from you.

I'm doing the same for my boyfiends nieces wedding. Just a thought.

daarksun · Jan 24, 2011

regardless of the price, make your friends pay first. Friends tend to take you for granted -especially for money. This is huge. the wedding will be a one time, one shoot job. There's no going back and reshooting if you screw up. You need to make sure you have a back up camera and a back up shooter possibly to get additional photos.

You need to make sure you can shoot the types of photos they want for their weddings. You blow this and you lose friends fast - especially if your getting paid for it.

Decide what you are going to offer them. Just the digital images, printed photos (sizes, black & white, color), photoCD, photo books, etc.

Will you need special lighting equipment to shoot portraits of the guests before the wedding? Where you will be shooting, day or night wedding. Plan as much as you can. Don't want to do this flying by the seat of your pants.

Get online and see what local photographers are charging. Look at their photos to see what types of shots they are taking also for ideas. Base your pricing on what exactly they wants and how much experience you are taking into the job at hand.

Best of luck to you.