 David Coy |
Weddings... On May 12th I have a wedding shoot coming up. This will be my first shoot where I am being paid. I have asked my good friend Josh to help out with this, and we are splitting the payment in half with one another. My questions are these: 1. Pricing. What should my price range be? I have heard upwards of $2,000, but that is WAY to expensive, especially for someone of my skill level. 2. What do I do with the people who would like photo's of the wedding right then and there. I own a Mac computer, incredibly fast. Would it be possible, and wise, to set up a little area, for those who want the photo's for themselves, and sell them individually? What kind of printer do you all recommend, and what kind of paper. Obviously photo paper, but what kind. What sizes would be best to sell, 4x6's, wallets? I'm working on a budget, and I don't want to spend too terribly much. 3. Same as above, but are there any legal problems with this? Tax issues, model release contract, etc. Any help with this would be fantastic. Thank you for taking time to read this post. -David
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anonymous |
Hi David Hopefully I can help you a little. Splitting the price 3 ways is going to be hard, as you won't end up with as much $$$ if you did it on your own. I can't really comment on that one, but I am assuming if you have already got the wedding, that you have discussed money? Also the price depends on what you include in the package etc, if you want, check out my website, under packages and prices there is a wedding tab, and lots of packages to choose from. www.nataliehowephoto.com.au
Also you need to take into account, editing the photos, sharpening, renaming, backing up etc, and you don't want to be doing anything until you save a full untouched backup on disc first, then put a full set of Tiffs on your computer, edit, sharpen etc then batch rename - then your in a position to take orders. You should always get the Bride and Groom to sign a contract (I have a copy of one on my website), make sure they sign that, and that gives you legal right to photograph them and anyone else on their wedding day, as all the guests will know why you are there, and will assume (by association) that they will also at some stage get their photo taken. Tax and legal - not sure where you are from, I'm from Sydney Australia and my first wedding was just done cash so no receipt as such was necessary. Hope this helps. Nat
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David Coy |
Thanks Natalie!
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Christopher A. Walrath |
And now for my two cents. I had a contract prepared by my uncle and it includes a clause that effects signing it as a model release for my purposes. I also split my payment into three segments. One third on signing of the contract, the second due on a determined date about one week before the ceremony and te last third due when the proofs get picked up (I shoot film, hence te ordering proofs). Shooting film, I cannot suggest digital aids to get photos out NOW. Like Natalie said, you're not a walking photo lab. So set up a good pace of workflow and TELL YOUR CUSTOMER WHAT THAT IS. After all you are the PRO that they are hiring. Act like it and you can earn their respect and their return business. As for pricing, I have three options ranging from $1199.00 to $1999.00 depending on the amount of prints included in the final album. I have been known to offer my economy package of $600.00 for 'I take four rolls of film and hand it to you when I am done' package. I use this only when I see that tey either cannot afford my low option or that they are NOT going to buy. But only once or twice have I resorted to tis. Both times for VERY close friends. Since I shoot 645 format, I put ONLY 8 x 10's in the albums. Easier than fudging 4x6's all over the place and the single format flows nicely.
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David Coy |
Wow that price sure is out there. I'm only doing this for a close friend, and will probably be my only wedding, since I don't like weddings anyhow. I have thought it over, and there is virtually no way to sell the prints right on site, so I'm looking into printing options. The printing seems pretty cheap. It may end up that all I have to do is give the bride and groom a dvd with all the photo's finished and archived.
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