What goes into your wedding coverage?
Reputation
Education
Experience
Crew (if you don't shoot solo)
Coverage (what do you cover?)
Overhead
Deliverables
etc......
I don't publish prices nor have "packages". I prefer to meet the couple as early as possible to get a feel of their personality, style, desires, budgets... and create a custom-deliverable based upon the needs and wants...with enough $$$ for my own pocket/pride/profit too, of course.
A recent (email) inquiry is "looking for the very best, regardless of price, over the top coverage". I have enough product(s), coverage ideas,,... to put forth an "over the top" coverage in the 5-digit range...(ok, over $10k). I mentioned I'm not a David Jay, or a [b]ecker, or a _____; but this isn't a destination wedding location, either. This might be my break into the next tier of clent...as I've never had a "Bridezilla" (j/k)
If you were planning an "over the top" wedding package, what could/would you include to set it apart from your other levels of coverage?
Some thoughts for coverage and deliverables
Engagement session
Engagement portrait (various sizes available)
Save this date cards
Scanned negatives & pictures from their childhoods
Signature Mat with selected growing up images
Guest book with selected images
Slideshow for viewing at reception
A "Growing Up" album (getting to know you album?)
Getting to know you session... photo afternoon with the couple
Could be a nice mini-album, desk pic or trifold, digital frame...
Bride/ladies "final fitting" at the bridal shop
more candid images...capturing the emotion/moments
Groom/men "Tux time"
more candid images...capturing the emotion/moments
Rehersal
nametags for the rehersal?
Rehersal dinner
more candid images...capturing the emotion/moments
Day of...from Dawn to Drop dead(lol)
more candid images...capturing the emotion/moments
more formal/posed images too
More products/deliverables
Wedding album for the couple
Parent albums
Wedding party albums
CD/DVD slideshow
Print proofs, Proof magazines, proof album, online proofing,...
Thank-you/gifts
Bride and ___ folios
Groom and ___ folios
mini-albums for all
Custom thank-you cards
Mr&Mrs ______ stationary, address labels
Anyway... Just trying to brainstorm what coverage and products might be offered in the UPPER TIER of weddings.... Hope to be there soon!
Full Version: Ultimate wedding package...what to include???
Wow Nate!
Looks like you covered it all, short of maybe some honeymoon pictures to add into the major, huge, month long photo session. I guess at the right price I would be willing to do all that. Wow, I would love to have been a bride who could afford all that. Have you given serious thought as to how many hours of coverage that would be to begin to figure out a value for such service?
Deb
Looks like you covered it all, short of maybe some honeymoon pictures to add into the major, huge, month long photo session. I guess at the right price I would be willing to do all that. Wow, I would love to have been a bride who could afford all that. Have you given serious thought as to how many hours of coverage that would be to begin to figure out a value for such service?
Deb
my two cents is beyond like engagement photos, wedding photos, and maybe a day after session... by adding all these specialized shoot your creating way too much work for yourself. i would suggest focusing more on products than shoots.
Ashley,,, by all means, please suggest product(s)... 
Tidbit I learned recently from viewing another photog's albums... always have at least one image in the finished album which includes YOU...with the happy couple. It reinforces their memory of YOU every time they look through their album.
Tidbit I learned recently from viewing another photog's albums... always have at least one image in the finished album which includes YOU...with the happy couple. It reinforces their memory of YOU every time they look through their album.
i think simple is best BIG albums with LOTS of page, parent albums for everyone involved, engagement album guests can sign, mini album favors for guests/bridal party, beautiful HUGE wall portraits, custom thank yous
people spend $$ for your creativity and customer service, i dont think you need to go crazy with over the top stuff. thats just my humble opinion though
BIG albums with LOTS of page, parent albums for everyone involved, engagement album guests can sign, mini album favors for guests/bridal party, beautiful HUGE wall portraits, custom thank youspeople spend $$ for your creativity and customer service, i dont think you need to go crazy with over the top stuff. thats just my humble opinion though
Honestly, I'm a little wary of this long list of over-the-top coverage. I realize they indicated money was no object, but I think you have a better bet by getting to know the couple and what is important to them. Do they want you to capture every moment? Want multiple photographers? What kinds of products? If I wanted an over-the-top package, I might want something completely different than someone else. And my idea of "money is no object" may be entirely different from someone else. Do they just want something more than other photographers offer, or do they really want EVERY SINGLE POSSIBLE combination of products, etc. There is much more than just what you give them, but how you do it, and the experience.
Just my opinion.
Just my opinion.
LOL... I'm not looking to "POST" a laundry list of coverage options and products potential clients would see ahead of time...
I'm more looking for mental ideas... that can be brought out while discussing face to face just what a client wants/needs.
More products
"Something NICE for the wall"
A 3, 5, or 7 opening framed "emotion strip"
a pair of the above...one of him, one of her
A blanket, handbag, coasters, mousepads...lol
What's new under the sun ..whether you offer it or not?
I'm more looking for mental ideas... that can be brought out while discussing face to face just what a client wants/needs.
More products
"Something NICE for the wall"
A 3, 5, or 7 opening framed "emotion strip"
a pair of the above...one of him, one of her
A blanket, handbag, coasters, mousepads...lol
What's new under the sun ..whether you offer it or not?
QUOTE
A blanket, handbag, coasters, mousepads...lol
now youre just getting silly
i would stay stick with the NICE theme. nice high end products
How bout a 32x40 Canvas print (extra points if you find an artist to actually oil paint over the print) for them to hang above their bed.
Maybe a "Year of Love" calendar. Have it include as many special dates as you can, birthdays (even for family, each of their parents any siblings etc.) day they met, started dating, got engaged, wedding day (lol obviously) etc. Or you could talk to the husband about him just doing it as his suprise to her.
Hmm... that's about all I've got for now... but hey why not a locket for her and a pocket watch with picture for him. Maybe even as thank you presents.
Maybe a "Year of Love" calendar. Have it include as many special dates as you can, birthdays (even for family, each of their parents any siblings etc.) day they met, started dating, got engaged, wedding day (lol obviously) etc. Or you could talk to the husband about him just doing it as his suprise to her.
Hmm... that's about all I've got for now... but hey why not a locket for her and a pocket watch with picture for him. Maybe even as thank you presents.
Bryce, those are great ideas! I will file those away in my idea bank...
you. (the real one).
in my experience, servicing higher markets is about moving away from product based service and moving into personal service.
they want you, not things.
if you're trying to compete based on 'things' you're going to be fighting a losing battle anyway. anyone else can potentially offer those same things for less than you are. so it becomes about price. the 'whoever's-cheaper-wins' is ultimately a losing game for everyone involved.
volume increases (hence service generally decreases) and quality sinks lower and lower as people keep trying to cut costs to be cheaper.
the easy way to avoid that whole mess is to work on offering something no one else can possibly offer: you.
maybe a different response than what you were looking for,,, but it's a subject close to my heart and i had too pipe in, lol.
much love,
jesh : )
in my experience, servicing higher markets is about moving away from product based service and moving into personal service.
they want you, not things.
if you're trying to compete based on 'things' you're going to be fighting a losing battle anyway. anyone else can potentially offer those same things for less than you are. so it becomes about price. the 'whoever's-cheaper-wins' is ultimately a losing game for everyone involved.
volume increases (hence service generally decreases) and quality sinks lower and lower as people keep trying to cut costs to be cheaper.
the easy way to avoid that whole mess is to work on offering something no one else can possibly offer: you.
maybe a different response than what you were looking for,,, but it's a subject close to my heart and i had too pipe in, lol.
much love,
jesh : )
QUOTE(jesh de rox @ April 14 2007, 07:32 PM) [snapback]118204[/snapback]
you. (the real one).
in my experience, servicing higher markets is about moving away from product based service and moving into personal service.
they want you, not things.
if you're trying to compete based on 'things' you're going to be fighting a losing battle anyway. anyone else can potentially offer those same things for less than you are. so it becomes about price. the 'whoever's-cheaper-wins' is ultimately a losing game for everyone involved.
volume increases (hence service generally decreases) and quality sinks lower and lower as people keep trying to cut costs to be cheaper.
the easy way to avoid that whole mess is to work on offering something no one else can possibly offer: you.
maybe a different response than what you were looking for,,, but it's a subject close to my heart and i had too pipe in, lol.
much love,
jesh : )
in my experience, servicing higher markets is about moving away from product based service and moving into personal service.
they want you, not things.
if you're trying to compete based on 'things' you're going to be fighting a losing battle anyway. anyone else can potentially offer those same things for less than you are. so it becomes about price. the 'whoever's-cheaper-wins' is ultimately a losing game for everyone involved.
volume increases (hence service generally decreases) and quality sinks lower and lower as people keep trying to cut costs to be cheaper.
the easy way to avoid that whole mess is to work on offering something no one else can possibly offer: you.
maybe a different response than what you were looking for,,, but it's a subject close to my heart and i had too pipe in, lol.
much love,
jesh : )
Is it possible to be star struck in a forum???
I agree with Jesh (not that I have any experience with that market) - but "you" and "personal service" are different things.
If you have cachet - they'll pay what they have to to get you - and they'll go with whatever your requirements (and quirks) are (like Yervant's for example).
However, a lot of the most successful and most highly paid wedding photographers aren't "stars" in that sense (except maybe among other wedding photographers). They are simply known in the right circles as the photographer/company to go to. They provide unparalleled service and will accommodate any reasonable request. I'd put Andy Marcus in that category.
A lot of the things you are talking about are really in the purview of a high-end event planner. The client would expect a great experience - and to be able to get anything they want (in terms of ancillary products) after the fact anyway.
If you have cachet - they'll pay what they have to to get you - and they'll go with whatever your requirements (and quirks) are (like Yervant's for example).
However, a lot of the most successful and most highly paid wedding photographers aren't "stars" in that sense (except maybe among other wedding photographers). They are simply known in the right circles as the photographer/company to go to. They provide unparalleled service and will accommodate any reasonable request. I'd put Andy Marcus in that category.
A lot of the things you are talking about are really in the purview of a high-end event planner. The client would expect a great experience - and to be able to get anything they want (in terms of ancillary products) after the fact anyway.
QUOTE(Colleen @ April 14 2007, 09:37 PM) [snapback]118207[/snapback]
Is it possible to be star struck in a forum???
Yes, and I'm a 43 year old dude.
I don't show too many posts to my wife, but this one will be shown. I'm guilty of tuning into the "things" way too much. Wow. Much thinking to do. Thanks for the post Jesh.
cheers,
michael
QUOTE(BassetLove @ April 14 2007, 10:11 PM) [snapback]118200[/snapback]
Bryce, those are great ideas! I will file those away in my idea bank...
Haha thanks! I was proud of them too!
QUOTE(jesh de rox @ April 14 2007, 10:32 PM) [snapback]118204[/snapback]
you. (the real one).
in my experience, servicing higher markets is about moving away from product based service and moving into personal service.
they want you, not things.
if you're trying to compete based on 'things' you're going to be fighting a losing battle anyway. anyone else can potentially offer those same things for less than you are. so it becomes about price. the 'whoever's-cheaper-wins' is ultimately a losing game for everyone involved.
volume increases (hence service generally decreases) and quality sinks lower and lower as people keep trying to cut costs to be cheaper.
the easy way to avoid that whole mess is to work on offering something no one else can possibly offer: you.
maybe a different response than what you were looking for,,, but it's a subject close to my heart and i had too pipe in, lol.
much love,
jesh : )
in my experience, servicing higher markets is about moving away from product based service and moving into personal service.
they want you, not things.
if you're trying to compete based on 'things' you're going to be fighting a losing battle anyway. anyone else can potentially offer those same things for less than you are. so it becomes about price. the 'whoever's-cheaper-wins' is ultimately a losing game for everyone involved.
volume increases (hence service generally decreases) and quality sinks lower and lower as people keep trying to cut costs to be cheaper.
the easy way to avoid that whole mess is to work on offering something no one else can possibly offer: you.
maybe a different response than what you were looking for,,, but it's a subject close to my heart and i had too pipe in, lol.
much love,
jesh : )
Rock on Jesh, awesome!
I know this is an older thread...
but thanks for the much needed reminder Jesh
but thanks for the much needed reminder Jesh
Totally gonna have to agree with Jesh on this one.
Take David Jay as an example, and look what's included in his biggest package... and how many packages he offers.
Take David Jay as an example, and look what's included in his biggest package... and how many packages he offers.
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