Hi all,

I have been asked to do my first official wedding. The couple is really cute, very fun and financially strapped so they can not afford much. The wedding will be held on a beautiful beach here in S. Florida.

What I need advise on is what do you typically offer in your pkgs. and how do you price things when you are just starting out.

I would appreciate any and all suggestions.

Thanks,

Linda

Easy questions without easy answers.

Some photographers do the first couple of weddings for free and even throw in albums and prints on the house. Some do the first couple for a few hundred bucks and then move up toward the national average spent on photography (around $2000 - $2500) by the fifth wedding. Some charge way over the average for their second wedding and on. There is no magical one right way to do things.

What kind of photography experience do you have? What value do YOU place on your time and talent? What's the local competition like? Only you can know what to charge and what to include.

Hi Linda,
Here are my packages, hope this helps.
I try to keep things so simple when the order. It's not that complicated. I currently only offer 1 album in two different sizes, so they don't get bogged down in having to choose between different album co's. I am adding KISS and Graphi to the line-up next year, but they will be priced the same so it doesn't get too complicated.
My only advice is to keep is simple as well. I've tried to price a bit on the high side for my market. Obviously the dollars attached may not apply to your market, so adjust accordingly for yours. I'm small market, somewhat rural, 'bout 40 thousand people.

#3 is the most popular right now.

Collection 4 – Complete $6000.00
This collection includes:
Up to 12 hours of coverage by John Lyons and an associate photographer
Approximately 1000 images (digital negatives) on DVD with reproduction rights, delivered 
upon album completion
An online gallery for viewing and ordering (online for 120 days)
Online and DVD slideshow of favourites
1 – 12” x 9” (opens to 24” x 9” flat) 30 page fine art album in a beautiful art box
2 – matching 8” x 6” 30 page parent albums

An engagement photo session is included in this collection along with a 9” x 12” engagement album/guest signing book

Your choice of: leather-bound proof magazine of all images or printed 4”x6” proofs of all images


Collection 3 – Essentials $5000.00
This collection includes:
Up to 12 hours of coverage by John Lyons and an associate photographer
Approximately 1000 images (digital negatives) on DVD with reproduction rights, delivered 
upon album completion
An online gallery for viewing and ordering (online for 120 days)
Online and DVD slideshow of favourites
1 – 12” x 9” (opens to 24” x 9” flat) 30 page fine art album in a beautiful art box
2 – matching 8” x 6” 30 page parent albums
Printed 4”x6” proofs of photographer’s favourites (usually 60 - 80 photos)

An engagement photo session is included in this collection


Collection 2 – Basics $3500.00
This collection includes:
Up to 10 hours of coverage by John Lyons
Approximately 800 images delivered on CD and/or DVD upon album completion
An online gallery for viewing and ordering (online for 90 days)
Online and DVD slideshow of favourites
1 – 10” x 10” (opens to 20” x 10” flat) 30 page fine art album

An engagement session or associate photographer can be added for $300 each


Collection 1 – Creative Fee and Coverage Only $2500.00
This collection includes:
Up to 8 hours of coverage by John Lyons
Approximately 600 images delivered on DVD with reproduction rights (digital negatives)
An online gallery for viewing and ordering (online for 90 days)
Online slideshow of favourites

Albums may be ordered a la carté after the wedding
An engagement session or associate photographer can be added for $300 each

I suggest looking at what other photographers in your area are offering. Not to necessarily copy them, but to get an idea of what you're competing against, and be able to distinguish yourself. You may want to use some of the same things, and you may not, but it gives you a reference point. Also, determine what you need to do to make money off of the gig, if that's what you want to do. I think one of the worst things we do to ourselves is set prices out of thin air without thinking about our overhead (camera, computer, and other costs), or the fact that in addition to shooting time, there's also sorting through the images, talking to clients, etc....and then somehow photographers aren't making money and they can't quite figure out where it's going.

Thank you John and Hope for your replies that helps a bunch.

John thank you for sharing your packages that gives me the information that I was after.

If anyone else has anything to share I really appreciate the help here.

Thank you,
Linda

Thank you Kaitlin,

That is wonderful advise! That is what I am trying to figure out what my overhead would be and what I need to make. I know this first one won't be a money making job. But it will be a great start for my portfolio. I have been asked to shoot weddings and I tell them I would but I have never shot one of my own so I don't really have anything to show. And they do a 180 on the spot. Don't blame them.

I assisted a few high dollar weddings this spring and loved it. I need to do more of that also. Its getting hot here so the busy season is past us. I have loved this forum. Such wonderful talent here. Thank you for the help! It is much appreciated!

Linda

Hi, Linda

Personally, for my first wedding I charged $1000 and gave them the CD of all the images with post-processing. I was doing it to earn the experience. $1000 is somewhere around 1/3 of the market average for my area. You have to do a little research and figure out what most photographers in your area seem to be charging, and then offer a price based on how you feel your skills and abilities measure up.