I'm a newbie putting together 2008 packages, I have both 2nd shot and did a few budget weddings for friends this year.
Rowena and I had a conversation about how low is too low to charge? Often Brides will look for cheap priced photogs but want 'good work'. Then to find out they spent more on the flowers and food which is all consumed product where as the images are a lifetime of memories.
So, how did you start out and not get 'stuck' in the low end market?
What is your opinion on this?

Thanks in advance for your 2 cents!

Hey, there's another Rowena here?

Hellloooo, anyone want to spread their wisdom?

A good rule of thumb is to start out by charging what you and your network of friends and associates would pay. Over time, you will (hopefully) be able to improve your network.

That's what I was afraid of. In the past these were friends who planned budget weddings. So, they'll tell their friends how cheap the photographer was and they tell their friends, and soon the photographer can't grow out of that market.

Anyone else care to comment?

if they are friends you need to sit down with them and thank them for the opportunity to be a part of such an important day. Explain that you gave them an awesome deal because they are friends and you are building your portfolio. You would love any referrals they give and explain your new prices to them so they understand your real price range. They will communicate this in their conversations with others. Real friends will help you build your busniess and not tear it down if they know what is going on. Give them some brochures to share as well. This communicates professionalism and makes sure the referrals know what they are getting.

Good luck

Hey, Jeanette,

Sorry I didn't get back to you yesterday. Crazy day.

I think what you initially charge is based on where you are within the skill sets of the other photographers in your area. If you look at the work of what others are doing and your work is comparable or even better, then I think you would be fine within the same price range. Here's my example: A girl that I met on another forum was just getting started out this year. She had her starting price at what she wanted to make for a wedding - understandable. We are doing this for a living. But her skill set was no where near the price she was trying to book. She had only shot two weddings on her own and they were ok, but she definitely could improve. She only has inferior albums to show clients that she meets with, so no one was booking her. Dropping her prices back has helped her book weddings, so now she has money coming in and is building experience and getting better sample albums. You have shot weddings on your own and second shot a bunch. Looking at your work, I don't think you need to start out way below the other photographers in your area. Brides on a budget will hire you if you are cheap, no doubt. Your reputation within the photography community might suffer if they see you as just another person getting started out undercutting prices. If you come in strong and confident with the work to back it up, you should have no problems. Invest back in your business as much as you can so that you have something impressive to show, even if right now it is just a box of nice 8x10 prints that you can show in a client meeting.

I'll email you later.

regina

What do you think 90% of word of mouth is? That's the middle class mindset. You aren't ever going to avoid that. (But you can grow out of it by using Gary Fong's method.)

As for skill, the photographers who are charging $10,000 and up aren't any better than a lot of photographers charging $2,000. If you read up on their backgrounds, you'll find out that their prices took off when they got a break that put them into a network of higher-end clients. Or they had those contacts already when they started out. (Those are things no one wants to admit to - especially if they are selling dvds or seminars.)

But if you don't need the money. Set any price you want, and wait for someone to come along who is willing to pay it. You might get lucky.

Regina, thanks, this has given me a better outlook for sure.

John, thanks for your honest perspective. By the way, I've never seen Gary Fong's method or DVD. Sounds interesting, so it's all about how you network?

jeanette it's hard getting out of that low end "friends" rate. especially when you just start out and need experience and money we started charging more shortly after the shootshop. http://www.theimageisfound.com/shootshops/ this year we had 3 referrals from previous brides asking for our old rate we turned them away. 1 came back and booked at our current rate we did give a $200 referral discount. we're still pretty weak

Thanks David. This has been such a complex issue for me, but should it be? I'm sure none of us want to be boxed in a low end market and have to struggle to climb out of it later. The reason for this post was to ask how low is too low to start and is it worth it?

you are an awesome photographer. i think you should charge around the same as photographers in your area that are at your skill level. maybe more. i'm not the best to ask on this one. i'm still real new also. sorry this doesn't help much.