I got a request to shoot an engagement party.

In talking to the client what she really wants is an hour of me posing pictures of different members of the family outdoors. I thought this would be a candid type thing I could add on to the wedding but now I'm not quite sure.

If this were a session it would be $150 + $25 for each additional person for the session. However I don't know how many people there will be. It is kind of a family reunion.

If it were say just additional coverage like a rehearsal dinner it would be $350. But its not really that as that is all candid.

What would you do? Has anyone done this before?

Candice

I believe Bella Pictures charges $800 for an additional day, up to 4 hours, and that sounds like what she wants.

I would charge what I normally charge for a portrait session, maybe a little more, and then have them purchase prints via gallery (if your package includes digital files, I wouldn't include these).


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Angela

This seems like it will be more work than a normal session. She is wanting posed shots of all of the family members which means more guiding and stress than the normal candid coverage of family portrait session. Did she say what she is wanting as a product? About how many guests?

There could be two sides to this. You could end up making fair money. OR you could make fair money off the couple and reel in lot$ of print orders from the relatives if you communicate and market yourself.

I would charge a bit higher than a normal portrait session. Maybe around $350. (that would be with 8 additional people) Tell her what it would normally cost with the whole $25 per person thing to make it seem like she is getting a deal.

Now this is only if you have nothing else booked or a chance of getting anything else booked. If you could possibly have a wedding on that day/night I would price it high and explain to her why.

If you dont really want to do it, I wouldnt. Depending on the family, 350 for an engagement party photographer might be a bit high, but of course for us that is hardly worth it.

Hope this is some worthy perspective!

I charge $500 with $50 credit toward prints/etc.

I hope this helps!