Wedding Jitters

[mng100]

Friends, I was just asked for pricing on a wedding package. The thing is, I don't do weddings, never have, wasn't planning on it. But this potential client has seen my work and requested information of me. So I told him, "I'm sorry, I have no experience doing wedding, but here's some things to consider when looking for a photographer...". He thanked me for the advice and here we are a month later, and he is again requesting if I would consider potentially doing it and what the cost might be.

I feel fairly confident in my abilities and feel that as long as we have a contract with detailed and realistic expectations, that it should be fine. I already have someone that will be shooting with me.

My worry is that I don't really know what to include in a basic package, because the information is hard to come by on local market websites. Can you give me advice on what to consider to include? I know I'll be shooting for 6 hours, pre-wedding, wedding, and reception. HE has stated that he doesn't want prints, just a CD, but I haven't spoken with HER yet. I'm wary about giving away photos on a CD, and yet, I know it's common practice. How do you balance providing what is customarily included without compromising owner rights? What have you done?

Thanks so much for your time reading this.... your advice is greatly appreciated.

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by mng100

Friends, I was just asked for pricing on a wedding package. The thing is, I don't do weddings, never have, wasn't planning on it. But this potential client has seen my work and requested information of me. So I told him, "I'm sorry, I have no experience doing wedding, but here's some things to consider when looking for a photographer...". He thanked me for the advice and here we are a month later, and he is again requesting if I would consider potentially doing it and what the cost might be.

I feel fairly confident in my abilities and feel that as long as we have a contract with detailed and realistic expectations, that it should be fine. I already have someone that will be shooting with me.

My worry is that I don't really know what to include in a basic package, because the information is hard to come by on local market websites. Can you give me advice on what to consider to include? I know I'll be shooting for 6 hours, pre-wedding, wedding, and reception. HE has stated that he doesn't want prints, just a CD, but I haven't spoken with HER yet. I'm wary about giving away photos on a CD, and yet, I know it's common practice. How do you balance providing what is customarily included without compromising owner rights? What have you done?

Thanks so much for your time reading this.... your advice is greatly appreciated.

So basicly the other photographers quoted 1.5-3 grand for what he wanted. So he came back to you.. I just sell prints. Giving away digitals is as far as I know not a common practice among true pro photographers. Now if you say do corparate / product / headshots thats diffrent. The way I aproch it is say if they want a cd it will be 400$ on top of the base cost of the wedding. But thanks just me. Just asking do you really know what your getting into? Lets just say this shooting weddings is the hardist most stressfull thing I have ever done.

[SusanH1970]

Good information regarding a similar situation on this thread.

[mng100]

@bhursey I might not be getting into anything if he doesn't accept my quote price, and if his research is truly 1.5-3K as you said, I'm still in that same range. I'm really reluctant to give a CD of prints, but I do know that many photogs here say they include a cd of high rez photos. I like your idea of charging a fair amount on top of the base. Maybe I should reduce the size that they can print from the digitals... is that unfair to them?

@SusanH1970 thank you so much for forwarding that link, gave me a lot to think about.

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by mng100

@bhursey I might not be getting into anything if he doesn't accept my quote price, and if his research is truly 1.5-3K as you said, I'm still in that same range. I'm really reluctant to give a CD of prints, but I do know that many photogs here say they include a cd of high rez photos. I like your idea of charging a fair amount on top of the base. Maybe I should reduce the size that they can print from the digitals... is that unfair to them?

What exactly do you plan to do with the image files if you decide to hold them hostage?

[mng100]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

What exactly do you plan to do with the image files if you decide to hold them hostage?

I don't see it as holding them hostage but as an opportunity to protect the images by controlling how they're printed. It might be needless worry, but I do consider the lab, the paper, or if it's on someone's home printer because I believe that a bad print could be as detrimental as a bad image.

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by mng100

I don't see it as holding them hostage but as an opportunity to protect the images by controlling how they're printed. It might be needless worry, but I do consider the lab, the paper, or if it's on someone's home printer because I believe that a bad print could be as detrimental as a bad image.

...and scans or copied enlargements of prints they buy from you wouldn't be printed on those same uncalibrated printers, or cheap inks?

I hear this argument trotted out frequently as a defense against providing image files. If you charged extra for the disc of images, would it prevent the client from using those printers?

Sometimes I just wish those who are so dead-set against providing files would just come out and tell the truth, "I want more cash", rather than these arguments. If that's the case, more power to you.

Ultimately these images are worth only as much as the client is willing to pay for them. If they're price shopping, and that's what brought them back to you, the chances are trying to stiff them for more dough, regardless of sophistry, it's immaterial.

If someone wants that image bad enough, and they don't want to pay for it, they'll get it. If they don't get it, they'll make sure that if anyone asks, the greedy photographer is to blame.

There are ways to truly ensure that you give the client every opportunity to get quality prints, likely at a cheaper price than they would if they went to Walgreens. That way you get to satisfy your own worries about quality, and your conscience at providing value to your client.

[candleman]

^^
What Steve said.

Originally Posted by mng100

I don't see it as holding them hostage .

Clients do though...
I've never heard a good word said about the "buy Prints" approach from a client.

[mng100]

Gentlemen, Thank you. You've given me a lot to consider and your opinion is valued.

[kevingeary]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

...and scans or copied enlargements of prints they buy from you wouldn't be printed on those same uncalibrated printers, or cheap inks?

This is irrelevant. The chances of a lab letting them get enlargements is slim to none. They'll refuse as they know they're copyrighted.

I hear this argument trotted out frequently as a defense against providing image files. If you charged extra for the disc of images, would it prevent the client from using those printers?

Sometimes I just wish those who are so dead-set against providing files would just come out and tell the truth, "I want more cash", rather than these arguments. If that's the case, more power to you.

Not going out of business is a good reason to do something.

Ultimately these images are worth only as much as the client is willing to pay for them. If they're price shopping, and that's what brought them back to you, the chances are trying to stiff them for more dough, regardless of sophistry, it's immaterial.

If a client wants to price shop and/or doesn't want to buy prints from you, there are plenty of clients who will.

If someone wants that image bad enough, and they don't want to pay for it, they'll get it. If they don't get it, they'll make sure that if anyone asks, the greedy photographer is to blame.

And if the person they're talking to is rational they'll dismiss it as an immature and irrational comment.