Need advise on pricing a wedding for 2013

[dnpayne]

Hey all, I have an appointment in a couple weeks with a couple who's wedding is in 2013. Currently, I've been offering introductory pricing since I'm just getting my feet wet with wedding photography. The couple saw a flyer I was advertising at the lower price. Obviously, I mentioned that I would not be able to honor this price for 2013, but I will still work with them and get them a decent deal. Also, they expressed interest in many photo books, prints, etc... when the time comes.

How do you all handle pricing events so far in the future?

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by dnpayne

Hey all, I have an appointment in a couple weeks with a couple who's wedding is in 2013. Currently, I've been offering introductory pricing since I'm just getting my feet wet with wedding photography. The couple saw a flyer I was advertising at the lower price. Obviously, I mentioned that I would not be able to honor this price for 2013, but I will still work with them and get them a decent deal. Also, they expressed interest in many photo books, prints, etc... when the time comes.

How do you all handle pricing events so far in the future?

I give them the price I was using at the time they booked. Does this get them a deal? Yes.. but it's a trade-off for the trust and advanced booking.

I would feel disingenuous to do otherwise.

[dnpayne]

Completely understood. My situation is a little unique though. I'm priced way to inexpensive at the moment and I'm doing so to gain experience and get my name out there. I guess I just find it hard to lock in my current pricing through 2013. If I did that, I wouldn't be able to do photography full time, which is what I plan to do. I'm not doing them for free by any means, but I am about 40% less than I should be currently.

[jpnatale]

I've seen a lot of photographers only book two seasons ahead. However, since we're ~half? way through this season, it might be a moot point. You could ask that they contact you next spring to book the wedding, saying you don't book jobs that far in advance. Niresangwa is right, if they book now you've got to do it at that price. They thing you need to decide is if you want to LET them book now, or make them wait.

Even next season you could feel comfortable charging more for your services.

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by dnpayne

Completely understood. My situation is a little unique though. I'm priced way to inexpensive at the moment and I'm doing so to gain experience and get my name out there. I guess I just find it hard to lock in my current pricing through 2013. If I did that, I wouldn't be able to do photography full time, which is what I plan to do. I'm not doing them for free by any means, but I am about 40% less than I should be currently.

That's fine, but unless you expect to suddenly have 20 couples sign on the dotted line before you hike your prices, you're just going to risk losing a job.

It just feels kind of dodgy to change prices on people when it was that price that attracted them in the first place. If you start playing shell games with folks, they're understandably going to be upset.

[dnpayne]

I definitely can see your point. It was a slight oversight on my part. I didn't expect a booking that far out. I can also see some people understanding that some price increases occur on things that are over 2 years away. I may just honor the pricing, but make up for it a little in my merchandise (books, albums, prints, etc...).

To solve this problem for future bookings... should I be putting a disclaimer that the stated prices are valid through 2012. For events outside this date please contact me for an updated price?

Eventually I'll be charging a price that I can live with and it won't matter as much if someone books that far ahead. More than likely once I hit my target pricing it shouldn't change too much from that point on.

[Kit]

Just a thought, but could you set your price based on the number of bookings you have made. For example, after booking 10 wedding (or what ever number you are comfortable with), you raise your prices. That way, it doesnt matter when the wedding is and the client books knowing the price in advance. Obviously if you get the 10 bookings, you know that you have a market for your work. If you raise the price and the bookings start to slow down a lot, you know that your clients have booked you based on price and this may just be your compeditive edge?

[candleman]

Originally Posted by dnpayne

Completely understood. My situation is a little unique though. I'm priced way to inexpensive at the moment and I'm doing so to gain experience and get my name out there. I guess I just find it hard to lock in my current pricing through 2013. If I did that, I wouldn't be able to do photography full time, which is what I plan to do. I'm not doing them for free by any means, but I am about 40% less than I should be currently.

I wouldn't book it if you are too cheap now.
I've done it once and never agan.. you will regret it.

I would say you can't accept booking more than 12 or 18 months in advance. My pricelist says i don;t accept booking more than 12 months in advance for packages less than $1700 and I never do discounted offers.

2013 is quite a long way away, and you need to think about how your situation may change too. (trust me sh*t happens and it changes your life forever) suddenly having 10+ weddings booked a year and a half in advanvce is a bad thing.
(PM me and i'll enlighten you)

[Ambrosia76]

It might be a good idea to put a time limit on any future promotions you might do. Like you could have put that the prices were only good for events that happen before 01/01/12 or something.

[Izzy]

This is the very reason I don't trade photography for chickens. If people would stop starting super cheap this kind of thing would not happen. There are better ways to build a portfolio than whoring yourself out cheap.