My first clients! Need suggestions w/pricing

[jocelynaz]

Hey everyone! I am blown away. I have not even promoted myself as a business yet, but I was asked by two people over the weekend to have me shoot their WEDDINGS! Yes, wedding! I can't believe it. Not only are they my first clients, but my first official shoots would be weddings. I am soooo nervous about it all. But they are friends of mine from our homeschool group and they know that I am just starting out as a photographer. The good news for me is that these two weddings will be very small, intimate ceremonies. One is a vow renewal in the park. The other is a second marriage for this gal's sister and only immediate family will be present. No receptions afterwards or anything like that. I would only be photographing the ceremonies. Whew! I would not have accepted the jobs if they were large weddings. LOL! But I am honored to have even been asked!

So now...my question is, how much should I charge to do these small weddings? I am sooo clueless on this, especially since these requests took me by surprise. I wasn't planning on starting any type of income-producing business with my photography until possibly January. How do you charge for weddings and prints? What does your costs include? With my novice experience, what would you suggest I should charge?

I would appreciate any input, suggestions, and feedback! The first wedding is THIS Saturday!

[lissykeeper]

First of all, congratulations!!! It really makes you feel great when someone likes your work enough to want to pay for it! I can't really tell you how much to charge. Only you know what would be a good rate for your area. But I can tell you what I did, and what I would have done differently. My first paid wedding I charged $125. Seriously. (no one yell at me please. I didn't know what I was doing) I had done a few weddings for friends as their gift from me and word got around that I was decent with a camera. When the bride to be ask me what I would charge her, I told her $125 honestly thinking she would not ask me to do it. I spent 5 hours at the church. Even then I didn't think I was under charging. I was getting paid to do something I loved doing. It wasn't until I started processing that I realised my error. I spent another 5 hours processing, over a period of a couple weeks. The second time I was asked to do a wedding, I was a little (only a little) smarter. I charged $350. They only wanted me to shoot the wedding and the traditional stuff at the reception, but I convinced them to do a few posed shots. I spent a total of 3 hours at the wedding, part of the time was hanging out. Then of course processing time. It was still a lot of work for only $350. I now know why wedding photogs charge so much. I don't think I will offer weddings as a service. I may still do the occassional wedding for friends, but it is so much work.

[CrashTECH]

If I were you (and I am not ) I would do it for "free" as their wedding gift. This does a few things for you... there will (hopefully) be less pressure on you because they aren't paying. You don't have to spend money to get them a gift (this sounds aweful, but you are "making" them a gift). The most important thing, you get experience. Make sure they are okay with you using some of the pictures to build a portoflio. I think the experience and samples for a port will net you more than charging them anything would. especially if you do a good/great job with it

Good luck!

[CrashTECH]

Originally Posted by lissykeeper

When the bride to be ask me what I would charge her, I told her $125 honestly thinking she would not ask me to do it. .... It was still a lot of work for only $350.

I have never done anything like this, but unless they were friends... ::shrug:: you WAY under charged. Most charge $1000+. If you had done a few already and were known, I bet you could have called $500 or so fairly easily.

I could be wrong, but I think you might have sold yourself a little short. Although, it is a LOT of work and I can't say that I am / would look forward to doing a wedding.

I almost did for an acquaintance, and I was going to charge $500. FWIW.

[private]

I would shoot the wedding for free (your gift to them) or charge Lissy Prices - add them to your portfolio (get them to sign a release) and then charge them what ever you were planning on charging for prints. Its a VERY small wedding and its your first one you won't have to worry about capturing 100 or more guests. Its not your typical wedding... But, when people see the photos in your portfolio, they will have no idea how small the wedding was...

[jocelynaz]

Leona & CrashTech -- Thank you so much for your feedback! You both have given me great suggestions and things to consider.

CrashTech, I did actually consider doing it for free, as a wedding gift. That was my initial thought! Then I later I thought I would want to cover at least some of my time to post edit and do the digital proofs CD. I did give her (the one renewing wedding vows this Saturday) a quote of $60. But I have not felt easy about it at all. My initial gutt feel was to do it for free. She actually is a friend of mine I've known through this group for 4 years! I feel like my selfishness got in the way of what I really wanted to do for her. Especially because she has indicated that she's on a very tight budget. She has not yet confirmed one way or the other on my quote. But now, I am thinking of letting her know that I will do it for free. And all she would do is pay for any prints she wants.

Leona ~ I appreciate the feedback from your experience! I don't think I would offer weddings as a service either, at least not for several years. It does seem like A LOT of work! Although, like you, I may consider doing small intimate weddings for close friends and family. But I never know how the Lord will direct my path with all of this in the future. I'll just keep learning and growing! Btw...love your 52, 75lbs blog!! Keep it up and stay motivated!

Thanks again!

[jocelynaz]

Private -- just saw your post! THanks also for your feedback. You must've posted while I was typing my reply. Okay, you are another confirmation that I will offer to do her wedding for FREE!


Thanks a bunch!!