Package pricing vs. hourly rates

[Padawan Dad]

Hi,

I have been into photography for just over 20 years. I have been shooting weddings for a little over a year (I consider myself still a rookie.)

I was considering elimintating "packages," and offering my rates and products, all as A la carte.

I currently seperated albums and CD-ROMS from my packages, and I now have my hours of coverage, a print package and print proofs all-in-one package.

I am considering offering a flat hourly rate, and allowing people to assemble their own packages.

Does this work for anyone else. In my experience, there is about an 80% ratio of my clients who: "Don't really need that in the package," or "don't want that." I think people feel there is a loss of control with packages. Or they are locked into something they really don't need/want, and their money could be spent on something they would rather have in place of...

Just seeking comments and opinions of all.

[Rhinotherunt]

It is what I do. I charge hourly. Everything is flexible.

[Phil V]

My personal belief, as a customer, is that I shop for a product, so that's what I sell. It can get very complex trying to put together an a-la-carte package, particularly with products you're not really familiar with. A B&G might think they can order 3hrs of photography but still want to go for a 100page A3 album - how would you fill it?

I go for the simple option; I'll turn up at your wedding for xx hours and present you with xxx proofs (as DVD slideshow) from which we'll pick xx number for an album, which album depends on how much you want to spend.
The only real variable the B&G have to think about is what kind of album and how large. Other items available at their request (including printed proofs).

My album pricing goes from traditional 30page albums (1 print per page) through reportage albums, to storybook albums. It's simple to justify the markup on the storybook albums as there's a lot of work goes into the layout.

As I'm still portfolio building (and my 2nd is still needs lots of practice), I'll still spend all day shooting for a full storybook album, even if the B&G will only end up with a traditional album with only the formals (hasn't happened yet, but I've an interview tomorrow with a bride who's 'booked' and hasn't seen my work).

[Scott B]

In my experience, there is about an 80% ratio of my clients who: "Don't really need that in the package," or "don't want that." I think people feel there is a loss of control with packages. Or they are locked into something they really don't need/want, and their money could be spent on something they would rather have in place of...

You're going to find supporters on both sides. I'm getting ready to take everything but the high rez cd and proof mag out of my base. On the flip side I'm going to offer everything else that is a la carte at a 20% discount if they purchase them within the first 90 days after their gallery hits the internet. It gives them the opportunity to forego the album and do it themselves, while at the same time they get to purchase albums, dvd slide show and prints at a reduced figure.

I figure it's a win/win situation for me.

As for the quote above ... sounds to me like your customers have all ready told you what THEY want. That's who I tend to listen to.

[paul33]

I spent three years working "a la carte" but got fed up with people booking the cheapest combo they could put together ....... only to find at the wedding that they were paying the car driver more than me !!!

I'm on packages now so that even the "cheap option" pays well !!!

[Scott B]

Obviously you have to set your minimum package or starting price at something that you can live with if that's all they're going to take. That's why I decided to get rid of my $995 package. (Or rather it will be gone in a few weeks.) Who the heck wants to do that all summer long when people will pay much higher.

Personally ... I don't care if I ever have to design another album. This played a big part in my decision. If I find that my brides don't like it then I can always change it back.

[tim]

I offer a base package that includes 8 hours and a slide show, then let people add albums and/or prints onto that. I don't like to do shorter weddings because then you miss photos and it makes albums more difficult because you have less material.

[cassarilda]

I quote people...

They tell me what they want, I work out a timeline that works for me, including travelling time etc (that many people dont take into consideration when thinking of time frame for photographers), and present that to them with my quoted time for the hours included in the timeline. I find most people like this as it gives them an instant understanding of how the day will run in my mind, and why.

And then they can add or subtract, knowing how much time I need for each section, travel etc.

Oh and I dont do albums in my quotes unless they want them...