How much to charge?

[BaumannPhotography]

I am doing my first wedding photography in a couple of months and I am getting it set up right now. The only thing is that the couple wants to know how much I charge for about 6 hours of shooting? What do you guys think is a fair rate....like I said this is my first so I have no idea. Thanks

Adam

[coreypolis]

you booked a wedding without providing them with prices or services?

what do they want besides coverage? what can you provide?
Are you sure you have the tools and the know how to get quality images? Based on your gear list those are only going to work for a summer outdoor wedding.

Since its your first, you won't be able to charge much, but you need to take into account all the little things like travel time, editing time, proofs, online hosting, albums, etc etc.

[jbstudios]

you will get a lot of different answers on this one like dont do it. Figure out what you would like to make. I way undercharged my first weddings. Actually my first 2 summers. This is really an individual decision. Good Luck

jb

[CyberPet]

My first weddings were free, all I earned was money from the prints they ordered. They took a risk using me. So charge accordingly.

[jkloef]

If they have seen your work and are happy with it (and you are confident that you can provide them the same results as is in your portfolio) then go for it. I agree though you probably should have this figured out before booking the event. I am just starting out as well and plan to continue to shoot for free (as a second camera) through the summer to gain experience, and then in the fall charge only enough to cover my expenses (i.e. album, travel, etc...) for at least another few months before charging full rates. It just depends on your experience, your overhead, and your location. Prices vary greatly depending on where you are located. Since it is your first wedding my suggestion, for what it is worth, is to charge enough to cover your overhead and maybe a little extra for your time. That is my 2cents....I'm just a novice though... ;)

[tim]

FAQ: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=2453681

[davidgr]

Let's see...shooting first wedding, have no idea what to charge, haven't set it up yet, couple has booked you...what should I charge? NOTHING!!! My guess is you didn't even have them sign a contract...not real smart from either end. FREE sounds about right to me. Chalk it up as practice and a learning experience. That should be worth something to you, and hopefully the couple gets some really good shots for them. Everyone wins. :D

[sblais]

you should charge minus several thousands to get the right gear for a wedding! In other words, you should buy the right gear and not charge much to that couple if you have no experience. Backup equipment (cameras, flashes, lenses, memory, batteries, etc), lighting, faster lenses: you'll need it all.

[Mike Fulton]

I charged $1000 for my first wedding.

however I had the right equipment and backup at that time.

No one can really answer this question for you however remember you start low its very hard to build, it takes a long time to get to where you want to be. Set your price accordingly and remember time is your most valable aspect of your job not the camera gear or the photos!

[LeesaB]

My first wedding I did for free...the next 200 dollars (it was film and covered my expenses), then I raised the price to 500 for the next few, then 900...to now where I offer several different packages...

[mmahoney]

Free sounds about right to me as well .. I've considerable experience as a commercial and event photographer but none as a wedding shooter and plan to start doing weddings this year.

If I do the first two or three for free then I should have enough images to at least make a start on a wedding portfolio for others to look at and maybe get some business from. So it's a bit of a tradeoff.

Having said that I will be shooting my first wedding with the proper equipment (and backups) along with whatever posing & technique knowledge I can gain here over the next 3 months as I strongly feel that even if you shoot your initial wedding for free the results should be the same as you expect to be charging for in the future.
Mike

[joegolf68]

I am doing my first wedding photography in a couple of months and I am getting it set up right now. The only thing is that the couple wants to know how much I charge for about 6 hours of shooting? What do you guys think is a fair rate....like I said this is my first so I have no idea. Thanks

Adam

It is interesting how many people get into the "business" without a marketing plan and other essentials. At least you have great folks here to help you out now. The worst thing I ever come up against is someone who doesn't know what to charge for a job, it is like a kid saying can I mow your lawn, and then when asked they say, I don't know, just pay me what you think it is worth. Well, it isn't the worst thing, but it is something you want to fix now, and establish prices for everything, beginning with a minimum hourly rate. Good luck, I'm sure you will do well and be better prepared in the future.

I think you are taking a huge chance with this, your first wedding, inadequate equipment, etc. Offer it all for free, or for actual expenses incurred only, say a total of $100, and make sure you inform them of your level of experience and the limitations of your gear. If you don't, you are throwing the dice on them, without their knowing it, and that is not fair for something as important to them as their wedding photos.

[BaumannPhotography]

Ok, this is my fault for not explaining. Let me further explain. I attended a college for design and photography, and a couple contacted the photography professor and asked him if he knew of anyone that would be good enough to shoot a wedding for them. So he emailed me and some others. I contacted the couple saying that i was interested in starting in this.

It just so happens that the bride to be does photography as a hobby, they chose me. She had specific guidelines saying that she needed someone that could just shoot the pictures and they would do PP, she said that when she was starting out someone gave her a chance and wanted to pass it on. I sent her my pictures and gear list and told her i have never shot a wedding before but I wouldn't have replied to her if i didn't love to shot and want to learn. There will be a contract involved.

The wedding is in sept. I think they wanted to get everything booked and taken care of. So me just getting out of college and building my gear could have a good chance to make a good start. If photography is something i am serious about than my gear will get better and better. like you all said it takes time. but you have to start somewhere. If you guys can remember when you first started out, did you have all the "right" gear?

[BaumannPhotography]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=270736

Pretty interesting thread on the nifty fifty.

[Clint]

I have only done 3 weddings so far, the 1st was free except for processing. the 2nd was $450.00, to little money to much work! The last wedding I charged $875.00, still not enough money for the time that is envoved in wedding photography. The next wedding I have book for the 10th of Feb. I am charging $1500.00. Get your gear, checklist and HELP together.

[dlphotography]

I say charge cheaply, then move up once you have a portfolio. I did my first three for $300. =x

These are my current prices (http://pictureproofs.com/photo/pricing.aspx).

[JDubya]

When you guys say, "I charged $xxx." is that just for the time? Prints being extra? Or is that time + prints? My girlfriend's best friend wants me to shoot her wedding but i'm clueless on pricing/packaging. At least it's a year away, i've got lots of time to think :D