Student Photographers: How much to charge for weddings?

[littlecreamsoda]

Hi! I just got my first job taking pictures of a co-workers wedding next month. I'm just an amateur photographer with a Rebel SLR and no experience with this sort of thing, so I have no idea what to charge as a fee. Plus, it seems like kind of a low-budget thing all over because they had to move the wedding at the last minute. I told the client I'd look around for what other people charged and negotiate something fair.

I've heard it's not uncommon for people planning weddings to use photography students to save money. But how much less do you charge? I'm looking to find an average and charge even less than that since I'm not a student. Any advice would help. Thanks!

[form]

You're going to charge?

[malla1962]

If it was a work mate I would do it for free.

[Jim G]

Sorry - to me no wedding experience/Rebel and assumedly basic kit including no backup bodies/lenses means free/token payment or not at all. I wouldn't be able to justify charging for something like that. Once you start charging money you start being expected to produce results worthy of being paid however much and if you can't guarantee good results then you're in trouble.

[tim]

FAQ: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=255604

[redbaron66]

Personally, I would not charge anything except the cost of materials for making the prints they want, and any album, if any, that they choose to use. Without the experience and based on the equipment you indicated, figure it is training for you. PLEASE make sure they know and understand what your experience level is.

[B.Miller]

i charged 500 for my first wedding.

[shaggymatt]

No experience? I certainly hope that your peer isn't in a management role.

Recipe for disaster if you've never done it before, and honestly the poorly organized ones are the biggest challenge.

Aspiring wedding photographers need to act as a second for a number of weddings before becoming _somewhat_ comfortable with running their own gig. Most people who have never done this, don't realize that YOU run the show that day.

If you insist on charging something, set up a zenfolio account. Shoot the wedding for free, and post the images for them to purchase the ones they like.

[egordon99]

Do it for free, hope to do a good job and hope that maybe they'll tip you if they end up liking the photos. Good luck!

[stathunter]

You're going to charge?

yep :rolleyes:

[egordon99]

I charged $300 for my first (and only as of now :( ) wedding, but when I was hired I already had a semi-pro Pentax setup and a decent portfolio of indoor/outdoor events/people/candids/etc...When I shot the wedding I was equipped with a semi-pro Canon setup.

I did go to two weddings with just my *ist DS/18-55 kit lens/pop-up flash as a guest a few years ago, and those pictures sucked :)

[form]

I got paid about $150 to second-shoot my first wedding ever, but I had a bit of portrait and event experience by that time, plus some experience with off camera lighting, etc.

[evo82nv]

I did a few weddings for free about 6 years ago. Now of course I charge since I now have the experience and knowledge. I started charging about my second year. You need the practice and knowledge before you start charging, remember these days people will sue over anything. Why put yourself into a situation where if you charge and if they don't like them, sue you because that day cannot be recreated. Remember that camera does not make the photographer, the knowledge and experience is what makes him/ her. Just my .02.....

[darosk]

I got paid with a $150 dinner during my first wedding shoot as a 2nd shooter. Was the dinner actually worth $150? Hell yes.

[Rey.dos]

no experience and shooting for a co-worker...i would not charge em! that's it!..
but if they give you tip, sure why not...

[Nistelrooydude]

If you don't have any experience, as you said, I probably wouldn't charge anything, especially for a friend/coworker. The one exception I would make is getting reimbursed for any equipment that you rent (which you may want to do if you have a basic kit) or prints that you make.

[bakerbranded]

I agree with what others are saying.
I just shot my first wedding and did not charge a dime for it. I spent about 3 grand getting prepared with the right equipment.
so get some experience at least for your first and then go with charging from there if you feel confident enough. Make it a wedding gift. Thats what I did. :)

[PeaceFire]

I did my first wedding with no experience, just a Rebel and a 28-105 and I charged $6,000. Of course, it was my own wedding and I paid myself. Otherwise I would've done it for free.

*end slightly drunken sarcasm*