pricing for Wedding reception

Hi All,

I've been hired by a friend to shoot their daughter's wedding reception. This would involve family shots prior to banquet (possibly at another location nearby), then candids during the reception. Total time, possibly 4 hours. I was thinking $250. This is first time for me (being hired) but I'm fairly experienced, used multiple flashes as needed. My son will help me out as a second shooter and roving flash holder. Your feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

sounds reasonable.

Don't forget that if you charge anything at all, they'll have expectations.

$250 personally would be too low, but it is whatever you're comfortable with. Keep in mind the item de-appreciation, equipment lugging, and post production which adds to the "hours worked".

Also, it seems like there's a bit of portraiture involved beforehand? Really varies on your skillset, their expectations, and what you're comfortable with. (Will you regret getting $62.5/hr after everything?)

Thanks for the feedback. I figure the $250 is on the low side but which is commensurate with my skill level, and I don't want to set the expectation level too high. I figure the PP time would almost double my time, but I'm cool with this, for this job.

Super low budget but if youre comfortable go ahead man

If you're inexperienced free is good. I would charge my half wedding rate for reception coverage, which is around $2000.

Counting preparation, post-production, delivery of final product, etc...plan on the actual shooting as being 1/3rd of the total time involved. So 12 hours of your time equals $20 an hour plus $10 for gas. This doesn't account for wear and tear on your gear or insurance if you're concerned with that.

This kind of pay might be acceptable to you if you're just doing it to learn, have fun, and gain more experience.

Bryan

$20/hour is only acceptable?

I know people who work way harder and make way less.

robertwsimpson wrote in post #16343171
$20/hour is only acceptable?

I know people who work way harder and make way less.

And I know people who work way less and make much more - I know which group I'd prefer to be in...

Chantu - perhaps I missed this but what are you delivering to them for $250 in addition to the coverage?

robertwsimpson wrote in post #16343171
$20/hour is only acceptable?

I know people who work way harder and make way less.

And they probably go to work with very little monetary investment in their equipment and their art skills which take a significant amount of time and effort to learn. As an example, working as a construction laborer is not a proper comparison to being a good professional photographer as far as wages go.

Bryan

It sounds good EXCEPT family shots prior to the ceremony. This means posed formals.
Posed formals means more headaches and you will REALLY need to perform. This will get messy.

Do the straight reception for $250 and that is fine for your level of experience

sapearl wrote in post #16343379
Chantu - perhaps I missed this but what are you delivering to them for $250 in addition to the coverage?

I was going give them the digital negatives. I know this generally frowned upon, but I'm just starting out.

scorpio_e wrote in post #16343713
It sounds good EXCEPT family shots prior to the ceremony. This means posed formals.
Posed formals means more headaches and you will REALLY need to perform. This will get messy.

Do the straight reception for $250 and that is fine for your level of experience

Yeah, this just a straight reception. No formals (the reception is actually the day after the wedding), but taking obligatory shots with the 93 year old grandma, and aunts and uncles. The "pro" (not me) will taken their shots the previous day.

I'm thinking of taking some shots at Santa Clara University (in Santa Clara, CA). Anyone ever take shots there or some place near by? The restaurant is in Santa Clara. I'm thinking family shots in the restaurant wouldn't turn out so great, so I'm thinking somewhere scenic, near by, and not to taxing on 93 year old grandma. Thanks.

bps wrote in post #16343136
Counting preparation, post-production, delivery of final product, etc...plan on the actual shooting as being 1/3rd of the total time involved. So 12 hours of your time equals $20 an hour plus $10 for gas. This doesn't account for wear and tear on your gear or insurance if you're concerned with that.

This kind of pay might be acceptable to you if you're just doing it to learn, have fun, and gain more experience.

Bryan

Yes! That's the point. Gotta start somewhere above free. As a side note, my HS son is very interested in photography and this may open opportunities for him. I'm partly doing this for him. $20/hr is not much, but its 2X what he made at McD's