Let Me First Apologize for Noobiness: But...

I've done a few (very few) weddings thus far, but have my first real, paid one coming up. May as well be upfront about it. It's for a friend and I told him I'd give him a break and do it for $750. Well, he gave me a thousand dollars cash.

So, here's my question: What does that include? Is that for my time at the bride's home (and his house; they live in the same building) while they are getting dressed, following them to the church, shooting there, then to the Bronx Botanical Gardens for the reception?

In other words, as we've gone into absolutely no detail (and he's a very easy going guy) do I make a slideshow on a DVD, have proofs printed up and let him select what, if any, shots he wants made into an album, and then present him with a bill for the album?

Please remember my thread title when answering.

thanks,
mark

I think because you didn't discuss any of this pryor to payment.....you should be smacked in the back of the head

Since you say its your first paying gig...I would take all the pics- process whatever you want..(At least 200-300 proofs) and give them to them on a dvd to print.

(others note: Mark never sells prints anyways and this is just a side job...primarily for fun)

Mark,

I have done four pro bono weddings this year. For each one I edited the raw files in to a "keepers" set, edited the "keepers" with PSCS as I thought necessary. For a full weddijng this is 400+ "keepers" and 200+ edits.

For all couples I gave them a DVD of the "keepers" and the edited "keepers" files as well. I also give them a dozen or so each of 8x10s, 5x7s, and 4x6s. I print these on my Epson R800 on matte paper.

For two couples I also gave them a 5x7 album of +/- 40 pages.

For one couple (we really connected...that was the USMC Lieutenants) I made a 4x6 album with 240 photos...they got the album as a wedding gift and I filled it with all edited photos as my extra gift to them.

Good luck, have fun, and post some samples after you are done

Since it's a friend and he already paid you more than you asked for I would do all the coverage you mentioned, if thats what they want. I would probably give them a CD of the day and tell them that they can order prints or albums through you at an extra cost. Since it wasn't discussed ahead of time, this seems fair to me for both parties. And it's experience and publicity for you.

Thats just my .02 worth.

I agree with Kathy H. Process and cull the pictures to the point you're happy with them and give them to your friend on a CD. Tell him you'd be glad to help him with prints, albums, that sort of stuff. It's good experience and will add to your portfolio.

Mark, whatcha doing man?

Nah...I think it's great and a great way to start..

I would treat it like any other wedding...Do you have any access to an online gallery? If not, get one, and post his images there...Photoreflect is nice and free for someone starting out.

Follow them from beginning to end, at least till all the fun stuff is over at the reception..What a beautiful location, it's going to be awesome images.

You could give them a CD of all their images also. It's up to you, what do you think he would like, or give him a call and ask him.

HTH

If you need a 2nd shooter and it's on a day off, I'll do it for free!

Damn, Mark. I'm jealous. I've yet to make a $1000 for any of my work. I guess I come cheap.

I don't know my own self worth.

I will say agree on everything up front. I got burned by the customer for my first wedding because I didn't know any better. I didn't get much for the gig and put in a lot of work. They asked me how much I charged and I made the mistake of telling them pay me what you think my work is worth, which was apparently sh!t because that's exactly what they paid me (even though it's some of the best work I think I've done to date). They ended up with a bunch of unprocessed RAW files. Being that he's your friend and has already paid you up front you shouldn't have anything to worry about. Just be careful when dealing with future clients. Good luck and post samples when you get a chance.

you should do full coverage and images on CD. Then charge them for prints and an album if they want either.

The only thing I can add is, never take money for anything until you know for sure what's expected.

I think this to me would be like showing up at a car dealer and giving the guy $10,000. We haven't discussed what I get, but I am sure that I will at least get "a car." However...to me this just screams lawsuit waiting to happen. If you don't have anything in a contract I would give him his money back. Then write up what you want to offer for his payment. Then you can accept the payment as a retainer. Then you can rest easy knowing that you both understand what is expected. Without this you are just opening the door to end your friendship/relationshi​p because of the fact that he might be expecting you to give him everything from an album to a CD to a huge book of prints. Get it in writing and stick with it.

I realize you're a newbie ... but ... even so.

You quoted him a rate of $750 and didn't know what you were offering him? How is that possible?

I think you need to contact him ASAP and discuss EXACTLY what he expects to get for his $1000. Put it in writing, both of you sign it, and THEN shoot the wedding.

This has train-wreck written all over it otherwise.

Karen

Karen gives you good advice. You're probably up for all day shooting, a CD of the images, and perhaps 6x4 prints. Shooting all day is a good thing, it'll make sure you specify time limits in your contract next time CD's fine, it's a friend so i'd give it to them anyway (if I agreed to shoot for a friend). 6x4 proofs cost next to nothing, don't do 1000 of them, choose maybe 200 otherwise the pile gets too large.

I appreciate everybody's advice.

Karen, let me assure you that nothing untoward will come of this. In fact, I've known him since we were teenagers. Ever since he got engaged over a year ago, he's told me he wanted me to do his wedding. When it finally came down to the wire, when they booked the place, etc., we met and he asked me how much I would charge. I asked him for the details of the day.

Once I learned of the amount of time involved, I told him just for my time there and later PP, it would probably cost him about $1500, but as a friend I would do it for $750. It was about a week later that another friend of mine called me and said the groom had left a thousand dollars cash with him for me.

I will probably shoot between 700 and 1000 shots, between him preparing, his bride preparing, the church and then subsequent affair.

I think the advice here is well taken. I will then PP 200 or so of the best images, burn them on a DVD, perhaps a slideshow to music, print proofs, and then give him a few 8x10s of his choosing, in addition to couple of 16x24 prints. I have an Epson 4800 and different kind of media. I also know how to frame. I have no problem printing that as included in the price.

Anything over and above that I will add a modest cost for. I'm not looking to make money on him. Besides, right after I picked up the money, my wife told me she needed money, and I handed it right over, so basically I'm back to square one as far as that is concerned.

My real concern was an album, as I know very little, if anything, about having one made and the cost. That's something I will speak to him about after the fact. I also don't mind, if he tells me he thought it included that, spending a few hundred dollars to have one made.

thanks again.
mark

I hope you are right, but I suspect there will be problems.

In over 16 years of shooting, I've found that "riends"who want me to shoot for them usually want me to do it becuase they want a price break (or free). Those who are my *real* friends don't want me working at their wedding - they want me to having fun and dancing and hanging out.

In general, working with or for friends is not a good idea unless everything is 100% clear and specified in writing up front. And even then, there will be hurt feelings over something. It's unavoidable.

Karen