Digital weddings

[Neville_Wright]

As a long time Queensland wedding photographer (over 40 years), to even consider charging such a low figure, lowers your standing in the community as well as your potential for grander things. The old saying if you pay peanuts you get monkeys is what many brides would think of the price. 10 years ago I was averaging over $1500 per wedding and now with digital and all of the work involved you do yourself that was previously sent out to the lab, you are cutting yourself short. Even the electrician charges me around $80 per hour and local garage over $120 so where are you placing yourself on the ladder of bridal expectations? They expect to pay good money for good work. For what you are delivering I believe you should be charging at least $1800 plus prints, aiming for around $3k plus in the final sale. Package in a 10x8 album plus a couple of wall portraits and you'll get yourself around 4 times what you are now charging.
Nev

[DougAxford]

I think I should come to the defence of the poor lad. I'm not an Aussie, but Canada is a distant cousin.

15 years ago I was averaging over $2,000/wedding and fully booked. The economy changed, but more importantly, people's perception about spending gobs of money for one day changed dramatically. Within a few years, almost everyone wanted to spend under $1,000. AND did not want the big album and wall portraits. They wanted good photos, but a proof album and a few extras were all they would go for. PLUS, they wanted the negs. Lots of photogs in our area went out of business and the customers wanted to make sure they had the negs.

SO, I figured out how much I was making per hour on a $2,000. package and put together a 4 hour special at $800. plus film, processing and proofs. I do a 45 minute pre-interview, plus 4 hours shooting plus 15 min to talk when they p/u final pkg. That worked out to $160/hour. It worked. Brides were happy, I was much happier and the bookings were back to normal. My sales were cut in half, but my profit was the same!!! That's what counts. The extra time could be spent on other photography that was worth more to me.

Since then, digital has added a few problems and benefits. My price is now $995. and the extra goes to a few hours on file prep. They get a DVD and pay for proofs, etc. I'm not booking the huge ethnic weddings I used to and I'm very happy that I no longer have the enormous headaches they brought.
The biggest benefit for me was that I truly enjoy photographing weddings again. I don't get the "opinionated retards" that i used to and it's well worth it.

It's just another way of doing business. I don't feel that I'm cheapening the industry, just offering something different.

Doug

[DougAxford]

I forgot to add that I also have the 2-4,000 wedding packages available and sell a few a year. I show all the packages and prices and let the bride choose. I honestly prefer the cheaper packages because I enjoy it more and make the same money.

Things are not necessarily what they appear on the surface.

Doug

[Photoeventz]

It has been fun and interesting seeing the response to my original question.

And yes, I have edged up my price to $800 for the four hour package with another review due January 2007. I'll be doing some major promotions next year so I'll certainly review the price again before that.

And to be honest, the people that book me are great to work with and very appreciative of the service they get.

My latest wedding is at Andreas and Joy
Hours spent - about 10 Total expenses - about $50 (includes a complimentary dvd to the minister) so my net profit is around $750 and no pressure to sell albums or images.