Free wedding photographer

[David_Buzzard]

I was poking through Craig's List (my car's about to die, and I'm looking for another one) when I came across this listing under 'events',

Need a photographer? But don't want to pay big $$$$? Here is your chance! I would like to offer you a FREE wedding photography session at no charge! Why free? Simple, I take pictures at the wedding at my own cost and you don't have to pay a penny for my time. However, if later you decided to purchase the photos that I've taken, feel free to let me know and I can sell them to you for $8 or less per picture (digital format). I believe this is fair business, because now you have to flexibility to purchase only the pictures that you love!

If you are interested, please email me and reserve your time ASAP!

I also do portraits, birthday parties or any other special occasions

.

Personally, I think you'd have to be an idiot to take this guy up on this offer, but who knows.

David Buzzard's Technical Blog

[Josh_Hawkins]

I'm sure there is a P.T. Barnum quote in there somewhere.

[Noel_Carboni]

How many photos does a typical wedding package have in it? If all the photog has to do is deliver digital files, basically he's done after the event, save for uploading small versions of the photos for choosing.

Places a burden on himself to get lots of spectacular shots, though.

-Noel

[ChrisPerry]

This business model won't work.

Simply won't make enough money to stay in business. Even as a part time thing he'll find better ways to spend his June saturdays than working for $40 to $200.

As soon as he finds out the flowers cost $1000, the limo $800, the DJ $900 and the church for 2 hours was $895, and dinner was $90/plate and he got $200 for his work he'll change his mind real fast.

but then, I deliver 550 or so images, an album, and a bit more for a lot less than $8/image (total).

perhaps I should add my ad to craigslist! My changes in purple.

Need a photographer? But don't want to pay big $$$$? Here is your chance! I would like to offer you a FREE wedding photography session at no charge! Why free? Simple, I take pictures at the wedding at my own cost and you don't have to pay a penny for my time. However, if later you decided to purchase the photos that I've taken, feel free to let me know and I can sell them to you for $8 or less per picture (digital format, minumum purchase 250 photos. Choose from over 1200 images!). I believe this is fair business, because now you have to flexibility to purchase only the pictures that you love!

If you are interested, please email me and reserve your time ASAP!

[John Cowie]

I haven't broken into wedding photography, but have to wonder if this model is temporary in nature - to create a word of mouth kind of reputation. Assuming he's a good shooter of course.

Could be he's in an area where the market is hard to break into?

Double edged sword though, when it comes time to change his cost model he'll run into resistance...

[DougAxford]

I know that we're getting a huge number of part-timers in our area charging $400. or less for full day coverage, all files included. The Brides are telling me that on the phone when I tell them I start at 4 times that.

The ad is very typical and the idea of actually making a profit, even for part-timers is not in their vision. They're doing it to become recognized. To some, that is enough.

The problem IMHO with all of this is that the chasm between prices of pro vs. 'Craig List' people are becoming wider all the time. Eventually, many brides will believe that anything over $500. for complete wedding photos is absurd. Welcome to digital.

Yes, there are many areas where this will be a long time coming, but I've lost most of my wedding business and so have the other guys I know in the area - all to Craig's List. People do not appreciate the value of wedding photos because many times they do not appreciate the value of a wedding. It's been decades since I photographed a B&G who weren't living together for many years prior to the wedding and I've had many brides tell me that they are getting photos only to keep 'mom' happy.

Doug

[Alan_Ackoff]

I know four hundred isn't much... but it's all I can afford to pay the bride and groom <LOL>

Seriously, that happened in the music business in LA. Bands now pay clubs to perform. I remember when it was the other way around. Judging by this thread, photography is headed down that same "pay to play" road.

-Alan

[Pro Photo Store]

Visit the B&H Pro Photo Store for the best Gear Prices and regular specials!

Brilliant Color for any Digital SLR
White Balance Cap
The Pros Agree on ColorRight
What People Are Saying