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Question from Andrea. “I hope you can help me!! My brother’s best friend and his girlfriend are getting married and asked me to photograph their wedding in Montauk, NY (which is about a 3 hour drive each way for me). They want me to shoot about 3-4 hours in various locations in the area, beach, manor, lighthouse, etc. My question is HOW MUCH do I charge? Note: It would be my first wedding. They asked
me because they like my style. I do a lot of landscape shots and MANY beach shots so I am guessing this is what they want and “professionally” have really only ever photographed newborns, families and showers, birthday parties. Any pricing help would be greatly appreciated!!! I don’t want to overcharge as they are my brother’s very close friends but I need to have them value my time, travel and work.”
Crystal: I just recently ran into the same issue. I ended up charging $400 (though I don’t have to travel three hours!). The wedding I’m doing is also VERY low key, only a 10 person ceremony with small reception of close friends after. I’ve also heard of some people not charging for their time on their first wedding, but charging a price per image on a DVD and charging for prints…. I think it’s totally up to you!
Ana: Plus the editing time. If this is your first wedding and you are doing it for your brother, just charge a symbolic price. Check how much you will spend in gas and transportation and charge about $15 per hour and that’s it. $15 is an example since we are looking for a symbolic price, but you can decide the value and take this as an opportunity to learn and add wedding to your portfolio.
Brandi: I charged $400 for my first wedding. I was there from 9 am to about 5pm, but didn’t travel.. So charge full price for travel! and this will help build your portfolio it was lots of work plus editing hours.
Julie: I know this isn’t exactly answering your question, but whatever you charge, BE SURE that you draw up an *official contract* and manage expectations up front. Protect yourself and your friendship! 🙂
Sarah: I completely disagree with the above. Charge what you are worth, and then discount if you want to. Photography is WORK. I bet the other vendors are not treated like they should be giving discounts. Look at other wedding photographer in that area; if they charge $2k and you feel like you shouldn’t, ask yourself why? Just b/c it’s your first wedding? I bet the hair stylist charged $100+ and it was her first time, you just didn’t know? So tired of photogs not charging a fair price and making excuses for themselves. PS. If they don’t feel you are worth your time, travel, and work, why are you bothering?
Kerry: Count for ALL of your time – Travel, photos, post editing, & Expenses Gas, tolls, if the wedding is early or late, will you need to book a room for the night prior or after? Are they looking for prints/books, CD of images, etc.
Definitely not situation where ‘one price fits all”.
Perhaps presenting a quote as: Photography services $XXX.XX Plus expenses $(Gas, tolls, room, etc.)
Think about what you charge for a family shoot per session & go from there (at a very minumum 2-3X your hourly rate).
Good luck 🙂
Briana: ive done 5 weddings, and soon to do my 6th, and reading all these, especially from Sarah ‘Harvey’ Lough it makes me realize that im underselling myself! thank yall!
Morgan: Personally, I would add up my gas first. Then figure out how many hours and charge a flat rate for that. Look at your total and if you are comfortable then stick with that. don’t charge what everyone else who has done ten weddings is charging. If you are not ready then don’t over charge….
Jen: My starting price for 1 photographer and ONLY ceremony and formal’s is $1000. – If they are hiring you because they like what you do then dont under sell yourself.
Jeff: Underselling yourself is way too common now a days. When some people see how low a price is, they might not take you seriously as a professional either.
Jess: I personally didn’t charge a ton for the first few weddings not because I wasn’t worth it but when you have no portfolio they wonder if you can handle it and they will turn out so I got my reg prices together went through all the hours made up 3 packages and discounted the first 3 brides I booked for helping me build up my portfolio. It got people in the door and now I don’t give discounts minus if the wedding is in the winter ( i love winter weddings) and if its on any day other then saturday.. they get a discount too. I would say figure out what you would charge if you had… 5 weddings done… then if you feel the need to discount it some. You won’t be making up excuses you should be honest they are giving you a foot in the door to do more weddings along with a great experience.. the travel though obviously keep that fee separate and don’t discount it.
Andrea: I did my first wedding & even though it was my first & I was still new to the event photography I put a lot of time in it, 11:30 am – 10:00 pm and only charged $650.00
You need to charge worth & discount it. Think about it, spend 5 hours shooting, spend double to triple for editing – you have put in 20 hours work not including travel.
So I like charging based on my total time and then give them the price total (but it’s for what is your time there and off site at your computer).
Hope it helps
Lavish: My first wedding I charged $500 for ceremony, formals, and reception. Plus $50 per hour for travel, which was 2 hours. I charged this, not because I undersold myself, but because it was for a friend. It is up to you what your time and work is worth, but definately charge what you feel is appropriate!
Justina: My very first wedding was about an hour away but it was my best friend and I spent ALL day with them. I got 500.
Andrea: Oh my Goodness I am so sorry, I forgot to mention it’s an ELOPEMENT!!!
Andrea: I appreciate all the replies. Thank you so much everyone. As I forgot to mention in my original question it is an elopement so there is no bridal party or families involved which eliminates A LOT of the formal pics. I was thinking around the $300-400 mark. Spoke to my brother and he even told me don’t charge them less than $500. Gas I calculated to be about $120 for the whole trip. I would not be staying anywhere as I have to be somewhere the next day on the opposite side. As far as prints, I only would offer a CD of the edited images (probably in the vicinity of 100-200)
Andrea: Lol! I charged $185.00 for 1 hour elopement 14 people (including the bride & groom) & that was about 4 hours editing…
So I think $500+ with travel is good!
Angela: Great post! I love all the information being shared, I have one wedding under my belt and Im trying to determine the fee for the next.
Gail: And you are so worth it too Ang! Don’t sell yourself short either!!!! Love ya!
Melanie: One important thing: If you decide to ‘discount’ or do something for free, write the actual price on the contract and then write “No Charge” in the column, that way they know how much it *should* have cost, had they not been given a discount.
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