| Over the years the price of a Wedding Photography | | | | The real credibility should exist in their offer of |
| Package has changed dramatically. As we all know | | | | worthwhile information that is practical and helpful to |
| digital costs nothing and photographers rarely use film | | | | you to plan your day, not by blowing their own |
| these days, their overheads have come down but | | | | trumpet. You want to be looking for useful and |
| their prices have stayed the same or risen. Doesn't | | | | relevant things, not browsing galleries of strangers |
| seem to match up does it? | | | | photography. Just because the photos on their |
| SO HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH? | | | | website are beautiful it does not guarantee that |
| I developed a rule of thumb that will help you | | | | yours will turn out as such. In fact if you look at the |
| understand the way a photographer charges. The | | | | fine print in their terms and conditions, you will see a |
| more expensive your package the more things you | | | | statement similar to the one I just made. |
| get. i.e. more frames, more prints etc. I am in a | | | | Often they attempt to build further credibility by |
| fortunate position to buy the frames, canvases, | | | | stating that they have won this award and that |
| albums and all the paraphernalia that you receive as a | | | | accolade and have been doing it for 25 years. Dont |
| client at the cost price from the suppliers. | | | | be miss-lead by an award or accolade that you have |
| My rule of thumb is this: 20-30% of the total cost of | | | | never heard of. Dont be fooled by some gold star on |
| the package is spent on your bits and pieces included | | | | their website claming to be a member of some |
| in your package. | | | | association or another that you have never heard of. |
| How does this help you? Well that is really up to you | | | | Flashy websites and beautiful photos are one thing |
| in the end. It sure gives you a little insight into the | | | | but does their website contain anything of substance. |
| type of money these people are on and if I was a | | | | If you take away the graphics and pictures are you |
| client in your position it would sure raise my level of | | | | just left with a price list? If so then they have |
| expectation. Let me quantify this for you: If you pay | | | | offered you, the client, nothing other than them |
| say $3000 for a package and their overheads are | | | | telling you how good they are. If this is the case |
| $600-900 (20-30%) leaving $2400 to $2100 in clear | | | | they sure are not telling you what they can do for |
| profit for the photographer. If your going to pay this | | | | you. |
| person that type of money for a few hours work on | | | | The cold reality of them blowing their own trumpet is |
| the day and a few more that they do later on, you | | | | this: Who cares what you have done and how many |
| want to make dam sure that you are getting what | | | | awards you have, it doesnt guarantee that you will |
| you want, and you sure dont want to be paying for | | | | photograph my day in such an expert way as you |
| something that you do not want just because its | | | | claim. What really matters is the rapport and trust |
| part of their package. | | | | between client and photographer, not awards and |
| WEBSITES - DON'T BE MISLEAD BY THEM | | | | accolades. |
| It is appropriate here to raise the issue of websites. | | | | It is unfair to compare websites, as one may have a |
| Many of the photography websites you see are | | | | greater budget than another making their average |
| absolutely stunning. They showcase the work | | | | work look terrific. I operated without the need for a |
| beautifully. Sometimes you could be forgiven for | | | | website for many years. Word of mouth was and still |
| thinking you were in an art gallery. They have flashy | | | | is strong enough to keep me going full time. A very |
| graphics, beautiful photos and many other features. | | | | strong point to remember is that if I can only do 100 |
| However the common theme that I have noticed | | | | weddings a year then there isnt much point having |
| over the years is that the photographers all seem to | | | | the worlds flashiest website, which generates |
| tell you how good they are. They seem to think that | | | | thousands of enquiries. |
| they are the best and most fancy things since sliced | | | | Good luck in your search for that elusive wedding |
| bread. This is a marketing strategy attempting to | | | | photographer and my your marriage be a long and |
| build credibility. Dont be fooled by it. | | | | lasting one. |