An engaged bride asked me, a photographer, how much it would you charge for an eight-hour wedding shoot. I replied, “$2500.”
The bride was taken aback, “That seems pretty steep for a few hours of photography, doesn’t it? That’s like over $300 an hour!”
Curious, I asked, “How much do you think is a fair price?”
She thought for a moment, “Maybe an $850 charge at most. That’s over $100/hr. My caterer makes less, and they work hard. It’s just taking a few photos, right?”
“Actually,” I said, “I start loading my gear at about 10 AM, and I arrive at 11:00 to start setting up, and I’m ready to go by 12PM, then I shoot the bride and groom getting ready until 2, then I shoot the wedding ceremony itself. Afterwards, I shoot the reception and any specific posed portrait photos that have been requested. Then I break down the gear and I’m out the door around 10PM, then I get home around 11:30 and I’m unloaded by 12:30 AM, so that’s over a full 8-hours.
After the shoot, there’s the editing process that takes at least a week of 8-hour days for a total of 40 hours for editing. Not to mention if there is a photo album to be designed. That’s another 40 hours of work.
So $850 is more like $9.00 an hour.
My rate is $300.00 per hour and at least a third of that goes to business expenses.
I offered, “As an alternative, for $1250, I could teach you or one of your friends to shoot the wedding.”
The bride was puzzled, “But… none of us are photographers.”
“That’s okay,” I said. “For $1250, I’ll teach you. Not only will you save $1250, but you’ll also have the skills for future events.”
She considered this and agreed.
“Now, you’ll need equipment,” I reminded her. “Cameras, flashes, Reflectors, computers with appropriate software to edit… about $10,000 – $12,000 all together.”
She frowned, “I don’t have all that, and buying it for one night doesn’t make sense.”
“Well, I can rent my equipment to you for an additional $1000,” I offered.
“That seems fair, but I don’t know how to hook it all up.”
“No problem,” I said. “For $500 I’ll explain it all to you. You’re still saving money and you don’t have to hire photographers anymore.”
“Fine,” she said, resigned.
“Great! I’m available to teach you on Tuesday.”
“But I can only do it today, and I need the photography tonight” she replied.
“Unfortunately, I’m booked with other gigs. Tuesday is the only day I can teach and lend the equipment.”
She sighed, “That means I’ll have to rearrange my whole schedule.”
I added, “Also, doing it yourself means dealing with camera checks, setup, learning new equipment, potential equipment malfunctions…”
“What’s all that?” she asked, puzzled.
“Setting up the venue, making sure the lighting is right, covering any accidents with the equipment, keeping your guests happy, and more.”
She grimaced, realizing the complexity, “That sounds like a lot of extra work and stress.”
“You’ll need to come by Monday evening or Tuesday morning to pick up the equipment. And don’t be late to avoid traffic.”
…
After a pause, the bride finally said, “You know what, I think it’s best if you handle the wedding shoot. Now I realize there’s a lot more to it than I thought. Your expertise, the quality of the shoot, the hassle-free experience… I see why it’s worth $2500.”
When you pay for a photographer’s service, you’re not just paying for the time they’re at the venue. You’re paying for their:
– Talent and skill
– Years of practice and experience
– Quality equipment
– Time to prepare and set up
– Professionalism
– Reliability
– Image quality
– Ability to engage and entertain an audience
– Handling of unexpected issues
– And ensure a memorable experience for your guests.
The value of a professional’s work goes beyond the surface, encompassing their expertise, effort, and the assurance of a quality outcome.