@ronphotography So annoying that people will squeeze every last bit of life they can get out of you and expect you to put all the hours into their wedding. I'm not sure these people actually realise that, long after they have finished the stress of organising their big day and are kicking back into married life, their photographer is still working hours upon hours to get their images 'just right'... they don't just 'jump' off the camera in a beautiful state ready to use - they take lots of time and love to get to the quality that they need to be.
My hubby found a really good website on working out pricing for weddings and I am seriously re-looking at my current pricing:
Ouch. This is just one reason I don't want to do weddings. I have read multiple times about this and I know there are articles out there on why not to negotiate your prices. When I set my prices for my website I did it based on the following factors:
Experience
Travel time
Shooting time
Processing time
Equipment
Website
Taxes
Insurance
I am not making huge mountains of money but I am making enough money to break even on a hobby I LOVE. They can pay anyone to aim a camera at them. In fact, they can buy a bunch of disposable cameras and let their audience do it. But they want photos to treasure years from now - not just another blurry poorly exposed snap. If they want you (your art) bad enough, they will pay for it even if it means they have to skip trips to Starbucks for a few mornings. =)
Good question and one I bet others are asking as well. There is a simple formula for how to price your art work.
Expenses (all of them) x 2 = wholesale price.
Wholesale price x 2 equal retail price.
Ok, you have to get tough and settle somewhere in the middle, maybe at wholesale. If this is a business you will be paying for the taxes and fees that allow you to be a business you need to include all this. If you don't, you will regret not doing this and probably will not do it ever again.
@dmortega I really like that method. Will have to do some number crunching and see how short I am selling myself at the moment ---- room for change me thinks :D
Not to go into how I do my pricing, but in regards to haggling - no. I just say "No. This is my price. If it is too high I would be happy to refer you to someone else."
If you're not afraid of losing the gig, say no. Tell them that if they want your professional skills, a great product to remember their special day, and someone who will go that extra step, this is the price.
I think we devalue ourselves for really no reason except to please the other party. If you're not overpriced, they are getting a great deal. If they aren't happy with that, give them a referral to someone else. They will either accept the cost to have you, or they will go elsewhere.
I had a great experience of this yesterday, a colleague learnt that I am in the process of starting a photography business and happily told me that she wanted to try to become a model and happily told me I could do her photos for her to use in her portfolio. (Note, told, not asked)
So I gave her a price and watched her face drop as she realised I wasn't going to go work for her for free.
I actually gave her a reduced price as she is a colleague.
Over the years she has always been particuarly cold to me. Now she wants something from me she turned on the charm, it was very satisfying as I watched the penny drop :)
On the other hand I have a friend who I have known for years who is getting married next year, she has asked that I do the photography for her and I know her personal situation and I know that she is on a very tight budget so for her I'm charging a much lower rate, enough to cover costs and my time but not much more. I'm happy to do that for her and I know that she isn't trying to take advantage of me.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
My hubby found a really good website on working out pricing for weddings and I am seriously re-looking at my current pricing:
http://www.themoderntog.com/what-wedding-photography-pricing-model-should-you-use-for-maximum-profit#more-2220
They're also on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheModernTog
This site is really useful. Hope it helps you to not get 'done over' next time. Take care
Experience
Travel time
Shooting time
Processing time
Equipment
Website
Taxes
Insurance
I am not making huge mountains of money but I am making enough money to break even on a hobby I LOVE. They can pay anyone to aim a camera at them. In fact, they can buy a bunch of disposable cameras and let their audience do it. But they want photos to treasure years from now - not just another blurry poorly exposed snap. If they want you (your art) bad enough, they will pay for it even if it means they have to skip trips to Starbucks for a few mornings. =)
Expenses (all of them) x 2 = wholesale price.
Wholesale price x 2 equal retail price.
Ok, you have to get tough and settle somewhere in the middle, maybe at wholesale. If this is a business you will be paying for the taxes and fees that allow you to be a business you need to include all this. If you don't, you will regret not doing this and probably will not do it ever again.
I think we devalue ourselves for really no reason except to please the other party. If you're not overpriced, they are getting a great deal. If they aren't happy with that, give them a referral to someone else. They will either accept the cost to have you, or they will go elsewhere.
There's a reason they have asked you to do their photos; and if they want your services, they ought to be prepared to pay what they're worth.
So I gave her a price and watched her face drop as she realised I wasn't going to go work for her for free.
I actually gave her a reduced price as she is a colleague.
Over the years she has always been particuarly cold to me. Now she wants something from me she turned on the charm, it was very satisfying as I watched the penny drop :)
On the other hand I have a friend who I have known for years who is getting married next year, she has asked that I do the photography for her and I know her personal situation and I know that she is on a very tight budget so for her I'm charging a much lower rate, enough to cover costs and my time but not much more. I'm happy to do that for her and I know that she isn't trying to take advantage of me.
@emmar84 thanks for sharing your experience.