How much should I charge per picture for wedding photos?

Question

I'm going to be the photographer in a wedding coming up, and need ideas on how much to charge for each picture. I have not decided whether or not to use film or digital [will probably end up doing digital]. So I'm not really sure as to how much to charge people for the pictures.

I know that if I end up doing digital, I will need to gain back the amount it will cost me to borrow/rent a nice digital camera, along with the cost of the prints, however at the moment, I have not looked into it.

So I'm wondering what the price ranges should be. I'm thinking of offering 8X10's - wallet sizes and then going anywhere from maybe $15-$80 depending on sizes, and how much they're going to cost. Does that seem like a reasonable price range or should I make it more/less? I am not charging the bride and groom [the bride is my best friend] so it's not even a flat fee and you get x amount of pictures...

Thanks in advance.

I should have added this in before.. but,
I want to add, I haven't done a wedding before, but I have been doing photography for about 5 years now, and have also done portraits for a year [I worked in a studio] so I do know a lot about it.

Also, the wedding isn't for another year, but I am planning on getting ready now. As I might have said, I still have to discuss with the bride as to whether she wants film or digital. As far as a film camera goes, I'm set. For a digital, I need to get one. I've worked with a lot of cameras, so I don't think I'm in danger of accidentally erasing them [as I never erase any until I'm completely done. It comes in the habit of working in a studio.]

I have an idea of where I am going to get them printed. It's a rather pricey place but they do a great job and do finishes in the style I know the bride likes. That's one of the main reasons I will charge, if people decide they want prints instead of CD's.

Answer 1

First of all, shoot more than needed so you can edit out what does not measure up. Charge high for the brides portrait that you shoot in advance of the wedding. Afterwards, put together package deals and set a flat price for reprints.
Wedding photographers fees and pricing varies in different areas of the country.
Read up on wedding photography, this is a one time shoot, talk to other photographers. Make sure you want to do this in digital, shooting in film is still the standard in wedding photography.

Answer 2

Have you shot weddings before? A lot? Successfully?

If the answer is no, then I wouldn't plan on charging anything. Use the camera you're familiar with, or get your rental ahead of time so you will be comfortable using it. Don't forget you'll need memory cards, flash, extra batteries, etc etc.

Then can you do the post processing? Images straight out of the camera are seldom ready to use. Do you have a RAW work flow?

Maybe you have loads of experience, if so, just disregard this. If this is all new to you, maybe you have something to consider before deciding on a price. Personally, I would correct the images and burn CD's, then make a few proof prints from the best, and offer them to the bride as my gift. Along with a recommendation of where to have them printed. Or you could host them on-line at SmugMug or some such place, and let them order the prints they want.

Whichever way you go, best wishes to you.

EDIT:
Ok, it sounds like you have it under control :-) In that case, I think I would determine what the otherlocal wedding pros are charging, and go into that ballpark. You still might want to check on image hosting, though. It takes most of the work and pressure off of you to deliver print orders.

Answer 3

If this is the first wedding you're to shoot, PLEASE work with a professional wedding photographer through at least one of their weddings. Wedding photography isn't like any other type. It's an intimate, once in a life time event and you're not going to have 'do-overs' on most of the photos you take. If you blow it, you're going to lose those friends real fast.

Find a list of the most traditional shots, in order of occurrence, and keep it with you throughout the event.

DON'T shoot like you're a spectator! You'll know from your list when you need to get closer to the action to get those intimate shots. Afterwards, step out of the way so as not to be a distraction.

Personally, I've always used film so that I have a permanent record of the event. Digital storage devices can go out and a photographer won't know it until he gets them on his computer. By that time, it's way too late and you've lost 100 shots or more. When the film is processed at a pro lab, have the shots put on CD for post production cropping, tweaking, etc.

Shoot kids and elderly folks as early as possible. Both tend to get cranky real quick if they're tired.

Start shooting at least an hour before the start of the ceremony beginning with the above kids and elderly, Groom's side, Groomsmen etc.

As for charge. Since this is your first wedding, I'd advise checking out what other local wedding photographers charge but since the people you're shooting the wedding for are your friends, a price break might be hugely in order because of that and your experience level.

There's a lot more but you get the idea. There's a lot more to wedding photography than people think so I hope you'll be ready when the time comes. Good Luck.

Answer 4

This is going to be the biggest day in your friends life. You are taking the picture, yet you don't have a camera? I know your heart is in the right place, but I am afraid that you might be getting in over your head. If it comes out poorly, you will never hear the end of it.

Anyway, use film. If you have to borrow someone elses digital camera, what happends if you accidently erase the photos? That isn't that hard to do with a camera you don't know. You won't get a scond chance. At least with fim, you can't destroy it.

Also, the negatives, if kept in a cool dry place, will last a lifetime. If a cd get scratched, it's done for.

As for what to charge, I would just double the costs.

Good luck

Joe

Answer 5

Usually, you would charge your client a flat rate (or an hourly rate ) to shoot the wedding. THEN let them choose the images - you would setup a place to show them the proofs....Maybe charge like 50-100/CD-ROM full of high res images. IF your doing a print book, I would include your post production time on the images into the rate and have it be an all inclusive thing....let them pay for your time (hourly)....there are a few different ways to do it, but I don't suggest you charge per image. Per CD (figure out how many images will fit on a CD - or DVD) if your going to go by image.