A good friend of mine asked me to be the "photographer" at her brother's wedding. When she got married, she was on a really low budget, and I offered to "take pictures" at her wedding (more just for fun on my part). She said her brother liked the pictures and said he was willing to pay me. I don't mind doing it because I really just love taking the pictures, and getting paid would be a bonus. The thing is, I by no means would call myself a professional. Please look at some pictures on my flickr site and tell me what you think I should charge??? I have no clue what I should charge. Oh, and I do have a Canon dslr camera now. The pictures on the link were taken for my own amusement with other cameras that I have. Thanks for any advice you can offer!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15435401@N02/
2007-10-19 19:45:08 · 6 answers · asked by azngurlie78 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Photography
Maybe about $500 Depending on your costs. If you give them a CD of all the pics in low resolution so they can preview and buy from you. If you are going to print them out and give them the pics in an album.
The pics you shot look good. Just remember you are telling a story of the wedding with photos.
How much to charge, it depends on how long you'll be working, how much pics you'll be giving them (CD or prints).
If you are totally new to wedding photog and they are friends, say you are giving them a special deal for them only. Otherwise if you are asked to shoot other weddings, they will expect the sdame low price. Don't let yourself get caught and cheated in this kind of trap.
2007-10-20 06:34:42 · answer #1 · answered by Michael M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My advice to you, based upon what you just showed us?
Simple - take more pictures.
You have an eye and a heart for the beautiful image. I can see why you were asked to photograph their wedding. My only suggestion would be that you be very clear on the 'set' pictures the couple wants. When I was in college, I took photos at my best friend's wedding. But I was given some grief because I didn't take certain family combinations that I was unaware that the couple wanted.
Scout the setting carefully, and check lighting. If you're going to be shooting the ceremony from a certain presellected spot, have that OKed with the church or any officials that you need to consult with. You may want to tweak the arrangement of some decorations so they won't block your view. I once shot a series of speakers at an event, but a floral display blocked part of my view, as it was placed after I'd chosen my vantage point.
Bring extra charged batteries for the camera and flash. Be sure you also carry enough memory cards to make it through the long day.
As far as I'm concerned, your images shout out "professional" in their quality.
2007-10-19 20:44:58 · answer #2 · answered by George Y 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I agree, if money is exchanging, write up a simple contract, be sure to state you are an amateur and nothing is guaranteed.
Your photos are nice, BTW. Some of your B&W conversions are a little flat. The bouquet ring shot usually includes both the B&G hands. Yours is marred by the tree or pole in the background, and it has blown highlights on her arm. You might try a shot of just the two rings on the bouquet.
Praying is a bit dark, and might have been better to include her hands. Cake is a great capture, love the little girl looking on!
Most of your images were outside. Will this wedding be out or in? If inside, make sure you have the flash power to cover it, and a tripod for the no-flash parts. Learn how to drag the shutter to capture ambient light inside. Your work is better than the average amateur, (and a few "professionals" I have seen, so have at it. Charge enough to cover your expense, and maybe make a few dollars. Make sure to get their permission to use the images in your portfolio if you're interested in doing events in the future. Best wishes!
2007-10-20 03:34:56 · answer #3 · answered by Ara57 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a wedding photographer can be stress full. You have great pictures. But still there are some legal points you should know. Get every thing in writing, as in they saw your pictures, price and what they will be getting. If there not happy in the end, you have it in writing they knew what they were getting in to. How to charge depends on what you give them. If its just a CD then its diff. if its more you have make sure you don't go in the hole while ordering.
Have fun!
Oh when you take pictures have there hands fingers together. In the hand and flower her fingers are spread apart. Close those fingers would be best. all pictures where you set them up keep fingers close together
praying i was not sure about that one...get her hands do crop so close.
I could keep going if you have more qa yahoo me or email me i will be on tonight
2007-10-20 03:04:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been a professional shooter since 1989 in the beginning doing high end advertising and fashion work and these days mostly travel as now I can pick and choose my clients. I am not sure what your training is or how long you have been shooting but I will say that you do have an "eye" and your work is already good and shows great potential. I have never done weddings except for Friends and family because it makes me nervous as hell thinking of screwing up that important day. When I am persuaded I shoot my weddings with a photo journalistic touch because I enjoy that and it's the trendy thing right now. If one of my friends or family members insists on my shooting the job I usually just shoot it and make them a nice album and make that my wedding gift and it always seems appreciated. It's always hard for me to price out a wedding 'cause I want them to have the money for their honeymoon or whatever. But again, nice work for real.
www.flickr.com/photos/sweetlight/sets
cwaltersart@yahoo.com
2007-10-19 20:03:25 · answer #5 · answered by DaysofSweetLight 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wow Great photos, I do photography, partially for a living. I have been doin it for 2 yrs now. If they were friends and on a small budget charge $300. That is very fair and kind of underpriced if your giving them all the photos. Keep it up, advertise, and do some more weddings for real money.
2007-10-19 22:40:31 · answer #6 · answered by John 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋