Course Extra-: This is an additional chapter of “The Complete Guide to Starting a Photography Business.”
If you run a business and your intention is to maximize profit, then you should be able to determine the best pricing for the services you render or the products you sell.
So also, if you want to maximize profits in your wedding photography service, you should be able to get it right with your pricing.
It is important to state that; even though people go into business to make money; you should also have it at the back of your mind that as one who runs a wedding photography service, it is vital to sample people’s opinion before setting a price for your services.
If possible, make use of questionnaires to get a view of the amount intending couples will be willing to pay a wedding photographer for coverage.
There are various factors you should consider when fixing rates for your services as a wedding photographer. However, no matter the price you have listed on your price list, ensure that you give room for flexibility.
Concession should be given in some instances too. But over and above; if you are starting out, it will not be a wise decision to set your price on the high side.
You can sample the price of other wedding photographers in your city and then leverage on it. Here are 8 surefire tips that will help you determine the best pricing for your wedding photography service;
8 Surefire Tips to Choosing the Best Pricing for Wedding Photography Service
1. The Numbers of Hours You Are Expected To Work
One of the tips that will help you determine the best pricing for your wedding photography services is the number of hours you are expected to put in to get the job done. Good enough in the united states and in most developed countries of the world; people are paid hourly for their services and time.
2. The Price Range of other Wedding Photographers in Your City
Another tip that will guide you when sourcing for the best pricing for your photography business is to sample the price range of other wedding photographers in your city.
Please note that if your price is way above the average price in your city, you will attract lesser clients because people naturally look towards getting a good bargain when they go out to shop for goods and services.
3. The Location of the Wedding Event
Another factor that will influence the pricing for your wedding photography business is the distance you are expected to travel in order to cover the wedding event.
The amount you should charge your clients should be inclusive of your transportation cost, lodging cost and other miscellaneous costs that may arise as a result of delivering the job.
4. The Additional Manpower You Would Need to Execute the Job
If you need additional hands to help you execute the job, then you should make provision for them. Some weddings require that you bring along 2 or more additional photographers to effectively cover the wedding. Therefore, if you are going to charge your client in such situation, you should definitely charge for overheads.
5. The Financial Status of the Client
As a wedding photographer, you should have it at the back of your mind that your price must not be fixed. This means that you should give room for bargaining. The financial status of your clients should influence your pricing.
6. The Materials and Equipment You Need to Execute the Job
The pricing for your wedding photography business should be based on the additional gadgets or materials needed to cover the wedding event.
Of course, you will not want to charge same price-especially when you don’t need to go out of your way to either buy or rent additional gadgets to get a wedding job done.
7. The Number of Photo Shots to Be Taken During the Wedding
In your wedding photography packages, you should be able to differentiate the numbers of pictures that will be in a pack (photo album or photo book). In view of that, the number of photo shots to be taken during the wedding event should influence your pricing.
8. The Total Package Requested By The Client (Photo Album, Photo Book, Framed Pictures and Soft Copies et al)
Another tip that should influence your pricing for your photography business is the total package requested by the client.
That is; if they want a complete package (Photo Album, Photo Book, Framed Pictures and Soft Copies and what have you) they should pay a premium price.
9. Additional Service
The additional service requested by your client should also influence your pricing. For example, some couples might request that you also cover their thanksgiving service and engagement party, and all what not.
The tips listed above will help you determine the best pricing for your wedding photography service. Do take a cue on this and adjust your pricing.
Average Cost of Wedding Photography and Packages in the Industry
Photographers in different parts of the world have different pricing for their photography services. This also applies to the different packages based on the demand of the clients.
One thing is certain about the cost of wedding photography in a city; it usually revolves around a price range and the packages are always very similar.
As a wedding photographer who is just launching out, better still as a potential client who wants to get married and wants his or her wedding ceremony covered- the average cost of wedding photography and the packages will be of importance to you.
You would want to have an estimated cost of how much you can budget for your wedding photography. Aside from being very creative as a wedding photographer, you will also need good marketing and packaging skills to be able to make it in the photographic industry.
Part of what you need to get right if you want to become a successful wedding photographer is the right pricing for your wedding photography services.
That is why is necessary to always work with the industry’s price range when billing your clients. Here are few tips that will give us an idea of the average cost of wedding photography and packages;
a. Wedding Coverage with Photo Book Only
Do bear in mind that covering a wedding and then producing only a photo book might cost between 250 USD to 600 USD. This is important to note so that you do not under charge as the case maybe – that is if you are a photographer. On the other hand as a client; you will need to work with this price so as to know what to budget for photography.
b. Wedding Coverage with Photo Book and Soft Copies of Edited Picture Collection
Some client would request for the soft copies of the edited picture collection; therefore know that that will attract extra cost.
On the average, if a client requests for a photo book and soft copies of the edited picture collection, you can bill them between 350 USD and 750 USD.
c. Wedding Coverage with Photo Book, Soft Copies of the Edited Picture Collection and 3 Medium Frames
There are clients who would request for standard photo book, soft copies of the edited picture collection and 3 medium sized frames. This package should attract an average fee of 900 USD.
d. Engagement Party and Wedding Coverage with Photo Book, Soft Copies of the Edited Picture Collection and 6 Medium Frames
If you are expected to cover both the engagement party and the wedding proper, then you should look at billing your client for a 2 day job.
On the average; if you are covering the engagement party and the wedding and are required to provide a photo book, soft copies of the edited picture collection and 6 medium sized frames, then you should bill them between 1,400 USD to 1,600 USD.
e. Wedding Coverage with Conventional Photo Album and 3 Medium Frames
Usually, a conventional photo album is always cheaper than photo book. Hence, if a client requests for a conventional photo album and 3 medium sized picture frames, then you should bill them between 500 USD and 600 USD.
f. Wedding Coverage with Conventional Photo Album, 3 Medium Picture Frames and Soft Copies of Edited Picture Collections
When a client requests for a conventional photo album, 3medium sized framed pictures and soft copies of the edited picture collection, then the average fee should be between 600 USD and 700 USD.
g. Engagement Party and Wedding Coverage with Conventional Photo Album, Soft Copies of Edited Picture Collections and 6 Medium Picture Frames
Lastly, if a client places an order for a conventional photo album, soft copies of the edited picture collection and a 6 medium sized picture frames, then you should consider billing them between 1,050 USD and 1,150 USD.
As a smart wedding photographer, never make the mistake of turning down your clients. Always make sure you work around the amount they are willing to pay, as long as it is not a ridiculous amount.
Give your clients the room to bargain and also make room for flexibility in your pricing system. Over and above, the average cost of wedding photography and packages is dependent on what the client wants.