I'm told fairly often by YOU photographers that I should increase my prices, and the last figure that was suggested was about $1700 for an average-length wedding session.
So what would I have to do to earn that money?
I spend about 30-40 hours for a 6-8 hour shoot on my regular editing, which does not include skin smoothing. If I include skin smoothing of the b&g, that might require a doubling of the time involved in editing. Problem is, I already spend far more time editing than shooting, and editing has become more of the drudgework of photography. I wonder if I would have to instead hire someone competent to edit the images.
I currently use a tin-case DVD holder with plastic window for the DVD artwork to be visible. It holds up to 4 DVD discs. I have lately been delivering up to 3 DVD discs of images in order to hold all of the photos, which are currently 4368x2912 pixels & 92% quality. In order to change to a nicer/fancier DVD holder, I would have to provide a maximum of 1 or 2 DVD discs. Alternately, I could provide a personalized flash drive instead in an album-like container.
I currently work solo and get what I can without any assistance whatsoever. I would probably have to hire a steady assistant to provide more efficient photography time.
I suppose one important end question is...if I actually charged more, would I MAKE any more after all the extra expenses?
How many images do you deliver? Cut down on the fluff images to process and deliver less, lower your export to 84 quality.
You assume you have to do more work on processing to justify $1700, but that is debatable. $1700 is not $8000, nor is it even a given that a $8000 photographer must spend more time post processing more than a $500 photographer.
I believe people have noted that you should probably be raising all your pricing.
If you want to start including more that's just fine. BUT when building your packages make sure that your margins are not shrinking as your package prices are rising.
Stop adding more features. Start charging more $$$. High end photographers tend to deliver less than basement photographers, both in an absolute and per dollar sense.
That's very hard to believe, I can't figure providing only what I already do at a higher price. Just about everyone in my local area within that price range has assistants, sometimes second shooters, and they do skin smoothing (even if their photography style isn't actually very good). It doesn't sound like I would be providing a competitive service unless I do the same.
If I provide less at the same price, that wouldn't be a good differentiation. I have made previous threads where I noted that I would lose any of my differentiating factors (outside personal style) if I entered a higher price range.
form wrote:
That's very hard to believe, I can't figure providing only what I already do at a higher price. Just about everyone in my local area within that price range has assistants, sometimes second shooters, and they do skin smoothing (even if their photography style isn't actually very good). It doesn't sound like I would be providing a competitive service unless I do the same.
Fine. Then charge 3k with those added services.
Dude seriously, I hear you, people had to tell me to raise our prices until they were blue in the face. My problem is insecurity. I assuming that is your problem as well, but I don't know you. At the end of the day I'll take insecurity over money grubbing egotistical, but seriously, everyone here is concerned about you because we want you to be able TO EAT, and because you are so totally and completely WORTH MORE. For me, I really just didn't want to give up the lower end clients and the smaller weddings because I love them so much. So I just made some crazy small affordable options for those people, with less time and less product. Then raised the price on what I was already offering. Then made packages with even more product and at even higher price. I was completely shocked at how many people started going for the high end package, and shocked that we've only had a couple people take us up on the small packages.
form wrote:
If I provide less at the same price, that wouldn't be a good differentiation. I have made previous threads where I noted that I would lose any of my differentiating factors (outside personal style) if I entered a higher price range.
My 2 cents is that it will always be very difficult to market and promote yourself on the basis of price and product.
If your selling point is that "I provide X at a lower price than {competitor}" then there will ALWAYS be someone else that is cheaper then you, stating the same thing.
Inevitably, if competing on price, the only way to be more appealing is lowering price or increasing product (both meaning you will NET less..)
You are a very good photographer. Unfortunately I do not believe that your photos will sway enough potential clients* when you are competing on price alone.
*This is not to say if you get better photographically you WILL sway clients, rather that when all you are offering is a client is a good product at a reasonable price clients will not care / notice if your photos are better.
I raised prices and had no inquiries for a long time. I lowered prices and offered less, and now I'm getting inquiries again. There is a sweet spot that you have to find.
Joey, you're seriously underestimating the quality of your work and what *that* is worth. Try stepping away from the thought of photographer A vs photographer B and how many hours/assistants/shooters there are. The images you produce are better than you realize. There are clients out there - even online/going to Vegas - who are willing to pay more for you, if you have confidence in yourself and can project that.
Wow. You ARE undercharging. You need to raise the 8hr package to around $1,700. 2k minimum with a second. Dump the 6/12hr packages. Add a la carte for extra hours over 9. Trust me. I get $900-1,200 for a half-day 4hr in my tiny little town.
amonline wrote:
Wow. You ARE undercharging. You need to raise the 8hr package to around $1,700. 2k minimum with a second. Dump the 6/12hr packages. Add a la carte for extra hours over 9. Trust me. I get $900-1,200 for a half-day 4hr in my tiny little town.
It looks like you are basing your suggestion on your own pricing scheme. 6 hours is my most common booking duration: many people like that amount of time and it can fit getting ready through some reception. 8 hours is my second most common. There are some brides who like the full day coverage, and I have a few 10 and 12 hour days coming up this year. I wouldn't want to deny those clients.
I am assuming you are telling me to only SHOW 4 and 8-hour prices, but many people inquire for times that I don't specify already and I don't know that it would make much difference. Isn't it better to provide exactly what the client needs/wants rather than forcing them up or down into my own times?
TTLKurtis wrote:
2k with a second?? What are you guys smoking I want some.
I said minimum... and did you read his deliverables?
form wrote:
It looks like you are basing your suggestion on your own pricing scheme. 6 hours is my most common booking duration: many people like that amount of time and it can fit getting ready through some reception. 8 hours is my second most common. There are some brides who like the full day coverage, and I have a few 10 and 12 hour days coming up this year. I wouldn't want to deny those clients.
I am assuming you are telling me to only SHOW 4 and 8-hour prices, but many people inquire for times that I don't specify already and I don't know that it would make much difference. Isn't it better to provide exactly what the client needs/wants rather than forcing them up or down into my own times?...Show more →
Not really. If you give people the option, they're going to cut you coverage. There's nothing wrong with providing too much coverage... if it's priced right. And actually, I was basing it completely off your portfolio and delivery.
Don't worry about what people specify they need. It sounds like you do not have a well thought out interview to me. You're giving people too many choices right up front. Have them give you the details first. Build a plan. Make it fit 8 or more hours. Charge accordingly. You have to make them see the need for a well thought out day and coverage. You're not Mc Donald's.
Whether it's email booking or in-person, people almost never cut coverage with me...in fact I have had several people extend original schedules of 6 hours to 8, or 10 extended to 12 in the last year. If you are seeing this kind of client behavior, then I might have to worry about an issue I don't currently have if I do what you're suggesting.
?? What are you guys smoking I want some.