Does anyone charge upfront for ONLY time & talent? Then offer prints/albums after the fact a-la-carte? I ask since I am getting more and more brides wanting to "customize" my packages and I have been planning on changing my pricing structure. When I first started out I charged just for time and talent then offered prints after the wedding. I wonder if due to the economic situation here in the US if people would embrace a cheaper up front cost while having the option to buy products at their leisure. Just a general wondering....what is everyones thought on this practice?

Right now we don't do that, but I know others who do successfully. Just make sure you price your time and talent appropriately. People sometimes forget that factors such as insurance, healthcare and equipment upkeep also play a role in pricing.

I have set package pricing. I also have a-la-carte. If they want to change something it will not be the packages. They can come up with their own package configuration but it will be more expensive.

My packages are set to what they are because it helps my work flow. When I step out of that sequence things become more customized, thus a client has to pay for that.

I have a create your own system that allows the couple to choose the amount of hours they want then add whatever else in that they want..for example albums/slideshow/high res images etc....

I have only been doing it for around 2 months but so far every client loves the idea and I don't see anyone else here doing this kind of system.

I offer a la carte options, but only as part of a prepaid package.

Yes, prints and albums are a la carte for me. I charge a day rate (up to 8 hours) that will include the web gallery and proof book, but that's it. They have the option to by a DVD of the images or have me do the album, but that is another deal. It seems to be working out fine so far.

Thanks everyone for your responses so far. I am REALLY leaning toward going a-la-carte. When I started doing weddings digitally 4 years ago thats how I charged and not only did I get more bookings but I got more guests at weddings buying images. I am thinking about going to $999 for up to 4 hours, $1499 for up to 8 and $1999 for 8+ hours
I am also thinking of adding a second shooter option as well for $250-$350 depending on time. But I am still debating on price and time ranges. I hate thinking of raising prices. I am afraid I am going to loose business, but I feel if I dont raise my prices I am going to loose more $$$ due to increasing gas costs and other costs of living.

Yep, this is the case for me in an upcoming wedding in August... No prints, albums, DVD of images, etc. That was all they could afford for now and then later on they'll get all of the extra goodies.

I've seen a lot of 'print credit' type package marketed by some wedding photographers where each package includes a certain amount of 'credit' for the client to use against prints, albums, etc... so I guess it is a prepaid package w/ more flexibilities for the client to choose what they need.

fchang wrote:
I've seen a lot of 'print credit' type package marketed by some wedding photographers where each package includes a certain amount of 'credit' for the client to use against prints, albums, etc... so I guess it is a prepaid package w/ more flexibilities for the client to choose what they need.

My standard package has the choice of a product credit or a DVD. Custom designed albums are sold a la carte.

I pondered the same question and read many threads on the topic before deciding to go ala carte. The problem I see with packages is that there is no standardized way of putting them together. It's completely at the whim of the photographer. It's not like going to a fast food place and getting a value meal, which you know will have some sort of burger, some fries and a drink.

4, 5, 6, 8 hours of coverage.
20, 30, 40, 200, 300, 400 prints of varying sizes.
Maybe an album or two or three.
$500, $750, $1500 (or more).

Unless money is no object to the bride (or whoever is footing the bill), then I think they will be doing some comparison shopping, not just on the price, but also the quality of work. If you have the quality, then make the price competitive and easy to understand.