Must have done a ton of research to find the widely-varying prevailing rates all over the US and Canada. I mean ... you would think that one website in a more downscale market would get you a, say, "$1500" estimate while the exact same website in a more upscale market would get you a "$4000" estimate.
Not specifically in the business but I do market myself to wedding photographers as a "professional 2nd shooter." Usually in emails to photographers whose style I feel are a good match or whenever I meet wedding photographers in passing.
I can't say I'm a fan of the package "titles". I'd start by presenting the top package first, but only if you think they should all be buying that package. Not because its an amount you want them to spend, but because you think every bride should choose this package because you think its the best value and product you can give them.
You show prices for a photobooth, but not a wedding, any reason why?
Based on presentation, and that you've kind of shared some great info on the landing page about your travels and philosophy you come across as a premium option. $3500-6000.
Nice site, clean and simple. But after I saw your prices for a photobooth, I went trying to find the wedding prices and couldn't find them.
Must have done a ton of research to find the widely-varying prevailing rates all over the US and Canada. I mean ... you would think that one website in a more downscale market would get you a, say, "$1500" estimate while the exact same website in a more upscale market would get you a "$4000" estimate.
I'd love to make up some elaborate story of how I studied sales and marketing, and that I've spent hours researching market trends in photography...but I haven't done any of that, just lots of experience running a photo business and a passion for business, sales and consumer science
I'm really just basing it off of a few things:
--first impression when I land on the site. Does it make me think "what do I do next", or does it immediately grab my attention...
--is the information easy to find? Is it clear the person does weddings, or portraits, or commercial, etc...I think having a wedding gallery helps to show that you are in fact a photographer that I could hire for my wedding
--grammar goes a long way, and its not that it has to be correct (it really must be though), but its more word choice, how are they describing themselves, their work, and presenting a number that my mind can wrap around
--the word choice also plays into the confidence of their price. Run-on sentences or lengthy descriptions about how you picked up your camera when you were 5, or that you absolutely LOVE weddings, or that you love to tell stories....blah blah blah, about 80% of the sites I've visited from this thread have the same type of words and descriptions. To me, and I think to clients, this makes you look like the rest of the noise out there.
It's really about the whole package. Web interface, visual identity (logo, colors, typeface), copy (what you wrote, how you wrote it) and price, and lastly the actual photographs. If they all mesh together then you have a winning combination. One that stuck out to me throughout this process was bensasso.com
His work is incredible, but its just icing on the cake. Because if he blurred out every image on his site, it would still look beautiful because the whole package is there, and his price makes sense based on everything I'm seeing.
sboerup wrote:
You show prices for a photobooth, but not a wedding, any reason why?
Based on presentation, and that you've kind of shared some great info on the landing page about your travels and philosophy you come across as a premium option. $3500-6000.
Nice site, clean and simple. But after I saw your prices for a photobooth, I went trying to find the wedding prices and couldn't find them.
Thanks Spencer! i need to raise my prices then $2600 is where I start now..
You told me when you first bought your camera. This could be a liability.
HOLY prices! I can hire you for a 2 hour wedding for $200? And portraits are the same? Man, I'm sorry if this comes across as rather forward, but, this is NOT profitable. Even at 20 hours.
If photography is just a hobby, then fine...but your website makes you sound like you are acting like a professional, and are willing to go under contract to perform services in exchange for monetary compensation. This makes me believe you are serious about your photography and want to treat it like a business. You seriously need to raise your prices! Not only do you not charge any upfront cost, you are also giving away the farm!
At this price, your only apparent value is price, and your customers will be the bargain of bargain hunters. If you want this, then keep on doing what you're doing...
Sorry if this came across rather strongly, but, I want to help. I'm not upset and nor do I think you are "ruining the industry" like some people think. I just think you have SO much more potential than $100 an hour.
lwrnclightner wrote:
Your strengths happen to be my shortcoming..with that said...
www.essenceoflightphoto.com
Big thanks for your support!!!
$300-600. Sorry man, no offense, but you come across as a "bargain" photographer. I'm not sure what you want to focus on (weddings, portraits, events, concerts, etc) but you make no mention of it, just that you are a guy with a camera and I can contact you if I think I'm looking for a photographer.
sboerup wrote:
You told me when you first bought your camera. This could be a liability.
HOLY prices! I can hire you for a 2 hour wedding for $200? And portraits are the same? Man, I'm sorry if this comes across as rather forward, but, this is NOT profitable. Even at 20 hours.
If photography is just a hobby, then fine...but your website makes you sound like you are acting like a professional, and are willing to go under contract to perform services in exchange for monetary compensation. This makes me believe you are serious about your photography and want to treat it like a business. You seriously need to raise your prices! Not only do you not charge any upfront cost, you are also giving away the farm!
At this price, your only apparent value is price, and your customers will be the bargain of bargain hunters. If you want this, then keep on doing what you're doing...
Sorry if this came across rather strongly, but, I want to help. I'm not upset and nor do I think you are "ruining the industry" like some people think. I just think you have SO much more potential than $100 an hour....Show more →
I appreciate your critique. That price you saw was for events not weddings. I have raised my event prices recently since i honestly want to stay away from shooting events. My starting price for a wedding is at $1700 right now.
I just redesigned my site and would love to hear your thoughts. Been playing with ideas of changing pricing, but I'm not sure if I should. Personally I like offering just the basics...coverage, a disk, and an album option (I'm not selling many and that's ok with me. I don't really enjoy making them.) I've never had a "sales session" after a wedding either. Is that common for most you?
Nathan Padgett wrote:
I just redesigned my site and would love to hear your thoughts. Been playing with ideas of changing pricing, but I'm not sure if I should. Personally I like offering just the basics...coverage, a disk, and an album option (I'm not selling many and that's ok with me. I don't really enjoy making them.) I've never had a "sales session" after a wedding either. Is that common for most you?
When I read your price, I think "super, he's affordable", and then everything after that seems to be "oh I need this, and this, and this". It seems like add-ons galore, like I'm being nickeled and dimed. Maybe add what you think is essential for them and package it as your starting price.
sboerup wrote:
One that stuck out to me throughout this process was bensasso.com
I'd like to have a look at his site but, unfortunately, I can't. I go there and all I get is a blank, white web page. No text. No images. This is the only site I've encountered that behaves this way. Wonder what the trouble is.
