I've got 16 so far at an average of about $2300.00. I'm in Michigan, the economy sucks, many young people moving out of state. No.1 new job in Michigan is
Walmart greeter.
I think our prices and work are good but we only booked 3 weddings and a Mitvah from Jan 1. to current. Last year I think I booked 8 in that period.
I wonder if there are any states that actually NEED wedding photographers. Probably not.
We have 5 so far this year, and 2 for 2009. We have modest expectations though, we would like to do about 15 this year. Just started getting serious about advertising, all previous business has been WOM. I've heard some good ad ideas here that I'm going to try. Anyone doing a referral bonus?
trillium wrote:
Hassy - 44 @ 3700.00. Pack up the bags, we're moving to CA!
What's your address?
Just kidding. I know paying the bills is a bit more challenging in CA too. They have to charge for all that sunshine.
Mike
My monthly rent is $2200.00 !!!! Im trying to find a cheaper location......its tough.....retail office space is 3 bucks a SQ. ft............business complex space is 1.00 sq. ft..........im trying to find a higher traffic area with street side curb appeal................very tough....
I have NO clue how it happen (minimal advertising) but I booked 15 weddings this past Jan/Feb, and 3 from 2007 and I have two more client meetings coming up. most from the internet, some from past clients and biz cards around town.
GO FIGURE! I may make a living at this after all! But my full day package is only $1200 and books are extra. This is only my third year.
OH... I was thinking about raising my prices... when is a good time to do so? and I was thinking a $500 raise (fd)?
I've booked 37 for 2008 and 12 so far for 2009. 5 are out of town, 11 are out of state and 3 are out of the country. Our flight and accommodations are extra.
Our goal is 50 for this year, with a few weekends having 2 weddings.. Our average booking is $4750 and that includes -
-Engagement session
-Bridal session
-Average of $200 in print credits for Pictage
-Most get 5x5 Art Proof books in a fitted case with all images edited and numbered (between 300 and 450) corresponding with Pictage - My cost is around $175 to $250 (off the top of my head)
-All get at least one album included in the package. 12x12 Willowbook Sequoia, Leather Craftsmen 14x11 horizontal or 18x14 Graphi. Most are printed on Metallic paper. All are an average of 20 to 30 spreads.
My average cost of an album is between $600 and $750. If they order one after the wedding, it's at 400% mark up. If it's before the wedding it's at 200% mark up.
Our prices start at $3,000 and go up to a little over $7,000 with an average of $4,750 and some change. Every year we raise our prices about 25%, give or take.
I believe I am a good photographer and definitely one of the better ones for my crummy area, that's why I'm out of town so much! It really comes down to marketing, branding and sales, etc.
I had a girl work with me for a short while who was fresh out of Texas A&M. Summertime, the year before last, was her first time on her own and she blew away my first and second year bookings combined! She was nowhere near as good as I am or as good as many on here at first. Of course, over the past year and a half or two years, she's gotten much better, but still not the best.
I was amazed...and actually I still am by the numbers she produced, and she took nothing under $1,800, I think. She still averages about half of my normal rate. In Corpus, my rates are very high. The economy here sucks and so do the clients! I market towards those that tend to have a little more than others and happen to love photography. She's a little less picky, but still gets good clients.
So, after WPPI and the Business Institute, I should be a little better at the marketing end and save some money on the marketing pros!
My first year I did 14 weddings and I pretty much had to beg people to send me clients cause I had no idea about marketing. Actually, I'm still pretty bad at it.
I'm getting better, but it was kind of irritating watching so-so photographers book like crazy cause they know how to sell. It reallly made me take a look at what the h*ll I was doing and it made me get my stuff together.
SORRY FOR RAMBLING SO MUCH!
Jonathan Consiglio
Edited by J. Consiglio on Feb 28, 2008 at 11:27 AM GMT
I'm up to 30, averaging 1500-1700 initial contract (prints, albums extra post-wedding). And they are all condensed into May-October. I have only THREE weekends open this whole summer
I'm on 34 for 2008, friday's, saturdays and sundays generally, average price about $2600 per wedding and still getting enquiries though having to turn people away now. Having shot a wedding last year on a Fri, Sat and Sun consecutively, it really kills you!... slept for days afterwards!
My website works! Are you talking about the sample images, or just the fact that I'm always under "CONSTRUCTION"!
Well, it all comes down to word of mouth here. If you search wedding photographers in Corpus, you'll see why once someone likes you, you're good to go. A ton of my clients are related or very close to other clients. Even some of my out of state stuff is family of other clients. Also, I have a few photographers and planners, etc. that send me referrals. I've been fortunate with that, but here's the problem...I still suck at marketing and especially branding. That's why I can't wait for the Business Institute at WPPI this year.
We will be moving to Chicago or possibly Portland...or possibly?... within the next 4 months, so I will be traveling back pretty often, which is fine because of my wife's family and we have a house here.
Now, I'm nervous as hell about moving! I don't know what I'm going to do if I don't get this whole marketing thing down. There's only so many family and friends for referrals and without them and the planners and such, I'm back at square one since I don't have a set and good marketing strategy. It's very intimidating, but I'm sticking to my guns about moving, no matter how it goes here. In January, I had a $18,000 month out of nowhere with new clients, but the month before was barely $2,000..
Very inconsistent and that's not what I want for my family..
Im at 6 right now. I did 27 last year at very low prices, and although my prices are still low, theyre high for me. I do NOT want to do more than 15. With going to school full time, im good at 15.
But my full day package is only $1200 and books are extra. This is only my third year.
?... within the next 4 months, so I will be traveling back pretty often, which is fine because of my wife's family and we have a house here.