Had an email today from a prospective client, her wedding is completely a Japanese themed wedding from the kimono's to umbrellas instead of brides made flowers. The odd part is they are both 100% American, maybe this is more common than I thought.
They only want me to shoot for 2 hours, it's 3.5 hours away....No prints, No albums, just DVD. I have no idea what to do, my base package for that would be 4 hours at $1250 but local.
I can see plenty of couples wanting that, thinking that's all they'll need, but if that isn't your normal shooting and package style I wouldn't change it for anyone who wants less. Most people don't have an idea on how long it'll take to get decent coverage.
I'd charge them the normal price plus expenses. Travel plus lodging. Personally, I don't charge for food as I'd rather pack a cooler anyway for the same cost of what I'd be eating if I were home or working locally.
It sounds like it'll be a beautiful wedding. If you want it, just concisely explain what your base package includes and why (and/or why your clients have enjoyed it).
I charge my hourly fee for travel, so calculate your 3.5 hours x hourly fee. You may not be technically working but its still time out of your day. Maybe drop it 20% or something like that.
Might be good for sales from a diversity perspective. I tried putting a wider range of races and religions in my portfolio pics and amazingly, just booked a Baha'i event for May. I had to google Baha'i after I got off the phone with the fellow.
Just start with your usual rate. Slap on a reasonable fee for travel ($200?). Sounds like they like your work. Folks like that are usually willing to pay a little extra to get you as opposed to the next guy. If you havn't given them a quote yet, just pad it with a line labeled Travel Expense line and you should be fine.
I seem to attract weddings that are very different in nature.. I have done shoots with snakes/donkeys/no bridal party/no cake, to name a few. I actually find it really exciting when couples do something different with their day... enjoy it!
i've had the same request and shot that wedding-they endedd up wanting more than two hours in the end-make sure they know your hourly rate and you discuss all terms in advance and include them in the contract-just my experience-not everyone is like that-but it's better to be safe
I told them I could do it for $625.00 which includes travel. I see it as a great deal, even considering what others here have told me to do. Now if they see it that way I don't know.
I've let them know that two hours really isn't that long but the response was ceremony is 20 minutes, and the reception is only an hour? yet they are having dancing, cake and bubbles that they exit to....
