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Weddings: Do you charge based on duration of coverage?
- Thread starter Elite83
- Start date
M
Michael Thomas Mitchell
Guest
Ten and fifteen years ago, I used time-based packages. Today, I largely don't. Every package is based upon what they receive (albums, image files, videos, prints, etc.). Package coverage is "full day", which means up to eight hours, regardless of the package. In the rare cases where more than 8 hours is needed, there's an overtime charge.
The wedding day itself is all about CAPTURE. We capture pics and video, regardless of the package. And we've sold lots of videos after the wedding day itself to couples who didn't originally buy videos. The reasoning is simple: we can sell what we didn't capture. And once the stuff is captured, many couples realize that their dream of collecting videos from guests' iPhones wasn't terribly practical.
There's no right or wrong absolutes here, mind you. You must have a product that matches your style and logistics. I always use an assistant, and she can capture video all day long with little trouble, and (with today's video-capable DSLRs) I can supplement when I'm not capturing stills. Better yet, with the 5DIV's 4K capture capability, I can also extract 8MP stills when I might want both. But if you don't use an assistant, none of this packaging/pricing may be practical for you.
Good luck
KE_DP
Veteran Member
I'm not sure how that even works - no time limits - so you must shoot for any time frame they say - up to 24 hours?
It also implies thousands of photos. By the time the post processing is done on that....
I would set hours on site and guaranteed minimums on output as part of a "package" with potential upgrades or downgrades to fit budgets. As mentioned in the other post - you can simultaneously add/create more things outside the package to offer later - for additional selling.
Time figures in a great deal when you can shoot a courthouse wedding in less than 1 hour - or an all day high society event. Price accordingly. Courthouse - 1 shooter - vs - royal wedding 5 shooters....even with that much it's still not limitless!
All IMO, YMMV
M
Michael Thomas Mitchell
Guest
I have no idea where I came up with that term in this post!I'm not sure how that even works - no time limits - so you must shoot for any time frame they say - up to 24 hours?
It also implies thousands of photos. By the time the post processing is done on that....
I would set hours on site and guaranteed minimums on output as part of a "package" with potential upgrades or downgrades to fit budgets. As mentioned in the other post - you can simultaneously add/create more things outside the package to offer later - for additional selling.
Time figures in a great deal when you can shoot a courthouse wedding in less than 1 hour - or an all day high society event. Price accordingly. Courthouse - 1 shooter - vs - royal wedding 5 shooters....even with that much it's still not limitless!
All IMO, YMMV
My wedding season last year included 3 courthouse weddings, 2 short backyard weddings, and one 2-hour wedding at a local steakhouse. In the same way I have to customize a package for extra-big weddings (think Greek, for instance), I do the same for small ones.
BTW, I've NEVER guaranteed any single number of images for delivery, and strongly recommend against any such idea. About every 4th client or so asks about a number, and I happily show complete albums and galleries for similar style weddings as examples.
KE_DP
Veteran Member
It was in the very first line of the original poster's post. My reply was to the OP, (not to your post), but intended to offer a different view or additional ideas.
I just thought the word "limitless" was quite odd, and wondering if maybe there is someone who does offer that? Or maybe it was not phrased right to begin - not sure. By minimums I wasn't totally referring to specific quantities per se (although some do this) but more to the actual output - shot list/coverage of the shots discussed or requested, specific times, people, locations, segments etc. We seem to agree that customizing a package individually for each event is a reasonable approach vs the binary choice the OP suggested.
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Photomonkey
Senior Member
photolando
Senior Member
IMHO you should have one rate for a short gig but have a least a 4-5 hour min. And then one that at least includes 8 hours but then they can add additional hours for whatever hourly fee you use. You might even have one rate at the time of signing but if they need you to stay later it's a little more. It's funny how when your time is up and mention extra time in $xxx amount of dollars they usually say "we're good. Thanks". No, never unlimited.
As far as images, I don't guarentee ANY amount. And it's stupid to try and sell your services based on the amount you shoot. I shoot as many as it takes. It could be a few hundred. At most a couple thousand (rarely). I don't want to cull thousands of images and they don't want thousands of image. Take your time, get the shot and maybe a few extras. These guys I see taking 10-12 shots of the same exact thing are stupid and really don't have a clue. A few shots and move on.
As far as images, I don't guarentee ANY amount. And it's stupid to try and sell your services based on the amount you shoot. I shoot as many as it takes. It could be a few hundred. At most a couple thousand (rarely). I don't want to cull thousands of images and they don't want thousands of image. Take your time, get the shot and maybe a few extras. These guys I see taking 10-12 shots of the same exact thing are stupid and really don't have a clue. A few shots and move on.
lbuclk=
Senior Member
I have no idea where I came up with that term in this post!I'm not sure how that even works - no time limits - so you must shoot for any time frame they say - up to 24 hours?
It also implies thousands of photos. By the time the post processing is done on that....
I would set hours on site and guaranteed minimums on output as part of a "package" with potential upgrades or downgrades to fit budgets. As mentioned in the other post - you can simultaneously add/create more things outside the package to offer later - for additional selling.
Time figures in a great deal when you can shoot a courthouse wedding in less than 1 hour - or an all day high society event. Price accordingly. Courthouse - 1 shooter - vs - royal wedding 5 shooters....even with that much it's still not limitless!
All IMO, YMMV
My wedding season last year included 3 courthouse weddings, 2 short backyard weddings, and one 2-hour wedding at a local steakhouse. In the same way I have to customize a package for extra-big weddings (think Greek, for instance), I do the same for small ones.
BTW, I've NEVER guaranteed any single number of images for delivery, and strongly recommend against any such idea. About every 4th client or so asks about a number, and I happily show complete albums and galleries for similar style weddings as examples.
M
Michael Thomas Mitchell
Guest
When they book you for five hours, and delays cause the bouquet toss, garter toss, cake cutting, and exit to be moved to hour #6, do you leave and miss those events, or re-negotiate your contract with the couple during their wedding day to stay?
lbuclk=
Senior Member
The same applies to constructions jobs, they plan for delays, i.e. bad weather days/weeks, not all weddings start on time & each one is as different as is the couples.
photolando
Senior Member
THe day of the wedding is not the time to negotiate. Everything, including what happens in case time goes over is alway discussed during the consultation.
If they agree to the 5 hour coverage collection, we agree AT THE CONSULTATION that if it goes into a 6th hour, or more, then it’s $XXX dollars per additional hour. I’ll give them 10-15 minutes but after that...
I also mention to them at the start of the 5th (or last hour) that it’s the last hour and if they haven’t done the bouquet, garter, cake cutting, etc, they better get busy.
There's no "wrong" answers or methods to business models. I do think that is an interesting setup, and it is great you found something that has worked for you.
I planned my business to strive for the customer's convenience so I didn't find that method of charging useful for me. For instance, I also require full payment day before the event. It has worked well for me so far.
My biggest gripe with the more traditional "hourly package" deal is that when things run late and behind schedule then I have to charge more for staying and look like the money grubber, or put it "on the house" which obviously isn't conducive to business.
Does it make sense to pay the plumber for all his time when he finds out he needs to go get a part he didn't anticipate needing? Obviously. But for some reason I've run into an unusually high concentration of people who believe unspoken stigmas about photography being overpriced, and low-effort, low-commitment. Perhaps its my geographical area where everyone and their cousin has a photography "business." Who knows.
Anyway, I've found by having an "all-day" base package helps put the focus on the quality of photos, and the couple feeling like they're getting a good deal. I still have an overtime charge if it's a REALLY long day for some reason, but I've never needed to charge extra.
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lbuclk=
Senior Member
photolando
Senior Member
Well, I never said I didn’t have all day packages. I just mentioned ONE that was for 5 hours. Most wedding usually are around 8 hours and they have the option of paying for that much time up front as well. But you have to know when it’s time to go and when your being taken advantage of.
You’re not being looked at as a money grabber IF, like I said, at the consultation they were made aware that they are agreeing to a certain amount of time and that any additional time will result in more pay. It’s rare that if they pay you for 8 hours that you will actually stay any longer. Chances are, the venue has them on time as well and they know when they have to be finished of the venue will charge them more as well.
Have like a 4-5 hour, and 8 hour an perhaps a 10 hour. I would never have an “unlimited” time option.
Design three packages.
GREEN has album of 12 prints 8x10, two parents albums of 6 prints 5 x7, etc
RED is different
PURPLE is different
You stay until the wedding is over
You cull the bad shots, and then you pick which of the good ones to show.
Show 4 x 6 prints from JPG files
Have a price list for anything more than green, red and purple.
BAK
GREEN has album of 12 prints 8x10, two parents albums of 6 prints 5 x7, etc
RED is different
PURPLE is different
You stay until the wedding is over
You cull the bad shots, and then you pick which of the good ones to show.
Show 4 x 6 prints from JPG files
Have a price list for anything more than green, red and purple.
BAK
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