Calling All Readers!!!
I have a question for you all. I am a photographer and also I have to sell myself. I am not great at putting a pricetag on myself as my fellow photographers have gently put it (much love to all of you, I needed that). I recently raised my prices but one thing that I changed was that I included more “stuff” when making packages. However… do people (ok sorry, specifically brides, to-be-brides, has-been-brides etc.) WANT that stuff? TELL ME!! I WANT TO KNOW!!!!!
Essentially would you rather book me for a lower rate for the day and have the option to create a package up front (with a discount) or decide later if you really need all that stuff that photographers seem to include. I know that a few of my brides this summer have virtually NO interest in the albums that are all-the-rage now and were really glad to find out that I wasn’t including one and making them pay for it.
My rates are still changing for next year/the remainder of this year. I love this job dearly but to be honest, I simply cannoy afford to work for more than one year at these rates. I needed more wedding experience and I certainly will be on my way after the next month and I can’t charge the bottom feeder rates forever. I hope you all understand that. However you do have a say in things and that’s what that comment button is for below! USE IT! Or email me and tell me what you think. I know it’s a bit outside of the box for a vendor to ask its customer/peer base what they look for when booking a photographer but hey, I am not known for being normal.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hey bug,
it seems to work best to have packages that have nothing included and just a few hours and then have larger packages, more hours with lots of fun stuff included. make sure you know EXACTLY what each item costs you and what you charge your client so if they want to take something off the large package you know the amount to take off. hope this helps! huge congrats on your publication!!! soo proud!
corey, i started doing all al a carte pricing. i love it. i give my clients a 10% incentive if they pre pay for any albums.
thanks for the recent comments
chuckie
I know I’m late, but absolutely I think many brides (including me) like less “stuff.”
I know I’m not into all of the albums and prints–especially as it is very possible for brides and grooms to take creative control in creating those themselves these days…
I would definitely go for maximum shooting coverage–ala your 10-hour option which lets the RD be covered….
Hope that makes sense!
I’m late to this too! But I wanted to say that I’m using an a la carte pricing system and it works great for the most part. I think most of today’s brides are looking for a good amount of coverage and the image files on disk. I know this has been frowned upon by many, but we’re living in a digital age, and I think our couples want to know that they can play a role in safeguarding their images for the future. I used to include prints, but most of my couples asked to switch them out or not include anything and get a reduction on the package amount … so I no longer include them. Just make sure that your base amount covers your time and any additional costs.
You take beautiful photographs and have an amazing personality – your couples know this, and this is why they book you. You don’t need to include extra incentives, IMHO. Let your couples choose what they want to add on. And hopefully at least a few will realize the huge benefit of adding an album to their package a la carte.