george_crawford Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 We have been asked to shoot a budget wedding ($250 for phootos). Very tight budget in an outdoor setting. The bride has booked it for sometime in april. What is customary to collect to book a wedding? What is the form of the contract? Finally is this something you would commit to on such a tight budget? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Who's paying for film and processing? Gas there and back? Batteries for your flash? This may be the skimpiest budget I've heard of ... outside of free. The couple must be good friends (?) Answer to your last question, probably not. But I've done cheap if they are friends. But never that cheap... outside of free that is ; -) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_muntz Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 If you haven't shot many weddings and want to do it for the experience, then maybe you can make it work. I'm in this position and did something like this last weekend - although it was for a little more and only about 2 hours. Doing this assumes you probably won't make any money for your work, or at least not much. I suppose you could justify the number based on what your expenses will be and see what's left. How long do they expect you to shoot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m_p7 Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 It sounds like this may be your first wedding. Is that right?? I learned the hard way that shooting weddings is a TON of work. I started with some cheap prices to get into it. But after all the post-wedding work, I realized that wanted to make more than minimum wage. :) I suspect the only way to make a profit on a $250 wedding is for it to be very short, and to shoot digital and burn a CD of images, with little to no post-production and let the b&g make their own prints. Don't forget that even if you don't have film and processing costs, that you have time, equipment depreciation, gas, etc. I could go on and on about not pricing too low, but you'll figure that out soon enough. To specifically answer your questions: Usually a retainer is required (maybe $100 to 50% of the fee) to hold the date, but in this case I'd collect it all up front. For a contract, a good place to start is in Tad Crawford's book, "Business & Legal Forms for Photographers". But even so, I'd have a lawyer review your contract. Finally, this isn't something I would do on this budget, but I'm not you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek_c. Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 If you are just starting out and/or have time to make a quick $250.00... why not?<br> Two months ago, I had one wedding that I only made $250.00 (no contract, no deposit)<br> But, it was a special case.. they had a situation, and had a 15 minute wedding on the balcony right at my neighborhood<br> Normally, I would not take the job.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_woodard Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Dereck, its not a quick $250.00, after costs, film processing, batteries etc, its about $2.50. Tell the bride to find someone else, if indeed this is a buisness dealing, sounds like a gift or a favor to a friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teresa_earnest Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 I guess I disagree with the above poster. Perhaps you'll just break even after expenses, but if this couple truely has limited funds, then why not help them out? I am doing a wedding next weekend that I booked forever ago when I first started shooting weddings, and even then I took it because I wanted to help them out. I feel good about knowing they will have some really special images from their wedding day. Let's not get so above ourselves that we forget why we do this, is just for money? I am blessed that my business isn't my families main source of income. I can't speak for you and your situation, but if they will truely appreciate it, and aren't out to get a good deal, then go for it. You may capture that one image that you'll treasure forever, and they will too. Enjoy! Teresa<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjogo Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 We do quite a few budget weddings ( 2 to 4 people) during the week--and welcome them! But we charge $250 per hour (2 hour minimum) and just hand them the exposed 2-3 rolls of film..never any processing. 20 minutes travel time R/T >>> is included, also.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick_lockwood Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 My first two weddings were about that. Gotta start somewhere. Since they were short notice, I had them pay me in full at the conclusion of the wedding. Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nstock Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 The booking fee should be a non refundable amount. Usually 10% but in this case, being such a very low price, I would get at least 50% up front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_woodard Posted September 26, 2004 Share Posted September 26, 2004 Teresa, helping people out is a wonderful thing, surviving in the photographic industry is something else again, buisness survival is based on making a profit. (Operating a Photography), one thing, (helping people out), another thing. Hell why not buy the film and processing for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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