Hi guys. I'm a studio owner in QC. We do both photo and video for weddings. I just thought that we should have an organized kind of a unoin for this (outside the WPPP which is kinda exclusive) I'm not so sure if there are any pricing guides in place. Anyway hope this gets the ball rolling. Harvey Chua has started getting volunteers to create rate guides for other industries as well, hopefully we can get this done and protect our industry and ourselves from underpricing. thanks

Hi Vince,

There is really no price structure that is strictly being followed in wedding photography. Some are really very cheap -- with video included while others are quite expensive. I am not being a fatalist but I don't think that a price standard will work in the Philippines. Again, no matter how we look at it, wedding photography/ers in this country is not organized and even if there is an organization more often than not the people in the same organization undercut each other :(.

My only advise is make sure that you cover all your costs and make a decent profit. Better yet, offer something extraordinary and command your price. It can be a superior output, better service, etc.

Frankly, I really want a standard pricing where everybody competes based on quality, workmanship and professionalism. Perhaps not in my lifetime :)

fol

Here in Winnipeg, Canada, there is no standard pricing that is regulated. Where I live, basically there is 3 sets of price range. High-end, mid-range, low-range.

The high-end pricing are for fulltime wedding photographers who depend their lives making profit from weddings. There's the mid-range prices where wedding photographers are serious part-time. Meaning they have other full-time job but does wedding photography (averaging 12-16 weddings a year). Low range pricing are for those new comers, photographers who just started. High-ends are from $1800 to $2200 for basic packages. Mid-range prices are from $1200-1600. Low end pricing are $500-$1000.

I fall under mid-range. My package starts at $1200 for basic (without reception coverage), and $1500 for basic with reception coverage. I do about 14 weddings a year. Our high season is between July to Sept.

Just to give an out of country perspective. What's the pricing there in Philippines?

Here in Winnipeg, Canada, there is no standard pricing that is regulated. Where I live, basically there is 3 sets of price range. High-end, mid-range, low-range.

The high-end pricing are for fulltime wedding photographers who depend their lives making profit from weddings. There's the mid-range prices where wedding photographers are serious part-time. Meaning they have other full-time job but does wedding photography (averaging 12-16 weddings a year). Low range pricing are for those new comers, photographers who just started. High-ends are from $1800 to $2200 for basic packages. Mid-range prices are from $1200-1600. Low end pricing are $500-$1000.

I fall under mid-range. My package starts at $1200 for basic (without reception coverage), and $1500 for basic with reception coverage. I do about 14 weddings a year. Our high season is between July to Sept.

Just to give an out of country perspective. What's the pricing there in Philippines?..

Thanks for the info Jerry,

Here in the place that I stay is the same price you mention, they have Low, Mid, High.

But if your asking our Country (Philippines), you will be very dissapointed, because everybody wanna steal your Business....
It's Like "AUCTION" in Ebay just in opposite Direction (Price are going Down):Grin:

ha ha the high end photogs here can cost as high as 100k (video included)... :) the mid end ones are around 40k or so if I am correct :)

actually thats the studio rate and not the sole photographer's rate per say... usually the back up photographers doesnt get paid as much. as with those, the rates depends on the gears used aswell. :P the market is pretty competitive, i remember starting as a dirt cheap photographer aswell way back, now i probably fall under mid range :P and one day, *sana* when im as good as the big ones, i'll get to fall under THEIR range aswell :P
pero here's what ive observed, the more PR the photographer, the more clients they get, quality is considered as well as the price, but nothing (almost) beats PR. :)

I'll start it off.

We don't get out of bed for less than P90K. That's for photography only and no video.

I'll start it off.

We don't get out of bed for less than P90K. That's for photography only and no video.

Dang!!!!!! :) 90K... I should be reconstituting my books! :D Thanks Nick!

I'll start it off.

We don't get out of bed for less than P90K. That's for photography only and no video.

Am I glad I'm married already! :D

@ Nick - I've got you beat. I only come down from the mountains when I feel like it :D

I'll start it off.

We don't get out of bed for less than P90K. That's for photography only and no video.

What's inlcuded in that? How many hours of coverage? Is this with 2nd photographer? Is this include bridal album?

I'll start it off.

We don't get out of bed for less than P90K. That's for photography only and no video.

Naks naman.... 90k :) Php for 4 -7 days Turn around,,,,well I need to quit my job then:Grin:

To answer Jerry's question. One lead photographer and one assistant. Wedding album included. Coverage around 12 hours.

And honestly, the price in my opinion is still too low. Its a ton of work to do a wedding album properly. In 2007 we will probably bump up the price again.

We had a customer a few months back that upgraded every package. We billed them P175K and for only a wedding with 125 guests. Now after the wedding we realized that we probably could have charged P250K and they would have gladly paid it. Why? Because they spent P500K for their flowers!

Can't stand it when the florist makes more money than the photographer. Wedding photos last. Flowers don't.

Wedding photos last. Flowers don't.



Nice. I just hope every client knows that by heart. :D

What's inlcuded in that? How many hours of coverage? Is this with 2nd photographer? Is this include bridal album?

I think that's just for getting out of bed. If you want Nick T. to start shooting, that will cost extra. :)

i think a rate guide will mostly protect the newbies and newcomers who don't know how and what to charge yet. the usual tendency is they charge too low, like 2T for a whole wedding with 150 4R prints included! for the noob who's not counting overhead, equipment and professioanl-fee costs, that is good enough for him. but fact is he could have charged more.

a rate guide will not necesarily prevent haggling, diving and other "competitive" pricing practices some pros at the higher levels do. it is only a guide. i mean, competitive pricing is quite fine and normal as long as it stays healthy.

so i guess, what's important is to set-up a bottom/floor rate for the newcomers. like:

Basic Package -- P10,000.00
one (1) photographer using DSLR
1000++ shots
300++ photos edited, saved in CD as proof
150 4R prints
one (1) 8x10 blow-up w/ special frame
NO ALBUM

that's it. with this bottom-rate, n00bs could adjust much freely -- go higher (12K) or lower (8K). and will promptly prevent them from charging a measly 2K(ish) rate.

my 2 cents.

@ryanmacalandag

newcomers can help out marriage for middle and lower class =)

@ryanmacalandag

newcomers can help out marriage for middle and lower class =)

that is very true. :)