hi again. one of our secretaries requested me to do a prenup shot for her wedding (just a very simple ceremony, not the grandiose-type). they dont have yet a wedding photographer since it will be held in their province and just needs some photos for use in their invitations/banners/other wedding materials. the prenup will be done in their subdivision's clubhouse - a garden and a poolside, so the location's free. She will do her own make-up. She only expects the high-resolution softcopies and no prints. She's asking how much will it be but since she's a long-time officemate and friend, i said no charge, it's my gift to them (the location is a stonethrow away from my house anyway). i wont be using a DSLR, just an S3IS, then there will be minor PPing with the shots. it's my first prenup shot and i consider myself a beginner/amateur in digital photography.

question: if its for someone else (not for a friend/not for free), how much should be charged given the conditions above? (and considering the shots' quality as average)

Multiple choice:
a) <P500
b) >P500 , < P1k
c) >P1k , <2k
d) others (pls specify)
e) i should pay them for the free modeling for my portfolio
f) i should tell them to look for a true professional photographer

TIA! :)

IMHO, since I'm just an amateur, I think around 3-4k would do.

3-4k seems to be high, considering that the client is in Class D economic status, the type who goes to unknown photostudios availing of the P300-500 photo packages. she actually wants this type of service, but wants to have it in a garden/pool location.

Hmm im interested what the other pros would say about this... :)

i charge 5k for prenups (within manila)
pag out of town, either the client provide us with transpo or we charge them extra for the transpo.
it really is all up to you how much you want to charge, IF you want to charge. there's no fix rate naman with charging.
just remember though, to count your expenses and, well, economics...
plus, if you do want to charge low (hopefully not forever...) dream of the wonderful new cameras by either nikon or canon *drool* D3 or 1Ds Mark3... hehe.. ilang prenups kaya bago mag ka cam. :P

also, cams depreciate with every click :P

i charge 5k for prenups (within manila)
pag out of town, either the client provide us with transpo or we charge them extra for the transpo.
<snip>

With the said amount, how many shots do you usually take? how bout the prints? are they already included in the price? if so, how many?

My apologies for butting in =)

Hi

Dito sa Capiz, I usually include pre-nups sa package. For some reason clients (provincial) doesnt like it when you charge extra for other service add-ons. Isang bayaran lang for them -no "hidden" charges.

My Iloilo and Boracay clients naman are more updated sa photography services so they know that pre-nups are not included.

For me, Pre-nups are great. Try to include (expense cost) sa package. If the client opts not to have a pre-nup, you can just give them discount.:Grin:

thanks all for the replies.
it's not a real "pre-nup" by wedding photography standards. more like a simple backyard/home shoot requested by a friend in the neighborhood.
i know the high-end pros will comment that i may charge too low for this (if i will charge at all). but given my skills (just 0.5 out of 10, i think) and equipment (only a prosumer S3is) and with the fact that i'll just be taking advantaging of this request to practice (hehehe), i dont even think i should charge.
i'll be taking only about 10 shots and no prints are required, just the softcopies.
can anyone who caters the low(est)-end market help? :)

Hmm im interested what the other pros would say about this... :)

i know sir nick....
i understand how valuable photography skills are and should not be priced too low.
im not a pro and this is not a "real" photography job... i'm only trying to ask for opinions if the client (and photographer too) is of the lower class than most DPP members...

equate everything as a business. tama si maam ems, everything has to be computed based on economics. how much money you make vs your assets(equipment), and time. are you doing this full time or part time?

evaluate how much you are worth and for the time and talent you have, then you may start computing your per hour worth and effort then you can easily have something to gauge with.

just an idea. i have not done this, and i dont do this for a living, just a personal opinion if i will start over something i am unsure of.

15T would be a good rate for a simple and easy pre-nup shoot.

15T would be a good rate for a simple and easy pre-nup shoot.

hehehe
i hope im in the same plane as you are...
...but im surely not judging from my earlier posts :)

With the said amount, how many shots do you usually take? how bout the prints? are they already included in the price? if so, how many?

My apologies for butting in =)

no apologies at all.
output is cd only, raw unedited pics.
number of shots, cant say.... around 2-300 estimate.
number of hours 1.5-2 hours shoot would be sufficient.

no apologies at all.
output is cd only, raw unedited pics.
number of shots, cant say.... around 2-300 estimate.
number of hours 1.5-2 hours shoot would be sufficient.

Thanks a lot Ems.
Your straightforward answers really help =)

specially with the ones who have no idea at all

Cheers!

hehehe
i hope im in the same plane as you are...
...but im surely not judging from my earlier posts :)

I spoke to a client once who was scouting around for a photographer, and who was, naturally, comparing prices that were quoted. She showed me the different price quotes she received from different photographers and observed that the prices were radically different from each other. She noted that the prices doesn't fall within a small, manageable range. Instead, they are widely diverse from extremely low to extremely high. More importantly, she also observed that a lot of the prices were on the low end. Only a couple or so quoted on the high end. And then she said, "For the job that needs to be done, I'm so afraid to give the contract to the low bidders. I am scared of what the catch might be." With that statement, she threw all the quotes of the low bidders to the trash can, and focused her attention on the proposals of the 2 high bidders. The lesson of the story: If you quote too low, the client might think there's a catch. And more often than not, there is.

I spoke to a client once who was scouting around for a photographer, and who was, naturally, comparing prices that were quoted. She showed me the different price quotes she received from different photographers and observed that the prices were radically different from each other. She noted that the prices doesn't fall within a small, manageable range. Instead, they are widely diverse from extremely low to extremely high. More importantly, she also observed that a lot of the prices were on the low end. Only a couple or so quoted on the high end. And then she said, "For the job that needs to be done, I'm so afraid to give the contract to the low bidders. I am scared of what the catch might be." With that statement, she threw all the quotes of the low bidders to the trash can, and focused her attention on the proposals of the 2 high bidders. The lesson of the story: If you quote too low, the client might think there's a catch. And more often than not, there is.

thank you ma'am. i am aware of that, being here in the forums every day for 4 months :)
it's just i'm in a different universe than most of you. my "client" thinks P500 is high because they can get a studio shoot for P300 with prints already...

if i was shopping for bentley and someone tells me he can sell me one for$10,00 i'll say -no, you can keep your kia.

if i was shopping for a kia and someone tells me he can sell me one for $425,000, i'll say -no , can't afford your bentley.

if i had $10,000 for a kia and i was looking for a kia, i'll buy a kia.

if i had $ 425,000 for a bentley, and i was looking for a bentley, i'll buy a bentley.

if you sell me a $10,000 kia for $15,000, your a good car salesman

if you sell me $425,000 bentley for $400,000 you're a bad car salesman

if you can't sell your kia, go see zig ziglar

if you can't sell your bentley, go see zig ziglar

233859[/COLOR]]15T would be a good rate for a simple and easy pre-nup shoot.

hah! send some my way, i'll split it with you - 50/50

Hmmm...tricky situation you are in....

If I were in your situation...beginner, no experience, non-pro dslr, no post prod, couple on a tight budget, couple is a friend,..........I would not charge them a single centavo. Just have them pay for the expenses and buy you merienda:Grin:.....here is my reasoning. Once you charge them P300 or any rate that will make you feel like crud...people will expect you to charge the same rate for a loooooonnnnggg time....... besides, based on experience as well, the moment you charge, no matter how low, you are expected to produce images that are above average so the pressure that you will have will be different if it were 300 pesos or free. (especially being a first time). I did not charge a single centavo when I first started and I was able to call the shots during the shoot...they listened to me and the LOVED the photos:D Once I was confident of what I could do, I eventually charged. Oh, also if the couple has the "marketable look" they need to allow you to use their images should you decide to really go for this full time. In case you want to know, a reasonable fee for an engagement shoot is min P 15,000 within metro manila for approx 1 to 2 hours.

Hmmm...tricky situation you are in....

If I were in your situation...beginner, no experience, non-pro dslr, no post prod, couple on a tight budget, couple is a friend,..........I would not charge them a single centavo. Just have them pay for the expenses and buy you merienda:Grin:.....here is my reasoning. Once you charge them P300 or any rate that will make you feel like crud...people will expect you to charge the same rate for a loooooonnnnggg time....... besides, based on experience as well, the moment you charge, no matter how low, you are expected to produce images that are above average so the pressure that you will have will be different if it were 300 pesos or free. (especially being a first time). I did not charge a single centavo when I first started and I was able to call the shots during the shoot...they listened to me and the LOVED the photos:D Once I was confident of what I could do, I eventually charged. Oh, also if the couple has the "marketable look" they need to allow you to use their images should you decide to really go for this full time. In case you want to know, a reasonable fee for an engagement shoot is min P 15,000 within metro manila for approx 1 to 2 hours.

now that makes sense. thanks again ma'am pilar:)
i have already told them it'll be my wedding gift to them so it'll be free. i have to tell them the "regular price" though so that they'll have an idea how much my gift to them is :)
perhaps a merienda is inevitable since the location is a clubhouse just a block from their house.

thanks all for the replies:) i think you've already answered my questions.

hope the thread helped, esp to those in the same boat (more of a makeshift raft:D) as i am :)

Just wanted to ask if your bread and butter is photography or your an enthusiast/hobbyist?

of course just a hobbyist for now. i wouldnt be able to support a family & this hobby just with the equipment & skills (& market) i have now :D my dayjob does that.

Pilar, the point you made is excellent. Every newbie photographer trying to break into the market should listen to your words of wisdom. I wholly agree with what you wrote.

Hmmm...tricky situation you are in....

If I were in your situation...beginner, no experience, non-pro dslr, no post prod, couple on a tight budget, couple is a friend,..........I would not charge them a single centavo. Just have them pay for the expenses and buy you merienda:Grin:.....here is my reasoning. Once you charge them P300 or any rate that will make you feel like crud...people will expect you to charge the same rate for a loooooonnnnggg time....... besides, based on experience as well, the moment you charge, no matter how low, you are expected to produce images that are above average so the pressure that you will have will be different if it were 300 pesos or free. (especially being a first time). I did not charge a single centavo when I first started and I was able to call the shots during the shoot...they listened to me and the LOVED the photos:D Once I was confident of what I could do, I eventually charged. Oh, also if the couple has the "marketable look" they need to allow you to use their images should you decide to really go for this full time. In case you want to know, a reasonable fee for an engagement shoot is min P 15,000 within metro manila for approx 1 to 2 hours.

Hmmm...tricky situation you are in....

If I were in your situation...beginner, no experience, non-pro dslr, no post prod, couple on a tight budget, couple is a friend,..........I would not charge them a single centavo. Just have them pay for the expenses and buy you merienda:Grin:.....here is my reasoning. Once you charge them P300 or any rate that will make you feel like crud...people will expect you to charge the same rate for a loooooonnnnggg time....... besides, based on experience as well, the moment you charge, no matter how low, you are expected to produce images that are above average so the pressure that you will have will be different if it were 300 pesos or free. (especially being a first time). I did not charge a single centavo when I first started and I was able to call the shots during the shoot...they listened to me and the LOVED the photos:D Once I was confident of what I could do, I eventually charged. Oh, also if the couple has the "marketable look" they need to allow you to use their images should you decide to really go for this full time. In case you want to know, a reasonable fee for an engagement shoot is min P 15,000 within metro manila for approx 1 to 2 hours.


This is a very good point especially to newbies and semi-pros alike. Thank you for starting this thread.

This thread is quite useful, now i think i should beat my head to a pulp after knowing that in Pinas they charge that much(15k) for just a PreNup shoot. I was just recently approached by a friend to take a prenup photo and didnt know how how to go about it, i was clueless as to the right price i should give them but later I charged them with SR500 (php 5,000) that includes cd, some postprocessed shots of their choice and a few printouts. I was told by photographer friends that i shouldve charged at least 1K. I figured since this is my first prenup shoot i didnt mind the price i gave them, but next time i guess i should charge more, esp since they wanted classy shots.

wow, 2-year thread ressurection!

Also note that Ms. Pilar's posted rate is the going rate for a certain type of market. Mostly in her case, A or B class. Provincial, budget rates (even if Manila) are much lower. the rate posted is the ideal profitable figure.

Whoow.. it really took 2 years before the thread was resurrected.. hehe! I happened to be looking for some guidelines on how to put up a fee for my first pre-nup and this thread was really helpful. Good thing I found this. :)

i want to ask kind sirs, if it would be a worthwhile endeavor to have photography as a sideline. i'm taking cues from a friend about this because he is a freelance photographer, albeit he's just new in the business. i know that some of you guys here have far more experience than my friend which is why i want to ask here as well.
what kind of things should i be ready for if i would ever continue this into a little sideline and also, what are the needed skills that i would need eg. good with photoshop, have insane amounts of cool gear..... ^^
thanks in advance!