The subject of professional photographic fees needs to be discussed and looked at in more detail. I have clients, not ones that I have previously worked for, but new enquiries when discussing their requirements to be amazed at what is a fair and accurate cost or fee to accomplish what they want from a photographic session. There is a sense of what you should be charging is relative to only what someone in a job should be earning per hour be it six ,eight even12 pounds per hour and not look at the bigger picture that professional photographers have to have and address to do the job to a high standard.
It is true that no one moans or is surprised when a washing machine or household appliance repair person being self employed or working for a company charge a call out fee just to attend and diagnose a fault at ninety pounds and then more cost to actually repair the issue. The call out usually give you the first hour of labour. This is also at their convenience on what part of the day they want to arrive while you wait in. How many operators like this can you say to I want a specific time for you to arrive. No, they give you a day when they can come; you have to wait possibly more than half a day for them to call. And still you pay the heavy call out fees without fuss.
In my experience my clients or perspective callers don’t say could you possible mosey over when you feel fit and etc. No the call is more positive with firm times and direction. The event is then and at a time and I want you to be there until and this has to happen and I want images back by this time etc etc. The whole employ is of a different nature and has the costs that come with it. An article written by a wedding photographer Jay Hoque outlines why the fees that are charged by professionals are justified and what we have to be and do in this profession. It is written with great accuracy and I want to share some of the information with you to explain why the fees are what they should be.
Why Wedding Photography is not as expensive as you think.
“Why is wedding photography so expensive”
“They’re only there for a few hours! It’s a rip off to charge that much for a few photo’s!”
These are some of the questions and comments you might hear from people who have just received the quote from a wedding photographer. When a wedding quote for £2000 for an 8 hour wedding shoot is presented, the immediate assumption is that he/she is earning £250 per hour. But if you take a closer look at what goes on behind the scenes and see what really goes on then you will realise that wedding photographer make nowhere near that kind of money.
Contrary to what people believe. The disheartening fact is that most wedding photographers are not actually as expensive as they seem.
“You are kidding me right?” I hear you say. Well instead of asking why the expensive photographer is so expensive, ask yourself this,
“Why is the cheap photographer so cheap?”
What corners are they cutting?
Are they insured?
Are they using the right equipment?
How much experience do they have?
There are a number of reasons why there are so many cheap photographers out there. Here are some of the most common ones:
TBC in part two soon.