It has been an interesting few months, with lots of conversations happening between myself, and potential wedding clients.
One thing that I see with increasing frequency is couples looking to spend $200 – $500 for 12 hours of coverage for their day. Let that sink in for a while… $200-$500 for TWELVE HOURS of coverage.
I’m absolutely NOT recommending that a couple spend more than they can comfortably afford on their photographer
For every hour that I shoot, there are an additional six hours of work that goes in AFTER the wedding. Not to mention the time that goes in researching, planning, meeting with the couples prior to the big day.
As photographers, we don’t simply show up with a fancy camera, snap some shots, and then waltz away with a huge check. They’re using the above example, a 12-hour wedding ends up being at a minimum, 72 hours of work. That’s $6.94 an hour. Certainly not minimum wage, and definitely not a livable wage.
Please don’t get me wrong here, I’m absolutely NOT recommending that a couple spend more than they can comfortably afford on their photographer. Never that.
After the big day is over, after the flowers have died, because they will, and after the cake is gone, the photos are what’s left, what is tangible, and what will be looked at long after, what will be passed down to children, and grandchildren.
N. Nicely Photography says is best, and you can find the original post here.
