EP 151 - Should Wedding Photographers Put Their Prices on Their Website?
Hi everyone! I’m Summer Grace, your host of Summer School, and today I’m riding solo. Sometimes the hustle and bustle of wedding season just doesn’t leave room for guest coordination, but worry not - I promise there’ll be more voices joining me this winter once things settle down. For now, it’s just you and me, catching up on all things photography, travel, and the life of a busy creative.
The Wedding Photographer's Life: A Balancing Act
One of the quirkiest facts about my career is that I not only educate other photographers through workshops and retreats, but I still actively shoot weddings. This year, particularly, has been a whirlwind. Not only did I book more weddings than usual, they all seemed to fit perfectly into my vibe, making it all worthwhile. Every wedding I've photographed seemed tailor-made and I've loved every minute of it. Flying out and about, this weekend takes me to San Francisco and beyond - it’s exhilarating but a bit "crazy," as I’d put it.
Embracing New Opportunities
While wedding photography keeps me on my toes, branching out into other avenues like brand photography has been exhilarating. I recently landed a project capturing creative portraits for an executive recruiting advisor. It’s such a different world, and the brief is as creative as can be. This opportunity came my way through social media - a realm you can never underestimate as a creative in today's world.
Technology's Role in Photography
Recently, I attended a Capture One brand event, which opened my eyes to the vast world of commercial and e-commerce photography. Being surrounded by big names like Nike and Mango and watching demonstrations of new features like wireless tethering was mind-blowing. It’s astonishing how technology integrates into our professional lives, bridging what was once only possible through physical connections.
Pricing in the Wedding Industry: Transparency vs. Mystery
Now, let’s dive into pricing – a topic with quite a bit of division among photographers. Some argue for listing full pricing on their websites for transparency, while others keep it concealed to foster discussion about value during inquiries. I've experienced both sides myself and found a middle ground to be the most effective for my business: I list a starting price that gives potential clients a sense of what to expect without detailing every add-on or customized option.
One of the most critical parts of pricing is ensuring it reflects the value of your work. I often say, “Does publishing your pricing help you book more of the right clients, or does it cause people to eliminate you before they’ve even understood your value?”
What’s Right for You?
If you find yourself receiving inquiries from couples whose budgets don’t align with your services, it may be beneficial to reconsider how you present your pricing. Ensuring your pricing reflects what most clients pay can help attract the right clientele and save you time in the long run.
Moving Forward
Above all, my advice is to remain adaptable and keep learning. Whether it’s testing new platforms like Visco during the off-season or playing with Capture One’s color tools, staying curious and open to change is crucial. As I see it, “Even I'm doing that, and I'm gonna keep trying and testing things because I wanna find the best things for all of you, and stop getting stuck in the chair of comfortability.”
Thank you for being part of Summer School. Whether you’re here to refine your craft or find inspiration, I appreciate you joining me on this journey :)
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