LOL, only Swoly-D would have a problem with this. According to his logic, we should all work part-time at McDonalds on weekends because it's different than what we're used to and takes us out of our comfort zones.
All of these prices are meaningless unless you guys include the size of the wedding number of photographers and most importantly, how many prints you bought. Processing and printing the pictures is extra. Also including videography is jacking up the prices given by more than double. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ciqSdgLh_1w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
No one has a problem with it, but comparing wedding photography to fast food is insane. 2K is market price for a very nice package including an album and group photos etc. IF she is turning down work it sounds like she can't be bothered, or insecurity. If you get a guy to give you the copyright they either really needs work or is just starting out.
Or maybe she thinks weddings are a pain in the ass and not worth the $$. Maybe she's so good at what she does that she has the luxury to be a little more selective in choosing the kinds of projects she wants to do. Maybe a better analogy that the fast food one would be a musician choosing not to play polka gigs. Has nothing to do with insecurity, just a personal preference to what kind of work he prefers doing.
Man, I didn't mean to say something like that... McDonald's? Haha... come on... I think that's a harsh analogy. ^ Yes, someting like this. I won't ask a GREAT Sports Illustrated photographer to do a Quinceañera because of all the things that are going on at that event are much different than a sporting event, but I bet you he CAN do it... just prefers not to. I know if I say to him: "You're no good, man. I thought you were a good photographer! I bet you can't do this!", he'll accept the challenge. Moreover, you have a drum set and can play a polka or a Colombian Salsa song, but you won't because you either you're "not used to it" or "don't know one." That's cool. All I'm saying is, YOU CAN. You don't want to, and that's OK. If I were a drummer, I'd welcome a request to play a Russian song as a challenge. A wedding and all its rituals, dances, etc., is totally different than studio photography, but you have almost the same tools and can use the same skills. Wouldn't you take that salsa or Russian song challenge, ima? Just wondering. Now, if I ask you to PLAY inside a McDonald's... well... (I won't do that!)
Depends on what kind of quality you want. Is it just photography? or video/DVD too? Is it a one day event? My brother's wedding. Their total photography/video was roughly 13 grand. But it was a traditional south-asian wedding which included pretty much 3 days the video/photography company had to shoot. Plus this company does an incredible job.
One of the things my wife has seen lately are photo booths with props. Guests get to wear funny hats, clothes and beards and take funny pictures of themselves. Everyone has a great time. Disposable cameras on the reception tables work great also. Guest take pictures of themselves and drop the cameras off on the way out.
13K. you better have had like 8 photographer's/ video guys. I know enough people (or their parents) who have gone way overboard with Indian Wedding. Like one of them spending close to 400k.
Photographers charge about $1k for photobooths. More of them are beginning to offer it because more clients are asking for it.
Shooting weddings sucks. I've shot a couple of weddings as a back-up photographer (they hired someone else as the main photog) as a favor to the bride or groom. It's stressful and usually the conditions are complete crap, especially in the churches. I have better than average gear (no kit lenses here, just glass with red rings) and know how to use it, but it's just not fun to shoot them at all. My shots were better than the "pros" that my friends hired (last one hated the pros shots so much she demanded her money back and gave me the fee), but I really just didn't enjoy the experience at all. I'd rather shoot birds or landscapes any day of the week. I think it takes a certain mindset to enjoy it and excel at it. Props to those that enjoy it and are good at it. They earn their money. To give you an idea of average prices, I have some friends (husband/wife team) in the area that do it on the side that are pretty damned good and their prices start around $2000, which gets you: • complimentary engagement session • complimentary pre-wedding consultation (to review timeline/must take lists) • 6 hours of event coverage on your wedding day • an unlimited number of images • complete coverage by one photographer • basic processing on all images • password protected online proofing and ordering gallery • $100 print credit • 15% discount on all prints (for you, your friends and your family) • high resolution digital files of all final wedding and session images on a disc Adding a second photographer costs and $500 and other extra stuff like bridal/rehearsal coverage is like $200. Additional wedding day coverage is $200-300/hour depending on notice given. Albums start at $1100, proof sets (one unmarked 4×6 print of each final edited image from your wedding day) is $500 and they offer expedited processing (one week expedited processing of all images) for $500 if they have the time available to do it.
