Why are wedding photography so expensive??

I was approached by several customers inquiring my charges on wedding assignments. And when disclosed, most of them would say....."Wahh!!!! So expensive. I can get cheaper elsewhere!!"....or some might say "Cheaper la. I'm giving you business wor." Others were even worse "Take mine for free and I'll promise you more business referrals from me and the mrs." I did it for the 1st few customers, but the referrals never did come. Stupid??? I wouldn't say I'm stupid....ignorant maybe.

So, the myth on the big huu-haa on why photographers charge so darn expensive for weddings. I was google-ing thru some articles and this one caught my attention. It's kinda detailed so please bear with me.

*This article was taken from J Hoque's blog*

“Why are wedding photographers so expensive?”

“Photographers just exploit the fact that it’s a wedding and overcharge to make a profit!”

“They’re only there for a few hours! It’s a rip off to charge that much for a few photos!”

“How hard can it be to take photos?”

“It’s not as if they have to develop the photos in a darkroom like the old days!”

These are just some of the questions and comments you might hear from people who have just had the shock of their lives after receiving a quote from a wedding photographer. When a photographer quotes £2000 for an 8-hour wedding shoot, the immediate assumption is that he/she is earning £250 per hour. But if you take a closer look behind the scenes and see what really goes on then you will realise that wedding photographers make nowhere near that kind of money.

Contrary to what people believe, the disheartening fact is that most wedding photographers actually undercharge.
“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?

You see, what happens is that many amateur photographers enter the market, confident of their photography skills, and naively start trading without knowing the fundamental elements required to be a wedding photographer.

Most ‘professional wedding photographers’ are running a business. And, as with any type of business, there are many costs involved in running it. However, due to their lack of experience and knowledge of the industry, amateur photographers do not realise how much they need to invest to start a successful photography business. The mindset of most amateurs is that as long as they cover for their labour costs they will be fine. As a result, their prices are a lot less than a professional who has been doing it for years.

By not calculating the proper costs and charging accordingly, amateur photographers are forcing the professionals to lower their prices. This is damaging not only to themselves, as they later realise they are not really making a significant income, but to other photographers and the industry itself.

So, why is wedding photography so expensive?

For a wedding photographer, it’s not just a case of turning up and taking a few well-composed shots and then handing you a CD or DVD. There is a lot more involved in creating the perfect memory of your wedding.

Let’s take a look at some of the main costs a wedding photographer must consider when working out their prices.

Labour

Probably the most important (and obvious) part is the labour. An average wedding can last from anything between 6-10hrs. Your photographer will most likely arrive hours before the main event to capture the small details, like the bride and groom getting ready, decorations, venue layout, vehicles etc… Then comes the main ceremony, reception and the send-off. During the wedding, they will be running around, ducking, diving, twisting, turning, crawling and climbing, all in order to catch those special moments that would otherwise be forgotten.
Doing all that continuously for 8-10hrs is physically draining.
And to ensure they capture everything, they will probably have taken between 800 – 1500 photos by the end of the day. Also, if your photographer comes with an assistant, then the cost goes up, as they have to pay them as well.

Unseen Work

Most people are unaware that a photographer’s job does not end when the wedding does. It is not uncommon for people to think that it’s a simple case of downloading the images from the memory card and putting them on a disk or uploading them onto a website.
The fact is, while the newlywed’s are jetting off on honeymoon to enjoy their first moments of marital bliss, the photographer is still working on producing a timeless memento of their special day. Depending on how many photos were taken, they will spend anything from 6-14 days processing all the images of the day, getting rid of any blemishes, cropping, applying creative effects if need be and adjusting colour and contrast.

Now, lets take that £2000 fee and break it down to an hourly rate, with the assumption that it takes the photographer 5 full working days to process the photos:

• Wedding Day: 8 hours
• Travel to and from wedding: 2 hours
• Post Production: 40 hours

Total Hours worked: 50 hours

Hourly Rate – £2000 ÷ 50 = £40 per hour

As you can see, it’s nowhere near the £250 an hour that is assumed. The hourly rate is in fact84% less! And that’s before we even take into account all the other costs involved.

Outsourcing

Sometimes it’s impossible for one person to process so many photos, especially if the photos are required to be delivered within a short time frame. In this instance, it may be necessary for a photographer to outsource some of the processing to someone else. Professional photo retoucher’s can cost hundreds of pounds per hour!

Equipment

The equipment your photographer brings to the shoot is no ordinary camera equipment. Professional digital cameras and lenses can cost anything from £1200 – £5000. And that’s just for the primary camera body and lens! A good photographer will always bring a back up camera(s) as well as various types of lenses in case the primary fails. On top of that, they need spare batteries, memory cards, filters, flashes and other portable lighting equipment. On average, a photographer could be carrying up to £15,000 worth of gear at your wedding. Outside the wedding, you need to consider the cost of owning or leasing a photo studio, colorama (backgrounds), studio lighting, computers and professional photo editing software like Photoshop. The latest versions of Photoshop products range from £557 – £2264! Then there’s the cost of upgrading every time a newer version is released.

Insurance

With equipment of that value in a crowded environment like a wedding, photographers (smart ones anyway) insure all their gear in case of damage or theft. In addition, Public Liability Insurance and Professional Indemnity are essential for any freelance photographer, especially those who shoot weddings. Each of these insurance types can add up to several hundred pounds a year.

Marketing and Advertising

Nowadays the most effective way for photographers to market themselves is probably online with a high quality professional website. Most photographers don’t have web design skills so they have no choice but to employ a professional web designer.
Getting a website designed could cost anything from £1200 – £4000. And let’s not forget the cost of maintenance, updates and technical support.
Then there’s the recurring cost of advertising. Although word of mouth is a great and effective form of advertising, it simply does not provide enough exposure. To maintain any chance of having a continuous flow of clients, a photographer must spend hundreds of pounds on leaflets, business cards, online ads, magazine and newspaper ads and any other form of appropriate advertising to reach a wider audience. All this adds up to thousands of pounds per year.

Accountant and lawyer

Anybody running a business will almost definitely need a lawyer and accountant. Although it can be easy to keep count of earnings, when it comes to matters of income tax, national insurance, corporate tax, self-assessment or anything involving Inland Revenue, an accountant becomes necessary. Lawyers are necessary for any legal matters…obviously… And we all know how expensive they are!

Travel / Location

If the photographer lives miles away from the venue or, if the wedding is taking place in multiple locations and the photographer is required to capture everything at both venues, then fuel or travel costs may be factored into the price.

Extras

What about all those extra’s that wedding photographers offer? Depending on quality and size, a storybook album could cost anything from £150 – £2000! Yes, even I was shocked when I found out!
Some photographers offer online galleries to host your images so you can show friends all over the world. Then there are those that provide prints of your photos. All these additional touches have additional costs.

Irregular Income

Unlike a normal 9-5 job, a wedding photographer’s working hours and income are not regular. Most weddings happen on a Saturday or Sunday and mainly during the summer season. How many weekends are there in a year let alone in summer? Unless the photographer is in great demand, it is unlikely they will be booked for every weekend of the season. Even if they did, I doubt that it’s enough to survive for the entire year, especially if they live in a city like London. Other than those photographers who have a large client base or own a photo studio, you will find that most freelance wedding photographers take on various other types of photography jobs in order to top up their income. Even this is not regular or guaranteed so you may see your photographer working behind the bar at your local pub during the cold seasons…

Experience / Education

Most decent wedding photographers didn’t just buy a digital camera one day and decide, “I’m going to photograph weddings!”
Nearly all professional photographers invested a lot of time and money on formal and informal education on the subject. That includes courses, seminars, on-the-job training and apprenticeships. Even after gaining the knowledge, they spend years perfecting their practical skills operating various types of camera equipment, image composition, lighting, posing etc…And they have to repeat the whole learning process again as technology rapidly evolves.

Final Thought

So, why are wedding photographers so expensive?

The answer is simple; they invested a lot of time and money developing their business into a solid and reliable wedding photography service. And they did this because they are passionate about photography and take great pride in their work. Considering this, can you really place a monetary value on expertise?

Most newcomers are equally passionate and skilled, but may lack the necessary experience and knowledge to cope with the pressures of photographing somebody else’s wedding.

Next time you receive a quote and you think it’s a bit high, take all of the above into consideration before making a decision.

You also need to ask the photographer key questions and find out more about them and base your decision on that.

• Check the photographers portfolio. Are the photos up to the standards you require?
• Do they have Public Liability Insurance? If not, who will cover for damages if the photographer accidentally injures someone?
• Do they use professional equipment?
• How much experience have they had photographing weddings or events?
• Are they authorised to provide services to the public?
• Do they charge extra for each photo you keep?

In the end, it is your wedding day, and you should go with what you feel is right for you in terms of quality and budget. Just remember, hiring a photographer is not a purchase, it’s an investment. As with any kind of investment, you get what you pay for!

You need to ask yourself “How important are memories of your wedding to you and your family?”

One of the best lawyer jokes of all time

The Salvation Army realised that it had never received a donation from the city's most successful lawyer. So a Salvation Army volunteer made an appointment to see the lawyer in his lavish office.

The volunteer opened the meeting by saying, "Our research shows that even though your annual income is over two million dollars, you don't give a cent to charity. Wouldn't you like to give something back to your community through the Salvation Army?"

The lawyer thought for a moment and said, "First, did your research also show you that my mother is dying after a long, painful illness and has huge medical bills that are far beyond her ability to pay?"

Embarrassed, the Salvation Army volunteer mumbled, "Uh... no, I didn't know that."

"Secondly," says the lawyer, "did it show that my brother, a disabled Veteran, is blind, confined to a wheelchair and is unable to support his wife and six children?"

The stricken volunteer began to stammer an apology, but was cut off again.

"Thirdly, "the lawyer said, "did your research also show you that my sister's husband died in a dreadful car accident, leaving her penniless with a mortgage and the burden of supporting three children, one of whom is disabled and another who has learning disabilities requiring an array of private tutors?"

Completely beaten, the humiliated Salvation Army volunteer said, "I'm so sorry. I had no idea."

And then the lawyer said, "So, if I don't give any money to them, what makes you think I'd give any to you?"

Model Shoot - Janice Kwan @ Silhouette Studio & Gallery

The guys and I had a blast last nite. Steven has been harassing Janice for a photoshoot for like a gazillion years.....lolz. And finally, Janice agreed. The actual theme was Red Christmas......but it ended up as just an ordinary portraiture shoot, which I loved most. The human face just fascinates me. Here are some of my favourites

Winfield & Carlie Pre Wedding Shots

A couple of weeks back, my partner and I got a call for a pre-wedding shoot. It was a last minute thingy and was uncalled for. Nevertheless, both Steve and I headed to Duta Sands Resort, Kuantan for the shoot. Thankfully, it was a sunny day with a beautiful blue sky, not to mention kinda windy too. Thanks to Winfield & Carlie for appointing us as your photographer for the day and for being such a sport.

A Godly humour...

This is a good one. Some of you may have heard this, but Id still want to share it with you guys :)

After getting all of Pope Benedict's luggage loaded into the limo (and he doesn't travel light), the driver notices the Pope is still standing on the curb.

"Excuse me, Your Holiness," says the driver, "Would you please take your seat so we can leave?"

"Well, to tell you the truth," says the Pope, "they never let me drive at the Vatican when I was a cardinal, and I'd really like to drive today."

"I'm sorry, Your Holiness, but I cannot let you do that. I'd lose my job! What if something should happen?" protests the driver, wishing he'd never gone to work that morning..

"Who's going to tell?" says the Pope with a smile.

Reluctantly, the driver gets in the back as the Pope climbs in behind the wheel. The driver quickly regrets his decision when, after exiting the airport, the Pontiff floors it, accelerating the limo to 205 kph.. (Remember, the Pope is German..)

"Please slow down, Your Holiness!" pleads the worried driver, but the Pope keeps the pedal to the metal until they hear police sirens.

"Oh, dear God, I'm going to lose my license -- and my job!" moans the driver.

The Pope pulls over and rolls down the window as the cop approaches, but the cop takes one look at him, goes back to his motorcycle, and gets on the radio.

"I need to talk to the Chief," he says to the dispatcher.

The Chief gets on the radio and the cop tells him that he's stopped a limo going 205 kph.

"So bust him," says the Chief.

"I don't think we want to do that, he's really important," said the cop.

The Chief exclaimed, "All the more reason!"

"No, I mean really important," said the cop with a bit of persistence.

The Chief then asked, "Who do you have there, the mayor?"
Cop: "Bigger."

Chief: "A senator?"

Cop: "Bigger."

Chief: "The Prime Minister?"
Cop: "Bigger."

"Well," said the Chief, "Who is it?"

Cop: "I think it's God!"

The Chief is even more puzzled and curious, "What makes you think it's God?"

Cop: "His chauffeur is the Pope!"

Concept Photoshoot

I was getting kinda bored with the normal makeup style with my weekend modeling shoot, so I requested my wife to do something slightly different but not exaggerated. Something simple to compliment the bone structures of the model. So Rachel came up with the idea to use yellow and black against my ocean blue backdrop and the end result was simple yet effective. Unfortunately, Rachel had to leave after the makeup and so we were stuck with the same makeup against a red backdrop....not pretty. Neways, here are some of my shots that I really liked.

Alvin & Jocelyn Wedding Day

It was a long and tiring weekend for me. Woke up at about 8.30am for a pre wedding shoot for my photographer/buddy till about 4.30pm. And then back home to charge the batteries for an event shoot @ NZ Wheels, Ktn for their launching of the new Merc from 6.30pm till about 10.30pm. Had my dinner at 10.45pm and chatted with my buddies @ Old Town Kopitiam, Star City till about 11.30pm......and then rushed back home again to charge the batteries for a wedding day shoot @ Sg Jerek, Maran at 3.00am. Yup.....3am in the morning for a wedding day shoot. I bet many pro wedding photographers have not done this before. Well....I had. And it was quite an experience.

Though my head was coaxing me to go to sleep during the journey but I managed to get a hold of myself by reminding that this was a job. My clients are paying me for this. Everything ended at about 11.00am. But then I rushed to church for my solo act of praise which I thought had ended half an hour earlier. Neways, I got home at about 2.00pm, took my bath and slept till 7.00pm. Had dinner at 7.30pm and rushed back home to do the slideshow for Alvin's dinner the next day. So.....I had an enjoyable weekend, how about you??? :P

Typo errors.....can be very dangerous!!

A daughter sent a telegram to her father on passing her B.Ed exams, which the father received as "Father, your daughter has been successful in BED."

A husband, while on a business trip to a hill station sent a telegram to his wife "I wish you were here."
The message received by the wife was "I wish you were her.."

A man wanted to celebrate his wife's Birthday by throwing a party. So he ordered a birthday cake. The salesman asked him what message he wanted put on the cake.He thought for a moment and said, put "Getting older but you are getting better".
The salesman asked "How do you want me to put it?"
The man said 'Well...put "You are getting older" at the top and "But you are getting better" at the bottom."
When the cake was unveiled at the party all the guests were aghast at the message on the cake.
It reads "You are getting older at the top, but you are getting better at the bottom"

So.....the moral of these stories are :-

1. Double proof read everything before you send.

2. Don't trust others to write it right for you.

3. Don't order cakes by telephone.

When a woman gets angry.........

Some of you might have seen this circulating thru your daily mails, and some might not. My mrs forwarded this to me, I guess she was giving me the heads up.....lolz. Guys, be extra vigilant and careful when you cheat behind your better half or girlfiends. You wouldn't want this to happen to you :)

Wedding Jobs....

Damn!!! I'm stressed out. I've got so many things to do, so little time to spare. 2 jobs, 2 shifts...sigh

Now, most of you might know that I've recently opened my very own photography studio together with some close buddies of mine here in small lil Kuantan. In the beginning, biz was slow, and we were lost.....no direction. Maklumlah, 1st time jadi businessman. So, we were figuring out on how, what, when, which, why.......and so on so forth to run the business. We have bills to pay man!! I've cracked open my head and part of my brain is hollow, empty, nada....kosong. I've got really no idea. Everything seems so blurrish.

And then I thought, why not revive my blog. And post some of my pictures there. It's a free advert ma......Previously, I was blogging about jokes and stuff. None on photography. Plus my url reads......WUDS IN MY BRAINS!!?? Not professional. Sounded like a 3 year old, whose ice cream was stolen by his sister, and he's stomping the ground screaming at the top of his voice in public, humiliating his parents.

So, I've changed the url to calvinsoophotography. It's still on blogspot coz I'm a "kedekut" person. I'm a portraiture and wedding events photographer, so you will hardly see any landscape shots....or macro for that matter. So, every once in a while, you'll have the chance to see my modelling shoots both indoors and outdoors, some weddings that I took etc etc etc. And my biz is on Facebook. Click here to join us. Needless to say, after reviving this blog...my business have improved tremendously. I have wedding jobs now every month (both local and overseas....Singapore counted overseas or not ar??). I have modelling profile shoot every week. And our studio rentals are packed. So much so, that one of my partners had to resign from his previous employment and is now full time manning the studio.

This, I'd have to thank God and of course.....google!!!!

Cheerio boys and gals.....stay tuned for more of my shoots. Coming up soon.........lingerie shoot with 4 top models. :)

Polin @ Silhouette Studio & Gallery (Set 2)

.....more pictures of Polin at my studio.

Polin @ Silhouette Studio & Gallery

Time does fly.......and it has been a month since we're launched the opening of my studio. Business was kinda slow, due to the monsoon season. Nevertheless, my project till the end of this year is to have as many model profile shoot as I can for next year's preparation. Modeling jobs in Kuantan has been increasing the past few months, so my partners and I decided to have a cut of the cake as well.

This is Polin. She's a freelance model. We called her in for our catwalk during our launch. She's versatile, has endless posing technique, great body and has that arrogant, cocky look which was what I'm looking for in a model. She has been accepting part time modeling jobs around Kuantan and now she's with us on project basis. Enuff of the intro, let's get to the pictures shall we :)

Alan & Cindy's Wedding @ JW Marriott, Kuala Lumpur

Another one of my wedding assignment's....this time round, it was my cousin's, Cindy. I was more than pleased when she called me to be one of her official photographer. We bunked in at Royale Bintang due to the cost (I managed to get the corporate rate *grins*) and the distance to JW Marriott is fairly near. Some might suggest, why not The Grand Millenium Hotel? I'd say....YOU CRAZY AR??? YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THE COST IS FOR A NIGHT THERE?? I rest my case.

And now, back from the commercial break. I had a splendid time shooting her wedding. Her bridesmaids were gorgeous not to mention, a sporting lot. And needless to say, the ballroom was spectacular. I did have some issues with my White Balance though. Neways, here are some of my takes and I hope you enjoy going thru them as much as I had enjoyed taking them. Cheers....