Real life MMD: Can I up my quote for a friend's wedding photos?

coxeey

I cant go into anywhere and keep them to a price they said 2 years ago (not even with a written quote). Try it next time you go shopping!
Charge what you now think (it may be more or less). If they had told you how much you could buy their house for 2 years ago, would you still pay them the same, or would you see it was worth less and offer less. You know what I would do.

Cimscate

If it is a colleague then I'd say definitely up the quote to reflect todays prices or find some added value that you can quote more for....

If it's a friend and you are also invited to the wedding then I'd stick with the price.

ifan.goch

My son is an amateur photographer who takes very good pictures. He has been asked by several of his friends to photograph their weddings and he has agreed to do this. However, he would far rather have been invited just as a friend to the weddings as he was unable to enjoy the day in the same way as other guests. He spent his time setting up formal photographs and then patrolling the wedding looking for informal shots. Needless to say he was not on any of the photographs himself. Also, while everyone else was getting pleasantly merry my son remained sober throughout - as he said, you only get one chance at wedding photos so they have to be right. He also spent hours after the events processing the digital images. So bearing all this in mind, I would have no hesitation in raising the quote after such a long time. After all, it would still be cheaper than a professional wedding photographer whose costs would be in excess of £1000.

By the way, the poster who said that an amateur happens to take a good photograph with the assistance of a good camera has no idea of what makes a good shot, and neither does the camera. That is entirely down to the eye and imagination of the photographer. I have seen very poor quality work from professional photographers with good cameras, and similarly I have seen high quality work from amateurs with good cameras. As I said, it is down to the eye of the photographer and not just the quality of the equipment.

spelter

I think you might be shooting yourself in the foot, if you put the price up. Your friend would be a bit put out, and might even give the job to someone else. Then you'd lose the work, and a friend. Point out that you'll honour your original price, being a friend, but that for anyone else, you would charge substantially more these days. If you do a good job, you'll get more work, when people see their photos. A sprat to catch a mackerel!

Mrs_Frontage

As a professional photographer, it's time I threw my twopennith in!

I don't photograph weddings but 'second shoot ' for another photographer friend. This means that she has all the worry, on her head and at the end of the day I walk away and forget about it, whilst she has to edit, photoshop and generally spend another day getting it all together.

So, £250 for at least 15 -20 hours work is not much and that doesn't even include the cost of prints or a photobook.

Many comments here have suggested that he/she will 'shoot themselves in the foot', if they up the price, but quite frankly at £250 I wouldn't be bothered.

As for the potential of getting business elsewhere, you will find that if you are too cheap, then the next person will expect the same 'cheap deal' and will then be upset if you've upped the price.

Also, please bear in mind, the price of fuel has gone up considerably since 2010. Printing costs would have risen as well. All these things have to be added into the figures.

My best friend is getting married next year, but she lives 200 miles away. I have offered to take the photos for her as a present. With the cost of fuel, hotel bills for myself and my 2 adult children, plus outfilts, I am expecting the weekend to cost me at least £500.00. But, being a best friend, she has recognised that I would like to enjoy the day/weekend and not been under pressure, so has hired a local photographer and has told me she wants me to have fun instead! Now that's what I call true friendship!

safe4life

did you cancel. No so they can not expect you to agree to the price you gave. You really should take a small none refundable deposit as well. Say £50 NONE REFUNDABLE if they mess you about again. But you should always take a small deposit and give your terms in writing.

Spitalbrook

I'd be delighted to get £250 for taking a few snaps.

jenblackrod

It depends how much of a friend they are. If you're willing to lose them as a friend then go ahead. Personally I probably wouldnt be able to live with myself and always stick within 10% of a quote unless extra work that I didnt quote for has had to be done. Oh, and I gave up doing work for friends and family years ago, due to bitter experiences.

Talent

Just mention the cost of materials has increased. See what they say?? If they say they stick by the original quote say you're very sorry but you can't do it. I'll bet the reception is now up by a considerable amount....

Mojisola

cazpost wrote: »

You need to explain to your friend why you need to increase your price. Show them a breakdown of the costs involved,and how much they were previously,for example inks and paper if you are printing the photos yourself, or development costs,album prices etc.Work out what you think is a fair price,and negotiate with them.

I wouldn't do this! I doubt the original offer of £250 was done after a detailed breakdown so there's no need to do a comparison now.

After a two year delay, the couple can't be surprised that prices have gone up. I'm sure the flowers, church, hotel, etc, are all costing more and I'd be surprised if any of them were justifying their increases with a breakdown of costs.

If the couple aren't happy they have the option of choosing another photographer.