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

JimmyTheWig

Talent wrote: »

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....

Lots of people have said things along these lines, but I think it misses the point.
This might increase the price by, say, 10% to £275. I think that is perfectly reasonable.

But the OP wants to up their price due to their experience. That may wack the price up dramatically.
Maybe they used to charge £500 and gave the friend a £250 discount. Now they're experienced they may charge £1000. With a £250 discount that's £750 to the friend.
You can't explain such an increase as the increase in cost of materials.


I think the answer comes down to whether you'd be losing money by doing it at this price. And this would happen if otherwise you'd be doing another wedding for your full price.
If, for example, it's a Saturday in wedding season then you may well expect to have the option of another booking that day. Given that weddings aren't evenly split through the week, this could be your only booking that week.
So by doing this at cost price you'd, in effect, be taking a week off work unpaid. I can't imagine many being prepared to do that, even for a good friend.

But if, for example, you'd be going to the wedding anyway, or it was out of season, etc, then you wouldn't be working elsewhere on that day. So why not do it for the price you quoted (plus a little extra for increased materials cost).

JayD

Of course you can.

In 2 years the cost of your materials, equipment and transport alone have risen dramatically - not just your skill levels.

You only need to explain that your orignal quote can no longer stand for just those reasons but you can also say that you will give her the most competitive quote that you can for the new date you have been given.

I don't think quotes can be considered valid beyond 6 months these days anyway - and certainly not ones given privately to friends. Besides, the quote refers to a specific date - any changes to the details would require a new quote.

Your friend is also fortunate that you do not have another engagement on the revised date. So don't be timid - just be clear and calm and reassuring that you are not ripping her off, just meeting your revised expenses. If your new price is better than other quotes, you will still get your booking.

kessington

I pay an internationally award winning photographer £600 for a days corporate work at the end of which we get a disk of at most 100 fantastic digital images to use for the specifically commissioned project. No prints, no reuse. He's apologising that the rate needs to go up to reflect fuel price increases etc, I know we are getting a very good deal.
If you are doing this as a friend either donate your time and the results or charge them the cost of materials + expenses. set out a written agreement of what you will and won't provide in any case to avoid confusion or disappointment on either side. otherwise leave it to the professionals who have to pay insurance and whole host of other bills to support their businesses and make a living.

Francesco_C.

NO!
It is a bad idea to ask for more money!
They asked you as a friend.
They did not ask you as a professional.

It is true that you will save them some money. But it is also true that you will have the privilege to make an active contribution to their happy day.

If you ask for more money they will, most probaly, say yes.
However that will give the impression that you are doing it for the money!

Infact, surprise them by not getting paid and give them the photos as a wedding present.:)

Mojisola

Francesco_C. wrote: »

Infact, surprise them by not getting paid and give them the photos as a wedding present.:)

Even my closest family members don't get a wedding present to that value, let alone former colleagues!

gerbiljo

If their wedding is at peak time it is unfair that the person could turn down work at full pay to secure this 'cheap job' especially seeing as they moved the date once, if they move it again it could affect their earning ability. If it is a date that isn't likely to get booked maybe keep to the quote, perhaps you can make more on the photos/ package etc?

Augustus_the_Strong

Of course you can put your price up. Just say, "I'll have to charge a bit more than I quoted two years ago", no need to specify why. This is a 'former colleague', isn't it? not your best friend or sister, so this is a professional arrangement really.

Fluffmitten

On the whole I agree with those saying that you can reasonably put up your price.

My main reason for commenting though is to say how appalled I would be if I saw the photographer at my wedding "networking" with the guests and pestering them with business cards. It's one thing to keep some with you and near your kit so people can take them if they're interested, but shame on the commenters suggesting this wedding be treated as some sort of business event. Tacky!

tlh858

Of course you can and should put prices up, but if it sounds like this will cause problems, the answer is that you are already booked to do another wedding on that day so unfortunately can't do theirs at all.

LOUY_2

Yes, It would be acceptable to up the price and doing so is reasonable.

However, if it is a mate I would personally stick to the original price and let your friend know that the market rate for your work has gone up but because of the friendship you are sticking to the same.

Your mate may willingly increase the price then without you given asking for me