How much should I offer to pay?

kt_giraffe

I've spoken to the local college about student photography and they have given me the names of some 2nd year students who would be interested, but I'm not really sure what I should be offering to pay? Any ideas?

74jax

Interested in what?

Do you mean pre-wedding photos, wedding day photos, wedding day video?, evening photos?

Are they working together or re you choosing one? Is their lecturer supervising?

Is it that they are interested in covering it with the back up of a professional and they are using the photos for their portfolio?

kt_giraffe

Sorry, that was a bit pointless without more info ;-0 spanner!?!

So, there are 4 of them, the tutor is not involved other than facilitating the initial contact and he is there for the students to discuss with him before the day. He thinks 2 of them will be right for the more formal aspects and 2 others for ad hoc shots during our BBQ reception (afternoon). The 2 more formal togs would need to be with us from 10 to 4.30ish but would have a good few hours break if they wanted during the BBQ (food and drink will be available for all of them too) and the other 2 from 11.15 to 4.30 taking shots of guests arriving and ad hoc shots during the party. It will be a first for all of them and a big gamble but we are on a TIGHT budget so it's that or just rely on guest photos... We're having a relatively informal day though so I'm fairly relaxed and am just hoping to get a few nice shots from people that have an informed idea of how to frame a pic.

At the end of the wedding I would like us both to have rights to all edited and unedited pics (I assume they will want to edit some for their portfolio) but I don't expect any prints or anything like that. For them it's the opportunity to have a chance to get some group shots (180 guests) with some willing "victims" as it's a rare opportunity for students.

I would look to putting a disclaimer into the invites so that any guest who didn't want the students to use pics of them could make themselves known. I don't know if a "contract" us necessary. I will happily arrange transport for them and equipment to/from the venue and the college have said they will be loaned any equipment without charge....

*phew* think that's everything???

LEJC

what do you think the package is worth....or another way to look at it is if you were doing the work how much would you want to be paid....answering that might help you realistically come up with a figure ...

Another thing you could consider offereing is hospitality on the day for the students whilst working....its always nice to be included with food and soft drinks etc and at least cover their travel expenses plus something for their time....

You could also consider a bonus type payment on production of the photos.....if they are lovely then you will have got yourself a bargain and thats only fair to reward the guys for their diligence during the day.

Lots of students really value this type of opportunity and will no doubt try their best to capture the day for you,and in fairness if they produce a good set of photos thats not only a good set of photos for their portfolios but priceless memories for you too.

gadgeteer_2

I'd be very wary of using students unless you've thought about how you will feel if they fail and you don't get the quality of photos you are expecting. Can you live with that or will you forever be beating yourself up? With students you will have no real comeback, unlike a professional.

Students are by their very definition learning their art. They will have no experience. Sure they know how a camera works (or they should!) but have they got experience of taking photos in a dark church/registry office where no flash is allowed? Or what about posing people?

Secondly I'd recommend not having four photographers. What you are in danger of ending up with is an intimidating foursome with no one person responsible. Personally I'd meet all four of them and choose two. A friend of mine did this. He knew a few people whom were all keen photographers. Asked each to photograph his wedding as he was also on a tight budget. The result was only a few photos that were nice. Each thought the other would 'get the shot'.

At the end of the day, photos are the records of the day you will keep from the wedding. Is this something you are happy to trust to students? I'm not sure which part of the country you are in or your budget but in my area I know quite a few people who would do a full day's shoot for less than £500 and probably do the ceremony for £200ish.

How about hiring a pro to shoot the actual ceremony only then have a couple of students for the bridal prep, arriving and after for the party?

As for what to pay them, my suggestion would be to offer to pay for any reasonable expenses to make sure they are not out of pocket and ensure they are fed.

74jax

kt_giraffe wrote: »

He thinks 2 of them will be right for the more formal aspects and 2 others for ad hoc shots during our BBQ reception (afternoon). 4 at one time would seem quite a lot, and probably would 'hang out' as a 4, whereas if you just had two, you could ask each to cover different shots.

It will be a first for all of them and a big gamble but we are on a TIGHT budget so it's that or just rely on guest photos...
We're having a relatively informal day though so I'm fairly relaxed and am just hoping to get a few nice shots from people that have an informed idea of how to frame a pic. I didn't want a photographer, not due to cost, just it wasn't a big thing for us. Again we are both VERY relaxed people and the wedding is not formal in the slightest. We asked a friend who does photographer 'on the side' to cover the wedding. Do you have anyone like this you could ask?

At the end of the wedding I would like us both to have rights to all edited and unedited pics (I assume they will want to edit some for their portfolio) but I don't expect any prints or anything like that. I am not sure how you can have the copyright if they are to use them for their portfolio, that's a big gamble on their part as they could do the work and then you say they can't use them. Plus they might want them as part of a college portfolio and then a work's portfolio so they may be used for a couple of years.

I would look to putting a disclaimer into the invites so that any guest who didn't want the students to use pics of them could make themselves known. QUOTE]

I would cover 2 x expenses, food and drink throughout the day, and probably pay £100 on handover of all the photos (once you've seen them and like them). With the option of reducing to £50 if you don't like the majority of them.

kt_giraffe

Some great points :-)

I think you're right about maybe only picking 2, but I didn't want to seem like I wasn't giving the others the same chance... Perhaps when I meet up with them first I can get a gauge on whether I think they can be trusted not to do that and if not then pick... One of the things I had thought was to just ask the 2 "spares" to come after the formal pics for ad hocs and ask them to split into 2 teams of 2.

About the copyright I meant that both "us" and the students can do what we like with the pics after- so I can print what we want as and when we have the funds, and I fully intend to cater for them food and drink (will ask them to lay off the alcohol until the last hour when the speeches, dances, cake cutting etc are done)- will have spare booze at the end I'm sure so will almost definitely be sending them home with a drink too assuming they don't do anything upsetting.

Do you think it would be fair to set myself a budget of £100-£120 at most and divvy it up depending on who does what- maybe £30 -£35 each for the 2 lead photographers and £20-£25 for the ad hoc snappers... Or do you think I would be better sticking with 2 and paying them £50-£60 each plus food and drinks (11am-5pm)?

johannalf88

We had a student tog from 3 - 9.30, so 6.5 hours. We gave her £60. Happy with the photos (we had a proffessional to cover the actual ceremony- we weren't goin to bother with the reception, but she was recommended.) she was also fed & watered too!

Hth.

Scotsbride

we had a phtographer who was said to be professional for £500 for 5 hrs. if you are going to just go for two look at shots they've already taken. personally with 4 you've got more change of getting the phtos you want and one of guests it realy depends on how big your wedding is. I wish we'd had two so we could get photo of the guests whilst our formal shots were taken

gadgeteer_2

Unless it's a very small wedding I always recommend two photographers. Firstly it's always good to have another angle. It also decreases the chance of missing something. Also it means that during the formal group shots, the other can concentrate on capturing the candids whilst people are inevitably socialising with each other and having a drink.

KT, It's your wedding so don't be afraid to just tell them what you want. They are doing it for experience but at the same time you don't want four paparazzi's roaming around and making guests feel uncomfortable. The largest wedding I went to was an asian one where they had over 500 guests and there were three photographers (myself, my partner & the brides photographer) and two videographers. Frankly it was a nightmare with people jockeying for position. Seriously....stick with two.

podperson

Tbh I'm sure they would happily do it for free just for the experience and the photos for their portfolio (I know when I started out doing weddings I did quite a few for free just to build up both my portfolio and my confidence in shooting them) - so if you want to give them a small payment as well then am sure they will be grateful for whatever you can afford x