How much does a wedding photographer charge for a beginning assignment?

i am thinking of getting into wedding photoghaphy. i shoot film because i love it. i have medium format as well 35mm. how much can a photographer charge with no experience in wedding photography.

How much does a wedding photographer charge for a beginning assignment?
I think you are going about this the wrong way. OK, so you shoot film because you "love it". But what is it going to cost you to buy the film, get it processed, get prints (proofs made) and deliver finished prints? What are your travel expenses? Will you need an assistant? How long will you shoot for for your fee? 2 hours, 4 hours....from the time she wakes up in the morning until the happy couple leaves the reception?





Before you do anything you need to know what is your cost of doing business! $500 may sound like a lot of money but if it costs you $325 for film, travel, processing, proofs and prints and 5 hours of shooting time plus a few more hours coordinating the proofs and then a few more hours finding the negs and ordering the final prints and delivering to the bride you're working near minimum wage. (And that doesn't even cover the cost of reprints because she doesn't like the strand of hair that is across her forehead in the bride's portrait.)





I would also agree with a previous answer...see if you can assist on a wedding with a professional photographer and see if you even want to get into the business. There are a lot of skills required beyond photography. Dealing with "difficult" people, technical lighting issues, and just the physical demands of the job could make you change your mind.





Wedding photography is a business and it has to be treated that way. You are there to capture moments. You are constantly searching for "the little things" that make each wedding unique. What worked last weekend won't work now because you are in a different church, with a different bride, at a different time of day.





That said, no one can tell you what to charge. You have determine what your costs will be and what amount of profit for your work you're willing to work for. Since you have no experience I would look at a a bride "taking a significant chance" on you as a reason for her to ask for a deep discount on your services. Make sure that you spell out exactly what she will receive for your fee. The number of hours of coverage must be defined. Will there be a minimum number of prints? What shots "must" be made? Get 1/2 of your fee to book the date. (this is non-refundable) I would suggest getting 1/4 two weeks before the wedding and the final 1/4 on delivery of the prints.





Good luck if you choose to go this route. There is money to be made but it isn't any easy business.
Reply:If you are doing it "because you love it" and have no experience, I personally would Never hire you for my wedding as the primary photographer.


I have been shooting weddings for about 10 years, it is tough and a lot of work. It can be really stressfull and a royal PITA!! I would reccomend shooting as an assistant for a while then branch off on your own. I have heard of people messing up weddings and being sued by the couple because you can Not repeat that day and there was no photos. The couple was awarded over $3000 for damages.


Seriously think about this and make sure you know what you are doing Before attempting to shoot a wedding!!
Reply:I would not charge at all until you have several weddings under your belt that you can make samples from to show people you will later be charging. How are they supposed to know how well you will do for them when you don't have samples? Also, please find a photographer who is willing to show you the ropes at a wedding or two, there is much more to it than most people think. You have to know where to be when and ready. I have photographed at least 200 weddings, and I shudder to think how much I could have messed up if I hadn't been taught by another photographer.
Reply:depending on the size of the wedding. if it's a small wedding, i'd charge approximately $500. if it's a real large wedding, i'd charge approximately $2,000. if it's an inbetween sized wedding, then i'd charge somewhere between those two figures. then the more experience you get, you can adjust your prices accordingly.
Reply:Don't charge over $2000 if you are new. i paid over $5000 for a realy high quality wedding album and the photographer had an assistant. I interviewed 3. The cheapest was $2000 and he did not provide a wedding album. You should start off as an assistant or doing other social settings since a wedding is a huge deal and couples get really crabby over wedding stuff.
Reply:I would think $500-$1000...but I'm not sure if someone would want to hire someone with no experience... if anything...show them your work and ask them if they have shopped around...