Excellent advice, all of it. "Full price or free" in particular butttttt . . . there's also the issue of perceived value. I've shot five weddings for friends over the last 20 years and my painful experience is that the ones I've shot for free ended up being fairly negative experiences because they have, in my opinion, taken the situation / me / my skill / my TIME very much for granted. One couple didn't even thank me verbally much less send me a card after a 7-hour wedding, two venues, three hours of travel time and standard dedicated post. I finally asked a few weeks later if the photos were 'sufficient' and the bride said "Yeah, they were GREAT!" Mmmm, thanks. It might just be me but if you agree to roll for free, do not expect anything in return even in the very slightest. But you covered that very well starting at about 11th minute. Also, and Luke I am very interested in your opinion on this, if they keep pushing back or blowing off a meeting to discuss expectations and a shot list, I've found that to be a huge red flag. "Whatever you do will be fine with us!" -- brrRRRRRrrrrr. Nope. IF -- and it's a very big if -- I ever shoot one for friends again, whether paid or not, meeting at least three weeks before to discuss what they want will be non-negotiable condition on whether I agree to shoot it or not.
Love your advice. One thing I like to emphasize to people is, get good at recognizing if you'd be a good fit with that potential client (even if they're a friend or a relative). Things to consider: aesthetics, personalities, and expectations. I've found it to be somewhat hard to please family members, but I don't think that has to be everyone's experience. Also, there's something to be said about being able to show up and be a guest and enjoy the day. As professional wedding photographers, we can miss out on a lot of weekend family events, so being able to join family and friends at a wedding without working is something special. And, if you do agree to do the wedding, even if it's for a good friend or a family member, don't overlook establishing a contract.
Just shot my friends wedding this month and it was the first time I charged a friend as well. (Did the first few for free) I had a portfolio of my previous work, pricing sheet and contract ready to go… and a discount in mind to offer (as it was a childhood friend and I wanted her to feel that I cared and told her the discount was my gift to her). I had a zoom call with her and her finance and went over the details and schedule for the wedding. Everything went smoothly and the awkwardness was completely eliminated because the talk about money and legal stuff was all kept to contract, pricing sheet and email. When we talked in person we focused on their day and what they wanted, and how much fun we were going to have! After the wedding she was so happy with the previews and said she was so glad she chose me to shoot their wedding. I definitely didn’t do everything perfectly (I’m still haunted by the fact the I didn’t get a shot of the table settings in the reception tent 😰 even though I know they weren’t concerned about details) But it was a good experience and I enjoyed it. Of the few weddings I’ve shot the majority have been friends or friends of friends. I’ve really enjoyed it. Although I have realized that you can’t enjoy the wedding in quite the same way so I have already decided that for my closest friends and family I would opt to just be a guest/bridal party member so I can have fun and not worry about putting on my “photographer” hat.
I like to bring a camera if I’m going to a wedding. I DO NOT get in the way of the hired photographer, but I like thinking of myself as just another B cam who’s able to get even more shots for my friends in a different style than the photographer.
I photographed a wedding once but will never do it again. The day was truly terrible. During the start of the day, the rented motorcycle turned out not to work. This was the beginning of the planning woes. Once we arrived at the first destination, we wanted to take some photos of the couple, but they drove away without waiting 2 minutes for the photos. We were going to drive to the forest for a photography session with the bride and groom. In addition, also with the family and the whole family. We had a total of 20 minutes for this, including the short walk in the forest to the desired location. We then had to rush to the wedding location and arrived just in time, but the couple arrived 30 minutes late because the engine was not working again. Then the party started, we were only going to do the opening dance, but she wanted us to stay longer because there weren't many photos yet. In the end we were able to deliver something, but anything but quality work. My buddy and I both said afterwards that we will never do this again 😊
When looking for a photographer, everyone you know suddenly becomes close friends. I had very good friends of my brother who got the prices from a wedding that I photographed 2 years ago and wanted exactly that price. I said yes because I wanted to do a favor, that was my biggest mistake. 1000 extra requests and in the end they were ungrateful because I didn't stay at the party longer and took photos for free because we knew each other. From now on, only fixed discounts for everyone and that's it! One of the special requests: I had to re-edit all the photos of the groom because the color of the bow tie didn't look 100% like the real thing = a little less red. I've never heard of anything like that before, I was so pissed off.
I am not a professional by any means but I’m working towards it. I shot my cousin’s elopement last year and her actual wedding on Sunday. I am extremely uncomfortable asking for money, especially from family, and I don’t know how much I’m worth. I wish I had found your channel earlier!
Which video are you talking about? I would say it depends on the situation! This was specially under the point of not having enough skills and shooting a friend’s wedding. I’ve never made a video about shooting friends/family before. But I would say if you have skills and are starting a business yes definitely choose a price and stick to it. And so either full price or free. Which I also say in this video, and I’ve said that before. Did you watch the entire thing?
Excellent advice, all of it.
"Full price or free" in particular butttttt . . . there's also the issue of perceived value. I've shot five weddings for friends over the last 20 years and my painful experience is that the ones I've shot for free ended up being fairly negative experiences because they have, in my opinion, taken the situation / me / my skill / my TIME very much for granted. One couple didn't even thank me verbally much less send me a card after a 7-hour wedding, two venues, three hours of travel time and standard dedicated post. I finally asked a few weeks later if the photos were 'sufficient' and the bride said "Yeah, they were GREAT!" Mmmm, thanks.
It might just be me but if you agree to roll for free, do not expect anything in return even in the very slightest. But you covered that very well starting at about 11th minute.
Also, and Luke I am very interested in your opinion on this, if they keep pushing back or blowing off a meeting to discuss expectations and a shot list, I've found that to be a huge red flag. "Whatever you do will be fine with us!" -- brrRRRRRrrrrr. Nope. IF -- and it's a very big if -- I ever shoot one for friends again, whether paid or not, meeting at least three weeks before to discuss what they want will be non-negotiable condition on whether I agree to shoot it or not.
That’s sad, sorry that happened. They should have been more appreciative!
Love your advice.
One thing I like to emphasize to people is, get good at recognizing if you'd be a good fit with that potential client (even if they're a friend or a relative). Things to consider: aesthetics, personalities, and expectations. I've found it to be somewhat hard to please family members, but I don't think that has to be everyone's experience.
Also, there's something to be said about being able to show up and be a guest and enjoy the day. As professional wedding photographers, we can miss out on a lot of weekend family events, so being able to join family and friends at a wedding without working is something special.
And, if you do agree to do the wedding, even if it's for a good friend or a family member, don't overlook establishing a contract.
Just shot my friends wedding this month and it was the first time I charged a friend as well. (Did the first few for free)
I had a portfolio of my previous work, pricing sheet and contract ready to go… and a discount in mind to offer (as it was a childhood friend and I wanted her to feel that I cared and told her the discount was my gift to her).
I had a zoom call with her and her finance and went over the details and schedule for the wedding.
Everything went smoothly and the awkwardness was completely eliminated because the talk about money and legal stuff was all kept to contract, pricing sheet and email. When we talked in person we focused on their day and what they wanted, and how much fun we were going to have!
After the wedding she was so happy with the previews and said she was so glad she chose me to shoot their wedding. I definitely didn’t do everything perfectly (I’m still haunted by the fact the I didn’t get a shot of the table settings in the reception tent 😰 even though I know they weren’t concerned about details)
But it was a good experience and I enjoyed it. Of the few weddings I’ve shot the majority have been friends or friends of friends. I’ve really enjoyed it. Although I have realized that you can’t enjoy the wedding in quite the same way so I have already decided that for my closest friends and family I would opt to just be a guest/bridal party member so I can have fun and not worry about putting on my “photographer” hat.
I try to avoid it. I am either a guest or a photographer. Being both means no one is really right
I like to bring a camera if I’m going to a wedding. I DO NOT get in the way of the hired photographer, but I like thinking of myself as just another B cam who’s able to get even more shots for my friends in a different style than the photographer.
Such good advice. Thanks for the video Luke.
I photographed a wedding once but will never do it again.
The day was truly terrible.
During the start of the day, the rented motorcycle turned out not to work.
This was the beginning of the planning woes.
Once we arrived at the first destination, we wanted to take some photos of the couple, but they drove away without waiting 2 minutes for the photos.
We were going to drive to the forest for a photography session with the bride and groom.
In addition, also with the family and the whole family. We had a total of 20 minutes for this, including the short walk in the forest to the desired location.
We then had to rush to the wedding location and arrived just in time, but the couple arrived 30 minutes late because the engine was not working again.
Then the party started, we were only going to do the opening dance, but she wanted us to stay longer because there weren't many photos yet.
In the end we were able to deliver something, but anything but quality work.
My buddy and I both said afterwards that we will never do this again 😊
When looking for a photographer, everyone you know suddenly becomes close friends. I had very good friends of my brother who got the prices from a wedding that I photographed 2 years ago and wanted exactly that price. I said yes because I wanted to do a favor, that was my biggest mistake. 1000 extra requests and in the end they were ungrateful because I didn't stay at the party longer and took photos for free because we knew each other. From now on, only fixed discounts for everyone and that's it!
One of the special requests: I had to re-edit all the photos of the groom because the color of the bow tie didn't look 100% like the real thing = a little less red. I've never heard of anything like that before, I was so pissed off.
I am not a professional by any means but I’m working towards it. I shot my cousin’s elopement last year and her actual wedding on Sunday. I am extremely uncomfortable asking for money, especially from family, and I don’t know how much I’m worth. I wish I had found your channel earlier!
Didn't you say in a previous video that, even when starting out, you should still charge something? Like $200 or $500?
Which video are you talking about? I would say it depends on the situation! This was specially under the point of not having enough skills and shooting a friend’s wedding. I’ve never made a video about shooting friends/family before. But I would say if you have skills and are starting a business yes definitely choose a price and stick to it. And so either full price or free. Which I also say in this video, and I’ve said that before. Did you watch the entire thing?
In general NOOOOOOOO. But when first starting out then maybe but be prepared that it could cost you your friendship.