What's it WORTH... to YOU ?

So recently I posted on a Local Wedding Facebook Group after hearing of some unfortunate incidents with regards to a Wedding Photographer. Stories over the past six months or so had been emerging as to how this Photographer had "Scammed" brides and grooms out of images and services they had paid for. The word scammed is in quotations as that is the term other people have used but it is not a term I am using.

After posting in order to try and write a wrong and shed some light on a dark situation ( I was offering discounted rates to Clients who had lost their bookings but not had their Weddings yet... and Discounted Reshoots for those who did not receive images from weddings previously shot) I received several replies from other photographers offering to help. I also received one response from a Bride who had dealt with the original photographer in question.

Upon some messages back and forth I learned that the Bride and Groom had hired this photographer knowing that he was new to the business and even offering to help him "Build his Business". I learned that they had booked him for $750 and that the package was to include an Engagement Session, Unlimited Images, a Full Resolution Memory Drive, a Coffee Table Book, and Thank You Cards.

The photographer from what I understand did show up and shoot the wedding but only "delivered about 500 images" afterword.

Another Photographer colleague of mine also messaged warning of similar findings.

From what I have come to know about this situation I can surmise... ( and this is just MY opinion ) that this Photographer wasn't really a "Scammer" but rather a naive opportunist hoping to cash in on what he thought was "Easy Money". I can deduce that he was perhaps a smooth talker and a great salesman but also a poor businessman and inexperienced photographer.

This is what I base my thoughts on.

First of all he came out to shoot the weddings. This means he intended to do the job but realized maybe that he was grossly inadequate in his ability to meet the expectation and requirement necessary to do a great job. A scammer just doesn't show up. ( And there are a few of those stories I've heard too).

I am trying to be sympathetic here, really I am... but come on. These people knew that he was an inexperienced photographer just " Starting His Business", and if they did any homework at all would have known that the price was ridiculously low.

Think about it. A good coffee table book costs the photographer at least $150. Thank You cards another $50 to $100. A memory drive let's say $25. Give or take, that's between $225 and $275 in outright costs before he has done one minute of work or traveled to locations etc. Now he is working for under $500 and most likely is realizing that he could get hired at the local Tim Hortons and make more money.

Do you see where I'm going with this ?

We as PRO Photographers have literally watched our entire profession IMPLODE due to Newbie Photographers undercutting rates... and Brides and Grooms with the Walmart mentality looking for a DEAL.

Granted some young brides these days may legitimately feel that a reputable Wedding Photographer should fall somewhere between $500 and $1,000 in regards to their budget. That would be extremely naive thinking. To their defence though, this view is fueled by AMATUER Photographers masquerading as Pros and undercutting the true professionals.

I'll address the amatures later, but first let's start with the Brides and Grooms.

If you have ever heard the term "Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget" then you'll know that never before has it fit more perfectly to a situation than here.

Look at it this way.

A Photographer spends money on Equipment, Money on Website and Social Media, Advertising,

Bridal Shows, Business Licence... Back Up Equipment and on and on.

That's all before one minute has been invested in the client. Here is a typical wedding for me.

Consultation.... 1 to 2 Hours

Engagement shoot.... 2 to 8 Hours often two or more locations for versatility.

Editing of Engagement shoot..... 8 to 16 Hours.

Meet with Bride and Groom... 2 Hours.

Scout locations for the day... 2 to 4 hours. ( This is important to stay organized on the day.)

Get gear all ready on the night before the Wedding... 1 Hour

Wedding day...Including Travel... Anywhere from 8 to 16 Hours. ( My record is a 20 Hour Day ! )

Then editing of the Wedding Images.....30 to 40 Hours.

Meet with Bride and Groom again to go over everything...... 2 Hours.

Do the math here and we are looking at a time commitment of anywhere from approximately 55 to 90 Hours invested in a single wedding.

I think everyone would like, and for that matter deserves that level of expertise, dedication and professionalism. As an Artist that is what I personally strive to provide. ( And I'm not alone in this thinking ). But really can you expect this type of commitment, professionalism and service

for $1,000.... $750....$500 ?

I'm a big fan of analogies so let's put it this way.

Let's say you LOVE seafood.... and you deep down in your heart know that Good Seafood is pricey. Lobster, Sea Scallops, Snow crab, jumbo shrimp. Really a plate like this would go for $100 or more right ?

But you see one plate for $20 and it has all those wonderful items you are craving. If you look... you can see that this plate isn't refrigerated... but hey... it's twenty bucks ! So you buy it and you enjoy your meal.

Who's fault then is it when you spend the next 48 Hours on the toilet with a bucket in your lap !?

People are booking probably the most important service of their day, with an "I want a deal, Walmart Mentality" and then wondering what went wrong when all is said and done. I understand I am bias here but really, every other aspect of your day aside from the rings and the dress is consumed within the day. It's the images, either still or video that preserve the entire day for the years to come. Does that not hold significant relevance ?

I see it with Dj services too.... let's use an ipod instead of a DJ, then wonder why everyone has left your party by 9pm.

Come on people take the reins and think this through.

A McDonalds Jr Chicken and Chicken Cordon bleu are not the same.

A 100% Beef Value Burger and Filet Mignon... NOT the Same.

In my opinion anything below $1500 is Amateur... Period.

It's just my opinion but it IS based on 20 Years of experience. A true Pro knows what they are worth because they know what is involved. They believe that what they bring to the table is WORTH SOMETHING. So if a so called pro doesn't believe in his or herself... then why would you put your faith in them either ?

I've seen the posts on the FB Groups requesting Photographer suggestions and referrals. They always receive a large and vigorous response. ( This part is for the New and up and coming Photographers )

It's funny... because a bride can actually post that they are on a tight budget and only have maybe $750 to spend.... but the response is still strong. One photographer of note proudly professes her studio information stating "ALL of my packages are under $500"... as if that's a good thing !!!! ( I charge $395 for a Family Shoot, because I go the extra mile and I know what's involved)

Basically she thinks it's good that all her packages are CHEAP and I'm sure she gets bookings based on that alone. Personally.... I'd RUN from that. It's downright scary. Again my opinion but that's an unrefrigerated Seafood Platter just waiting to happen.

There are so many very talented photographers out there. And we all started at some point. We all had to learn as we went. Most of us learned our craft as second photographers. Shadowing a pro and therefore any mistakes are non issues as they were back up in the first place. These photographers learned of so many other aspects of a wedding day that all go hand in hand with achieving great images. These photographers learned their light.... they learned angles... and image quality and how to handle the psychology of the day. They learned that you " Get Good... and then you Charge Accordingly" for your talents.

Of coarse then there are others who zip down to Henry's or Best Buy... grab some gear... watch a couple Youtube videos and see a quick and easy buck. Presto I'm a Wedding Photographer.

They are the ones who book you for $500 and then don't show because they score a $600 gig the night before. They are the ones who show up but then realize they don't have the ability to deliver on their promises and/or make ANY money at all. Those are the ones who show up with good intentions... but learn as they go. They make mistakes at YOUR expense because it is you acting as the Guiney Pig to their learning curve.

As a new Photographer taking this approach please think. How is the profession going to sustain you further down the road when you have truly learned your craft, but have been doing it for half of minimum wage. How will you afford a studio... or FOOD for that matter. You have slaughtered the profession you so desperately hoped to thrive in , not unlike clear cutting a forest and then lacking for trees.

Get good and then... get paid. Just like any other profession of any value at all.

No one opens a restaurant and then learns to cook, simply because they enjoy cooking here and there or have purchased a "really nice stove".

No one opens a construction company just because they have a really great hammer and feel they can pound a nail or two.

It is hard for the consumer to decipher the Pros from the Amateurs... but there are more ways than you think to see the difference. The key is that you have to CARE about the difference. If you are only looking at price alone then prepare for some potential heart ache.

Brides and Grooms - You get what you pay for. Do your homework... look at style, look at quality, look at personality, look at the passion and the artistry that goes into the craft... then and ONLY then... look at price. Know that this is your biggest of days. Remember brides, that you have been dreaming of this day since you were 4 or 5 years old ! Know that these images are your main connection to the memory of this one day, to be treasured for the years to come.

Photographers - Believe in yourself. Don't look at this as a quick and easy way to make a few bucks. CARE about the finished product. CARE about the client. CARE about your reputation and about having a future in this profession. Don't lower yourself to the bottom feeder, feeding frenzy of the "In Search of Cheap or Low Budget Wedding Photographer " posts. Instead...go work with a Pro as a 2nd Photographer for $200 and learn your craft. Have some self respect.

Have some integrity !

CARE about the profession.

As far as myself... this is my promise to you and to myself. I may shoot far less weddings than ever before... but when I do... I'll be chosen for my Artistry, my Integrity, and my Passion. I'll be paid a FAIR rate and I'll be worth every penny and more... and I will still... and always... go the extra mile.

So there you go....

Ignorance is no longer an excuse.

Being naive is no longer an excuse.

NOW... you know.