Need pricing info ASAP

[D-50]

I was just contacted by a couple who is having a small wedding ceremony and they want me to shoot it. It will only be an hour of shooting no after party or anything like that. What is a reasonable rate for a job like this?

[KevinR]

Are you just giving them the images or are you doing the processing? For an hour I guess $200 would be reasonable. But are you sure it's just an hour? If your processing, how long would that be? Factor in all of the time involved.

[D-50]

It is a small ceremony and they said it would only be about an hour. I am planning on printing the photos for them as well but I was gong to give them a price for me to go shoot the ceremony and give them a disc and a seperate price for the photos. So for an hour of shooting you think $200 is reasonable? I am new to charging for my time usually I sell prints on a print by print basis but have never done a shoot like this so your input is greatly appreciated..

[KevinR]

Well think of it this way. If you shoot for an hour. Say 15 min travel back and forth. You post process for 2 1/2 hours(just an estimate), than your only making $50 an hour. I would charge minimum $75 an hour if it where me.

[JIP]

I don't know D-50 in a previoius post you advocated giving away your time to build a portfolio I think you should practice what you preach, just do it for free and use the images for your portfolio. Now if it were me I would balance what I think my time is worth with how much time I am giving up $200 would be the bare minimun. Remember, as any experienced wedding photographer will tell you 1-2 hours at a wedding is nothing and can very quickly and esily multiply and before you know it 1-2 has turned into 3-5 on site and what?, at least 2 at home if you are just burning them more if you do alot of post mabye 5-10 hours all tolled and now $200 tuns into not so much. I agree with kevinr $50-$75 per hour is more like it.

[astrostu]

I'm more with JIP's first point: If you don't have a portfolio yet and this is more of a "for experience" thing, I wouldn't be asking for all that much money, but I can't suggest a specific price point.