What does it take to photograph a wedding? Part 4

 © Karla M. Somers of Anthony R Socci Photo

Hello, brave reader. I see you survived parts 1, 2 and 3 of my practical advice on how to cash in on the lucrative wedding photography market! (or “How to get rich quick ~ if I can do it anybody can” plan.) If that’s what you’ve got in mind, let me warn you that the photography business is very intense in competition and there are would-be “get rich quick kids” out there ready to give away their work just to say they are “professional photographers”. Most of them have a “real job” and they’re simply trying to acquire a title while not really caring whether or not their photography turns a profit. Obviously the quality of  their work , or lack thereof, shows it.

One of my professional mentors, Mr. Robert Stevenson (deceased), was very instrumental in my thinking when it came to the value of things. Here’s an example: Bob was changing his print display racks and I noticed his old racks would soon be available. I suggested that since he would have no use for them I would volunteer to take them out of his studio for free. Sounded like a “good trade” (a la “Dances With Wolves”) to me. Bob had a different idea.

“I’ll sell them to you for $100 dollars,” he confidently said. Immediately I replied, “But Bob, you’re only going to throw them out anyway. why should I purchase them from you?” and without skipping a beat, Bob’s wisdom drove the point home. “Because something for nothing is worth nothing.”

Yes, I plunked my money down and acquired not only the Stevenson display racks but the value that went along with them. So what’s my point in telling you all of this?

When it comes to pricing your work, there are more than a few things to take into consideration.
1 - Are you doing this just because you love photography and really don’t care about making a profit? (Your partner has a full-time career and can support you and your hobby.)
2 - You’re opening a studio and need every job you can get. (Wrong thinking!)
3 - You’ve calculated your overhead including rent or mortgage, utilities, equipment, supplies, insurance, desired salary, business expenses, professional association dues, automobile expenses per mile, etc.
4 - You’ve got your eyes closed and you’re jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.

Add all of these up to determine the amount you must earn per hour, day, week, month, year just to keep your studio doors open. What’s left over is your paycheck from which you should stash some cash in a hole for a rainy day and retirement. Of course, this is an over simplified financial projection and my advise is to enlist the professional services of a CPA to help you crunch the real numbers. That can make or break your fledgling photography business.

Whew! Didn’t think there was so much involved in launching this rocket off the pad, did you? Take heart. There’s still more to come in this saga of the iron worker turned photographic artist.

I’m still here, so send me a note. socciphoto@yahoo.com