Real numbers from working photographers — packages, deposits, hourly rates, deliverables, and how to raise prices without losing bookings.
The lesson: do not charge by the hour for weddings. Ever. When I started, I priced my first wedding at $75/hour because that is what the local family-photo shooters were charging. Eight hours of cove
Jordan · mentorship · 19d ago · 0 replies · 0 reactions
The move: LLC, in most states, once you cross $25k in annual revenue. Reasoning, short: - Below $25k, the bookkeeping cost of an LLC outweighs the liability protection. Sole prop is fine. - Above $2
Sam · forum · 18d ago · 0 replies · 0 reactions
Our ceremony is at 4pm and we have no idea when to ask the photographer to start. Hair and makeup begins around 10am. Bride is getting ready at the venue, groom at a hotel 15 minutes away. We're booki
Maya · forum · 21d ago · 2 replies · 0 reactions
The take: holiday season at the earliest, more likely Q1 2026. The rumor cycle has been hot for a month so I will keep this short and grounded. What the supply chain is signaling: - Sensor producti
Maya · forum · 17d ago · 0 replies · 0 reactions
Looking back at my early contracts, the missing clause was a force majeure update covering pandemics and government-mandated venue closures. In 2020, two couples postponed inside two weeks of their d
Jordan · forum · 16d ago · 0 replies · 0 reactions
We're 80% sure we want a videographer but the price ($3,500) makes us wonder if photos are enough. We've seen mixed advice — some couples regret skipping it, some say they never watch their wedding vi
Maya · forum · 25d ago · 1 reply · 0 reactions
Our videographer offers a 5-min highlight, a 20-min "feature film," and a full unedited ceremony cut. We can pick two for the same price. Which two would you actually watch?
Maya · forum · 15d ago · 1 reply · 0 reactions
Booked our venue after a Saturday morning tour. Wedding is at 4pm. Worried the light at 4pm in October looks completely different than what we saw at 11am in August.
Maya · forum · 29d ago · 1 reply · 0 reactions
We're trying to set a realistic photo budget. Quotes are coming in from $2,500 to $9,000 and I have no idea what's "normal" vs "premium." 100 guests, 8 hours, single venue, one location.
Maya · forum · 27d ago · 1 reply · 0 reactions
My fiancé wants to wait until the aisle. My mom and the photographer both think we should do a first look. We're going back and forth. What's the actual case for and against?
Maya · forum · 24d ago · 2 replies · 0 reactions
Photographer keeps mentioning a "grand exit" with sparklers and a getaway car. We're not really car people. Is this a thing we're supposed to do or is it just for the photo?
Maya · forum · 13d ago · 1 reply · 1 reaction
The take: this is the first time generative editing has been useful in a wedding workflow. The feature is in the Lightroom Develop module now. You select an area, Lightroom generates a fill, you keep
Maya · forum · 19d ago · 0 replies · 0 reactions
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