Photography & Videography Negotiate?

My friend works for Redsphere in SF as a photographer. They'd have a bit of a drive, but he is so worth it. If you look at them ask for Carsten. http://www.redspherestudios.com

Keep in mind that running a small business is expensive and they only get to keep approximately 30-40% of whatever you pay them after taxes and business expenses, so their earnings are much less than it appears. They have to put food on their table, too.

You might have some room to wiggle on a smaller vendor or someone less popular. However anyone who is popular and since your date is right in the beginning of peak, it's not really advantageous for them to give you a discount. They'll most likely find someone else willing to pay the price.

On a prime date with a popular vendor? I doubt it.

Here is the thing. Vendors only have so many days we can sell, and photographers even a bit less since they are typically on site too long to do two events in a day. I sounds cold, but if you don't book at their rate, (if they are good) someone will.

You may want to pay for less service, but most vendors want to maximize their income on prime dates. This is why we don't book elopements six months ahead of time....

I do agree, if someone's work is good, they should be able to charge what they think they are worth. I do also know if we don't take it, they will find someone else who will. Just wondering if anyone has negotioated a deal or tried to price match. Since we are having a small wedding (20 adults 5 children) we are flexible on the date and they know that. I guess the hesitation is that their pricing seems very high compared to most others that we have contacted. I get maybe a bit higher than others, but the price difference just seems huge.

Some photographers are SO in demand, that's just the price they command. You can ask them if they have a different rate, the worst you'll get is no, right? But if you /really/ love their work, you should book them. At the end of your day, the photos are what you'll have left over, and you want to be happy with those and have zero regrets.

I'm not a fan of negotiating prices with vendors, they're usually small businesses. If you really like their work and can't afford it, maybe see if they can work with you to customize a package for less hours, less shooters, etc.

I was able to get a free engagement session from my photographer. I didn't really negotiate, but I told him he was more than my budget. He then asked what my budget was and what I was looking for in a package and he ended up throwing in the engagement session for free. If you really like a photographer and cost is a factor, maybe see if they could shoot for less hours or create you a customized package for the services you are looking to have.

SunshineJenn, I was just earlier today think of you! xo eta formerly Tina Bo Bina

You could probably negotiate with a less popular / beginner photographer..

Popular ones could easily find someone else willing to pay full price for their work during prime wedding season.

Hi Nonna!!! How have you been?

Hello Megan, everyone is right. We don't make as much as you think. And our equipment is expensive. I am probably, the one exception. I don't charge much for my services and I do negotiate. Unlike most photographers, I am not about the numbers. I am fortunate to be in a situation to do what I do for the sheer love and passion. If I do my max of 24 weddings a year, then great. If I only do one, I am okay as well. I do both photography and video, but not at the same time. So if a couple books me for photos, I am not available for video, and vice versa. Anyway, for me. I am very rigid with my rate for photography, because just the cost of products, prints and albums cost money. I have to pay just to have them made. When it comes to video, I am more flexible because there is less physical product involved. Especially since physical media and dvd's are going by the wast site.So with video, its just my time. My advice would be, it's okay to ask. All they can say is no. I get couples who ask me, but I tell them no, because my rates are already low.

However, the lone exception is I have been known to give a last minute discount because I would rather be doing what I love to do than sitting at home. If a couple calls me last minute to video their wedding, a lot of times I will give them a great price.I hope this helps

How is that working for love and passion thing working out? I mean, we love our work and are passionate about it, but we have mortgages to pay as well.

I'm in Colorado, but I negoatiated with my photographers a little. We wanted a full day of shooting but didn't care about e-pics or albums (which most of their packages included) so we asked if we could get a cheaper package and nix all of that. Less work for them, less price for me. One of them gave me a REALLY good deal.

I negotiated with my photographer. Well actually I would call it more of a customized package rather than a negotiation. We got videography and photography so we got a discount for getting both services. Then their standard package came with a few things we didnt need. Instead of 4 shooters we got 3. Instead of a Personalized photobook we opted to use our own. ( we already have one). We had already taken engagement pics that was included in the original price. We ended up saving about $650.

@celiaMilton it's working great. As I said, I am in a rare position. I have been doing wedding photography for 15 years. A few years ago, it was a side job to my career. Actually a second full time job. Five years ago I retired officially, but continued to do photo and video. As I said, I am in a position where I don't need it to pay bills. Yes, I am very lucky.