advice about photographer

[LadyJane83]

Hi everyone! I''m looking for some advice please, sorry if this is a bit long-winded.

We asked a family friend to photograph our wedding. He is relatively new (approx 3-5 years experience), but does great work. Anyway, I wrote an e-mail requesting a price quote, and asking whether he does specific packages, etc.

He wrote back and said he is not going to charge a flat rate because he knows I am on a tight budget, and feels more comfortable leaving this up to me as a friend of the family. He said we would have to pay his travel expenses (which would be about $400), and that he would obviously have to charge for prints and albums so that he doesn''t lose money. I would get shooting by two photographers for the entire day (no time limit), a CD of the prints, and the online gallery. Other than that, he said he will work for whatever we can afford.

We had $1000 in our budget for photography, so that is what I offered ($400 for travel, $600 for shooting)... but I said to let me know if this isn''t reasonable. His packages for regular clients started at $1500 (plus travel).

I''ve now looked around a bit and am worried that we really underestimated the costs of photography and that the $1000 (or $600 plus travel if you want to look at it that way) might come across as cheap and/or insulting. I know that the e-mail has been read, but he hasn''t responded...

So I don''t know if I should jump the gun and e-mail him again saying that we underestimated and offer $1500 or something and just try to make it work with our budget. I just don''t want any awkwardness since he is a family friend. I''m super-stressed out abour this (probably more than I should be).

People have been telling me to just cool it, but I feel bad. What do you think I should do?

 

[mrscushion]

I think the problem may be that he offered you a second shooter. For that (two photographers), $600 is not enough in my opinion. I understand he is your friend and might work for nothing, but I assume the second photographer won''t.

I would follow up with an e-mail saying that having researched photography costs a bit further, you fear that your budget may be too low for two photographers, but that your initial offer was definitely not meant to be insulting or as a low-ball offer, but that rather it''s truly your photography budget. As if he could think of a package that would fit that amount or a little bit above it and that if not, you will definitely not take offense.

 

[LadyJane83]

Thanks for the reply.

The problem is that I didn''t ask for the second shooter . . . the second shooter is his romantic partner, so would likely be coming regardless of whether pictures were taken... I dunno if that changes things or not.

 

[pancake]

Wait and see what he says. He''s the professional photographer, he''s the one who is familiar with pricing, I''m sure he will understand that you are not!

 

[Should Be Studying]

I think you are probably worrying about it too much, but I understand why. Money and family/friends can put people in awkward situations. Perhaps you can send him an email explaining that you are unfamiliar with prices, but you want to be fair to him. I think 1500 is still an amazing deal, but he might have no problem doing it for 1000. I would just explain your feelings, and ask him for honesty. The last thing you want is someone who is bitter because of too little money, but too afraid to say anything. I am not suggesting he will be like that, but sometimes people get into these situations and then regret it later when they forgo doing another job for more money.

Good luck!

ETA: I would probably wait to see what he says first, though!