There are many reasons why there is a wide range of price points within the photography market. Well-established wedding photographers with a great reputation can command higher prices for their experience, skill and reputation. When many wedding photographers are trying to establish themselves, many will undercut the going price in the industry in order to get the experience. Other photographers may be doing photography just for fun and part time and have another full time job which is paying the bills. Still other photographers don't have the skill sets e confidence, or may be flying under the government radar and not running a business to charge professional prices.
Price points aren't always a good way to judge the quality of service and product you may receive from your wedding and event photographer but it is a good bench mark to how seriously they take their business. To run a business professionally and be on the up and up with the government and protect your clients with insurance and such costs money and presently the estimated break even point for a photographer running a legitimate business is $1500 an event. If you are looking for a professional and not a hobbyist to document your wedding or event then if the price sounds too good to be true it usually is.
Ten Questions for a Photographer
What’s your main style? Formal, photojournalistic, creative, artistic, candid, traditional?
Do you shoot in digital format, traditional film or both?
Can we give you a shot list to work from?
Are you the wedding photographer who will actually take our pictures? If not, can we meet the person who will be?
How much experience do you have as a photographer?
Do you have insurance?
How many other events will you also photograph that weekend?
What kind of equipment will you bring with you? How intrusive will lighting, tripods, other equipment or assistants be?
