Wedding Photography Advice and Protocol

[TonyH]

A friend is having his wedding shot by a local well known wedding photog. It is a reasonably expensive affair (IMO). The usual situation has been discussed about ownership of the negs and or digital information.

I've suggested to him (my friend) to get his initial run of prints etc from the photog (and beforehand) negotiate to purchase the files. The prices charged are in my opinion a little over the top.

1) What would a reasonable offer be for the control of the originals be.

2) I am of the opinion that if you contract a person to do the job you should be entitled to ownership of the originals at a reasonable price. The photog cannot use them for anything else as you obviously wouldn't sign a model release (if you were a smart customer).

I'd be interested to hear other opinions and perhaps some figures as to what a reasonable offer would be.

The cost of the wedding photography is somewhere in the $2200 region.

[genji]

1) What would a reasonable offer be for the control of the originals be.

some photogs will sell you buy the 'negs' after 2 years. the price was reasonable, $200 for the entire negs. Read the contract before signing.

2) I am of the opinion that if you contract a person to do the job you should be entitled to ownership of the originals at a reasonable price. The photog cannot use them for anything else as you obviously wouldn't sign a model release (if you were a smart customer).

you would be surprised what is in the contract, read it carefully as it usually contains the model release aswell!

The cost of the wedding photography is somewhere in the $2200 region.

thats pretty cheap, although depends on what is on offer??

the answers above where my experience..

EDIT: you might want to do a search, this has been discussed at lenght before

[sejanus]

From what our lawyer tells me we don't *need* to give the client the files, however we do as we like to keep people happy and we rarely sell prints after the wedding these days.

We do charge a fair bit more than $2200 though in out wedding business.

cheers

Gav

[TonyH]

Thanks Gav for the input.

From what I have seen, they are offering around 100 shots and a digital album.

I thought $2200 was a lot of money but perhaps not. They are not complaining.... just looking for the best deal for both them and the photog.

Re Model release, I'll get them to double check that because I do know that he is a fiercely private person.

Regards

Tony

[PiroStitch]

It really depends on the wedding photographer and their folio. Look at the photos and critique them. Is it worth the price? Do they do a top quality job?

I have seen a few wedding photog's folios and they are worth every dollar/penny they charge. Sure any monkey can take a picture, but can any monkey have the ability to relate to the bride and groom, ensure that they are relaxed on the big day ('cos they definitely won't be), capture the essential moments, have the expertise, etc...

You are paying for the photog's creative mind, time and service. If the pics don't look great judging from their folio, don't go with them. Go for someone else.

I'm in the process of being jacked around by someone who would like me to photograph their wedding and I'm at the brink of turning them away as it won't be worth my time or effort. It's a bit of a hardline, but people need to be able to stand up to themselves and not feel so desperate

[shutterbug]

Totally agree with PiroStitch.

[BBJ]

I take my hat off to you blokes, the presure and putting up with all the crap that you all must do on these days and earn every penny. I know with what i do some people i meet at the track are tight arses and want pics for nothing but is ok to ride there 10k bike around.

I would not do a wedding, i would like to however go and just take pics inwhich i will be doing when my mate bite the bullet for 2nd time but no drama's.
Getting back to subject if they like the photogs pictures etc.. do some more checking and yeh go for it.

[sejanus]

by gosh, $2200 for 100 shots.

Well, all I can say is I hope he's a lot better than the average guy. I certainly don't see myself as the best in the world but I don't think I'm too bad, for 3k we give ;

- 400 5x7.5" prints
- 30 side leather bound album
- 8 x 8x12" prints

(you use the 5x7's and 8x12's to populate the album)

- 2 x 16x20 framed shots
- A DVD of the day
- All full resolution jpegs
- 6 months website access to pics.

Not trying to sell you anything, I'm in Syd - but all I mean is - I hope that guy is bloody good!

cheers