It seems to me like there’s been an eternal debate about whether or not you should put your full prices on your wedding photography website. Some say “no way,” and others say “absolutely.” But the best solution could actually be somewhere in between. In this video, Matt Johnson shares some pros and cons of putting your prices on your website and suggests an alternative solution that could work best.
Pros
In the video, Matt talks about wedding videography, but the advice is absolutely applicable to photography as well. So, when should you put the prices?
If you’re in your first years of shooting weddings, revealing the full pricing is a good idea. The competition is fierce in the beginning and you’re basically competing based on your price. That number is what matters the most to couples at that point, so it can be a great advantage for you – the couple will go to your website, find the prices and reach out if they can afford your services.
Speaking of affordability – couples will automatically disqualify themselves if they don’t have a budget for you. This way you can avoid the haggling and the awkward conversations that will spend your time and still not bring you a gig.
These tips, in Matt’s opinion, are applicable if you charge up to $3,000 for wedding filming. Still, the price ratio depends on your country or region, so you should figure it out for yourself.
Cons
As you start charging more than your “beginner threshold,” you’ll see a shift both in your competition and in your couples. There’s less competition, the market is healthier, and the couples are less price-sensitive than those with smaller budgets.
However, there’s a catch. The couples won’t pick you based on your price any longer. They’re looking for quality and you have to truly show the skill and experience. This is when you should take time to form a relationship with the couple – show them your high-quality website and work, introduce them to you and your best films or photos, and then give them the prices.
The alternative solution
Finally, there’s a “hybrid” option that Matt says works best for him. Personally, that’s also what I would choose: don’t post all your prices. Let the couples see your best content on your website, and only list your starting price (the price of your cheapest package). This filters out the couples who can’t afford you so they won’t reach out, and couples who can afford you will get a hint of what they can expect.
I hope that this video helps you decide what you should do and whether or not to put full pricing on your website. As I mention, I’d also choose the “hybrid option,” and I’m curious to hear – how do you handle this?
[Should Wedding Filmmakers Put Full Pricing On Their Website? via FStoppers]
