WHY DON’T PHOTOGRAPHERS JUST SHARE THEIR PRICES?
PHOTOGRAPHERS THAT
DON’T SHARE their prices
The main reason I struggled and have switched back and forth on sharing my pricing is that I didn’t want to miss out on amazing weddings that would be a perfect match with my style of photography. Some of my favorite weddings we have given discounts to because we believed in their vision for their celebration.
The biggest reason a photographer does not share pricing is so that they can go over their pricing guide with you. Every wedding, while similar, truly is different and the workload is different. Some weddings might have a very long timeline, but require way fewer photos to be taken whereas another wedding could be short but have non-stop photos. Both things can drastically affect the photographer’s time thus affecting the price. They can’t normally just give out a one-size-fits-all quote.
SEASONAL RATES
Another reason a photographer might not share their pricing is because they have seasonal rates. Most photographers have a busy season. In Oregon, it’s May through September (the best-weather dates), so they typically would have a full price guide, whereas on other dates they might be able to be negotiated with for a lower rate, but don’t want to show their cards to you.
COMPETITION
Another reason photographers don’t want to share their rates is so that other photographers can’t just copy and paste what they are doing.
THE BIGGEST REASON I THINK photographers SHOULD NOT SHARE their PRICES
This would be if the photographer’s messaging is incomplete, or their site is just a portfolio and a contact form. Giving out your prices with little to no info on what kind of photographer you are is just going to cause confusion. It’s important to clarify your message.
PHOTOGRAPHERS THAT DO SHARE PRICING
Usually, the photographer wants to be respectful of your time and make sure you know up-front if you could hire them for their wedding. There are usually two kinds of photographers. The photographer starting out, so they just throw their prices out there, and the very well-established photographer that knows the exact kind of couple they want to attract.
Transparency: Public pricing can demonstrate professionalism and transparency.
Pre-qualify leads: When potential clients see prices on a website, they might be more likely to contact the photographer if they're comfortable with the cost. This can help avoid price shock and lead to higher-quality leads.
Streamline booking: Listing prices can help streamline the consultation & booking process.
Demonstrate value: Sharing prices can help photographers demonstrate the value they offer.
Help determine market position: Knowing what other photographers charge can help photographers determine their position in the market and who to refer clients to.
