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How much would you pay a photographer?

How much should I pay an amateur photographer for a destination wedding?

  • I am planning a wedding that is about a 6 hour drive away from my hometown and I am not sure what to do about the photographer. I have a very limited budget and I am a photographer myself so I am very picky about my photographer. I almost wish I could photograph my own wedding :) Well since most good photographers are way out of my budget I was thinking about asking 2 girls from one of my photography classes to do it for me. They are not pros but I love their work and since neither have ever done a wedding, having both of them there will ease my mind, since it is much more likely I will get pics I will like. I just don't know how much I should pay them. I will cover the cost of travel, hotel, and food and it will be about $150-200 total. Plus they would be free to invite whoever else they want an could have their own mini vacation on the beach. I know as a college student I would work for free if it earned me a free weekend on the beach. Should I pay them an extra $100 each or should it be more?

  • Answer:

    Since you are covering room, board, and food for them and their plus ones, I would not offer them any money outright. Play up the whole "I'm paying for you to go on a mini Vacation" and make sure they know they will have your wedding photo's for their portfolio. Then, after the wedding, if they did well, they didn't get wasted and forget why they are there, and the pics turn out, give them both $50 or $100 as a tip. Also, make sure anyone who is able to hold a camera has one at the wedding and or reception, this includes kids. Those disposables are fine. You would be amazed at what you see in those cameras and everyone, especially the kids, will remember being a photographer at your wedding.

Vikki at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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What state are you in?

WOW. I wish mine was that cheap. I used a friend of the family and covered her expenses as well as her sisters and still had to pay $1000 and that didn't cover any actualy prints. Her work was amazing and she went to school for it. I would ask them both to sit down and have a little meeting. Tell them that you will cover all of the expenses over the duration of the trip and offer a little extra "shopping" money.

I think you should offer them the free weekend on the beach and $100 additional is plenty for most college students. Since you know what it takes to be a good professional photographer, when all is done, if you like what they did, give them a small added bonus. Plus, they are getting something out of it too -- an opportunity to build their professional portfolio's, which you know c will be invaluable for them. It's a great idea and a win-win for you and them.

how about getting somebody from the location of your wedding

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