Wedding Wednesday Loving Soulmates!!!!
I am a DFW & Destination Wedding Photographer, wedding season is year around. However, we have two separate peak wedding seasons a year.
Peak Season #1
March, April, May, and June
Peak Season #2
September, October, November
So I photograph an average of 30 weddings per year for an average of $2,000/wedding (which totals about $60,000/year)
Photos by Stephanie, is a small business, so I have to pay my own taxes, totaling about $10,000/year, which leaves me with a gross income of around $50,000
Of that $50,000 I pay $400/month in rent for my studio area (which is where I would be editing your beautiful wedding images) $50,000-($400×12)=$45,200.00
Then I have my car, which I would use to get me to and from your wedding, which I pay $360.85/month plus $191.83/month in car insurance. $45200-($360.85×12)-($191.83×12)=$38,567.84
To get to your (and all my other beautiful soulmates) pre-wedding sessions, wedding consultation, second wedding pre-consultation, and the wedding itself I spend $1000/year in gas money. $38,567.84-$1000=$37,567.84
I pay $500/year insurance in case you sue me, of it any of your guests get drunk and break any of my equipment. $37,567.84-$500=$37,067.84
You also probably found me through my website, which I pay $86.72/year and another $30/month so you can view and share your images with your friends and family. $37,067.84-$86.72-($30×12)=$36,621.12
I also pay $300/month for my own health, vision, and dental insurance in case I was to get hurt at your wedding. $36,621.12-($300×12)=$33,021.12
I pay $250/wedding for a second shooter for your wedding so that you can have more images and different angles, as to make sure you get the best images possible at your wedding. $33,021.12-($250×30)=$25,521.12
I also need to buy a new pair of shoes every season because my shoes get worn out and dirty from wedding to wedding. $25,521.12-($100×2)=$25,321.12
I need high-speed internet so I can upload all of your images online, my business phone, my cell phone, and my assistant business phone, so I can communicate with you. $25,321.12-$1,092=$24,229.12
I also pay an accountant to make sure that I am paying all of the taxes I need, and a lawyer to make sure my contracts are iron clad. $24,229.12-$500=$23,729.12
Every year I attend workshops and seminars to teach me how to better my business and make my client happier, plus learn new techniques and trends so that I can ensure that you have the best quality images available. $23,729.12-$1,000=$22,729.12
I also pay my Studio Manager, $2,400/month, $22,729.12-($2,400×12)=($6,070.88)
This would technically leave me with about $6,000/year to feed myself, buy groceries, pay for my heat and electricity, cloth myself, life insurance, etc. However, usually I end up reinvesting whatever I have left on upgrading to new equipment:
During your wedding, I bring my professional equipment that I use so that I can ensure you have the highest quality images.
I have Canon 6D and Canon 5D Mark IV cameras (because you always need a backup in case of a camera malfunction, which would ruin your big day’s photographs) which cost $1,800 and $3,300, respectively. So that equals $5,100
I also have quality lenses which can capture your special moments in low light situations:
Canon 70-200 f/2.8 lens = $1,300
Canon 24-70 f/2.8 lens = $1,200
Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens = $100
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art = $1,200
… and I have speed lights to catch the fun moments at your reception $1,000
Also multiple battery backups, memory cards, lens filters, light stands, umbrellas, light boxes, external battery packs and two bags to carry everything in = $1,200
After spending 3-12 hours at your wedding, I then come home to my home office and spend about 10-30 hours editing your images, creating your album, blogging about your wedding, posting sneak peaks on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, ordering your prints and transferring your images to your USB.
I edit your photographs using a 55-inch Screen connected to 15-inch MacBook Pro = $3,000
I edit your photographs on Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop ($200)
I archive all of your photographs on 2x3TB external hard drives = $750
I also back up all my photographs online, so if there is ever a fire in my office, you would never lose your images. = $500/year
I also have office expenses as far as buying Customized Thank You Cards, Packaging, filing cabinets, and files, etc.…
I also send time and money ordering your prints and albums, paying for shipping, going to the post office, etc.
With all that being said, I’m usually in the hole at the end of the year, and take on many Boudoir Portraits, Maternity and Newborn Portraits, and Senior Portraits to make ends meet.
Photography is what I love and my livelihood, and it is also expensive. Yes, it seems like a lot of money for one day, but one day isn’t all we spend on your photographs or our business. You will spend thousands of dollars on a wedding dress or flowers or a venue or on catering which you are going to have for only one day, but your photographs will be the only thing you have to remember that one day for the rest of your lives.
I hope to shed some light on why Photos by Stephanie charges $2,000 for one day of your memories that are going to last you forever.
If you are looking for a DFW & Destination Wedding Photographer, don’t forget to click the Contact Us button at the top.