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Josh Reid · Jun 2, 2003, 05:33 PM

Hey..

So here's the deal. I do a lot of filming and iMovie-making, which I'm very good at, but definitely an amateur. A friend of a friend saw a piece I did, and asked my friend if they thought I'd be willing to "do that" for their wedding, as they didn't want to pay a couple grand for a pro videographer, and were impressed with my work.

I agreed, they said they'd pay me "whatever", that we'd work out the details at a later point. That was a year ago, and a few weeks ago it was time for their wedding. We hadn't worked out the details over that time, but they asked if I would still do it, and I agreed.

I spent a few hours at the wedding filming, 12 hours editing, a few more hours making copies of VHS tapes, printing labels, etc...I used the program "Project Timer" to keep track of the time I spent at the computer. I programmed it to keep track of Importing/Exporting at $6 an hour, and Editing at $14 an hour. The total ended up being $137.03. Add $50 for the actual filming at the wedding (should that be less or more? I thought a flat-rate for the filming was good), $17 for DV and VHS tapes, and $3.85 for shipping of the tapes. That brings the total to $207.88.

Now my question, is that a fair price? I feel comfortable with it, beingst that I did an excellent job of the filming/editing of the 48-minute film, and that a professional videographer would've probably been $1500 for the same thing. However, I'd like everyone else's opinion, before I send an invoice to the wedding couple. I don't know what they were expecting, and I hope they aren't shocked at the $200 price tag, but it is fair, correct? What is the going hourly rate for editing, etc...by professionals? I'm interested in what you all think.

Thanks,
Josh

SeSawaya · Jun 2, 2003, 07:37 PM

hey Josh,
I did virtually the same thing you stated above only also put the 60 min video on DVD for them as well as VHS.

I charged $450. It was great, they loved it, everyones happy. You have to remember that at some point, people would pay $5000 if they could for video of that day and SO many people dont have anything even decent.

It would be better to have a clue to tell them before you did it. That way the "shock" wouldnt be too much. Figure they paid $2000+ just for pictures, whats $400?

Hope it was fun!

arclight · Jun 3, 2003, 09:33 AM

$200 is way low even for a friend. I would say at least $500 if not a little more. I don't know much about hourly videographer rates but I charge $45/hr for graphic/web design work and that's considered middle of the road. Remember, what you charge now will get around so when other projects come around people will be looking for the same deal. "you did the same thing at Ed's wedding for $200! How come I get charged double?"

You don't have to gouge them but as it has been said. They paid at least $1500 for the photographer. How much is a video and your time really worth. I think more than $208.00!

Steve SpotOn · Jun 4, 2003, 05:55 AM

I agree with Arclight.
I'd also consider how you are undermining a professional video cost.... just think how you would feel if you discovered the guy next door was offering their services doing your job at a tiny fraction of the price you charge.

In the end its for you and your customer to decide a cost, but remember professionals would have to cover their reasonable overheads (office costs, insurance, travel, equipment etc.) as well as time actually doing the project. And all professionals aren't about making a 'fast buck' - they mostly do a good job at a realistic price.

sjdownes · Jun 4, 2003, 02:24 PM

You should have negotiated a price before doing the work, but it's too late to solve that problem.

I generally agree with everyone saying you're not charging enough. When I saw the thread title, I thought you'd be charging about $500.

mitchell_pgh · Jun 5, 2003, 08:30 AM

I wouldn't do it for less then $300 [for a short 1.5 hour event] (even if it was for my own brother). Considering the time you spend at the event (not enjoying yourself), and the time of actually editing the video (no small task) compounded by the personal computer investment in hardware (we all know Macs aren't the cheapest computers on the block... and that eMachine they have isn't going to do the trick)

I think it's more then fair... Even the media... DVD-Rs aren't free...

I don't want to sound like an ass, but like the others have said, if it were easy and inexpensive... wouldn't everyone do it?

Old Toad · Jun 6, 2003, 05:21 PM

We had a professional do our daughter's wedding and got the lower end package at $500. After all was said and done, it was the best investment of the wedding as far as I was concerned.

direktor · Jun 7, 2003, 12:53 AM

$200 is super low.

That also may be all you think you should charge this friend...but know that even a beginning wedding videographer's lowest package would be about $500.