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Old December 5th 05, 02:42 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.slr-systems,rec.photo.equipment.35mm
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Default Do you make a living as a wedding photographer?

In article , DD
wrote:

1. Where do you see yourself on the socio-economic scale regarding your
income? i.e. well above average, above average, average, below average,
well below average.


You can do OK if you charge enough and are good enough at it.

2. Do you do it full time as your only source of income or purely as a
part-time supplement to existing income? If you are doing it full time,
do you only do weddings? If not, what percentage of your income do
weddings provide?


Used to do it as part of other studio photography.

3. How many weddings do you do annually?


Used to do 1-2 per month. I didn't want to do more than that...too easy
to get burned out.

4. How long did it take to establish yourself in the market? What
marketing techniques did you use? i.e. if advertising, where did you
advertise?


I never advertised, never did bridal fairs, etc. I just got enough from
people walking in the door.

5. Do you find it a rewarding profession? In other words, do you feel
you could have done something else instead of doing weddings?


After a while you get tired of going to other people's parties on
Saturday nights.

6. What do you base your pricing on?


My superb ability and the local market.

7. Do you find it very competitive to remain active in this field?


Not really.

8. What size market are you working in? i.e. Do you have to travel
extensively to get commissions or are you in a big enough centre to
remain locally based?


Small community of about 30K. Did most weddings locally, but sometimes
traveled 20-30 miles.

9. What kind of output do you provide your customers? i.e. do you simply
provide prints or do you also compile their albums in addition to other
offerings, such as CD ROMs, video, etc.


Didn't do them in the digital age. Provided prints/albums. Today I
would provide the same end product.

10. What format equipment have you chosen and why?


Used to use two Hasselblads, 2-light setup. Today would still use 2
lights, but the 10D or something similar should be sufficient if you
have good technique.