It's a shame because it always seems like video is the LAST thing couples think about. They have no problem paying 4k for a photographer, but 2500 for a videographer is too much? *sigh* I get it, things are tough, but it's deflating :(
@@AurelianIrimia I don't deny the amount of work photographers do for weddings. But the work WE do. The post processing exceeds any other wedding vendor IMHO.
I know that the “video guy” is the easiest thing to cut from a wedding budget. Nobody feels like we are a must have, or most don’t think we are a must have but a nicety. I’ve lowered pricing to at least be enticing enough to get some work. 😭😭
I blame the Facebook groups where a bride would inquire for a videographer and nearly over 100 replies within an hour offering to do it for way below the price.
Photographer here...dylankylephotography... definitely seen a huge drop off in bookings for 2024. I have ZERO... In 2022 I had 37. This year isn't as bad as it started as I keep getting a lot of last-minute bookings, aka 2-3 months out., which for photos is last min, currently sitting with 20 for 2023, but in my area, central coast of CA, and I know everyone always says to not say this, but my are is SO saturated with so many new photographers and videographers and their lower price points seem to appeal to the clients. It feels like the lockdown times gave so many people a chance to explore their hobby into a career and I've seen the effects of it in my area.
The last minute booking thing is stresssfulllll! I am just ready for things to go back to normal but idk when that time will be. The market I fear is just going to continue to be saturated and we will need to continue to elevate our brands in order to stand out stay relevant. These are dark times
I saw the Instagram reel for this episode, and man I've been in this spot of thinking I'm the problem. But geez we are living in rough times, and being in year 3 where I thought I'd be growing so much, all growth has halted.
It can be really discouraging but we are going to look back and these days and either be proud or disappointed with how we managed this downtime. I personally think as long as we are growing in education and perfecting our craft, we are winning in the long-term. Keep pushing bro! 💪 we got this
If you are in a slow month you could always try to reach the couples who need last-minute bookings with a "Season of Suck" sale and offer a discount. 😂 In all seriousness I have filled up some of my empty weekends by going back to couples who told me "no" initially to full day coverage but I go back and offer fewer coverage hours for less money and many of them have been receptive to that concept. Best of luck... Literally EVERYONE is struggling in some way right now. 🙏
Bookings have slowed down, I have 103 weddings this year and June I haven't had 1 booking because people are taking their time and shopping around for the best price. I have 30 booked already for 2024.
I’ve had to lower pricing. Rather stay busy than not be busy at all. I don’t take it as a slight sometimes you just have to change with the market. I did it as a discount percentage off promotion off normal rate to show a value and i was able to pick up more bookings
I’ve been debating whether or not to do the same but keep choosing to stay firm with my pricing. However, I do have a day job helping sustain me so I am firm believer that you have to do what you have to do to put food on the table.
17 is still a great number! I agree with you on the late bookings, that has definitely been a trend this year because couples aren't as pressured as they were the last few years.
The relevance of a video is limited to social media. And we, wedding videographer, produce content for our own platforms but not products for clients social media profiles.
True, the benefit of weddings is the ability to produce multiple pieces of content on our social media for promoting our brands to the masses and newly engaged.
Received 26 email enquires for wedding photography & video last month and not even one reply back….. still shocked at this. previous months used to book 2-5 weddings a month. people are tight tight on a budget… Wedding photographer from Sydney, Australia. Price $4800-$6000.
I feel your pain.. that’s where I feel a change is needed, maybe a restructure of my packages or how I approach the sales process overall idk. A decrease in pricing seems like the last resort.. because inflation affects us just like everyone else and if we are lowering our prices we end up breaking even at the end of the day
It's a shame because it always seems like video is the LAST thing couples think about.
They have no problem paying 4k for a photographer, but 2500 for a videographer is too much? *sigh*
I get it, things are tough, but it's deflating :(
The same here in Spain! Is ok 2k for one photographer but is too expensive 1k for 2 videographers…🤨
@@AurelianIrimia I don't deny the amount of work photographers do for weddings. But the work WE do. The post processing exceeds any other wedding vendor IMHO.
I feel this. It’s frustrating.
Great, honest conversation. Dropping prices is definitely not the way to go, so thank you for putting that out there!
I know that the “video guy” is the easiest thing to cut from a wedding budget. Nobody feels like we are a must have, or most don’t think we are a must have but a nicety. I’ve lowered pricing to at least be enticing enough to get some work. 😭😭
I blame the Facebook groups where a bride would inquire for a videographer and nearly over 100 replies within an hour offering to do it for way below the price.
Facebook groups have certainly gotten wild with the referrals.
true.
Photographer here...dylankylephotography... definitely seen a huge drop off in bookings for 2024. I have ZERO... In 2022 I had 37. This year isn't as bad as it started as I keep getting a lot of last-minute bookings, aka 2-3 months out., which for photos is last min, currently sitting with 20 for 2023, but in my area, central coast of CA, and I know everyone always says to not say this, but my are is SO saturated with so many new photographers and videographers and their lower price points seem to appeal to the clients. It feels like the lockdown times gave so many people a chance to explore their hobby into a career and I've seen the effects of it in my area.
The last minute booking thing is stresssfulllll! I am just ready for things to go back to normal but idk when that time will be. The market I fear is just going to continue to be saturated and we will need to continue to elevate our brands in order to stand out stay relevant. These are dark times
I saw the Instagram reel for this episode, and man I've been in this spot of thinking I'm the problem. But geez we are living in rough times, and being in year 3 where I thought I'd be growing so much, all growth has halted.
It can be really discouraging but we are going to look back and these days and either be proud or disappointed with how we managed this downtime. I personally think as long as we are growing in education and perfecting our craft, we are winning in the long-term. Keep pushing bro! 💪 we got this
Thanks for this. No one really talks about this. Very encouraging.
They definitely aren’t! Thanks for watching friend!
Insightful! I needed to hear this! Thank you for being so honest and human. I had to go back and add to this comment!
Thank you so much! Means a ton to hear this! Appreciate you!
If you are in a slow month you could always try to reach the couples who need last-minute bookings with a "Season of Suck" sale and offer a discount. 😂 In all seriousness I have filled up some of my empty weekends by going back to couples who told me "no" initially to full day coverage but I go back and offer fewer coverage hours for less money and many of them have been receptive to that concept. Best of luck... Literally EVERYONE is struggling in some way right now. 🙏
Bookings have slowed down, I have 103 weddings this year and June I haven't had 1 booking because people are taking their time and shopping around for the best price. I have 30 booked already for 2024.
103 weddings wow.
I’ve had to lower pricing. Rather stay busy than not be busy at all. I don’t take it as a slight sometimes you just have to change with the market. I did it as a discount percentage off promotion off normal rate to show a value and i was able to pick up more bookings
I’ve been debating whether or not to do the same but keep choosing to stay firm with my pricing.
However, I do have a day job helping sustain me so I am firm believer that you have to do what you have to do to put food on the table.
I only had 17 weddings this year. I was hoping to hit 25 but I’m not mad. I think we will have some late bookings.
17 is still a great number! I agree with you on the late bookings, that has definitely been a trend this year because couples aren't as pressured as they were the last few years.
I totally agree, last year I had over 30 weddings, I’m not doing that again lol
@Myron Hill what's your price range?
The relevance of a video is limited to social media. And we, wedding videographer, produce content for our own platforms but not products for clients social media profiles.
True, the benefit of weddings is the ability to produce multiple pieces of content on our social media for promoting our brands to the masses and newly engaged.
Received 26 email enquires for wedding photography & video last month and not even one reply back….. still shocked at this. previous months used to book 2-5 weddings a month. people are tight tight on a budget…
Wedding photographer from Sydney, Australia. Price $4800-$6000.
I feel your pain.. that’s where I feel a change is needed, maybe a restructure of my packages or how I approach the sales process overall idk. A decrease in pricing seems like the last resort.. because inflation affects us just like everyone else and if we are lowering our prices we end up breaking even at the end of the day