How much to pay my photographer?

Schneids11

Hi,
My photographer is a guest at my weding and is flying in from New Zealand for the event. When I asked what she would charge, she just said for me to research what other photographers in the area charge and pay her that amount.
It is SUCH a huge variance though!

This is where I need your opinions: how much are you paying for your photographer so that I know a fair rate for her. I don't want her to feel ripped off but I also don't want to be ridiculous with what I offer.

Thanks,
Erin

brobin01

eeek..that's a good question. What is she offering you? How long is she taking pictures? Is she just going to give you the pics on a memory card? A high res cd? A photo album? Or just upload them online? These are things we need to know in order to offer you any suggestions.

thecatsfancy

Is she a professional photographer in New Zealand? 

boogerbearoriginal

Ditto Brandi - and also, how long has she been doing this? Is she a professional photographer or a talented hobbiest? 

Francesvm

Wow....yeah, there is a HUGE range. My FI and I have a similar situation in that our photographer is flying to Japan to do our engagement pics. We are paying his airfare, hotel, food, etc. while he is here and in exchange we will be receiving a TON of free stuff we would normally have to pay for in exchange. Thats just what we worked out though. If your photographer is a professional photographer in New Zealand, I would check and see what they normally charge for a wedding and base your payment on that. If you are still unable to come up with a fair number, I would contact them and say the variation of Metro Detroit photographers is like $1200-$10,000 and so, it's very difficult to just pick an amount to give them. Did you have a certain amount budgeted you could go over with them and maybe talk about what you would receive for that budgeted amount??? Thats a tough one, I hope you get it worked out :0)

Schambli11

Is she a family friend who would come to the wedding regardless? or are you also expected to cover her airfare etc.

Schneids11

Just to follow up, she is a great hobbyist but is also shadowing a professional wedding photographer in NZ and has shot many events on her own. She has a nice website made and a great portfolio. She is a friend of the family who would come to the wedding anyway.

 I asked how much she would like to charge and she just told me to do my own research and she would take whatever I paid her.

I don't want her to make me a book or anything fancy. I just want the photos as a file  and I will take them to a printer, etc...

Did any of you pay a photographer to do just this or did you all order prints through yours?

Thanks for the help!
Erin

mordacious

That's a tough one. Our photographer is $2300 for 8 hours, two photographers and a disc of all pics. No albums or anything. If she was already planning on coming I'd say maybe $800? I would at least try to cover her flight.

Schneids11

Thanks for your advice, ladies. I think I will pay her $1200.