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Friend Photographer - Pay?

snowflake343snowflake343 member
First Comment
in Wedding Photography and Videography Forum
I'm having my friend be a backup photographer for my wedding. I'm still hiring a pro since she's never done it before, but I know that I like her style and you can never have too many wedding pictures. (Especially when you're obsessed with photoshop like I am. ;) ) Anyways, are there any suggestions as to how much I should pay her? I'd ideally like to have her come to the rehearsal the night before and cover that too, and hopefully have her taking pictures starting at the very beginning with the hair appointment on the day of. I don't know if that's too long to ask her to cover, though. (Though she doesn't live in town so I don't know that she'd be doing anything else anyways.) I don't want her to feel like I'm taking advantage of her or anything like that. (Suggestions on that too?) For her to get to the wedding location, it's either an 11-hour car ride or a $450 plane ticket, if you think that should affect how much I pay her. Is there a tactful way to request part of it as her gift to us? Ideally I'd like to pay her whatever, but my budget is kind of limited, so I'm trying to find a medium between her still feeling appreciated and not undervalued and me not going broke. I'm open to any and all ideas. =\

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
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Re: Friend Photographer - Pay?

  • photogbride12photogbride12 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Is your friend a professional with pro equipment or not? That's the biggest factor in what you should pay.

    Also, most pros have an exclusivity clause in their contract to prevent this sort of thing, so make sure that's not the case and that your primary photographer knows about this person ahead of time and is ok with it. Many will not be.

    And no, there's not a tactful way to ask a friend to travel a long way and work at your wedding and gift it to you. It really should be up to her to offer that.
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  • snowflake343snowflake343 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    She's currently in school to be an art teacher (dunno if photography specifically or not). I know she has a nice camera, but I don't know if it is "professional" quality or not. As far as I know, she doesn't do formal/official photography, but I know she wants to. That's part of the reason I asked her to do this, so she can add it to her portfolio.

    I also talked to my other photographer already and she's okay with it.
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  • utegogglesutegoggles member
    500 Comments Second Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    I'd ask her what she charges. If she says nothing, then I'd say a gift card and a bottle of wine or $200 or so?
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    100 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I would say 400-500 dollars for her time and appreciation.
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  • CherandAlCherandAl
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    How good a friend is this? Would she be coming to the wedding even if she weren't going to be taking pictures for you?
    Just to be on the safe side, because hiring friends is so tricky, I would talk everything out with her in advance and get the agreement in writing if possible. Also, make sure you talk about the extra times you'd like her there and see if that's ok with her.
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  • snowflake343snowflake343 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Probably not, if for no other reason than the distance. We used to be best friends and then she moved away and we kind of fell out of touch a few years ago.
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  • angybanezangybanez member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Ask her for her fee. Tell her you want to pay for her time at the rehearsal, wedding and all her work editing/processing pictures after the wedding. $400-$500 is definitely reasonable and if she goes lower than that then pay her minimum the above amount. If she came to you to build her portfolio then there's leeway, but ifi you came to her then definitely need to compensate her for her time, effort, work and skill.

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  • cmp1986cmp1986 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree with PP. Just ask her what she charges.
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  • snowflake343snowflake343 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    She said that she had no idea and that it was "definitely a good thing to think about."
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  • Jaime E.Jaime E. member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Listen to photogbride12 and if you haven't already talked to the professional you hired, make sure this is okay. Most professionals have clauses in their contracts to prevent other photographers from shooting at the wedding. 


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