Weddings and the economy

Vincent Croce · February 6th, 2009, 09:29 PM

All of my clients love my work, so I was getting plenty of it, but because I was charging too little for the time and care I put into each one, I decided to not do any more weddings. Then the sister of one of my clients was getting married. She shopped around and said she couldn't find anyone to do work like mine. She asked me if I'd reconsider and do her wedding and offered me 3k for what I had been charging 1850 for. I realized that even that wasn't covering my time so I agreed to 'come out of retirement' for 3500 and have no time contraints on the completion of the project, which she quickly accepted. I now offer only one wedding package instead of 3, and will keep my price at 3500 with no time contraints. I'm much happier to do even just a couple of weddings a year this way.

Jason Magbanua · February 6th, 2009, 10:19 PM

2009 is pretty solid, it's 2010 I'm watching.

The Filipinos love their weddings and being 3rd world, the economy and outlook is ALWAYS bad. Maybe that's why we're kinda relaxed with the whole global recession thing.

That said, I'm closely guarding my OCWs (Overseas Contract Workers) client base - Nurses, Doctors, IT professionals etc.

Whereas it was an easy decision before to go home and have that grand wedding they've been saving up for, now they're dollars go for a lot less than two years ago.

I've been told that London has been pretty hard hit and my the IT firms in Singapore have been laying off people en masse.

Let's see.

Dana Salsbury · February 7th, 2009, 08:54 PM

We've had three no-call-no-shows in the last two weeks. We haven't had any before. Now we have to do a strict confirmation process so my wife and I don't waste our time. It's a desperate couple that doesn't even value common courtesy, thinking of nobody but themselves, and it's utterly shameful that anyone would stand you up with your talent, Travis.

The Southwest has the most foreclosures of any part of the US. Our company is doing okay, but everybody is wheeling & dealing. I feel like I'm selling used cars from the calls I get. Our price cut was to skip our annual price increase.

Don, someday they'll stop calling us vide-O-graphers. Someday.

Brian Luce · February 7th, 2009, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Magbanua

That said, I'm closely guarding my OCWs (Overseas Contract Workers) client base - Nurses, Doctors, IT professionals etc.

Let's see.

Hey Jason, overseas airfares have had sharp increases. I'm not sure how it works but somehow the airlines locked in fuel prices when oil shares peaked. I'd expect that to impact Balikbayans and OCW's some where down the line. Start attending ChiFi events!

February 6th, 2009, 09:29 PM	#16
Vincent Croce Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 263	one package, more realistic price All of my clients love my work, so I was getting plenty of it, but because I was charging too little for the time and care I put into each one, I decided to not do any more weddings. Then the sister of one of my clients was getting married. She shopped around and said she couldn't find anyone to do work like mine. She asked me if I'd reconsider and do her wedding and offered me 3k for what I had been charging 1850 for. I realized that even that wasn't covering my time so I agreed to 'come out of retirement' for 3500 and have no time contraints on the completion of the project, which she quickly accepted. I now offer only one wedding package instead of 3, and will keep my price at 3500 with no time contraints. I'm much happier to do even just a couple of weddings a year this way. __________________ Vin First Take Studios

February 7th, 2009, 08:54 PM	#18
Dana Salsbury Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 859	We've had three no-call-no-shows in the last two weeks. We haven't had any before. Now we have to do a strict confirmation process so my wife and I don't waste our time. It's a desperate couple that doesn't even value common courtesy, thinking of nobody but themselves, and it's utterly shameful that anyone would stand you up with your talent, Travis. The Southwest has the most foreclosures of any part of the US. Our company is doing okay, but everybody is wheeling & dealing. I feel like I'm selling used cars from the calls I get. Our price cut was to skip our annual price increase. Don, someday they'll stop calling us vide-O-graphers. Someday. __________________ www.LegacyHDV.com Weddings \| Corporate \| HMC150s \| FCPX \| Encore \| Lion

February 6th, 2009, 10:19 PM	#17
Jason Magbanua Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Manila Posts: 317	2009 is pretty solid, it's 2010 I'm watching. The Filipinos love their weddings and being 3rd world, the economy and outlook is ALWAYS bad. Maybe that's why we're kinda relaxed with the whole global recession thing. That said, I'm closely guarding my OCWs (Overseas Contract Workers) client base - Nurses, Doctors, IT professionals etc. Whereas it was an easy decision before to go home and have that grand wedding they've been saving up for, now they're dollars go for a lot less than two years ago. I've been told that London has been pretty hard hit and my the IT firms in Singapore have been laying off people en masse. Let's see.