"Our video budget depends on what's left after we hire our photographer ..." at DVinfo.net

Kren Barnes · February 9th, 2011, 04:59 PM

How many of you guys have experienced / heard this before? A couple of prospects we met this year stated this during our meeting even after being impressed with our work...even after trying to seek a reasonable compromise, i finally had to refuse the jobs. fortunately we have the privilege of refusing clients given that we can only do 10 weddings a year..... I wonder though how much longer do video have to be in the "pricing mercy" of photographers?

Michael Simons · February 9th, 2011, 05:03 PM

got an email 3 minutes ago from a bride stating this..

Susanto Widjaja · February 9th, 2011, 06:23 PM

We used to get something like :

"we spent so much on our photographers that we haven't got much left for our video"

but we don't get those anymore. We even sometimes get something like this:

Us: "Have you got your photographer yet?"
couple: "Not yet"
Us: "Do you want us to recommend you some?"
couple: "yes sure but we dont want to spend a lot on photography.. videography is more important for us"

so, dont worry. things are changing. There are still people who are not valuing videography as much but there are also people who thinks otherwise. Just keep on doing great work and results will come by itself

My 2 cents :)

Santo

Craig Terott · February 9th, 2011, 06:48 PM

Allow me to interject more optimism.

Increasingly, I see my clients have compromised on the photography budget. I see more and more people referred to me placing a greater value on video. And going back to last year, I think the last 6 or 7 weddings I did in 2010, I think all those photographers were in the $1K range - my prices start at $2500.

Travis Cossel · February 9th, 2011, 07:19 PM

Kren, take heart. Sometimes it can be really tough to be in our industry, but times are definitely changing. How long until we're at the forefront of the average bride's mind? Hard to say, but I think we've got another 10 years or so. The industry has changed drastically in the past decade but it's going to take a generation for everyone else to appreciate that. Hang in there. It gets better every day.

Johannes Soetandi · February 9th, 2011, 09:37 PM

On one of my wedding job I have a couple who don't even have a photographer at all.. and on another wedding I've been, they even had 2 videographers (I was tagging along) and no photographer at all!

So I agree, the industry is changing thanks to the wonderful videographers around who have started to change the perspective of a wedding video. I am starting to meet some couple who appreciated video much more than I would've thought.

Peter Szilveszter · February 9th, 2011, 09:37 PM

In the past 6 months I have received inquiries straight after their engagement and not even a date set, when I asked have you looked at a venue,photog etc... they haven't even looked at that but came to me first asking and repeating scenarios have happened.

I think this proves that things are changing big time, but you do need to target your business at the type of clients you want.

It also really depends when they have come across your work, sometimes it is too late and they want the video but they have already way over spent and just contacting you just in case they can squeeze it in. In previous years it was just an after thought but now couples are starting to get the "Oh I am going to miss out" mentality about video which is a big change from what it was thought of as something extra to get rather then a need to get. And some will stretch their budget some wont..which is fine thats the way it works.

I think if you get a comment like that, I would say no as their priority is not on video and do not value it as much as photo which in turn wouldn't be the ideal client.

Ken Diewert · February 9th, 2011, 09:49 PM

Attitudes are definitely changing. And it's the work of higher end shooters that are pushing the change. I aspire to this myself, yet have a ways to go.

One big advantage to doing (higher end) bridal shows is that brides tend to plan waaay ahead. So it gives them a chance to look at options before committing big bucks to stills and having little left for motion.

Steve Bleasdale · February 10th, 2011, 04:34 AM

It is not changing in England, i have just lost 4 video jobs with the bride saying we have no budget left after booking the photographer, that why i have gone into photography to give both options, so if im not booked on the friday or saturday one week then i will take a photography order, hope i can mix the two...

Danny O'Neill · February 10th, 2011, 06:04 AM

I believe things are changing, were getting to work with some of our fav togs this year as couples came to us first.

Most couples dont put any value in the video at all, it really a nice to have if there is any budget left. But thats because the work out there generally pushed forward that idea. We didnt have a video when we got married because wedding videos were cheesy and boring.

We spend a lot of time trying to create a buzz with brides about the wedding film so it now becomes a must have.

Jeff Brewer · February 10th, 2011, 08:38 AM

I understand this can be frustrating and I have heard it a few times recently. However, remember this, not all brides are a good fit for you. If a bride comes to you and says that video is just an after thought or nice to have, then she probably doesn't value your video that much.

With that said, you can approach this two ways. You can try to show her the value of video and your product without sounding like a rambler or bragging or you can simply accept that this bride is not a good fit for your company and move along. Sometimes it is better to turn down a client than deal with the headache it may bring for a few measly dollars.

Be confident in your product and aim for those that value your product. It really feels good to have a bride call you and want to book you before she has even settled on a venue. Now thats feeling valued.

Edgar Vasiluk · February 10th, 2011, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Bleasdale

It is not changing in England, i have just lost 4 video jobs with the bride saying we have no budget left after booking the photographer, that why i have gone into photography to give both options, so if im not booked on the friday or saturday one week then i will take a photography order, hope i can mix the two...

I'm in the same situation Steve. It looks like England are worth affected by economic downfall...So I'm starting to offer my photography service as well, but still prefer my video service.

Wedding Videos London | Wedding Videos Essex | Wedding Videos Surrey from YouMyWorld Productions

Chris Barcellos · February 10th, 2011, 11:49 AM

I think the real issue is the expectations of the bride and her family. There is the long standing tradition of the wedding photo being displayed prominently in the home, and often almost a "shrine" to the wedding complete with photo album being set up in a nook or cranny. Seems like its part of the nesting process that occurs naturally for most. They have no desire to have monitor set up there displaying moving images. Many years down the road, the video with people live and moving will be more interesting probably, but that doesn't fit the brides present percieved need.

Noel Lising · February 10th, 2011, 12:00 PM

Have you guys ever thought of partnering up with a Photographer. I use to offer video only and I was getting killed by Studios who offers both. I always sell it as a package and it saves the Bride time dealing with 2 separate studios. 90% of my bookings are for Photo/Video package.

My 2 cents.

Chris Hurd · February 10th, 2011, 12:12 PM

That's what our studio did, back in the day. We shared our
downtown space with one of the best wedding photographers
in town. That arrangement brought in almost more work than
we could handle.

February 9th, 2011, 04:59 PM	#1
Kren Barnes Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Canada Posts: 415	"Our video budget depends on what's left after we hire our photographer ..." How many of you guys have experienced / heard this before? A couple of prospects we met this year stated this during our meeting even after being impressed with our work...even after trying to seek a reasonable compromise, i finally had to refuse the jobs. fortunately we have the privilege of refusing clients given that we can only do 10 weddings a year..... I wonder though how much longer do video have to be in the "pricing mercy" of photographers?

February 9th, 2011, 06:23 PM	#3
Susanto Widjaja Major Player Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 622	We used to get something like : "we spent so much on our photographers that we haven't got much left for our video" but we don't get those anymore. We even sometimes get something like this: Us: "Have you got your photographer yet?" couple: "Not yet" Us: "Do you want us to recommend you some?" couple: "yes sure but we dont want to spend a lot on photography.. videography is more important for us" so, dont worry. things are changing. There are still people who are not valuing videography as much but there are also people who thinks otherwise. Just keep on doing great work and results will come by itself My 2 cents :) Santo __________________ If a picture is worth a thousand words, what about motion picture? website: www.papercranes.com.au \| blog: www.weddingvideosydney.net

February 9th, 2011, 07:19 PM	#5
Travis Cossel Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,933	Kren, take heart. Sometimes it can be really tough to be in our industry, but times are definitely changing. How long until we're at the forefront of the average bride's mind? Hard to say, but I think we've got another 10 years or so. The industry has changed drastically in the past decade but it's going to take a generation for everyone else to appreciate that. Hang in there. It gets better every day. __________________ Black Label Films www.blacklabelweddingfilms.com

February 9th, 2011, 09:37 PM	#7
Peter Szilveszter Major Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Yeppoon, Queensland Posts: 332	In the past 6 months I have received inquiries straight after their engagement and not even a date set, when I asked have you looked at a venue,photog etc... they haven't even looked at that but came to me first asking and repeating scenarios have happened. I think this proves that things are changing big time, but you do need to target your business at the type of clients you want. It also really depends when they have come across your work, sometimes it is too late and they want the video but they have already way over spent and just contacting you just in case they can squeeze it in. In previous years it was just an after thought but now couples are starting to get the "Oh I am going to miss out" mentality about video which is a big change from what it was thought of as something extra to get rather then a need to get. And some will stretch their budget some wont..which is fine thats the way it works. I think if you get a comment like that, I would say no as their priority is not on video and do not value it as much as photo which in turn wouldn't be the ideal client. __________________ www.livinglens.com.au \| www.livinglens.com.au/blog

February 9th, 2011, 09:49 PM	#8
Ken Diewert Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vancouver Island, Canada Posts: 1,200	Attitudes are definitely changing. And it's the work of higher end shooters that are pushing the change. I aspire to this myself, yet have a ways to go. One big advantage to doing (higher end) bridal shows is that brides tend to plan waaay ahead. So it gives them a chance to look at options before committing big bucks to stills and having little left for motion. __________________ C100, 5DMk2, FCPX

February 9th, 2011, 05:03 PM	#2
Michael Simons Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Red Bank, NJ Posts: 553	got an email 3 minutes ago from a bride stating this..

February 9th, 2011, 06:48 PM	#4
Craig Terott Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 691	Allow me to interject more optimism. Increasingly, I see my clients have compromised on the photography budget. I see more and more people referred to me placing a greater value on video. And going back to last year, I think the last 6 or 7 weddings I did in 2010, I think all those photographers were in the $1K range - my prices start at $2500.

February 9th, 2011, 09:37 PM	#6
Johannes Soetandi Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 387	On one of my wedding job I have a couple who don't even have a photographer at all.. and on another wedding I've been, they even had 2 videographers (I was tagging along) and no photographer at all! So I agree, the industry is changing thanks to the wonderful videographers around who have started to change the perspective of a wedding video. I am starting to meet some couple who appreciated video much more than I would've thought.

February 10th, 2011, 04:34 AM	#9
Steve Bleasdale Trustee Join Date: May 2010 Location: England liverpool Posts: 1,343	It is not changing in England, i have just lost 4 video jobs with the bride saying we have no budget left after booking the photographer, that why i have gone into photography to give both options, so if im not booked on the friday or saturday one week then i will take a photography order, hope i can mix the two...

February 10th, 2011, 06:04 AM	#10
Danny O'Neill Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Northampton, UK Posts: 915	I believe things are changing, were getting to work with some of our fav togs this year as couples came to us first. Most couples dont put any value in the video at all, it really a nice to have if there is any budget left. But thats because the work out there generally pushed forward that idea. We didnt have a video when we got married because wedding videos were cheesy and boring. We spend a lot of time trying to create a buzz with brides about the wedding film so it now becomes a must have. __________________ mintyslippers.com

February 10th, 2011, 08:38 AM	#11
Jeff Brewer Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 119	I understand this can be frustrating and I have heard it a few times recently. However, remember this, not all brides are a good fit for you. If a bride comes to you and says that video is just an after thought or nice to have, then she probably doesn't value your video that much. With that said, you can approach this two ways. You can try to show her the value of video and your product without sounding like a rambler or bragging or you can simply accept that this bride is not a good fit for your company and move along. Sometimes it is better to turn down a client than deal with the headache it may bring for a few measly dollars. Be confident in your product and aim for those that value your product. It really feels good to have a bride call you and want to book you before she has even settled on a venue. Now thats feeling valued. __________________ MediaBrewer Films

February 10th, 2011, 11:49 AM	#13
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	I think the real issue is the expectations of the bride and her family. There is the long standing tradition of the wedding photo being displayed prominently in the home, and often almost a "shrine" to the wedding complete with photo album being set up in a nook or cranny. Seems like its part of the nesting process that occurs naturally for most. They have no desire to have monitor set up there displaying moving images. Many years down the road, the video with people live and moving will be more interesting probably, but that doesn't fit the brides present percieved need. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

February 10th, 2011, 12:00 PM	#14
Noel Lising Major Player Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 789	Have you guys ever thought of partnering up with a Photographer. I use to offer video only and I was getting killed by Studios who offers both. I always sell it as a package and it saves the Bride time dealing with 2 separate studios. 90% of my bookings are for Photo/Video package. My 2 cents. __________________ Noel Lising

February 10th, 2011, 12:12 PM	#15
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	That's what our studio did, back in the day. We shared our downtown space with one of the best wedding photographers in town. That arrangement brought in almost more work than we could handle. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!