kiwi2:
I agree. In fact, in Singapore or not, it's unrealistic to assume that being rich equates to spending more money on any specific type of goods, photography or otherwise. There's a danger of over-generalization.
But that's the risk of any type of generalization. And any generalizations can be contextualized and debunked, as illustrated by yourself. This particular generalization on high end photography is no different.
However, it is not unrealistic to assume that having a high percentage of the rich should translate to a proportionately higher (which in the case of Singapore, doesn't) willingness and ability to spend more on any type of commodity, photography or otherwise.
In my most humble opinion, the very fact that '8k' is a ceiling, is because the majority sees that as a ceiling. Some of the reasons brought up by yourself and others. Valid and logical reasons, no less. But it's an imaginary ceiling. This ceiling can be pushed. In the case of Singapore where the high end is able and willing to pay for higher priced photography, the fixation on a 'realistic pricing' only serves to limit the potential for growth. My argument and point of view applies to any industry.
The rich are already paying the highest prices in the world for a variety of goods and services, some of them would have been deemed illogical in the past.
Yes, I definitely see your point.
As you mentioned, I think the upper ceiling can be pushed. I think the higher end photographers have been doing it along the years. Slow but they are moving. In fact, I didn't even know it's 8k now. The last I heard 1-2 years ago, it was 5-6k.
So I don't see that as a challenge for these photographers. Unless they want to quickly charge like above $10k in a few short months. That will be unrealistic.
The big challenge I feel is having every photographer from the low to mid to high ends all moving together in price.
And that's why I gave the reasons of the perception of weddings here, and how a typical Singapore wedding is like that affect your asking price.
I'd like to give egs again here. Cos I feel with egs, people will appreciate the situation better.
As I've mentioned earlier, how do a local couple look at weddings? Sure, some want the best photographer, the best albums. But the meaning they attach to a wedding is very different from Western couples (I use Western cos photogs are generally paid higher than our local ones).
Their weddings can be super grand. Some of them live in very beautiful big houses with large gardens which our local semi D can definitely not match. Many of their guests wear nice jackets and tuxedos, the bridesmaid are all decked out in their beautifully designed gowns. Their cars are not the usual Mercs you find here. They have Bentleys and Rolls Royces. And they get married in super beautiful churches that none here can compare with.
Now, if you ask me, I'd say paying the photographer $12k, heck make it $15k makes sense. The photographer himself is also dressed very smartly in tie, jacket, no less. Everyone and everything looks classy. The price of the deco matches the price of the photographer.
Moreover like I mentioned, photos are more treasured over there cos many of these children have not met their parents for a long time. And after they get married, they could live thousand of miles away and who knows when they will see their loved ones again. Weddings are possibly the only time every loved ones get together for one last time.
Now back in Singapore. Our climate is so warm. Guests are not well-dressed. Even the activities can look frivolous. I dunno about you guys, but when I see all those crazy gate crashes, guests who dress in plain shirts or even T-shirts, mundane customary tea ceremonies, plain churches with boring 4 white walls, etc.... The price of a $12k photographer just doesn't match the occasion. No matter how good his skills are.
And the meaning attached to photos is not as strong as those overseas. Married couples here can always visit their parents and loved ones any time -- darn, Singapore is so small.
So overall, the perception and expectation one attaches to a photo is definitely not as strong. They just want memories which does not necessarily mean you got to get the higher charging photographers. Many mid ranged ones can do the job very well.
You would need super strong valid reasons to charge the couples a lot. Anyway, it's so easy to get other photographers who are willing to do a good job for less price. You may choose to increase your price by 1-2k this very instant. But couples, rich ones included, are not dumb. They know they can find cheaper ones of the same standard as you. So why not? They won't throw their money away so easily even though $10k may be peanuts to them.
This is a photo forum so I do admit photographers here do have a tendency to be biased towards themselves. Now put yourself in the shoes of couples who are not rich. Why not we argue there are many other countries with talented photographers and they charge much less. Why should our photographers here charge so much higher than them?
Therein lies also the consideration of the standards of living. To me, it's quite expensive to live in Singapore, definitely a lot more expensive than our ASEAN neighbours. So we can't sell services as cheaply as them. But we are not in the same league as those in the West or Europe. So naturally, things there generally cost more.
That's why I emphasize you need to take into consideration the culture. Naturally, everyone wants more $$$.
Just some digression... The way I see wedding photography here, I think it's so darn crazy. The photographer will have to wake up super early to be at the bride's home by unearthly times like 5am. They literally have to run around, snap snap snap, be called to snap boring ceremonies, then before they could even take a good breather, it's time to leave again at 5pm and prepare for the dinner. And everything ends only by super late 11pm.
After all these crazy movements and rushing around, many photographers say how much they "enjoy" the weddings. How nice the couples are. How this and that. Everything sounds so nice. Honestly, with all the rushing, the terrible heat and humidity here, the lack of sleep, the backbreaking tasks to carry out, how can anyone enjoy?
Therefore, I think the only way you can put on such a front is when you are duly paid a good sum of $$$. So I certainly understand why so many pros right now always argue for a higher ceiling. Unfortunately..... as I said, things are not as simple as it sounds. Consider the culture, situation and perception of photography here!