Originally posted by SNAG
You have a point there...
A photographer has relatively low variable cost (the costs of the film + developing), since the fixed cost (the camera equipment) is already there.... even without any production (shooting photos)
And to a photographer, besides the variable cost of the film + developing, maybe another one would be the time and effort spent into the photoshoot (but that's kinda intangible)...
So he/she would be able to charge a lower price, as long he/she can cover at least his/her variable costs right?
This analysis is getting interesting...
Consider this. For a typical wedding, 10 rolls are typically required. Assuming the photographer chooses to use pro film like NPH 400 for the entire wedding, and develop them at $0.40 per 4R + $3.50 developing fee. Total cost will be :
( $6.80 (NPH) + (36*0.4+$3.50) ) * 10 rolls
= ( $6.80 + $17.90 ) * 10
= $247.00
Suppose our photographer does not have a car and travels to and from the couple's place and hotel via cab. Assuming all the travel expenses is $50.
Our cost now goes to nearly $300, so let's just take it as $300 for ease of calculation.
Now, if the photographer shoots the morning ceremony from say, 6am to 1pm, and the banquet at 6:00pm to 11pm, total hours spent will be 12 hours.
Here comes the interesting part.
A: If he charges $500, he earns only $200 for the 12 hours. That comes up to only about $17 per hour.
B: If he charges $800, he earns $500 for the 12 hours, which comes up to about $42 an hour.
A typical tutor probably earns more than scenario A, and the tutor probably has a lot less stress teaching a student than a wedding photographer who has to deliver good prints at the end of the day.
And we have not even factored in album cost, and the time taken to edit and do up the album for the wedding couple.
Or you may say, well, okay, let's use normal film as opposed to pro film. The last time I checked, Fuji Superia XTRA 400 costs $10 for 3 rolls.
So, our cost will be:
( $3.30 + (36*0.4+$3.50) ) * 10 rolls
= ( $3.30 + $17.90 ) * 10
= $212.00
Which doesn't make the profit a lot better. Unless you go all out and use really cheap film, and process at a really cheap lab.
So ask yourself, is it really worth it charging that kind of money just to get the job?
Regards
CK