Oh, wedding photography—where you get to be an artist, therapist, family wrangler, and timeline whisperer, all while trying to convince people that your prices aren’t just random numbers you pulled out of a hat. Yet here we are, with so many talented photographers pricing their work as though they’re running a charity. Why? Because somewhere along the way, we all started believing the lie that charging what you’re worth makes you greedy or out of reach. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.
Let’s be real. Wedding photographers often feel like they’re auditioning for a role they’ve already been cast in. Clients say they just love your style but then flinch when they see the price. Cue the awkward pause, the nervous laughter, and the inevitable discount you didn’t even mean to offer. Sound familiar? Don’t worry—it’s not just you. But it’s time to quit selling yourself short. Seriously.
As a mentor for wedding photographers, I am going to why wedding photographers undercharge and how to stop selling yourself short!
How to Stop Selling Yourself Short
- Why Photographers Keep Lowballing Their Worth
- Know Your Worth and Charge Like It
- Stop Undervaluing Yourself and Start Charging Right
Why Photographers Keep Lowballing Their Worth
Oh, the undercharging epidemic—a condition that seems to afflict wedding photographers at an alarming rate. It starts innocently enough: you’re new, excited, and just want someone—anyone—to book you. So, you slap on a price tag that barely covers gas money and a post-wedding burger, thinking, Once I get more experience, I’ll charge more. Fast forward five years, and you’re still stuck in that same pricing rut, wondering why your bank account looks like it’s been ghosted.
Let’s talk about the biggest culprit: guilt. Somewhere along the way, wedding photographers decided they should feel bad about charging real money for their talent. It’s just a few hours of work, they tell themselves, conveniently ignoring the weeks of editing, the hours spent managing timelines, the cost of gear, and oh yeah, the fact that this is their actual job, not a hobby they’re dabbling in between yoga classes.
Then there’s the comparison trap. You peek at someone else’s pricing, see they’re charging less, and think, Well, I can’t charge more than that! It’s a race to the bottom, and guess what’s waiting at the finish line? Burnout, frustration, and the sinking realization that exposure doesn’t pay the mortgage.
And let’s not forget the fear of scaring off clients. Heaven forbid someone sees your price and decides you’re not for them! So, instead of charging what you’re worth, you lowball yourself into oblivion, hoping no one notices that your prices barely cover your Netflix subscription.
Know Your Worth and Charge Like It
Let’s get one thing straight: your work is worth more than a lukewarm Nice pics! comment on Instagram. You’re not just taking a few pretty pictures while Aunt Linda awkwardly dabs in the background. You’re capturing memories—like actual, can’t-rewind-this-moment memories. You’re turning a day of chaos, questionable dance moves, and overly long speeches into something beautiful that couples will cherish forever. That’s not just a service; it’s a freaking superpower.
And let’s not ignore the sheer amount of effort it takes to do your job well. You’re spending hours editing, making sure the bride’s mascara smudge magically disappears, and the lighting looks like a dream instead of a fluorescent nightmare. Your gear alone could fund a small car, and let’s not even get started on how much of your life is spent learning, practicing, and perfecting your craft. So why, exactly, are you pricing yourself like someone who just picked up a camera yesterday?
You see, clients don’t just pay for the hours you’re physically at their wedding. They’re paying for your expertise, your vision, and your ability to deliver stunning images no matter what curveball gets thrown your way—looking at you, Uncle Bob with the iPad.
And if you want to know how to stop selling yourself short – charge what you’re worth, you attract clients who value what you bring to the table. Those are the people who trust you, respect you, and won’t haggle you down to the equivalent of minimum wage. So, stop underestimating yourself. You’re worth every penny.
Stop Undervaluing Yourself and Start Charging Right
Alright, let’s cut to the chase: if you want to stop selling yourself short, you’ve got to stop treating your prices like they’re up for negotiation at a yard sale. First, ditch the I’m new, so I can’t charge much mindset. Your time, talent, and hard work are valuable no matter how many weddings you’ve shot. Start by calculating your actual costs—gear, insurance, editing software, gas, meals, the coffee that fuels you, and, oh yeah, your talent. Spoiler: you’re probably underestimating.
Next, stop comparing your prices to every photographer within a 50-mile radius. Do they have your style? Your experience? Your dazzling ability to Photoshop Uncle Bob’s beer gut into oblivion? No? Then why are you pricing yourself like you’re a copy-paste version of them? You’re not Walmart—stop treating your prices like you’re in a race to be the cheapest option.
Speaking of options, create packages that make sense for you, not packages that cater to every single person who’s looking for a cheap photographer. Offer a base price that reflects your worth, then build from there. Oh, and for the love of all things holy, stop handing out discounts like you’re Oprah giving away cars.
Finally, practice saying this out loud: No, I can’t do it for less. It might feel awkward at first, but trust me, the confidence looks good on you. And guess what? The right clients will pay your worth without batting an eye. That is how to stop selling yourself short!
Stop Undervaluing Your Talent and Time
Now you know why wedding photographers undercharge and how to stop selling yourself short. Your work has value—serious, don’t-even-argue-with-me value. Charge what you’re worth, ditch the discount reflex, and trust that the right clients will appreciate your talent without asking for a bargain bin deal. You’re running a business, not a charity. Now, go adjust those prices like the pro you are.
Get in touch with me today to discuss wedding photography mentoring, with me.
