Who pays for photographer's travel expenses?

[monicaswave]

One of my FI good friend from college is a professional photographer and has agreed to be our photographer for the wedding. He didn't volunteer but since I like his work very much we asked him to be our photographer. My FI was thinking of covering his travel expenses in exchange of his work but I don't think that may be enough. I was telling him that most of the time you hire a vendor that requires to travel you must pay for their travel expenses plus their services. We know his buddy will give us a discount for his work but at the same time I don't want to feel like we are taking advantage of him. Do you think that paying for his travel expenses is enough as an exchange for his work?

[gkashmira]

I think it depends on how close you are to him. Normally DW photographers charge a fee plus travel expenses. I guess it depends on how much he'd like to go to Playa del Carmen! If he hasn't done any DWs in the past he MAY welcome the chance to shoot one so he can include it in his portfolio.

 

I really think it depends on how close you are to him - if he is a super close friend then he might do it because you are such good friends. However if you guys aren't that close I would be nervous that this offer may be construed negatively.

[Nic Dragomire]

My opinion may be slanted because I am a photog, but in a word, no.

 

I would think that if your FI's good friend makes a living at photography then you would need to pay for his travel as well as his photography fee.

 

would FI's friend be going to the wedding if he wasn't the photog?

you also need to consider how much work dw's are from a photogs stand point. Could FI's friend stay home that weekend and shoot another wedding? making the same amount of $.

 

just things to consider...

 

~ nic

[Alyssa]

i think those are really good points Nic. it is really so variable based on the relationship your FI has with him.

[LCBride2007]

like others have said - it really does depend. if he was going to come anyway, and has now offered to shoot your wedding while he's there, covering his expenses may be a great deal for all involved. but typically you do pay for the travel plus the fee for his work - so unless he's really doing this for a vacation and to build his portfolio, i think you may need to pay a little more. i'd suggest talking to your friend to see what he has in mind before it gets too complicated!

[Maura]

did you get his ratesheet before asking him to shoot your wedding? has money even been mentioned?

 

I have to agree with nic here...

[rodent]

I agree with all the advice so far. It really does depend on so many things. What's his website? I love looking at photographer's website. Oh, wait maybe that's not a good idea because then he'll find the forum once you post it & read this thread. PM me the website if you don't mind I'm a photo whore.

[Bride010101]

I also agree it really depends on your relationship.

 

Early on in our wedding planning we were going to have one of FI's friends be our photographer... and we were debating the same thing. He was already planning on coming and upfront offered to do it completely free of charge. FI and I were going to help pay his travel expenses and then buy him a nice gift or treat him to some excursions while we were down there.

 

Long story short... he ended up becoming a groomsman and I was extremely lucky to win the wonderful photography services of Nic (thanks again Nic!) through a BDW contest... so we never had to come to a final decision on how to handle it.

 

Sorry... I guess that may not be very helpful. But I guess I would just evaluate your relationship with him and have your FI talk to him about it.

[amyh]

Have you asked him to put together a "package" for you.

[sweet raisins]

My friend is a professional photographer and I'm paying for the airplane, the room and $650 for his services. He usually charges about $3000 for everything but he's also doing an engagement session for free. Plus, he will be taking unlimited amount of pictures for the 3 days that he is there.