One of the biggest fears in the wedding videography industry is pricing.

It seems simple. It doesn’t seem like rocket science.

I know there are a ton of other fears to worry about in this industry, but pricing is a big one. Fear is a terrible trait that lives in all of us. There are several questions a wedding videographer has to ask him or herself when considering pricing changes.

Is it ever a good time to do that? How do I know it’s time? How do I even know what to take increase them to?

I have been in the wedding videography industry for 5 years, and I still ask myself these questions every year. Some vendors raise their prices 10% a year. (Some have told me that.) Every year I ask myself what are some signs that I can look for to tell me it’s time to take the leap. Wedding videography is an industry I love, but like most, I want to feel I am getting paid what I am worth. If you have ever wondered when is a good time to take up your prices, here are a few reasons:

Have you upgraded your gear?

Gear is a first indication for me. I try to upgrade my gear yearly. The wedding videography field is constantly growing and evolving. I am not saying change your cameras and lenses every year, but you can never have too much gear. You may need a better low light aperture lens for receptions. You may want to make the move to 4k. Either way, if you make significant equipment upgrades, this is the first sign to consider changing your pricing.

Is it too easy to book your current price?

When it is time to book a client, if you find yourself booking your pricing fairly easy, that is a clear sign you can move up to a new bracket. It either means you are too cheap or the industry average has gone up. The average goes up every year. Once again, the wedding videography industry is constantly growing. Your current prices are based off the industry rates anyway, might as well continue keeping an eye on them.

Has your work improved?

I spend countless hours educating myself on different ways to improve my work. Everyone can grow. I believe hard work and dedication will lead to improvement in the wedding videography world. Floyd Mayweather thought me that. If you watch your films from a year before and see difference in your style or how you shoot, then you have another sign to increase.

Increasing prices in wedding videography is not something I feel you will ever feel comfortable doing, but when you can successfully say yes to all three of the questions I have asked, then you are on the right path to take you prices up a notch. Don’t let fear keep you from finding your worth.

Chan + Chris | A Rose By Any Other Name from Intellect Media Productions on Vimeo.