Photo studios profit from weddings
By K. Basrie
JAKARTA (JP): A wedding ceremony without a photographer is rare, especially in big cities.
In remote areas, a pocket camera borrowed from a next-door neighbor is usually enough to document the meaningful moments of one's life. The quality and the artistic touch of the prints is not so important. The newlyweds do not have to hire a professional photographer, and need only pay for the film processing.
However, things are different in big cities, where some people have more artistic inclinations. There are many bridal photo services offered, ranging from simple to state-of-the-art wedding albums.
The gear used by photographers differs and depends on what the couple can afford. An amateur wedding photographer working with a standard SLR camera and a simple flash would set his price at around Rp 50,000 for a standard album that would include 24 to 36 photos in the 3R size. Discounts are often given for orders of two or more albums.
But professionals have much different rates.
A photographer from Jakarta's Tarzan Bridal Photo Salon would charge Rp 1,350,000 for a standard package of three albums.
"We have two prices for taking pictures at weddings, that is Rp 450,000 and Rp 550,000 per album, but the minimum order is three albums," said Ainy, an employee at the photo studio.
To have the photos taken at Tarzan's studio on Jl. KH Hasyim Ashari, Central Jakarta, the price would range from between Rp 500,000 and Rp 650,000 for 10 prints in the 10R size.
"All of the prints are water- and scratch-proof," Ainy said.
Wedding gowns and coats are also available for couples who want to wear them for photo sessions and have between Rp 1 million and Rp 3 million to spend. "It depends on the attire they choose," said Ainy.
Tarzan's rates are similar to those at other photo studios in Jakarta.
According to Lia, an employee at Tarzan's competitor, King's Bridal Photo Salon, her studio charges between Rp 550,000 and Rp 900,000 for an album of 10 10R-size prints.
"The minimum order is three albums," she said, adding that couples who want to have their pictures taken at the studio and use its attire have to pay extra.
Studios in other cities set their prices more according to the buying power of the locals.
At the Johny Gazally Desmonda bridal salon in Surabaya, East Java, the rate is Rp 1 million for 200 4R-size prints and 20 10R- size prints.
"An exclusive album package of 20 10R-size prints costs Rp 1,250,000," said Tia, from the bridal salon.
The New York House of Beauty offers a Rp 2.2 million package, which includes make-up, in-studio photography and 12 10R-size prints, said Amy, an employee at the studio.
"A free bunch of flowers will be given to the bride that she can hold while being photographed," Amy said.
Hiring only a photographer is no longer common for well-to-do couples now that many bridal salons in big cities offer packages which include the photos, the attire, the make-up and the rental of a car to be used on the wedding day. The most expensive packages, some of which include meals and a return ticket for a honeymoon overseas, can cost up to a billion rupiah.
But good wedding pictures are no guarantee that a marriage will last longer than the scratch-proof prints. Sometimes, before the prints have even been developed, the newlyweds have already found something to quarrel about.