Photo studios profit from weddings
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.