Charge what you think your photos are worth. If your photos are worth nothing, charge nothing. If they are worth $25 or $50, charge that. I have a good friend who shoots wedding full-time: His clients spend an average of $5,000 per wedding. His photos are worth every penny. Mine aren’t worth that, so I don’t charge that.

The great thing about our free market system is that is relies on a wide range of buyers and sellers. Amateur photographers and people who are hungry for business help to keep downward pressure on prices, and that’s a good thing.

What you should never do is misrepresent yourself and your experience. The first wedding I shot I did for free and was totally up front with “the client”–a very good friend–that we were nothing near “professional.” They loved their pictures. The next two weddings were dirt cheap, but same story. We never claimed we would knock their socks off with our work. But as our skills (and equipment investment) grew, our prices increased, and they will continue to do so. They key to stay honest with yourself and with the people you photograph. They should always have a good grasp of just how skilled–or unskilled–you are.

Scott’s best point is that you should never ruin someone’s wedding with poor photography. My full time job is also covering high-pressure events (video, not photos), so I’m used to “Once in a Lifetime.” Weddings are tricky, and they do take practice.

But if you do portraits and family sessions and stuff where there’s a second chance, you should charge in keeping with your skill level.

By the way, what camera / lenses are shooting with? Do you have a website or Flickr feed with photos?