Shooting first wedding in June

[DNG]

In my past life, I shoot 3-4 Weddings a month for 3 years.
I used 2 zooms.... 21-35, and 35-135. I had 2 Canon EOS 630 (5ps body)

I charged $1000.00 with included a Leather Album with 20/8x10 and 30/5x7 I netted about $450.00... I specialized in Traditional coverage.. PJ was still [advant guard] and not used too much then.

I also shot Fuji Reala 100.. (Nice Color Film)...

The biggist thing that helped out at at first, was a another Wedding Photographer (who gave me jobs after he was booked), was how to [organize] my day.

like this:
1) Bride getting ready
2) Pre-Wedding formals if available at the Church (allow 1 hour at least) Brides Side naturally.
3) Ceremony
4) Meet and greet as guests exits AND the [Fake] B/G exit.
5) Back inside with everyone except guests.. (Family 2-3 generations) for the balance of the formals
6) B/G w/minister for shots not allowed during the ceremony... Re-Staging that is.
7) Reception

Each segment has "Most Have" shots, regardless of shooting style for an overall great presentation... Take the Formals... The Bride will love you for it.

With PJ style you ADD many incidental images to mix with the Traditional. For a successful presentation. Now, your style for the Traditional is what makes it unique to you....Your Signature, if you like.

Rent a 2nd Body, 2 lenses....wide-zoom on one, and Tele-Zoom on the other...
The Flash/Bracket go on the Wide-Zoom body.

Have Fun, and talk to Bride to be a lot... Go to the church and discus angles, talk to the Minister and find out what "His/Her" photography rules are... Very Important... many DO NOT allow [Flash] during the ceremony, some, don't allow any photography during that time. In that case YOU MUST be allowed to "Re in-act" parts of it for the Album..

Enjoy

 

[Dwayneb9584]

(Dan Wagner) and everyone else, I want to first apologize for my insensitive comments that were posted. Lots of the comments posted we're completely wrong in so many ways. Assisting would definitely benefit me and make me more comfortable during the big day. Youtube has no place for becoming a professional, it's not real world experience and mentioning this was bad. I made myself look pretty stupid on here and I'm sorry if I offended anyone.

(easyrider) Thanks for the tips along with everyone else. The wedding is going to have 80 people. She hired someone to focus on family and formal images. She wanted me to be in the changing room shooting her and the bridesmaids, get shoots of the groom and grooms men. Walk to the hotel because that is where they are getting married "not sure which one yet". I read a few books on what important shots to take during weddings a few months ago, and watched a few videos on it. I completely understand that having the experience will make it all the more easier but you gotta start somewhere. I actually have send a few emails to some wedding photographers around the NYC area asking if they would consider to hire me to assist with them for free. I haven't received any responses yet though. If I do shoot this wedding I do plan to scout with the client and ask as many questions as possible and even attend a pre-rehearsal. I do plan to rent a second body. I do not plan to show up with lots of lenses. I prefer to work with prime lenses as that's what I always shot with. So I would mainly go with a 24mmL, my own 50mm 1.8, 85mm f1.2, and 135mm f2. I thought this might be enough to cover the wedding but please correct me if I am wrong. I still haven't seen the location yet. I think I should determine this after seeing it though.

As far as price. It is my first wedding and refuse to do it for free. I considered two packages which I am still working on. Listed below are ideas of what I will have included in them...

Package 1 ($800.00)
Deposit $Unknown Balance due at time of wedding

Up to 8 hours shooting time (Client just wants me for 5hrs though)
Free engagement shoot at local location of your choice.
Online gallery for 60 days available in 48 to 72 hours after the wedding. (I also build websites so I will do it).
All Post Processing Included in package.
Copy of the images (DVD of High Resolution images with reprint rights)

Package 2 ($1300.00)
Deposit $Unknown Balance due at time of wedding

Up to 8 hours shooting time (Client just wants me for 5hrs though)
Free engagement shoot at local location of your choice.
Online gallery for 60 days available in 48 to 72 hours after the wedding. (I also build websites so I will do it).
Linen 8x8 photo album made by Kiss custom designed by me. (Majored in Graphic and web design in college)
All Post Processing Included in package.
Copy of the images (DVD of High Resolution images with reprint rights)

Ok so these are the two packages that I have so far. I was leaning for the first one as I'm sure she will too. She can pretty much do what she wants after I hand her the images but I wanted to give her the option of creating a photo album because I wanted something memorable for her.

Let me know what you all think. I'm still editing this as it is not my final package but a start.

 

[DNG]

@Dwayneb9584

I think both packages are a good start in what you are offering..

as a side
It is alright to have under $1000.00 available for clients that want a photographer and can't afford to pay huge amounts of the Wedding Budget on Photography.

I understand you are not the main photographer.. But, They like your style, and are willing to pay you also as a second photographer.... sounds like you will do just fine on your own too.