Wedding Photography Adviece

Creagerj said:
I could use some advice on doing wedding photography.
Click to expand...
I was the guest and photographer for my friends wedding. Believe it or not, I used my FED 3a with a Jupiter 3 and 800 iso film. I got lots of good shots (in my opinion 😱 ). The best shots were the candid ones. They were really happy with the results.

My best advice to you is to.......
Take tons of shots. I've only taken 192 shots , approx 130 of them are just good enough to put in a photo album and only 25 of them are good enough to stand on their own.

Anticipate and try to position yourself for a shot. I was moving around sooo much that people just didn't care who I was trying to shoot.

Take shots of people who don't notice you trying to take their picture.

I concentrated 50% on the shots on the bride and groom and the other 50% on the guests.

Keep in mind I'm not a pro. I'm sure this is not how a pro would do it. All said and done, everyone was happy with the pictures. Maybe it's cause I did it for free. Hmmmm..........🙄
 
A decent wedding photog is a jack of all trades and master of all.

You need to know lighting, portraiture, people skills, ability to get the job done fast the first time.

Customers want the day without the photographer, yet the next week they ask where is this pic, where is that. The fact you got no cooperation is NO EXCUSE.

Then they will not feed you , but are willing to spend $100 a head on all the other guests. I guess you have to starve while working from the brides home and dressing to the end of the reception. All this with a smile while sweating in a tux in 100 degree weather( it is aways 100 on wedding day by law).

Then you need back up equipment that you have to park somewhere and hope nobody takes it. It does get stolen too!

When it all done, they feel generous giving you $100.

FORGET IT.

Forgot to add, they won`t pass around the sample album so reprints are minimal or they scan the samples and try to get there own prints so you can`t make any money that way. You will be 6/12 months getting the final order together and then they need it the next day or they never pick it up. Sometimes the divorce is over before the pics are printed. Needless to say, nobody wants them.

Every one of these scenarios is absolutely true and has happened. Be a tough businessman and work around them.

Repeat- Forget it!
 
Last edited:
Dfin is certainly right about the mother / mother-in-law factor. I started shooting weddings last year and they have been to only recurring problem I have had to deal with. I started with a young couple I had known for years and offered to shoot their wedding for expenses only. The couple picked up the tab for film, processing and all the printing supplies.

I started a couple of months before the wedding by shooting the couple with various types of film and in various poses. We also toured the church so we could work on angles and locations. I worked directly for the couple with some good inputs and advice from their wedding planner. It went off great. It was a tough 18 hour day, but very satisfying. The mothers of each should have been kept in a freezer for the entire day.

I shot digital along with film. During the work-up period I found that Fuji Reala and NPS 160 were the color films to use and Pan-F and Tri-X worked well for the B&W work. I scanned all the negatives so I could work everything from my computer. I have done all the printing on my Canon i9900 printer and the results have been great.

What I have learned since is that I do not want to do this for a living. I'm more than happy to work with couples that I know, but beyond that... no way.
 
Kevin said:
Tom, what is a 'boutique circumstance' ?
Click to expand...

Marketing fluff.

It is the same reason that "underwear" is marked up 500% and called "Lingerie" and is sold in a "Shoppe" instead of a "Store".

Tom
 
T_om said:
"The idea is that I charge less than other more experianced photographers. "

Now THAT is really going to endear you to the local pros. 🙄
Click to expand...


This was precisely my response as well. I commend your honest appraisal of your own experience. And I am sure that your idea of charging low rates is meant with the best of intentions. However, I do not think that undercutting the pros is an appropriate course of action. If you want to be a pro wedding photographer then invest the time needed in your education. Assist pros, network, learn the business. Then when you are ready, and if you still want to get into this field, charge pro rates. Undercutting the pros only harms all of those who make their livings shooting weddings. And it will not make you many friends in the industry. Just my 2 cents.
 
Great thread. I've been thinking of trying to apprentice as a 'second shooter' myself and do some friend's weddings as well. It will no doubt be hard work, but as a graphic designer I'm used to dealing with people and tough clients, under similar deadlines and circumstances (but definitely not exactly the same). I guess I need that 30d now...
 
morgan said:
Great thread. I've been thinking of trying to apprentice as a 'second shooter' myself and do some friend's weddings as well. It will no doubt be hard work, but as a graphic designer I'm used to dealing with people and tough clients, under similar deadlines and circumstances (but definitely not exactly the same). I guess I need that 30d now...
Click to expand...

Morgan,

If you're a graphics designer; you may also find Album design to be particularly lucrative (even if you don't shoot). Lots of photogs (independent and otherwise) require a good album designer if they sell albums as part of their package.

Just something to consider.

Dave
 
dcsang said:
Morgan,

If you're a graphics designer; you may also find Album design to be particularly lucrative (even if you don't shoot). Lots of photogs (independent and otherwise) require a good album designer if they sell albums as part of their package.

Just something to consider.

Dave
Click to expand...

Thanks Dave, I have thought about that! I love the idea of doing an integrated package. I've done a few wedding DVD's too so far, as a trial, and it works well, I just need to figure out how to market it and get a plan together.
 
dcsang said:
*GASP* 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱

You know around here "ditching film" is an expletive!! 😉
Click to expand...
I agree. The pro lab I use for film takes FOREVER to process/proof C-41 120 because "there aren't enough people shooting film anymore". They keep promising me better turnaround time once wedding season starts. Help me out, PLEASE!!!
 
I have now 'done' 15 weddings for friends and family. A few things I have learnt, In no particular order....- it is difficult to do 'official' shots AND reportage at the same time - most of the shots that make good candids and reportage are taken when the official photgrapher is occupied elsewhere. My advice - do official shots first and then try for reportage later. (You are better to have official shots and no reportage than the other way round).

You will need to have a good pair of lungs to shout 'look at me!' as a group of other photographers will surround you - if possible tell your group to look at you then pose for others, otherwise you'll have a group of people all looking at different cameras! Get to know the bestman - He will be Essential at getting family members together for shots as people tend to wander off to the bar whilst the photos are being taken - you'll need a runner to fetch people who knows who Auntie Gladys and cousin Steve are... - Ask your couple beforehand if there are any sensitivities between individuals that mean that they shouldn't be photographed together.

Make sure that photos of elderly, infirm or disabled guests are taken first - this will enable them to be looked after and will prevent them having to stand around for too long.

I always take three shots of each group - full length, head to waist, and head and shoulders. Gives you a choice later.

Handy tip on Sunny days - If you find that you troubled by people squinting in the sun, here a handy trick. get the group to look at the floor and look up on your count of 3. As they do this take your shot - this will avoid them squinting (And also makes them smile)

Ignore any one esle who comes up to you on the day to furnish you with their 'superior' photographic knowledge. just concentrate on your ideas that you have agreed with the couple. Tell them that you are concetrating but you'd love to chat to them about photogrpahy if they buy you a beer later (they disappear very quickly then!)

Don't be afraid to yell at people, but be friendly, most people hate having their photo taken!

If you can, have a friend or partner with you, ask them to check the brides dress and to key an eye on the general scene. You will be nervous and concentrating on the people and might not notice things that need to be moved such as a peice of litter or a distraction in the background.

Unless it is a desired effect, watch out for the men sloutching and putting their hands in their pockets.

If you can check out the venue (church or hotel or whatever) beforehand, do so. Go at the same time of dy as the wedding - look at where the sun is coming from - good places to photograph - Somewhere to photograph inside if it is raining - most establishments will allow you to look around if you explain to them what you are doing.


Talk to your couple before hand see if they would like any paticular set ups - better than being asked to improvise on the day - try out any tricky shots, by getting friends to pose for you before hand.

Make sure you are comfortable about using your flash - if you don't use it often.

Sounds obvious, but make sure you remember to take some pictures of just the bride and groom. So often I have seen this pushed to the end of the day - when light is fading or time is short or both... This is their day and A decent pic of them is the most important one. Natural smiles will only last so long - if you leave their pics to the end you run the risk of them having fake-looking smiles because their cheeks are aching !!

Take a spare camera. If you have a film camera take it with 2/3 rolls of 200ASA and 2/3 rolls of 400ASA film. I great back up for failled batteries - A wedding I shot - weather was so bad that my digital cameras shots were poor - realising this was able to switch to my film camera shootting 400ASA with flash - day was saved!!

Finally don't underestimate the amount of time that is required afterwards on dveloping or postproduction of digital images...

This is just my experience - I'm not a professional - just an enthusiast who doesn't know when to say no. I'd say enjoy it, but you won't!!!! not until you have safely downloaded / developed!!! 😉
 
Creagerj said:
I could use some advice on doing wedding photography. I want to start doing some wedding photography in my local area. I've never shot a wedding and I'm not looking to makea large amount of money. This is mostly for experiance and reputation. The idea is that I charge less than other more experianced photographers. How much do wedding photographers usually charge (high, middle and, low range)? What are some things that I should know? Any helpful advice is welcome.
Click to expand...
I shoot weddings for a living (http://www.jrgeoffrion.com) so take my advice with a grain of salt. 😉

You say "I want to start doing some wedding photography in my local area". As crazy as it seems, what's your real objective? Do you want to do this for a living? A sideline? You already shoot commercial and want to add weddings? It's something that you think you would enjoy "for fun"? It's the first question you should answer. I'm not being sarcastic. As there are many different course of action, the rest can't be answered without the answer to this first question. This is the basis of your business plan.

With this said, wedding photography pricing varries widely by region and offerings, just like the price of cars. You can get a used one for $250 or a Saleen for $600k (or something like that). The best way to gauge pricing is to do a google search and see what you come up with.

With regards to what you should know, in no particular order: contracts, offering, pricing, suppliers, did I mention contract, labs, liability, marketing, equipment, shooting conditions (my average church ambient lighting is around 1600 ISO, 1/30-1/60 f/2.8 as a point of reference), competition, unique value proposition, etc. Oh, and don't forget the contract.

Feel free to post the answer to my first question: what is your real objective?

I hope this helps a little.
 
Last edited:
My plan wasn't to undercut the pros. Believe me I'm not walmart. But chargeing what a pro charges sounded a little boistorous for someone with my experiance.
 
And I just wanted to try it. I really want to be a lawyer. However I got sidelined at my current job so I am thinking of differant things that I can do to supplement income. That is to answer your question jrgeoffrion. That may sound dumb to some of you but keep in mind I know nothing of wedding photography.

To those that say forget it or don't go there, I know you mean well but that isn't the advice that I am looking for. No offense.

Also I do understand that weddings are one time events and it is very hard and stressful to take the pictures that people want.
 
Last edited:
Take the advice to assist a pro first.

The minute you start taking money, you're selling yourself as a pro, and all the responsibilities that go with it.

Creagerj said:
And I just wanted to try it. I really want to be a lawyer. However I got sidelined at my current job so I am thinking of differant things that I can do to supplement income. That is to answer your question jrgeoffrion. That may sound dumb to
some of you but keep in mind I know nothing of wedding photography.

To those that say forget it or don't go there, I know you mean well but that isn't the advice that I am looking for. No offense.

Also I do understand that weddings are one time events and it is very hard and stressful to take the pictures that people want.
Click to expand...
 
Creagerj said:
And I just wanted to try it. I really want to be a lawyer. However I got sidelined at my current job so I am thinking of differant things that I can do to supplement income. That is to answer your question jrgeoffrion. That may sound dumb to some of you but keep in mind I know nothing of wedding photography.
Click to expand...

First, your reason is not dumb. With this said, you have to evaluate the risk/reward and the investment required.

With regards to the risk/reward, you better have an airtight contract. However, even with a good contract, the cost of litigation can be so that even if you "win" you still "lose". Make sure you get "Errors and Ommission" insurance as a first step so that you don't lose your house, car, equipment and your first born.

With regards to the return on investment, in order to charge a "decent" amount, you'll most probably have to prepare sample prints, a few different albums, etc. to demonstrate your capability as well as set expectations with your potential client.

Don't forget that shooting the wedding is probably less than 10% of the workload. You'll have client sales meeting, developing your pricing, finding suppliers, editing your images, making prints, designing albums, meeting with clients again to give them their proofs, meeting with clients to select images, etc. Because of this, it's important you know which of these activities you want and/or must do.

If your goal is indeed to "try it out" and "make a little money", your best option (YMMV) is to be a second shooter or shoot for a studio. You probably won't need much upfront investment, they will take care of most of the tasks after the wedding, and will also take care of any potential liability.

Hope this helps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

MISH
Dublin visit
Replies
1
Views
378
pgk
P
A
Shooting another wedding this weekend
2 3
Replies
40
Views
3K
Ko.Fe.
Ko.Fe.
S
Suggestions / advice for new camera
2 3
Replies
45
Views
2K
silvershadelynx
S
K
My Rangefinder search...
2 3
Replies
40
Views
2K
rfaspen
rfaspen
B
Nikon Z8 w/Adapted Lenses (Leica M+R, Pentax, Konica etc.)
4 5 6
Replies
101
Views
12K
Archiver
A
Back
Top Bottom