HELP!!!! Turkish Wedding Panic! - DPChallenge Forums

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

05/13/2005 01:55:00 AM · #1

Ok, quite a few months ago my daughter came back from work and said that one of her co-workers would like me to shoot her wedding, naturally I was pleased and excited about this even though I've never done a wedding before and had no idea what was involved in a Turkish wedding.

I told my daughter that I would need to sit down for an evening with the couple and discuss what they wanted, "no problem" she said. Weeks, then months went by with it always being a "I'll sort it next week" answer.

About a month ago the co-worker left the company, I asked my daughter one last time to arrange a meeting if they still needed my services, nothing happened so I assumed that it was all talk and just forgot about it. Last night my daughter comes in an reminds me that the wedding is tomorrow (today), and that she had recieved a phone call to confirm that they still wanted me. Naturally I was rather less than impressed to say the least, harsh words were exchanged.

Now, I'm sitting at my desk at work, in 10 hours time I will be shooting my first wedding totally clueless, this is all the details that I have:

- The wedding are split over 2 days
- Tonight is more the party and the other day is more ceremony (not sure on this)
- Another photographer is covering the other day (taking place in a town miles away)
- The event starts at 6pm but the bride and groom will not be there till 7-8
- Weather is forecast good for this evening and event will be mostly outdoors
- I have to provide a CD at the end of the night so no post processing
- Bride likes reportage style B/W photography
- I am due to meet the happy couple for the first time at her house at 6pm

I'm in a bit of a panic here - any words of advice or encouragement would be very much appreciated!

Thanks :)

Darren

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

05/13/2005 02:19:14 AM · #2

EMIGRATE !!!!!

Message edited by author 2005-05-13 02:19:43.

ladyhawk22

Sony DSLR-A700

Sony SAL-50F14 Normal 50mm f/1.4 Autofocus Lens for the Sony

05/13/2005 02:25:51 AM · #3

Here are some sites I googled that may have some info or inspiration:

//www.topics-mag.com/internatl/weddings/turkish-wedding.htm

//www.kultur.gov.tr/portal/kultur_en.asp?belgeno=1568

//www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/world/onyourstreet/turkishweddings.shtml

Hope that that helps some :-) Best of luck!!!

PhilipDyer

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/13/2005 02:39:52 AM · #4

If you've never met them, haven't gone over a list of shots that they'd like, have no deposit, etc., I can't imagine why you would even show up for this. Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Good luck!

05/13/2005 05:27:38 AM · #5

Originally posted by ladyhawk22:

Many thanks Elizabeth, these links are very useful :)

Nick, I am leaving the country - but not till August :(

Philip, It would be so easy not to go, but this would mean that my daughter would sulk with me for ever and a day, and the bride would have no pics at all of her special day :(

More feedback is very much wanted :)

Matthew

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

05/13/2005 06:01:48 AM · #6

Be thankful - traditional Turkish weddings used to last 40 days and 40 nights.

I am not sure that I like the idea of "providing a CD at the end of the night" - even assuming you have the equipment to do this. Seems that if they want to provide their specifications for the wedding on such short notice then you could dictate terms a little: even if it is just agreeing to provide the photos the next day (after taking out the complete duds), and maybe running a batch process to get saturation and sharpness right. An argument in your favour, in that regard, is that applying B&W treatment to your photos will take some time. If the bride wants good quality photos, she will have to be a little patient.

Otherwise your fee (and I presume that you are charging one) should take into account the fact that you are charging for your time and skill, and you are not making any profit on the prints.

I am sure that being thrown into the deep end will be a great learning experience.

Good luck!

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

05/13/2005 07:26:53 AM · #7

Originally posted by legalbeagle:

There is no fee, when my daughter first set this up it was on a free basis, part of the reason of wanting to have a meeting before the event was to discuss format and expenses (as I would charge for prints and post processing) but the result is that they want a CD at the end of the night to pass onto the other photographer the next day who will take care of all post processing and printing (I really am not at all happy about someone else processing my images in this way).

I'm certain I will learn a lot from this, and not just about photography.

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

05/13/2005 07:54:40 AM · #8

If you're doing the shoot for free, then surely you could be in a position to tell the couple when you are going to give them the CD. You could then take a day or so to do some processing.

BobsterLobster

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

05/13/2005 07:56:30 AM · #9

There's no way I'd give them a CD. I've been in similar situations before where people expected a CD, and I had to be firm about this. Don't let other people judge you by your worst shots!

twm122

Olympus E-3

Olympus 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 ED Zuiko Digital

05/13/2005 08:23:11 AM · #10

Tell them you are sorry but you are not comfortable giving them a CD so soon after the shoot. Tell them that you will give them a CD after you have had a chance to do your own post processing and that you are not comfortable with someone else working on your images. They can accept that or not. If not, I say do not do it and just deal with your daughters pouting as that will pass, but a negative response to some not so great images may last a long time and effect your ability to get more "paid" work. Just my opinion.

Teresa

mcrael

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D

05/13/2005 09:13:19 AM · #11

Give your CD to the other photographer, who would do all the processing????? AND LET HIM take credit for your work? OVER YOUR DEAD BODY! (I wouldn't do it.)

Message edited by author 2005-05-13 09:14:03.

BlackDot

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

05/13/2005 09:15:46 AM · #12

I have recently done 2 weddings for family for free and I have learnt a few things:
1. I have now vowed to never press the shutter button again for someone else's pleasure without payment.
2. Be very polite to the couple, but whatch out for the other family toting from Cannon 1DS II to camera phones. You are the photographer. They count on you to get the shots.
3. I took around 400 shots at each wedding, from the night before, to the last dance, 50 of which were album quality, about 100 didn't make it, and the rest were ok. That's 250 images to process. It takes real time, and I wouldn't let anyone else process them. Imagine the frustration of the other photographer, having to process someone else's shots.
4. See point 2 again.
5. I was very worried about getting "wedding photo" type shots. In the end I just did what felt good, and they come out pretty nice with some good shots.
6. There are many websites where you can get the list of shots the couple will expect you to get, I found this very helpfull to structure the meeting with the happy couple.
7. Be very organised and take more than you need of everything. On the second wedding, the batteries in my flash died after only 3 shots! Fresh out the package. If I didn't have more, I'd be stuffed.
8. Give the bride the B&W's like she asks, but if it doesn't fit the wedding, go with what you feel is right. Rather give her good shots than shots that don't work and argue that it was what she wanted.

Sorry for the long post, but I was exactly (except for the turkish thing :-) where you are now three monthe ago, I hope this helps.

Have fun, meet interesting people and take great shots!

05/13/2005 09:34:33 AM · #13

I'm seriously considering not taking the laptop with me, and asking where I need to send the CD to (thus giving me chance to sort my own images).

Matthew

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

05/13/2005 09:41:24 AM · #14

If they have not met with you to discuss the technical requirements, they will not know that you have a laptop, nor that you could provide them with a CD if you wanted to. The laptop is either non-existent or does not burn CDs. Or at the very worst, you arrive at 6pm, without laptop (because you had not realised, absent a prior meeting, that it woudl be required), and cannot go home to get it, and therefore will have to send them the CD tomorrow/2-3 days/when the wedding is over (40 days and 40 nights).

The bride will have bigger things on her mind (hopefully for them!). A few days is nothing.

BobsterLobster

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

05/13/2005 09:41:30 AM · #15

Sheesh, I'm shooting a wedding for free (my first) in a couple of weeks time for one of my wife's best friends in Italy. A big family event.
I've been told emphatically that I should not worry and there's no pressure at all, but I will be the official photographer.
They do like my photography though, and they want informal reportage shots.
Wish me luck!
And good luck to you, Colda!

ericsuth

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/13/2005 09:43:44 AM · #16

I've done a few "free" weddings and my tips are:
1. See Blackdot's #3,6,7(bring multitool as well)
2. Have the couple sign a contract, I always have them sign a statement to the effect, that my monetary risk equals my monetary profit...i.e. nothing, nada, zip. Also have them understand in writing that while you will attempt to photograph in their desired style, you ultimately will decide on how to photograph the wedding. I state as well, while I intend on sharing the photographs, I will so on my timeline and possibly not at all. If they have any qualms I remind them that if they have any reservations or deep concerns I recommend them hiring a "pay for hire" photographer/studio; although I will probably take beautiful shots for them, they have to understand, I'm new to the game and this is my learning evironment and I am very capable of mistakes. Again my liability needs to equal my profit...0.
3. The day of the their event...THEY are the focus, make them feel that way. While you may have to ask other photographers to make a little room for you, do it with the utmost politeness and happiness. Help the bride and groom out as much as possible. Even offer to get them drinks/food yourself during the formals if they take an extended amount of time. NEVER have an egotrip and think you are "the man", again, this is their day; they are the focus.
4. HAVE FUN! I love weddings because the happiness, love, and full spectrum of emotion shown. Not all are perfect, but if you approach it from this manner, everyone will appreciate you and the work you do.
5. If you have time, consider making them a Picture slideshow with music after you're finished, they will LOVE IT!
Good Luck!
btw...I'd love to see how it turns out.

theSaj

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/13/2005 09:45:12 AM · #17

The help I can offer....

"I'm praying for ya....."

Just relax, and you'll get much better shots. If there are any gripes. Remember, they never met with you to go over the details.

05/13/2005 09:45:29 AM · #18

Originally posted by legalbeagle:

Except that my my daughter was with me when I did a recent theatre company dress rehersal and has took great pride in bragging how I can easily burn a CD on my laptop at the end of the shoot.

I think that I need to shoot my daughter (without using a camera) ;)

Of course there can be 101 reasons why the laptop is not with me tonight.

05/13/2005 09:47:16 AM · #19

Originally posted by theSaj:

The help I can offer....

"I'm praying for ya....."

Just relax, and you'll get much better shots. If there are any gripes. Remember, they never met with you to go over the details.

Thanks, bit of arse that I'm a pagan ;)

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

05/13/2005 09:48:17 AM · #20

Originally posted by BobsterLobster:

Good luck!!! - if it turns out shitty head north and we'll drink beer!

BobsterLobster

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

05/13/2005 09:51:35 AM · #21

Sounds like a much better plan to me, although I am looking forward to a week in Venice beforehand.
BE FIRM though, like someone else mentioned, you really don't want to pick up a bad reputation because of your dud shots, and it's better to put your foot down on the CD issue than have people think you're rubbish. It would be bad if you spent the whole time worrying about whether every shot you took stood up to scrutiny.

messerschmitt

05/13/2005 09:55:12 AM · #22

go without fear just be confident in ure skills
maybe have a thought in advance on a few more original captures (the idea u used in 'framing' might be useful) u definatily want to make
for the rest free ure mind and shoot
especially on these occasions the post-editing is half of the job
soo the deliverance on the same evening i would regard as out of the question
maybe mainly focus on composition as being the most important aspect when shooting.. put ure cam on automatic most of the time..photoshop gives u room to make the corrections needed and it gives u room for focussing on whats going on rather than worry about technical aspects
i was on a turkish wedding once in a little village in the middle of nowhere in the south of Turkey..i never gonna forget that..these people can be hospitable with no limit..and there be plenty interesting to shoot im absolutely sure
have fun and GOOD LUCK

maybe u have a drink or 2 and feel relax..that always works:)

Message edited by author 2005-05-13 09:57:11.

Matthew

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

05/13/2005 09:58:24 AM · #23

I will place your profile photo in my pentagram of protection and inspiration, while chanting rites of perspicacity to the Earth Goddess.

Originally posted by colda:

Thanks, bit of arse that I'm a pagan ;)

Message edited by author 2005-05-13 09:59:26.

moodville

Nikon D100

05/13/2005 09:58:26 AM · #24

It sounds like the 'real' photographer is the guy the next day and he's probably getting paid too. Sounds like they couldnt afford both days and so is wanting a freebie with the hopes that the 'real' photographer can 'save' some of the shots in processing. I wonder if they're paying him extra to process the images? It could very well mean that your images are included in the package that the photographer offers them and so could be all considered his work. I'd highly suggest you create a contract for them to sign so you retain the copyright and that the other photographer cannot charge them a fee to print your images.

I understand about doing something for free for your own experience etc but you shouldnt let people take advantage of you.