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03/07/2006 11:04:55 PM · #1 |
I may try my hand at wedding photgraphy. My wife and I have owned and operated a beverage catering business for 13 years now and we have become quite well known locally managing to build an incredible reputation. I have all the right contacts in the industry and really don't think it would take much to generate business. My question is...
Once you take the pics (Digitally) how do you manage to print them and what are the steps needed to get them to a quality acceptable to clients?
Do you photoshop them?
Do you printy them at home or is there a company out there that does it?
Basically I'd like to know the entire process to see if it's even worth my effort. I'm pretty happy freelancing for the local paper but I keep getting asked to do weddings. I just don't know what's involved. Anybody have some suggestions? Thancks
Nick |
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03/07/2006 11:10:37 PM · #2 |
My personal experience is that wedding are a major pain in the butt, but they are quite profitable.
I print with Sam's Club most of the time when I do take a wedding.
I do very little PS work to the shots, only fixing minor flaws.
But, mostly, unless I need the money, I avoid them like the plague. Mothers of the Bride are vicious animals.
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03/07/2006 11:15:21 PM · #3 |
| Yeah I've notice. We've seen so many "BrideZillas" since getting into our line of work. And we always see the photographer look as though he's been beaten by a vicious mob by the end of the night. I know it won't be easy work but, It's got to be pretty gratifying when yo nail one and get that "Wow" factor from the bride and family. |
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03/07/2006 11:19:39 PM · #4 |
My experience is quite different - I use only pro labs (Bay Photo and Photo USA for prints, pro quality albums and I PS the wedding shots quite a lot - every shot gets some attention. But like Leroy, I don't look for weddings - I don't really like the hours and pressure, but the money is nice so I do referrals. I swore I'd only do 2 this year but had 3 booked by Feb1.
I suggest you read up. There is much to do besides just show up and shoot and modern brides demand the best and most current trends.
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03/07/2006 11:29:32 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by idnic:
I don't really like the hours and pressure
I suggest you read up. There is much to do besides just show up and shoot and modern brides demand the best and most current trends. |
The hours and preasure are the part I hate about them. That and there is usually some uncle with a 1940's model camera there that assumes you know nothing... LOL
And definitely read up and do some research in such magazines as Modern Bride.
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03/07/2006 11:33:33 PM · #6 |
I love weddings. Every wedding I've done has been such a happy occasion. I have yet to run into a so-called "bridezilla". Maybe we're just less stressed out here in Utah??? I dunno. But the biggest reason I like shooting weddings is because it "lifts me up" being around so much joy and happiness. (sounds almost corny, but it's true)
As for prints... my website is hosted by smugmug and I let smugmug print almost everything I do. |
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03/07/2006 11:35:21 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by jtf6agent:
I just don't know what's involved. Nick |
hey dude, maybe talk to someone locally and even be their assistant for a day. It's tough to assist someone when you're accomplished in your own life, but when you're not in your element you don't have much choice sometimes.
Good luck anyhoo :-)
P.S. I love 99% of my clients (honestly) but I shot a wedding two weeks ago and, even though the photos are great (in my eyes), I can't bring myself to touch them yet - I think I'm scarred. It was only 4 hours, but it was torture.
Message edited by author 2006-03-07 23:39:37. |
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03/07/2006 11:48:14 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by GoldBerry:
Originally posted by jtf6agent:
I just don't know what's involved. Nick |
hey dude, maybe talk to someone locally and even be their assistant for a day. It's tough to assist someone when you're accomplished in your own life, but when you're not in your element you don't have much choice sometimes.
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Good advice. Test the water before you jump in.
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03/08/2006 12:44:34 AM · #9 |
| I'm definately going to do the tag along thing. It worked quite well for me in the photojournalist end of it so I'll be hunting down a decent wedding photog tomorrow and see what comes up. Anybody out here in San Diego area need a helper? |
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03/08/2006 12:57:51 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by dwterry:
I love weddings. Every wedding I've done has been such a happy occasion. I have yet to run into a so-called "bridezilla". Maybe we're just less stressed out here in Utah??? I dunno. But the biggest reason I like shooting weddings is because it "lifts me up" being around so much joy and happiness. (sounds almost corny, but it's true)
As for prints... my website is hosted by smugmug and I let smugmug print almost everything I do. |
I did second shooter for a the wife's friend (bride) and it was the Momzilla that was a total pain in the butt (let's just say she wasn't happy about her dauther getting married)...
Which brings me to the other point JTF, second shooters. There will be a ton of cameras at the weddings. Guess what not all of em are peashooters...lot's of dSLRs. The Grooms parents brought in a hired gun but the bride asked if I would shoot it as well...
I did the friendly thing for experience, and must say the shots came out most excellent... I stayed out of the way of the hired gun...but the rest of the vultures were just all up in there...
what I noticed at the last one that I was at is the hired gun does all the arranging and posing, which is a ton of work, and the side kicks take the shots. I felt for the girl taking the photos but must say the I popped off a few of the poses she had the party in.
The other thing that I noticed is when there are a ton of cams around getting all the people to look at the main cam at one time is almost impossible.
It's fun to shoot second but looks like a ton of work to be the hired gun...
Message edited by author 2006-03-08 00:58:44.
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