Smugmug for weddings... - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

01/07/2007 11:06:13 PM · #1

If any of you have visited my website, you'll find a lot of public folders with images in them. But, to tell the truth, 99% of my images are all hidden away in private folders for weddings, family portraits, etc. I currently have nearly 20,000 pictures online using about 85G of disk space.

To catch a glimpse at how I'm using smugmug privately... here are two recent wedding folders:

Andrea and Preston - Married December 16th, 2006

Allison and Travis - Married January 4th, 2007

For anyone interested in signing up for a smugmug account, I'd love to sponsor you with a $5 credit towards an account. Just use my personal coupon Yi9EsaJKWupHM or my email address: david@dterryphotography.com

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

01/07/2007 11:11:55 PM · #2

Thanks, I'll check it out.

Today someone asked if I'd do her wedding, as she's been on my email image spam list for a while.

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

01/07/2007 11:32:02 PM · #3

Isn't this a lot like a spam post?

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

01/07/2007 11:46:18 PM · #4

Originally posted by rex:

Isn't this a lot like a spam post?

Hmmm... well, I suppose I could have left out the note about signing up for smugmug at the end, huh?!? But except for that, I really am trying to give some insight as to how I'm utilizing smugmug for weddings and it's really not something you can ordinarily see by visiting my website.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

01/08/2007 06:01:47 AM · #5

Originally posted by dwterry:

Originally posted by rex:
Isn't this a lot like a spam post?

Hmmm... well, I suppose I could have left out the note about signing up for smugmug at the end, huh?!? But except for that, I really am trying to give some insight as to how I'm utilizing smugmug for weddings and it's really not something you can ordinarily see by visiting my website.

I already have a regular smugmug account, but getting a 'pro' account is something that I've considered, so a look at these will be helpful to me in a non-spammy way. :-)

Greetmir

Nikon D60

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS for Nikon

01/08/2007 06:25:56 AM · #6

Are you telling me that you will give me a $5 refund/sponsorship to smugmug and you will get nothing in return for your sponsorship from smugmug?

Greetmir

Nikon D60

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS for Nikon

01/08/2007 06:33:55 AM · #7

Excuse me for two posts in a row ... but if there is a way to edit a previous post on this forum, I have yet to find out how to do it.

I would like to posit this question. Suppose 1,000 people accepted your generous offer of a 5$ credit to sign up with smugmug ... that would be $5,000 bucks!

What I think is more likely that the site is offering 5 bucks off for ppl that current members refer to PUSH their service.

I would NOT like to think that you receive $10 per referral.

jan_vdw

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

01/08/2007 07:09:16 AM · #8

Originally posted by Greetmir:

Uhm, I think David is trying to help here and not trying to earn a few $. Even if he does, so what?

Just my opinion.

Apple iPhone

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Nikon

01/08/2007 07:51:29 AM · #9

Give me a break.... check the past postings in the forums..we've all mentioned at some time or the other that we're smugmuggers and give out our email address or referral code. It helps to pay for our web spaces, allows others to get a discount at the start and a way for them to help bring down the cost of their space. So what that the OP added his referral information to the end of his post. It simply was before anyone asked information about the site and any of us added our information to the thread that we can refer them, too.

Apple iPhone

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Nikon

01/08/2007 07:53:33 AM · #10

Now to get the thread back on track.

I also use the privacy that smugmug allows for folders for only the eyes of those I make the folder for. Along with making it private though I do also make it password protected. I think its a wonderful way to keep the customers privacy, and the customer seems to enjoy the thought that their photos arent seen by every one

I"m not sure I like the viewing choice to be journal, but if your customers like it... thats all that counts

Message edited by author 2007-01-08 07:59:26.

jan_vdw

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

01/08/2007 07:59:11 AM · #11

So, do you charge your customers for a set amount of printed pictures and then they can buy additional from your site? Do you give them a CD with the Photos on or do you retain ownership of the photos for a while?

01/08/2007 08:07:37 AM · #12

Ummm... okay, I'm feeling bad about that last bit at the end of my original post. Sorry guys. I'd go back and edit it out now except it's already been mentioned by other posters. Anyway, sorry.

-----

On the privacy issue, yeah, I put a password on the bridals folder and keep it there until wedding day. That way the groom can't sneak in and take a peek before he sees his bride in person. :-)

The reasons I haven't been putting a password on the rest of the folders are two-fold:

1) If you just put a password on it, smugmug makes the folder show up in the normal navigation on your site (but with a lock on it) and then your site gets filled with visible-but-locked folders that 99% of your visitors can't get to.

2) And I don't want to have to password two pieces of information ... the path to the hidden folders AND a password. So this way, all I have to pass out is the path to the hidden folders.

Here's how I do that... At the wedding reception I have a slide show running using a projector and an 8' screen. And on the table where the projector is sitting, I have some high-gloss business cards that are PERSONALIZED for the couple that is getting married. Here is what the front and back look like for some of them:

I give these out for free at the wedding as a means of making sure that people can find the pictures (and possibly purchase them) and also as a non-blatant method of advertising my services.

I came up with this idea back when my daughter put my own business card out in front of the slide show one day. I liked the idea. But felt bad because my business card had not only my contact information (looked more like advertising) but also on the front of it the picture of another beautiful bride! I really felt that detracted from what I was trying to do. So instead, I put the bride of the current wedding on the cover and removed the contact information and now I feel good about putting the cards out on the table. (I trust that if anyone really wants to contact me, they will either contact the bride and groom, or just roam around my site until they find the info)

01/08/2007 08:10:13 AM · #13

Originally posted by jan_vdw:

I do packages which include a set of pictures, yes. Most often the people that are purchasing pictures right off of my site are extended family members. So ... for the Bride and Groom, my site is mainly a "proofing site" and then any pictures they want, they order direct from me. This is both more convenient for them (and and work for me), and it avoids smugmug's commission.

Edit to add: On my packages, I am including 1 11x14" bridal print, 3 8x10s, 6 5x7s, and 80 4x6s.

Message edited by author 2007-01-08 08:11:04.

jenesis

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

01/08/2007 08:22:25 AM · #14

I like how you catagorize the photo into different occasions during the wedding. I'm sure it makes it much less daunting than having to scroll through page after page of photos.

Also, and this is not really Smugmug related, but I'm curious what is on the slideshow you show at the receptions? Are they photos from the actual wedding or just the Bridals and engagement photos? If they are wedding photos, how do you put the slideshow together so quickly as most receptions I've attented are directly after the wedding.

Thanks for the post, it's been most helpful. :)