Bridal "expo" -- what would you take

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/27/2008 07:01:14 PM · #1

The "venue" is a bridal expo. Very small, informal.

As a photographer, what would you take to set up with?

geoffb

03/27/2008 07:09:35 PM · #2

Originally posted by karmat:

The "venue" is a bridal expo. Very small, informal.

As a photographer, what would you take to set up with?

I'd take several wedding photos that not only convey what you're capable of (both in capturing the shot and PP), but also that help the potential brides see themselves using you as a photographer. The most important thing to get across is that you're more capable of shooting her wedding (and will give her more favourable results [in her eye]) than anyone else.

Judi

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

03/27/2008 07:10:37 PM · #3

Do up a slideshow of some wedding samples set to music...let it loop. People from a distance can view it and get drawn in on their own accord.

geoffb

03/27/2008 07:17:59 PM · #4

Originally posted by Judi:

Do up a slideshow of some wedding samples set to music...let it loop. People from a distance can view it and get drawn in on their own accord.

Yes, music is always good!

Be careful about copyright, depending on the venue. You might get someone complaining about how you don't have a license to use that music.

There are a number of sites where you can get free (as in speech AND beer) music.

rossbilly

Nikon D200

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

03/27/2008 08:28:55 PM · #5

We went to our first this year. Our opportunity was a last-minute chance (free!), and we were NOT prepared. We didn't have enough room to take any prints, let alone large ones. Let me say that, if you have ANY prints / stands / frames, TAKE THEM! You cannot possibly overwhelm brides, or be TOO impressive, no matter the size of the venue.

Now, do your best & be as friendly .......... aw heck Karma, just be your normally great self & you'll do fine :D

03/27/2008 08:40:54 PM · #6

yea, mine is rather last minute as well. i'm doing it more as a favor to my sister who had to organize the thing in her *new* job as events co-ordinator at the local Country Club, than to recruit customers. I tend to shy away from weddings, especially the higher end stuff. I figure I'll let those that know how do that.

As a result, I've asked for the smallest table possible because I don't have a lot to "show." :/

Thanks for responding though. Gives me a direction to think.

Sigma 70-200 /2.8 APO EX DG Macro HSM II

03/28/2008 09:36:36 AM · #7

any other idea/suggestions?

Eyesup

Nikon D300

03/28/2008 09:49:43 AM · #8

Do a draw.. people love that ( the possibility of getting something for nothing). tons of business cards (of course), lots of price lists, really anyhting that the bride can physically take a way with your name on it is a good thing (fridge magnets are good too). and like the others have said lots of samples.

Prof_Fate

03/28/2008 10:01:13 AM · #9

Depends... I've seen several ways of doing things and the success can vary from show to show, week to week.

Obviously bring albums - more than one wedding preferrably. Bring some prints - I've seen photogs with 20x30 canvas, framed, not framed, 4x6 proofs... your call.

I've seen slideshows used and not used. Using them often has the clients asking if you do videography. This year I saw only one still photog using a slideshow - she has a very understated display and is high end. Works for her.

One high end photog suggested to never use large prints - print a bunch of 5x7 or 8x10 and put them on a 'wall' type display - it makes the brides walk into the display and stay a while to look at the images. You can also show more and that will appeal to more brides than 2 or 3 large prints than can be seen from across the room. I really wanted to try this this year but december was busy and before I knew it the bridal show season was here.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/29/2008 06:17:56 PM · #10

Well, that was interesting. (Told you it was short notice) There were actually quite a few future brides there. My sister said two or three times as many as they were expecting.

I took:

*a digital picture frames with "general" shots as well as wedding shots (I didn't use music which was just as well because there was a dj there, AND the videographer next to me playing video. I joked with my sister that the next time, all songs must at least be in the same key)
*a couple of framed prints that I had lying around
*business cards
*price lists (with prices that even Prof_Fate wouldn't jump on me about )
*a bowl of M&Ms

IF I had a book or two printed, that would have been good, but there simply was not time.

There were supposed to be two other photogs there, but one didn't show up at all, and the other set her table up and had someone come by and sit at it for her.

Funny story --
One of the first people to come through was a bride with her mom and dad. The dad looked a bit bored and unamused. They looked at some of my pictures, my price list (the dad turned red) and moved on. A couple of tables down was another photographer. The dad glanced at her price list, did an about face and came back to talk to me. (The price difference wasn't huge, but was noticeable -- she's a LOT more experienced than I am).

The outcome --
One lady is interested in my coming out to her horse farm and doing a photo shoot with her 40 horses.

I will be doing a bridal shoot on the green of the country club (the venue where this was held) in a few months.

And the guy sitting at the other photog's table was the lead photographer for our local newspaper. On my digital frame, I had several of my sports pictures. :) As we were leaving, he told me that he had my card and number, and that they were absolutely covered up with spring sports, could I shoot golf and soccer (he had seen my baseball and softball pictures), and if so, he may call me this week.

So. . . .life is interesting. If nothing else, my confidence was boosted a bit.

Judi

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

03/29/2008 07:12:59 PM · #11

That's fantastic news Karmat. One lead can take you many places...and as it is you have now branched from a wedding expo into animal and sport/journalism photography, which you may or may not have already had experience with...but this will only give you more experience and possibly take you even further again. I would say a good outcome overall.

Tlemetry

Olympus E-300 EVOLT

Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Macro ED Zuiko Digital

03/29/2008 07:18:51 PM · #12

I heard about a bridal expo last min on the radio the other day and thought that might be a good way to get my name out there. I wish I had gone, just to see how it set up. Next time I would know what to expect as a vender. You have convinced me it wouldn't be a waste of time, never know what it will bring your way.
Thanks for the post!