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07/07/2010 09:40:42 AM · #1 |
I'm shooting my 3rd wedding at the end of this month... I've been working with the bride on trying to determine what pic's she wants & with who & the time frame we're going to do this in.. I could tell from the start she's not thinking these images will take hardly any time at all, so she's sorta squeezing in the time we spend on doing pictures into this itty bitty time slot... So, I ask her for a list of images she wants done and the list is longer then the dang phone book... My jaw drops and I think to myself, how the heck does she expect to get all of this done.. So, here's the time frame.. Wedding starts at 2.. She wants me to do images of her & the groom from 1:30 to 1:55.. Okay, I can do that, no problem.. Then she wants to me do pic's of her & the wedding party along with every single relative in attendence from 2:30 to 3:00 when the reception starts.. How do I do this.. I know how long it takes to get one family member out of the shot, then call the other one over and then get that person in the shot, get them posed & take the image.. She's not getting this.. Or, am I being unreasonable..
So, my question is.. When you have a bride who's limited on time, how do you work around the schedule & get it all done ????
Both previous wedding's I've done we're awesome.. The entire wedding party met well before the wedding and gave everyone a schedule as to what order the pics would be done in.. We got it all done before the ceremony.. The other couple were in no hurry at all to get to the reception, cause it was all done on the beach & they didn't want anyone to wait for them.. So, again, had plenty of time...
I'm super concerned that this is going to end up looking like a ton of snap shots becuase she's going for quantity over quality...
What to do, what to do ??? |
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07/07/2010 09:44:20 AM · #2 |
Originally posted by MrsBillyJack:
I'm shooting my 3rd wedding at the end of this month... I've been working with the bride on trying to determine what pic's she wants & with who & the time frame we're going to do this in.. I could tell from the start she's not thinking these images will take hardly any time at all, so she's sorta squeezing in the time we spend on doing pictures into this itty bitty time slot... So, I ask her for a list of images she wants done and the list is longer then the dang phone book... My jaw drops and I think to myself, how the heck does she expect to get all of this done.. So, here's the time frame.. Wedding starts at 2.. She wants me to do images of her & the groom from 1:30 to 1:55.. Okay, I can do that, no problem.. Then she wants to me do pic's of her & the wedding party along with every single relative in attendence from 2:30 to 3:00 when the reception starts.. How do I do this.. I know how long it takes to get one family member out of the shot, then call the other one over and then get that person in the shot, get them posed & take the image.. She's not getting this.. Or, am I being unreasonable..
So, my question is.. When you have a bride who's limited on time, how do you work around the schedule & get it all done ????
Both previous wedding's I've done we're awesome.. The entire wedding party met well before the wedding and gave everyone a schedule as to what order the pics would be done in.. We got it all done before the ceremony.. The other couple were in no hurry at all to get to the reception, cause it was all done on the beach & they didn't want anyone to wait for them.. So, again, had plenty of time...
I'm super concerned that this is going to end up looking like a ton of snap shots becuase she's going for quantity over quality...
What to do, what to do ??? |
If you are charging her by the hour, that's probably why she's squeezing down the time??? If they end up looking snapshottish, do some cool funky editing on them. : )
#1 rule: YOU are the photographer and shouldn't lose control to the bride. Educate her on why it takes time. I would tell her if you don't have the time you need, you will not guarantee the results. AND, have her sign a contract stating that!
Message edited by author 2010-07-07 09:46:25. |
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07/07/2010 09:50:51 AM · #3 |
Originally posted by love:
Originally posted by MrsBillyJack:
I'm shooting my 3rd wedding at the end of this month... I've been working with the bride on trying to determine what pic's she wants & with who & the time frame we're going to do this in.. I could tell from the start she's not thinking these images will take hardly any time at all, so she's sorta squeezing in the time we spend on doing pictures into this itty bitty time slot... So, I ask her for a list of images she wants done and the list is longer then the dang phone book... My jaw drops and I think to myself, how the heck does she expect to get all of this done.. So, here's the time frame.. Wedding starts at 2.. She wants me to do images of her & the groom from 1:30 to 1:55.. Okay, I can do that, no problem.. Then she wants to me do pic's of her & the wedding party along with every single relative in attendence from 2:30 to 3:00 when the reception starts.. How do I do this.. I know how long it takes to get one family member out of the shot, then call the other one over and then get that person in the shot, get them posed & take the image.. She's not getting this.. Or, am I being unreasonable..
So, my question is.. When you have a bride who's limited on time, how do you work around the schedule & get it all done ????
Both previous wedding's I've done we're awesome.. The entire wedding party met well before the wedding and gave everyone a schedule as to what order the pics would be done in.. We got it all done before the ceremony.. The other couple were in no hurry at all to get to the reception, cause it was all done on the beach & they didn't want anyone to wait for them.. So, again, had plenty of time...
I'm super concerned that this is going to end up looking like a ton of snap shots becuase she's going for quantity over quality...
What to do, what to do ??? |
If you are charging her by the hour, that's probably why she's squeezing down the time??? If they end up looking snapshottish, do some cool funky editing on them. : )
#1 rule: YOU are the photographer and shouldn't lose control to the bride. Educate her on why it takes time. I would tell her if you don't have the time you need, you will not guarantee the results. AND, have her sign a contract stating that! |
I'm not charging her by the hour.. Only if she goes beyond the time frame we've agreed upon and I'm scheduled to be there for 6 1/2 hours.. lol, so there's A TON of time to do all of this.. You are right though, I do need to talk to her and if she insists on squeezing all of this into these itty bitty time slots, then I need to make sure she's aware that the results cannot be guaranteed.. I'm just hoping she realizes what a mistake this is..
What is the average time spent with a couple & their wedding party...? and is it typical for the bride to want pics of her & every single relative that's there or should those be reserved for more informal shots as the evening progresses??? |
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07/07/2010 09:56:29 AM · #4 |
| Most brides don't want photos with every single relative. Find out who is going to be the designated person to gather everyone as needed. That's the first person I talk to when I arrive. That way you and the bride aren't wasting time trying to hunt people down. |
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07/07/2010 09:56:57 AM · #5 |
Definitely talk to her beforehand. And extra 15 minutes can make and break situations like this (and the stress for her on the wedding day with not enough time is not worth it)
And then make sure you have your flashes ready for a production line of family combinations. You might want to bring along an assistant who can get the next group ready/primed, or at least have a checklist or something in their hand to make the changes as efficient as possible :-) |
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07/07/2010 11:15:22 AM · #6 |
I tell brides that I require a minimum of one hour for shooting formals. If they aren't willing to take the time that it takes to shoot the photos then they likely don't place a high value on the photo's in the first place.
This saves me from weddings like that because you just set yourself up for failure. If you know you can't get all the shots in the time provided explain to the bride that you can't do that and if they want to use you you require more time. |
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07/07/2010 11:16:01 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by Medoomi:
Definitely talk to her beforehand. And extra 15 minutes can make and break situations like this (and the stress for her on the wedding day with not enough time is not worth it)
And then make sure you have your flashes ready for a production line of family combinations. You might want to bring along an assistant who can get the next group ready/primed, or at least have a checklist or something in their hand to make the changes as efficient as possible :-) |
This is solid advice btw OP |
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07/07/2010 10:44:53 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by Patrick_R:
I tell brides that I require a minimum of one hour for shooting formals. If they aren't willing to take the time that it takes to shoot the photos then they likely don't place a high value on the photo's in the first place.
This saves me from weddings like that because you just set yourself up for failure. If you know you can't get all the shots in the time provided explain to the bride that you can't do that and if they want to use you you require more time. |
I totally agree.. And, when she originally hired me months ago, there was oodles of time for the pictures.. Now that it's becoming crunch time, she's changing things.. I spoke with her tonight again and she truly believes this will not take hardly any time at all.. LOL.. So, I can only emphasize again & again that I do not believe her image list can be achieved in the time frame she has and she just quite frankly doesn't believe me.. I guess at her brothers wedding, they basically had an assembly line going and each person was in & out with one snap of the trigger.. I told her that I don't work like that even if I wanted too, so I would do what I could and we'll get as much done as we can..
She has me staying an addtnl 1 1/2 hours. I already made clear in our contract that she would have to pay me by the hour for any additional time after the agreed upon time frame, so she doesn't have a problem with that.. I just want her to be happy after it's all said and done and it's just going to add more pressure on me to do the best I can with what she has in her mind, this day will be. So, schedule & image list is going to be muy importante !!!!! lol..
thanks for everyone's input.. |
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07/07/2010 11:01:53 PM · #9 |
Wear comfortable underwear.
Doesn't really answer the question you have, but it is my number one piece of advice for shooting weddings. |
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07/07/2010 11:28:25 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by karmat:
Wear comfortable underwear.
Doesn't really answer the question you have, but it is my number one piece of advice for shooting weddings. |
See now that is where we go down different paths......I go Commando simply so I don't have to mess with them crawling up or falling down. No need to adjust and it saves time when I have to pee. Although you do have to be more careful on the Zip up. :p |
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07/07/2010 11:40:41 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by MattO:
Originally posted by karmat:
Wear comfortable underwear.
Doesn't really answer the question you have, but it is my number one piece of advice for shooting weddings. |
See now that is where we go down different paths......I go Commando simply so I don't have to mess with them crawling up or falling down. No need to adjust and it saves time when I have to pee. Although you do have to be more careful on the Zip up. :p |
Takes the same amount of time for me to pee whether commando or wearing. :P |
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