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06/21/2011 08:35:25 AM · #1 |
So, I've been asked to shoot a wedding possibly. I've shot a few, but it's generally family, and I'm normally not the only one shooting, which makes me feel better. This time, it is sort of a friend and I will be the only shooter, with my wife as my back-up shooter (with my D90) and my assistant.
I have a meeting set-up with them tonight, so I'd like some stuff to go to them with.
Here is the details I know now:
The Wedding is in November, about 1-1.5 hours away.
They are wanting an engagement shoot around town I imagine.
The wedding is outdoors, I'm unsure of time currently.
My thoughts:
I am considering renting the Nikon 24-70 2.8 and the 70-200 2.8. That would run me roughly $150ish, and I would expect the price to include the rental prices. One of those 2 lenses will be my next large purchase, so this gives me a chance to use them and figure out what I'd like next, I've also heard they are great wedding lenses.
I would also be bringing my Tokina 11-16 as it is outdoors, I should have some nice locations to use this, for a different perspective. By then, I should also have a 50mm (or 35mm) prime. I don't forsee bringing my 105 macro, but I do love that lens so it might be around.
My wife has done so much wedding research, we have shots we want to do, as I'm sure the bride will as well. She will also be my back-up shooter, she has a good eye, and enjoys taking photos as well (reason I didn't sell the D90).
I'm looking to build my portfolio for weddings and portraits/engagement shoots, so I would really like this experience, that is not family.
This is a good friend of the photographer my wife and I used for our wedding, she is actually a Bridesmaid, so won't be able to shoot. She did our wedding as a gift, and to build her portfolio, so I would like to give them a good deal, but would also at least like to make some $$, as it will be my first paying gig.
I will include the pictures in a gallery on my website.
My questions:
What should I look into charging for the Wedding?
What should I look into charging for the Engagement Shoot?
Are the 24-70 and 70-200 worth renting, or are there other options I should look into?
This is a site I have never seen, with the exception of photos online. Should I make a trip to the location to scope out some good shot locations prior to the wedding?
How many photos should I include edited? Some of my choice, then an option for more of their choices?
I won't include any prints, I will give them the files, with printing rights.
Anything else I missed or forgot, please let me know. I'm very open to suggestions or anything, just want to go into our meeting with something, other than sure, I'll do it for whatever you want to give me mentality I normally have (which normally ends up as nothing, lol).
Thanks,
Buddy Baum
(TheBaumPhotos formerly Mystafet)
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06/21/2011 09:28:33 AM · #2 |
Originally posted by TheBaumPhotos:
My questions:
What should I look into charging for the Wedding?
What should I look into charging for the Engagement Shoot?
Are the 24-70 and 70-200 worth renting, or are there other options I should look into?
This is a site I have never seen, with the exception of photos online. Should I make a trip to the location to scope out some good shot locations prior to the wedding?
How many photos should I include edited? Some of my choice, then an option for more of their choices?
I won't include any prints, I will give them the files, with printing rights.
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Charge enough to make it worth your while, but not so much the B&G don't feel like they're getting a good deal. It's going to depend on a myriad of factors; the market you're in, their budget for photography etc. Have you asked them what they have budgeted? Don't undervalue your work.
I usually just rolled the cost of the engagement shoot into the wedding shoot.
Rent the lenses, but make sure you get them well enough in advance to become comfortable with them. I'm assuming that you have at least 2 flash units (one for each camera), if not rent that too.
Definitely do some recon on the site. Since it's outdoors, try to be there the same time of day as the wedding. Also, you need to know, and be prepared for, their "rainy day" plan, what happens if there's a thunderstorm on their wedding day? Another thing, try to attend the rehearsal, you'll get an idea of the "flow" of the ceremony and and certainly a much better idea for the best angles for shots etc. I'd also suggest doing much of the same legwork for the reception facility.
This is my approach the editing a wedding:
First delete the obvious bad shots.
Next, put together a "proof" album. Not an actual album of prints, but 20-30 (or some other number you feel is reasonable) good images that have been rough edited (level adjustments, maybe cropping, not much more) that you feel tells the story of the wedding. This is what you'll show the couple. For each shot, be prepared to show at least a few alternate images and offer those to the couple as options to replace any of the other shots. Once they've nailed down the 30 or so images they like, edit those, make them damn good. This is the "album". Offer the rest of the images, rough edited, as proofs in a separate folder on the disk. My experience has been that typically, you have to explain this process to the B&G and keep a lid on the number of finished images you provide, otherwise, you'll kill yourself doing detailed editing on hundreds, if not thousands of images. Remember, to them, you've already done your work while you were running around with your camera, anything you do sitting behind the computer, doesn't count. |
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06/21/2011 11:02:07 AM · #3 |
Thanks a ton for the advice and input Spork, I appreciate it and it is very insightful and helpful.
You gave me a lot of useful information for my meeting with the B&G tonight.
Once I get home tonight I'm planning on getting together my expenses, and get some info to provide them.
I have a $$ figure in mind for this, but we are going to see what they are looking to spend and go from there, as we are not looking to 'bank' off this event. |
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06/22/2011 07:16:05 AM · #4 |
spork has given you some excellent advice. you might also find this article about how a non-professional can professionally handle a wedding job useful.
it all comes down to money, expectations, and being reasonable and realistic. good luck! |
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