BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Tips for Wedding Photography

Hopefully my FIRST PAID SHOOT!

Please be thinking of me--I am nervous!

I have a portfolio of pictures that I am bringing along with my forms....business card-etc.

I quit my job in May to pursue this as they always say-find something you love to do and try to make money at it!

(I am also a student thru NYI and will be thru by the time the Wedding is on! I have also been a finalist here in the Contest--)

I am just nervous- because I want to seem professional and avoid saying that I have not done an assignment for money--:)

I hope to enlist my dh as my assistant and open my own Studio by next fall...and hopefully get my Dad to retire and hire him too!

Any pointers are appreciated....this is a casual outdoor wedding/reception!

Oh soo many questions--so little time!

( Oh here is my web page- http://hometown.aol.com/Memoriesbykelly/index.html

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November 23, 2002

I just went through an interview like the one you are discussing Wednesday night for shooting a wedding next Fall. I've been working with a good friend who owns a local studio. It allows him to book two wedding shoots on the same day. He shoots one and I shoot the other. His studio brings in more revenue and I get a decent amount doing the second shoot for him. I have a very good "day job," don't have a dedicated permanent studio at home (but can set up a temporary one), and am not interested in doing it full time. It does help subsidize equipment and other expenses for doing my fine art photography.

Not unusual for prospective clients to interview their photographer. Fortunately I had the advantage of already having a portfolio. The original was built up by "double shooting" some weddings with him and I've been doing weddings both "solo" and as part of a team for two years.

As with any other interview, be yourself and don't fabricate anything. Very, very few prospective clients know what to ask as they don't have any wedding experience to speak of. Even if they attended some as guests, there is near zero likelihood they observed and become familiar with the timing and logistics of conducting a ceremony or reception. This gives you an opportunity to display your knowledge and experience (??) by asking them relevant questions about their wedding. Turn their interview of you into an interview of them to find out the details of their wedding plans, discuss with them the timing and logistics as it applies to you, and how you can best fit your work in with everyone else (DJ, caterer, etc.). I didn't have my normal planning sheets as I went to his studio straight from work, so I had to create one from memory "on the fly" . . . on the back of one of the studio's pricing sheets.

See the "planning" section of a tutorial I've written for non-pros shooting a wedding (Part 3). In particular, see the "Must Have" list I have there. The one I use for a "paid" shoot is very similar; it's an updated version of this one that has a few more questions (if there is a hired wedding coordinator, where bride and groom and wedding party will be getting dressed [church, home, etc.], whether the person officiating allows flash during the ceremony, and lines for location/address of wedding and reception dates, times and locations are several that come to mind). One other question that is deliberately *not* on the sheet but that I always ask about tactfully: Are there any pairs or groups of family members attending that I should not try to have standing next to each other in setting up a group shot. If they look at me quizically, I tell them that divorces and similar family rifts happen, and they're sometimes not amicable. I've encountered people who refuse to stand next to someone or even be in the same photograph with them because of it. At the least I want to know if there are both parents and step-parents and if they will all be there so I can be sensitive about who I pose where and how I do family groupings.

You *have* shot a full wedding before, including altar returns (formal portraits), and pre-ceremony preparation and reception candids haven't you? If not, tell me (us) and I'll provide some more tips about timing and logistics.

I looked at your pricing page on your site. I can't get into pricing methods and strategies publicly on this forum, but you can look into some library resources that will give you several general methods that you might consider in addition to the one you've already set up.

One thing I did note was your minimum booking time. I believe you need to adjust that upward for weddings. A traditional wedding ceremony and reception will consume at least 5-7 hours starting about 2 hours before the ceremony and running continuously through the reception long enough for all the main events to occur (first dance, bouquet and garter are usually the last things to happen) and for a little more time for a few more candids after that. Since this wedding will be a casual one, you need to walk through their day to assess how long it will last so they don't book you for two hours and expect complete coverage!

-- John

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November 24, 2002

	Self Portrait Taken with a Kodak DC 3400 w/ timer and some fogg effects. Kelly Baker

Thanks so much for the response! I think 3 hrs a must a booking- I am going to change.....

I have had an opportunity to apprentice/intern with a near by great photographer.......but I am unable to do it at this time. It was hard to turn down but I just can't give 20-30 hrs a week right now.

Anyhow, I send out a list -just one page-with information....but I HAVE a much more in depth one that is 4 pages....yes and totally cover if someone doen't want a picture of _____?

I have alot of good ideas for Weddings- taking pictures of couples in the Bridal party that they could use as gifts?

Of course going with portra 160nc for outside work.

So far to this point I have only done things for friends and family.

I am sure they do not know the questions to ask--so HOPEFULLY it will not come up that this IS my first pay shoot. (I have a portrait session with a friend next week-but again- not for $$$$.)

I also have 2- 35mm cameras, 2 tripods, digital camera too!

I have read every book, and looked at every different site!

I do have a portfolio...one that I have used on photography job interviews- one I did not get and one I turned down with all the traveling....It has pictures I did at my first Wedding 6 yrs ago- which was my Sister in laws beach wedding. I also keep in it landscapes and portraits.....I have about 25 pages with 5 pgs each of 3x5, 5x7, and 8x10.

My cousin and his friend are photographers- but live VERY far from me orI could work more out of their place! They did like my photos.....and were surprised I had taken them! (They said I am good at candids).

Anyhow....will let you know how it goes today.....:)

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November 24, 2002