 Jennifer S |
A family members wedding... In a year or so, some people in my family will be getting married. They want me to photograph it, which I have no problem doing. Hopefully by then I'll know alot more and be alot more confident! But as for charging, Im not sure what to do. I was thinking of just charging them what it would cost me to do the prints, and consider everything else a gift. Is that tacky? Thanks!!
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Debby A. Tabb |
NO, NOT AT ALL. HAVE YOU EVER SHOT A WEDDING BEFORE? IF NOT THIS IS THE PERFECT WAY TO GET THE EXPERIANCE YOU NEED AND GIVE THE GIFT OF YOUR TALENT. IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE A WEDDING BEFORE- I SUGGEST THAT IF YOU MAKE THIS OFFER YOU ALSO ADVISE THEM OF THIS FACT(IN CASE THEY WANT TO HIRE SOMEONE ALSO) THERE ARE SO MANY THREADS ON THIS KIND OF THING AND IT CAN LEAD TO SOME HEATED DISCUSSIONS- SO READ THEM AND COMMEN SENCE WILL LEAD YOU TO A COMFOTABLE PLACE WITH IT. KNOW THE PROS AND CONS. KNOW YOUR POSES. AND LOOK TO GALLERIES(NOT STAGED WEB SITES) FOR EXAMPLES. IF I CAN BE OF ANY HELP PLEASE JUST ASK. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU, DEBBY
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Diane Dupuis |
I think charging them cost and donating your time and talents as a gift is lovely. Make it clear to them that is what happening, and make sure that they don't tell all their friends that you'll shoot their weddings at cost...
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Jerry Frazier |
Hi Jennifer, I differ with Debbie on this point. However, I would suggest that if you have the time between now and then, maybe you could 2nd shoot with some local wedding photographers in your area to gain experience in wedding photography. I would not just jump out and do it without doing a few other weddings first. It's alot of work. And, shooting your own family is fraught with problems. It's not tacky to charge for prints. As a favor, just charge $500 or something. But, really, go shoot with someone who does this for a living and learn about how it goes. Photographers either hate weddings, or love them. I haven't found too much in-between.
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Debby A. Tabb |
yes, Joe and I always butt heads over the topic of Wedding photography. *though this time it's a gift *and again the suggestion is to be up front and give them the oppertunity to hire a wedding photographer also. Check the galleries of those here -you will see those who have done a first wedding and those who have done several. and read the other posts.
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Jerry Frazier |
Ah Debbie, I wouldn't go so far as to say we 'butt heads'. I hope you took notice of the more positive tone of my message this time. I did provide more valuable information instead of saying "No, don't do it". I just think that shooting a wedding for a family member and calling it a favor may turn out to be the opposite of that. You know, like, "don't do me any more 'favors'". I think there is a level of training that's involved. Even if it's just tagging along on a wedding once. I take taggers all the time. I love to teach, and I am always taking on people new to the business because I am trying to foster a positive environment rather than the old-boy network of keeping things dark and mysterious. In my opinion, the industry has been hit hard by a few stereotypes from the old boys. Additionally, the industry is undergoing a massive change and I want to be on top of it. I think if newbies don't learn the ethics (which we are seeing huge lack of today), amoung other things, the industry is going to take a nasty nose dive.
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Jennifer S |
Thanks for the tips! Debby, I've never actually "shot" a weddng before, but I have been at weddings where I take my own photos in addition to the professional photographer mainly for my own practice and to do a slideshow for them as part of their gift. I have a minimum of a year, possibly longer to get prepared. They are fully aware that Im just starting out, and they dont mind. One wedding Im definitely doing is my uncles. Its a second marriage on both ends, and will be quite small, so Im not too nervous about it. It will be good practice. I practice photography DAILY, I read, Im taking courses, Im not jumping into it blindly or without any training or practice. I plan on doing weddings and portraits for a living eventually, so it's important for me to do things like this! ;o)
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Debby A. Tabb |
GOOD JOB JENNIFER!! I TRUELY HATE SEEING OTHERS WAIT AS LONG AS I DID TO FULFIL THIER DREAMS- THATS WAS THE BIGGEST REASON FOR WRITING MY BOOKS- I TAUGHT FOR THOSE COMPANIES FOR SO LONG AND THEY HELPED ME BELIVE THAT IF I WENT OUT ON MY OWN-I WOULD FAIL!-NOW THEY'RE JUST PLAIN MAD AT WHAT I HAVE DONE. FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS. I HOPE YOU WILL POST BACK AFTER YOUR UNCLES WEDDING AND PLEASE KNOW THAT I AM ALWAYS GLAD TO HELP IF I CAN. WISHING YOU THE BEST OF LUCK IN YOUR VENTURES, DEBBY TABB
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