BIG Misunderstanding, how to change so it dosnt happen in the future.

I shot a small wedding back in June. A week and half later I delivered an

album to the bride with photos numbered in it from 1-200 and order sheets. I

told the bride I would need the album back when she turned in orders for

reprints and then when i returned the reprints to her I would also give her

the album back (after taking out the numbers wich were typed on paper

inserts), wich provided her with one 4x6 copy of all images from her day. I

had also stated this in the contract provided to her (luckly!). I went to

meet her today to pick up her and familys orders for reprints. When I arrived

her husband said he was to give me the folder with money and reprint orders.

I asked for the album and he said she had already taken the pictures out, put

into other albums and frames. When I spoke with her she appoligized and so

did I. I felt horrible even though my instructions were clear, so I thought

anyway. No problem there she is gathering the pictures together again and

numbering them for people to look over again, wich I am guessing will prove

that I lose alot of that $400 reprint sale. Something I deffinatley want to

learn from! When I recieve my photos back from the lab after the wedding I

organize what I call the proof book with the 4x6 images labled in numbers. At

the same time as doing that I put a little tag on the end of each slide sleeve

reading pages 2 & 74 or whatever the corresponding pages are. So I have the

refrence point of where the pictures on the slide are but not the exact image

number because there are two images per page. The method had worked for

several other weddings but this is something I would not want to run into

again! My question is when shooting film and only film how do some of you go

about providing the proofs and knowing what pictures are ordered. I

appreciate all help and advice possible.

Thanks in advance,

Kim

Just my thought...Lots of work for, did I read it correctly, $400.00. Is that gross sales?

What is your gross profit? Then add in your time (I figure mine is worth $100.00 min).

What's your net profit?

 

I don't capture with film anymore.

 

This is my philosophy at present, I'm not interested in small size re-print sales anymore.

If a client wants a 16/20 or greater I do that. I work on the large re-print orders as well as

album sales.

 

Just what I do and I hope it can shed a different perspective on the wedding business. My

lost small re-print net profits are built into the price a client pays for my services.

 

To my line of thought, digital has changed the way we can maximize our efforts as well as

the money made from each gig.

 

Hope this helps you!

 

Best to Your Success.

I provide a complete set of editied proofs which have roll and frame number printed on back by lab. Lab places negatives in package marked with roll number they create. I provide bride with work sheet to write roll number, frame number, and print size to be ordered. Most pro labs should number proofs at no charge.

I am not sure I understand correctly, but in addition to the 4x6 prints you use as proofs you can order a set of contact sheets for yourself and then you can number the 4x6 proofs for the client from your number on the contact sheet.

For what it is worth: (and yes, there are those out there who will go to any length to use a machine at Wal-mart, CVS, Walgreens, et al.,) some folks will try to copy anything possible....never leave the proofs with the bride to mull over for a couple of days before the album order is made. Offer to return with the proofs if need be.

 

 

 

You can rest at night knowing no one is busy trying to copy your work.

The negative strips are all numbered and these numbers are on the prints. I use what the lab provides and stick with that numbering system and there are no mix ups. sounds to me like you are re-numbering these and, at leat with both pro labs I use, should not be necessary.

 

BTW I give the proof album with 4X6 prints to the bride and retain the guide sheet and the negatives for the album(s) ordered after word. At the $400 you are quoting I must say I cannot recall ever charging so little for an album...

>>> My question is when shooting film and only film how do some of you go about providing the proofs and knowing what pictures are ordered. I appreciate all help and advice possible. Thanks in advance, Kim <<<

 

If you wish to provide a 6 x 4 proof album and allow it to go home with the Bride you could have `PROOF ONLY` superimposed across the middle of each.

 

Certainly Pro Labs here have that facility.

 

WW

Bill, yes my profit from the reprints was only $400 but I had already made my profit from the wedding as well. And it was a small wedding and I have still only shot under a dozen weddings.

Thank you Cliff and Jamie those are both good solutions to my problem. And Gerald if I dont leave the proofs with the B&G for the moms and dads and grandmas dosnt that make my reprint sale less? I prefer film to digital at this point, just my style. I appreciate the approaches and would like any more help available. thank you all

My lab offers the option of scanning the photos onto a disk after they develop them. Maybe this would be a good option for you. That way you could offer the clients a cd of proofs. Just scale down the jpgs and put a watermark on top.

my proof albums have 9 images per 8x10 page and is spiril bound. image # printed under

each, proof watermarked across each image. print surface has a pebble finish to make copies

not so good.

 

the only proofs i ever give out is from a portrait viewing, is a screen capture of thumnails,

printed on plain paper on a cheap injet printer, each about 1.5x2". just enought to recall the

image.

Wow what a mess. I'm glad that I shoot digital. I also have all of the prints on line so that I never have to meet with them again after the wedding. They order what they want on line and check out with a credit card. Saves a lot of time.

One way is to take a notebook or legal pad along when you show the proofs. You let the bride pick what she wants, then the bride's mom goes through the proofs, then whoever else gets to order what they want __ where you all gather up. You collect reprint money and write down who wants what. Fairly basic way to do business.

For me, proofs went the wayside with film. I present everything that is printable and passed my editing. Its theirs. Thank you.

Online proofing is the easiest way to go. Have the lab create a CD when you have the film developed. Buy a website name for $15 a year if you don't already have one. Go to godaddy.com or arvixe.com and get web site hosting for $30 a year. You can use something as easy as SiteGenWiz (free) to create a web site and simple photo galleries. Or you can use Enhanced Ordering System (EOS, not associated with Canon EOS, or me in any way) templates ($99) with JAlbum gallery creator (free). The EOS templates would allow clients to either email you a list or use one of the online payment services to actually pay you for the order.