Sample Album - whether to use multiple weddings

I'm designing a new sample album and am considering using several weddings for it. All my other albums follow

one wedding from start to finish. The idea behind this is that it will show different couples at the same stage

of the day, with the images being edited so that they match and complement one another.

 

Do you have any albums like this, and do couples like them? Do you think it's always best to just follow the one

wedding from start to finish?

 

Thanks for any advice you can offer!

Lindsey -

 

I have exactly the same question. I have seven different albums I've developed for clients, and want to house one permanently in the studio... But I'm wrestling with whether to show a 'start to finish' or a 'variety of couples in a variety of contexts' to show clients where/how I've worked in different situations. Hmmm... perhaps one of each?

 

I'll be interested to see what people have to say.

 

-Mike

Were I to see a sample album which includes pictures from multiple weddings my initial thought would be - ' Couldn't you get enough good images from one wedding to fill an album?' In these digital days where it isn't unusual to shoot 1000 or more images during a typical wedding and reception, the need to use multiple weddings would brand the photographer as a total loser IMO. If you must include multiple events, call the book a "portfolio" or "collection."

 

I can see the validity of showing images from mulitiple weddings in a web portfolio or even a collage or sample prints, but an album (seems to me) to call for some continuity of the event.

I've got both. I have several albums which are single wedding samples and I have an album with studio favorites and highlights that give couples an idea of my style and preferences. I also have online galleries that show several complete weddings to give the couple an idea of what they can expect in the way of complete coverage. Often I have a sample wedding on hand that includes their chosen venue as well.

I think "loser" is a little harsh. I have both- one type features one wedding start to finish and the other is a sample of various design styles and techniques. Some pages are pretty simple designs while others are more complex. Generally speaking, each wedding album is going to have a similar style throughout, so the one album shows a variety of styles without having to look through seven different albums to get the idea.

 

Lindsey, where you already have one album that is start to finish, I think you're fine to have one that showcases different styles. In this day and age of 1000 or more images per wedding, it's assumed that you have online proofing and interested parties can log on to see your work. All articles I've read about hiring a wedding photographer suggest seeing photos from an entire wedding, so it's important to offer that. I have all my weddings online and they can see about 60 weddings from the past two years...I keep meaning to remove the older galleries, but I keep getting orders from some so it's worth it to wait.

 

Sam

Mike, I love to showcase a complete wedding from start to finish. The album tells the story and gives the bride and groom a sense of beginning, middle, and end. I display several complete albums for different venues. Therefore, if they are having their wedding at a specific location, then I can show them a sneak preview of what they can expect. Your suggest is not a bad one and you have to try it out to see if it works. If you have some amazing photos like Christopher Hartt, then putting together a sample portfolio might be a plus...

I show clients both types as well. I show the one wedding album as what they can expect the traditional album to look like

and the one with my photographic style samples as a portfolio of my work. This book style is also made available with

many more images and pages. This way they can see two different types of books at varying price points as well. Each

book is a different style, orientation and layout. works great for me. I think it helps brides to see more than one bride/body

type, shows that you have done many weddings in various settings and can shoot under many different conditions as well

as your consistency and quality throughout one complete wedding. Both ideas are important for your client when they are

choosing a wedding photographer.

"where it isn't unusual to shoot 1000 or more images during a typical wedding and reception". That in itself marks

someone as not that competent and is merely shotgunning a wedding hoping for a few good shots. A wedding can

be well covered in less than 500 photographs if done properly. With digital feedback there is no excuse to even have

a bad photograph. When I did film I typically did a wedding in less than 150 photographs.

 

I attended a wedding where the photograher and her assistant took 300 photographs of the first dance. That is

absurd. I suspect the wedding and formals, from what I observed, were in the 3K+ range. It is difficult enough to

traverse through 500 pictures, 3000 would be absolutely daunting.

 

That being said I think it is your choice. I have two albums, each identical, that contain images from 4 different

weddings, in different venues and environments. These pictures highlight what I can do in these situations. I lend the

albums to the brides to take home to view on their own time. Before lending out the albums I carefully instruct the

bride that when looking at a photographers sample to carefully notice the dress and people. Are the dress highlights

blown? Is the color of the dress white, white, white, even in the shade? Are peoples limbs amputated? Are the

pictures sharply focused? Does the style fit their needs? And lastly ask the photographer how much was altered

using Photoshop or other such tools.

 

You need to display your work in a manner that satisfies you and your clients. Provide something that showcases

your best and your capabilities. What others do should have no bearing on what you do regarding albums. We all

have different opinions, all correct.

It sounds like you already have start to finish samples. So adding a highlight sample might be a good addition. But start

to finish samples are necessary.

 

How many photos you shoot at a wedding isn't relevant to the question.