mark_harrington1

<p>I think the exposures are good, I don't like how she has compressed her head into his on the last 3 pictures. I like the feel of pic 1, but agree the strange white on his face is very distracting, after closer look I'm wondering if it isn't white facial hair? The picture would be more interesting by dropping in a sky with clouds or perhaps not converting to black and white. The other pictures lack intrest and the window frame or poles sticking out of the guys head is extremely annoying. Perhaps a shallower depth of field, more open space or more interesting use of the enviornment would be more interesting.</p>

<p>I purchased a new Nikon D3s two weeks ago; after about 2,000 shots the red focus box now stays on until just before the viewfinder screen display fades off. The focus box is lit even after the shutter button is pushed. Basically its on all the time. Before I send the camera in for service I want to make sure I haven't set something incorrectly. The only time the box isn't on at all is 51 pt setting. I reset custom settings, the two green dots and custom shooting menu. Any advice?<br>

THanks,</p>

 

<p>Most people don't really sit down and watch their wedding videos very often (if at all). Currently many photographers can combine a small video clip along with still images (Animoto) as a slide show presentation. Perhaps this approach should be given some consideration...</p>

<p>Shoot the truck from the back so you see the groom's face in the side mirror along with the bride's image. Have the brake lights on and dust flying up. Basically the guy sees the girl and slams on his brakes. Would be tough to stage and not truley a "First Look", but would tell the story well. You may have to composite in the bride or shoot her from behind; after all isn't this about his expression, not how she looks?</p>

 

<p>Here's a link to the device I mentioned above:<br>

<a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/MID-8-WP800-Google-Android-Tablet-4GB-w-WiFi-Memory-Card-Slot-Facebook-app-/230732099866?_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D5%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D5747287551678080807">http://www.ebay.com/itm/MID-8-WP800-Google-Android-Tablet-4GB-w-WiFi-Memory-Card-Slot-Facebook-app-/230732099866?_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D5%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D5747287551678080807</a></p>

<p>Why don't you consider putting proof images on a cheap tablet for their review? A quick check of ebay stores shows a new 8" tablet with Android operating system for $86.00. You could offer the tablet, preloaded with images for sale at a modest mark-up, or do the same thing with a digital picture frame. As a kicker, you can offer the tablet free with a $XX.XX print order from them or their guests. Its all about marketing, so offering a tablet with an opening screen of your logo and contact info plus your discreet logo or watermark may help drive business to your site. Its also a great place to offer other options like coffee mugs, mouse pads etc with their favorite picture. Hopefully they'll take the tablet everywhere and show their co-workers, family, friends and anyone else who can stand, I mean wants to see their pictures. It will generate excitement, intrest and be in touch with the changing marketplace. Besides, once they take it home, you're much more likely to sell it than take it back.</p>

<p>I believe aside from the basic exposure, the picture has been manipulated in photoshop. It looks to me like a warming filter has been added to give the skin tone (PS->Image->Adustments->Photofilter) after this, apply a texture layer and play with the blending modes and apply some selective masking gradients.</p>

<p>Use some basic business sense here: You're trying to impress someone who is trying to start a business????? You're also trying to start a business aren't you? Of course she thinks the pictures look fantastic, what's she going to say, after all they were free right? Make this work for everyone - Insist on a model release from both her and fiancé allowing you to use the images for marketing purposes. Offer only copies of the images you use for such purposes free of charge, other images should be negotiated at a reasonable rate for your level of proficiency. Not to beat a dead horse, but how do you know you're the only photographer she suckered, I mean she chose for her free photoshoot? A cynical person may say she used two or more newbies and is going to create an album by selecting the best of the images available to her from all sources. I support TF shoots, especially if you don't have a portfolio, but you have to remember you are trading your services for the right to use the images any way that profits you, just the same as she is getting your work for free....Besides, I question whether or not this person is truly a "Pro". First, she doesn't have a second shooter who would do her wedding for free as a way of saying thank you for the business? She works for a studio but they won't shoot it for free/cost? Yeah, I get we all want have to start somewhere, but just make sure your reason for shooting a free event is the right one. The best way to break into the wedding business is learn to master your camera in any lighting situation and really ask yourself if you have the confidence to coordinate a photoshoot in a stress filled pressure cooker while the clock is ticking. Something about your post makes me think you're being taken advantage of. If you indeed want to build a portfolio and business, take it all the way - Have her select the images she wants in a book, then you build the book for her. You can charge her cost for the book and likely get a sample album for free or minimal charge that you can show other photographers or clients. If you give her a disc of images, she gets the sample book, experience putting it all together and you get the bill for sending her the disc.</p>

<p>Rule #1: Get the contact information and if possible date of wedding.<br />Rule #2: Get as many of them as you can.<br />Rule #3: Don't waste your time selling or talking too long to people; keep it short, brief and to the point, but remain friendly. Anything more impacts rules #1&2<br>

You'll get lots of advice about being nice, showing your work blah, blah, blah, but remember, there will be a lot of photographers trying to do the same thing. Your prospects will be overwhelmed with cards, samples etc. This type of show is for one purpose only - Get as many prospects as you can. As soon as the show is over, call every contact as soon as possible. That's where you'll make your pitch for a consultation, meeting or whatever. People don't know what they want in a photographer when they're at a show. They will be so inundated with everything wedding they won't remember who, what or where they saw something. If you have anything to pass out, it shouldn't be a business card, it should be a wedding checklist, or what to look for in a wedding photographer list - something educational they may review and will give you credibility. The phone call after the show is where you can talk about free engagement sessions or other promotional opportunities - NOT AT THE SHOW!!!!! Remember, there are really only 2 rules for working a trade show - Rule #1 and Rule #2 (See above)..... </p>

<p>During your initial consultation with the b/g offer them a suggestion that you can have a second shooter take formal portraits of the guests and they can use them as thank you gifts. A little more complicated approach is to offer a print credit based on the revenue generated by the guest photos. Either way something along these lines drives people to your website where they will be met with a special discounted portrait fee or holiday card etc. as well as potential business of print sales. It's very hard not to order a print of everyone dressed up, looking good, especially when you asked for it to be taken.</p>

<p>Somehow we have to leave our ego's at the door. The "Official Photographer" was paid for his work. I know that it's a pain to have other photographers distract our b/g's but it goes with the territory. I believe the pro should have simply ignored the post of the same wedding. While he may loose some business if his work is compared to the emerging photographer and found to be equal or less than, that's not likely at this point. He should use this as a selling tool to educate prospective clients by showing his unique way of seeing a scene or his technical mastery. I'm not saying bad mouth your competition, I'm saying create problem awareness by showing how the dress from your shot maintains details and isn't blown out etc. How timing affects the feel/emotional impact of the picture.<br>

In short, who cares? The photographer was paid for his services and isn't trying to keep a secret his unique style - after all he posted the pics online where any other photogrpaher can emulate his images. Be confident and sell your experience and ability, if it isn't better than the emerging photographer, you probably need to address your business model...</p>

<p>Perhaps its your personality. You seem timid and unsure of yourself. Weddings can be stressful for the b/g to arrange all of the details etc., if you project a sense of vulnerability or appear uptight you could loose the booking before you even speak. Make sure you come across as someone who is fun and outgoing, basically someone they can relate to. I don't know how old you are, but if you're out of the target demographic of say 40, you perhaps can find more work by marketing to older couples or those getting married for the 2nd or more time.<br>

Perhaps the competitor that is giving away 4 albums etc is giving them a product that is less expensive, say from one of the local retail outlets that publish a 20 page album for around $20, granted the quality isn't high, but it fits the bill for a $1,000 package. So why not try bringing "discount" samples as your main seller and if they seem put off by the quality offer up your "premium" samples for the more discerning clients....<br>

Spend some time doing basic market research, contact florists, bakeries etc and find out what they charge for a "typical wedding package" Ask about specials or discounts, it's up to you if you want to pretend to be a bride or let them know your updating your pricing, both yield interesting results, but you need to know not only what other photographers are charging but how this economy has affected other vendors as well.<br>

If you find that pricing is more important than quality for your market you will need to address the issue of price vs. cost, on the other hand, you indicated you were less than established studios, but above the non-studio wedding specialist. That tells me you don't have a grasp on what the market will bear in your area. You are in a very tough spot called no-man's land. Lower your price and deliver packages similar to other non studio owners, or up your game and focus on the higher end client. Remember you don't have to get lots of weddings to make money, you just need to make money on the ones you get.<br>

So in short:<br />Be Positive and Fun for the youngsters<br />Be Established and Professional for the elders<br />Be in the mainstream of price and products or really exceptional for the well to do clients</p>

 

<p>I sell the prints thru my website and send them out for printing. Since you don't have a website or local lab, I suggest creating an account at SmugMug, Labtricity or other on-line proofing and lab service. You may have to pay an annual fee, but hey, it takes money to make money. SmugMug for example allows you to post your pictures so that the visitors to the site can choose what pictures and size(s) they want as well as some other picture related products. You determine what you want to charge and they take a percentage as well as a printing and shipping premium. All you have to do is upload the pictures and then point the people in the direction of the service you use. As for what to charge, I would recommend looking up wedding photographers and see what the average price is for a print in the same realm of quality that yours is. You may find a 4x6 print goes for anywhere from $5.00 and up depending on the skill of the photographer and the amount of retouching offered for the print. Sounds like a little computer time with a search engine would yield a tremendous amount of information to help you develop your business......</p>

I use Sams Club for a foamcore mounted 16x20; it's printed on an Epson 7800 and only Cost $20.00

<p>What's the problem with doing both shots? Make the exposure of the model looking into the lens, then simply direct them to look over your shoulder or just past the lens. It may help to explain to them that direct eye contact creates a connection with the model and gazing off camera axis sells the scene or clothes or whatever you are trying to sell. Saying "that's great, I got that image, now I want to try this" can go along way to helping a model know what you are looking for.</p>

<p>Light the muslin separately. Use a reflected reading and then position the subject(s) about 6 feet in front of the muslin to reduce shadow falling on muslin. Take an incident reading of the subject(s); if possible use a kicker or backlight to further separate the subject from the background. What you want to accomplish is done with light control and proper metering.</p>

<p>Why not up the game a little by mounting each of your prints and affixing a certificate of authenticity to the back? At least on images larger than 8x10. I find for web promotion putting a logo or watermark is a way of moving business your way, and of keeping your work out of someone else's portfolio, however, on a finished print I think it looks a little tacky. Mounting the prints is inexpensive, makes them look better and last longer, so its just a little quality quirk of mine and the few extra dollars could easily be passed onto the client.</p>

<p>Like all tradeshows, WPPI ins't really worth the trip from Boston just to see the tradeshow. You'll find lots of album co's and self-stick album products at a roughly 20% discount, but who wants to carry all that home...Best to find an event more local to you unless you really want to spend the week in Vegas....</p>

<p>I gave up on schools in general because the kids use their cell phones and all have cameras. As a matter of fact, I think they spend more time taking pictures of themselves and each other than they do dancing...It seems to be a small group come pepared with checks, but the others don't want to be bothered by the formality of pictures, opting for a quick snap and putting it on facebook. Group shots are always popular, but only one will buy the image, the others copy it. The 10% purchase ratio seems just about right based on my experience.</p>

<p>To specifically deal with corrective posing, I would recommend a book by Amherst Corrective Posing and Lighting Techniques for Portrait Photographers. It covers suggestions for helping improve a portrait through lighting techniques and simple posing.</p><div></div>

<p>You probably shouldn't be shooting weddings of non-model clients. Everyone is entitled to the same quality workmanship and creativity, regardless of size, shape or color. By asking a question such as this, you are demonstrating that you "see" overweight people as something other than a happy couple. While I can understand asking a question such as how do I pose a bride to minimize a double chin, your question just strikes me as judgemental. You need to have a more open mind and realize that people are people and will have just as much emotion regardless of size - do you job and capture the emotion. Let them worry about how they look.<br />Weddings can be the most joyful and happy day of a couple's life, having someone try to "mold" or "shape" them into someone's view of how they can look better is just wrong.</p>

<p>It is very difficult to recommend without seeing all of the components that are at play with the image. You have a great camera but with about 10 shots per roll you'll need to make each one count. I recommend looking at some wedding photos. Have her hold the boquet at mid-waist, one long stemmed rose in her hand etc. There are lots of examples just search bridal boquet images.<br>

Good Luck</p>

<p>It's easier than you think. Often times you can overlay a background and use a layer mask to let the original image come through.</p><div></div>

<p>My daughter is getting married in a year. Obviously photos are important to me, but knowing the costs etc, I'm not sure how much profit I'm willng to give someone to do work like album design, retouching and enlargements. Just out of curiosity, how would you handle this?</p>

<p>Why would I use your company over the many, many others who are doing the same thing?</p>