mark_jacoby___raleigh__nc

Faced with the same problem we found a photographer who was looking to reduce overhead by sharing space with us. We pay a percent of our bookings. It's a great deal for both of us.

 

We now have a place of business to meet prospective clients, have pre-wedding meetings and to sit with B&G and review proofs, etc. He works mostly 8-5 and our clients prefer to meet after hours or on weekends so it works out great.

 

I will have a better idea at year-end but I know our business is up more than the percentage paid out.

 

I think image is very important in this biz.

Let's say you work in a 5 star restaurant and you have to prepare an elegant dinner for 50 guests.

 

Here is your choice of tools: A state of the art professional range or a hot plate.

 

Both can cook food but why not use the best tool available?

Interesting answers! We always ask the B&G to devote 15-20 minutes after the formals to just the two of them. The pressure is off at that point and the fact that they are really married is starting to settle in.

 

It is the only time they have alone (except for us) all day long. They seem to appreciate it and it doesn't hold them up too long.

So many questions so little time! My contract defines what use I may make of the images. Promotional use in print or on internet as well as studio display and such. I may not resell the images. If you want a copy of my contract please send me an e-mail.

 

I would suggest approaching area pros with the best examples of your wedding work and offer to assist/shoot for free. A lot of pros will be too busy to even consider it but you never know unless you ask.

 

Offer to shoot more wedding for free and build your experience before accepting money for weddings. But you raise a good point about charging commensurate to your experience (and skill level). If you only charge a few hundred bucks you won't be stealing business from the higher end guys so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Good luck!

Casey,

 

I wish I had read this yesterday! There is a studio in Durham that sometimes rents out. In a pinch you could see if our studio is free.

 

I understand that Sisters Garden on Millbrook is a great place but I've not shot there.

 

You might want to consider joining our local photographer's group since a lot of us have studios that could be used in an emergency. E-mail me for details.

 

Mark

My primary goal is to offer enough images to tell the wedding day story. As a rule that means 200-300.

 

When I review the posed formals if I have several that are great quality I pick the one where the bride/groom looks the best. Sometimes I will offer 2 of the same set up since I tend to shoot formals showing full length and again more close up.

 

No need to show 3 identical pics in my opinion.

OK laugh at me if you must.

 

I like the concept of 2 people and 2 doors. And one of them has just left his/her door to join the other.

 

Nice work!

You know, I kind of like Stacy's idea. It is very subtle and she can just ignore any suggestion which does not apply to her.

I have a 48 inch umbrella I could mount on a bike helmet. Good thing I weigh so much otherwise a strong gust of wind might take me airborne. I'd charge extra to shoot a wedding from the air!

Give it a try. What's the harm?

 

We have the clients come in to pick up the 4x6 proofs and we show them the dvd slideshow on the big (10 foot) screen. They really seem to enjoy it and it adds to their experience.

 

It takes an hour total but we also talk about albums and other options and they go home happy with our services. It is at this meeting we ask them to refer us to their friends.

You could use a small bunge cord and wear the PJ dome like a hat. Or maybe not!

 

It is an awkward size but you can mash it flat and it comes back to shape so I'd throw in in my suitcase.

 

btw, I'd leave the 105 home and take the 50 if it were me. It can be a back up for your 20-40 if needed.

I've recommended godaddy.com so often they should put me on the payroll. I've used them for several years and never had a moments problem.

My associate checked her voice mail early Saturday morning and discovered 5

voice mails from a frantic bride-to-be. We are always happy to pick up a late

booking to fill some empty slots in our schedule so Anne returned her call.

 

The bride needed a photographer right away. Seriously - she needed us in 90

minutes! When Anne explained we book months in advance and we already had

plans for the day the lady was irate.

 

�I left 5 messages and now you can�t do my wedding! I thought you were

professional wedding photographers!�

 

Was there a full moon that night? Does this just happen to us or do you get

these calls as well?

Very clever!

I change batteries after every other 1 gig card (shooting RAW about 200+ images). That seems to be OK.

 

I suggest trying the TTLBL setting to help properly expose the area beyond your subject (if your camera is TTL capable like D100 or D70).

 

Good luck & post some results!

Damn. Something else for me to worry about!

I am one happy guy! I went to my eye doc a few weeks ago and he

asked me to return for a glaucoma test. Yikes! It turned out

negative! But we will check it each year from now on.

 

We worry about our cameras and lens and tend to forget that our eyes

may be the weak link in the chain.

 

I see an ophthalmologist every year since I have some other risk

factors that might harm my sight. In my opinion its money well

spent.

Raleigh, NC

 

Thanks!

We give each client a low rez jpeg CD as a slide show and a high rez dvd with tiff for prints. No complaints yet!

Emily,

 

Seen any good films lately? Might be the perfect day to go see a movie.

I am working on the same problem except that the colors look washed out in the album. It is a composite style and the same image files were used for the proofs and for the album.

 

I'm hoping I can work out a deal to share the replacement cost with the album company, but if not I'll have to pay for it myself.

 

It's going to last them a lifetime and it should be perfect.

Thanks Mary! Great idea.

All above is great advice. Be sure to pick someone whose style reflects what you & your daughter like. Pick someone who seems to enjoy what they do. And remember this is the vendor you will be spending the most time with before, during and after the wedding - pick someone you like and someone you feel will be a good fit for the wedding party & guests.

 

Have fun. When you find the right one you'll know it.

I forgot to add that 3,861 marriages bite the dust here each year.

The most recent data available for my tri county area is 6,900 weddings a year. Assuming half of these will hire a pro photographer then there should be enough business for me!