e.m.

I deal with the same type of photography on a regular basis. Right now I'm doing alot of basketball for a Division 1 college. With the 20d I have been able to freeze the action using 800-1600 speed with aperatures ranging from 1.8-2.8 which has been giving me a shutter speed of aprox. 250 or so.

 

Sometimes I use 3200 speed if it's really dark and than filter out the noise with the noise ninja plugin for photoshop. Which is free right now on their website because it is a beta test.

 

When the testing is done I think it will be around $80

 

Results can be viewed at my website <a href="http://www.mccullochphotography.com">McCullochPhotography.com</a>

 

Good luck

There are many ways for a fee structure to be done.

 

If your just starting up in my opinion you need to be as flexible as possible. Spend some time and develop price plans. Investigate what other succesful companies are doing around you. As you become more succesful everything evolves. Price plans change...business plans are upgraded etc.

 

Again be flexible with the packages...tell the clients hey these packages are not set in stone. Allow them to add or delete items. Of course if they add things than you need to charge more. Typically they never do...but at least they feel they have the option.

 

Don't severly undercut your prices. This will only do you a dis-service. You will become known as a bargain photographer with cheap prices no matter how good your images get.

 

Lastly, become a better business person. Go to the library and check out books..go to barnes and noble or Borders and sit and read. Become student of your business and photography.

 

You can be the best wedding photographer in the world but if you can't run a business your out of luck. Develop a marketing plan...Promote yourself...Join associations...make friends....let everyone know your in business and your serious. Look, dress and act professional in all things and you will be succesful.

 

One last thing...I have seen Average and O.K. photographers prosper because of their business skills. Example: Gary Fong

He is a business man and a marketing genious...Have you seen his images...to me not very impressive.

 

Good luck, Ed McCulloch

In photoshop...before you pull up an image go to

 

view> proof setup> custom scroll down and find your default monitor calibration which is typically the date you calibrated your monitor.

 

while still on the custom screen make sure that for intent you are using perceptual and that the black point comp is clicked...Ed McCulloch

yep that's my baby...

 

I'm 26 and became a Dad last March

 

When my wife wants another...I just show her this pic

forgot the address

 

http://www.zimberoff.com/photobyte.htm

The only software you will ever need.

 

This guy developed it in the mid 90's and made a fortune. He sold it for a few thousand and just recently released it for free.

 

I'm just learning it and it is definately cool.

 

Zimberoff's "photography focus on profit" outlines the software and shows you how to use it all. Check it out

Ed McCulloch<div></div>

Alaska<div></div>

Head up into the mtns. Stevens Pass? There are plenty of snow/mtn pics to be had this time of year. I know the mtns in WA are beautiful and a bit sunny once you get up there...Ed<div></div>

And another<div></div>

I always carry the 70-200 2.8 L

 

It's great for shots where you want to stay at a distance and let the people have fun.<div></div>

It depends on the arrangement with the school. When I do jobs like this the, 100% of the $20 sitting fee goes to the school. The orders that are taken in are tallied up and I give 10% of the total profit back to the school as well.

 

The schools love it and it tends to make them descent money...

You can purchase the 20D on ebay from reputable people for about $1400 including shipping...

 

So that leaves $600 for lenses

 

Without a doubt the Canon 50mm 1.8 $75

 

Depending on your needs the rest is up to you

 

Personally with $525 left I would purchase the 17-40mm L New on ebay

 

For the price and quality the 20D is a win win situation...

Good Luck, Ed

Double my weddings

 

Increase awareness and sales with family photography

 

Get a contract with two major companies in my state

 

Pay off my student loan!<div></div>

sorry

my shot at it...10 seconds with the shadow/highlight in CS

I have been brainstorming several marketing ideas over the past

few months. Since it is the slower season now, I am starting to

develop those ideas.

 

In one of my ideas, a major company will be promoting and

marketing the product. Since I supply the photography part and they

supply the marketing part which supplies me with clients, what

percentage cut do you think they should get?

 

The prices will be around $5000 for this specific product. The

total out of my pocket will be $500 plus my time of course. So what

do you think is fair... 20%, 30%, 40%?

 

I apologize for not divulging the idea, but you should be

hearing about it within the next 2 years. Thanks, Ed McCulloch

It's in my contract......

 

Photographer may substitute another photographer to take the photographs in the event of Photographer?s illness or of scheduling conflicts. In the event of such substitution, Photographer warrants that the photographer taking the photographs shall be a competent professional.

 

If the Photographer cannot perform this Contract due to fire or other casualty, strike, act of God, or other cause beyond the control of the parties, or due to Photographer?s illness or emergency, then the Photographer shall return the deposit to the Client but shall have no further liability with respect to the Contract. This limitation on liability shall also apply in the event that photographic materials are damaged in processing, lost through camera malfunction, lost in the mail, or otherwise lost or damaged without fault on the part of the Photographer. In the event the Photographer fails to perform for any other reason, the Photographer shall not be liable for any amount in excess of the retail value of the Client?s order.

"If you charge under $1,500 a wedding you either have a day job, or live in a cardboard box."

 

Or possibly maybe a student...Also Gary Fong's images are not that impressive....In my opinion he is an ok photographer but a master businessman...Ed

Hey guys...Thanks for all your input...I think I have come up with a winner...<div></div>

what about this one

or<div></div>

I have been messing around with some ads today. This is going to

be printed postcard size on glossy cardstock. I am going to be using

this to hand out at a bridal show in Jan. Any comments on the

design or image would be useful. Thanks, Ed McCulloch<div></div>

My battery sometimes last 600 shots with no flash on my 10d...

For price and quality you can't beat a dell. I have the 8400 160 gig hard drive and 1gb dual memory. I have the dell DIGITAL CRT monitor which is a must for me anyway. It runs smooth fast and efficient with photoshop and other programs and only put me back 1,400 dollars. With a calibrated monitor and a little practice your images will be sharp and professional.

I am in the process of redoing my website. I know how to make

straight lines in photoshop but want to be able to make a natural

curve without using freehand. Does anyone know how to do this?

Here's an example for you. I want those four lines to slowly come

together on the turn and form into the single line on the bottom.

Thanks, Ed McCulloch<div></div>