alex_dc

<p>I've shot on a lot of boats (I live in Maine, and have worked for a cruise company), the one thing I can tell you is DON'T use a tripod or monopod, unless you're on a boat without a motor. The motor of a boat causes serious vibrations, and if you use a monopod it will transfer right up to your camera without you probably noticing. The make small sandbags with tripod mounts for this purpose, not that you'll necessarily need one. Otherwise, I'd suggest doing the formals on land for the groups, but make sure to get some killer shots of the couple onboard.</p>

<p>The Knot and WeddingWire seem to be the most common. I have my WeddingWire reviews in a slideout tab on my blog. They also have a handy feature built-in to request reviews. </p>

<p>I'm with Marc. I put it in my contract that both my assistant and I must be fed dinner. If I had to leave to get dinner, I would risk missing a toast or something else. I do bring my own snacks and lunch, but often weddings are 12-14 hour days for me, plus long drives, so I cannot possibly be dragging a cooler full of food along into the reception sites. I eat lunch in my car, or grab a few handfuls of almonds during downtime, but that is not enough to keep me going until 11pm. When I eat, I do not sit with guests, usually I am seated at the bar or in a side room in close proximity to the guests so that I can keep tabs on the events going on. I've been shooting weddings for well over ten years and this has never been an issue, and pretty much every reception site, or caterer in the state knows this is how we should be treated, along with the DJ, band members and videographers. </p>

<p>I have always delivered DVD's and have never had an issue, but the new MacBooks are being sold without a DVD drive, so this year I'm offering Flash drives. I also include instructions to my clients on how to properly back up their images. I also keep redundant copies of all weddings in case there is an issue.</p>

<p>Most Pros I know are switching to USB drives since the new MacBooks are shipping without DVD drives. Just a thought, since it looks like that is where the market is going. You can get them personalized, the boxes too!</p>

<p>I live and work in New England, where the wedding season <strong><em>generally</em></strong> runs from May-October. I'm almost half-booked for next year already. I suppose if you live in a warmer climate that there isn't really a true 'wedding season', but lots of couples I work with are reluctant to have winter weddings due to the many issues that snowstorms bring to travel. That said, I have one December wedding booked for this year, but I don't have them very often.</p>

<p>+10 on what David Schilling said. A personal referral is worth much more than any website link. Work on developing those relationships that count, especially with wedding planners and reception site event coordinators.</p>

<p>I use two or three Nikon Speedlights mounted on clamps or with velcro straps up high and out of the way. I own several studio strobes, but would <strong>never</strong> ever use them during a reception; you're asking for a lawsuit when someone trips over a cord, or a broken strobe when a stand gets knocked over. That can be an expensive lesson to learn. Besides, you generally don't want the entire floor lit, you do want to open up the background a bit, but you don't want a nighttime reception to look like daylight (plus too many big strobes going off is annoying to guests). Addditionally, keeping the rest of the room a stop or two darker will help to isolate your subjects, and maintain the mood.</p>

<p>To be perfectly honest I think this an impossible proposition. Most of my clients book me via personal referrals or because we 'connect' on a personal level. Trust is such a huge part of my work; they must trust me to do my job and document their day to their desires, and my standards.<br>

I find it impossible to believe that there would be an outside source for my 'ideal customers'. Especially when wedding photography is often a large expense. Clients want to meet me first, which I completely understand, plus I want to meet them too, to make sure we're on the same page. I have turned down clients in the past when I believe we're not seeing eye-to-eye.</p>

<p>If you want to make money from photography at this point in your life you'll have better luck shooting portraits. Selling stock is like a long-term investment. It can pay, but it takes a lot of time, and a ton of unique images in your library. That being said, the market for stock photography has been dwindling for years, microstock agencies have taken away most of the real profits. I've seen my royalties fall every year, and now they're just a joke.</p>

<p>You may be inadvertently touching the shutter button. </p>

<p>Lens baby ring shot with bleeding hearts.</p><div></div>

<p>If you're a full-time professional wedding photographer and your business is not on Facebook you're missing heaps of free, cheap, easy, and simple advertising opportunities. You may not like it personally, but brides do, and they spend a lot of time on Facebook. <br>

I pay for no advertising whatsoever, and don't be bridal shows or the like, and I'm just two weddings shy of being fully booked for next year. By looking at my website's analytics I can see plainly how much traffic it drives to my site. I guess if you're in my geographic area I should hope you're not on FB, more business for me!</p>

<p>As a woman (yes, my name is Alex and I'm a woman), I agree 100% with Katrin. If this person was an avid follower of your blog, she was obviously looking for her own 'moment in the sun'. By not featuring her, you took away her chance to be featured, and to comment on her post. I'm sure you've upset her.<br>

All of my brides are 'fans' of my FB page, brides from several years ago still comment on new posts, and give me great referrals.<br>

I've said this before, and I'll say it again: I blog and FB each and every wedding. Yes, some clients are more aesthetically pleasing, but that doesn't mean I won't get a referral from them! Great photos can be made at virtually any wedding; take lots of details shots, happy people, crazy dancers, and cute kids, and you'll have enough decent pix for at least a short blog post.</p>

<p>After getting burned once years ago by a family member I have made it my policy to NEVER shoot family events

professionally. If I attend a family wedding I may bring a camera and take a few snaps, but I will not <em>work</em> the

wedding, or treat it like a job, or get in the way of the pro. I like to enjoy a wedding as a guest every once in

awhile! </p><p>I have made this my policy, and I do not waiver from it and all family members know this. Being

treated like a door-mat by strangers for money is one thing, but being treated like a door-mat by family for nothing is a

very bad feeling. When people get something for free, or highly discounted, they do not put the same value on it. Sad but

true, and family are no exception.</p><p>I would suggest that you politely decline, explaining that you don't mix work

and family, and then offer up some excellent pros they should look into.</p>

<p>Have you actually worked with them in the past? I get lots of referrals from reception site event coordinators, and no, I don't pay for any of them, but we have long-term working relationships that go back many years. I often share images with them for their websites and marketing, and they give out my name.<br>

I have been asked by other vendors to give their names out when I'm asked for vendor referrals (florists, videographers, etc.), but I won't unless I've have a positive, established work history with them.<br>

I wouldn't personally take money or services in trade for a referral, especially if I've never worked with them. A referral is a reflection upon my own business, and I'm very careful with my reputation.</p>

<p>I shoot weddings with a combo of DX and FX bodies. I find that having a DX camera in my arsenal is great coupled with a 'standard' 70-200mm for ceremonies, and for candids during the cocktail hour.<br>

I generally try to stay as unobtrusive as possible, and the longer reach of a DX camera coupled with a long traditional telephoto lens allows this. </p>

<p>I take mine (a Nikkor 10.5mm fisheye) to all weddings. I use it often during ceremonies, especially in grand churches. I also use it during the getting ready time sometimes. It can also be fun on the dance floor. See examples.</p><div></div>

<p>For what's it's worth I still have buffer issues, and I don't write to two cards. I do shot in RAW however.</p>

<p>I own the D700, D7000 and D300. I personally find that the small buffer is the biggest draw back of the D7000. If you shoot a lot of frames per second, as is common in sports photography, this is something to consider. Otherwise, I find the D7000 to be a very capable camera for the price.</p>

<p>What kind of research and due-diligence did you do when choosing the stock agencies to submit to? Handing over hi-res images to just about anyone is asking or your images to be stolen and used without your permission or compensation.</p>

<p>Most of my brides book me second after their reception venue. The dress comes much later, I'm not worried. Besides, I think my own clientele is more discerning than those that will fall for an offer from a big box store. </p>

<p>I've owned or own the D70, D200, D300, D700 and D7000, and shoot professionally, often times I shoot 3000 photos a day or tens of thousands on assignment. I never shoot on cards larger than 8GB. I've never once had a bent pin. Using the USB port puts the camera out of commission during the download. How many bent pins have you had? Are you using top quality CF cards or the cheapies?</p>

<p>One question, are you sure the lens needs replacing? Have you sent it to Nikon for an estimate? It is likely it can be fixed for much less than the cost of replacement, and I have a feeling it would be much easier to get the repair cost covered by your client.</p>

<p>I do know a wedding planner that is involved with Wish Upon a Wedding, and she has had good things to say about the organization. They have a Boston/New England chapter, their site is: <a href="http://wishuponawedding.org/">http://wishuponawedding.org/</a><br>

They provide weddings for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances. Good luck!</p>