alex_dc

<p>I am a camera bag junkie. I own a ShootSac, an old pj style Domke F2, a Pelican 1510 case, a huge Tamrac backpack, a smaller Tamrac backpack, a LowePro bag...and more. The bags are like my gear, I choose the right tool (bag) for the job. A small portrait shoot in the field might call for the Domke bag, a wedding, the ShootSac, with the Pelican case stashed somewhere else. I use the backpacks for extended assignments, since they hold a laptop too. I often take the Pelican along and check it when getting on a plane, and carry the smaller backpack on board, I like having the gear in two places just in case.<br>

I don't think there is one bag out there that could ever fit all of my needs. And seldom are they cheap. I'd say the Domke F2 would be my go-to bag if I could only have one....or perhaps the smaller Tamrac (Aero 80) for travel.</p>

<p>Perhaps they were referring to coverage for errors and omissions. I know this is covered under my policy. From the Hill & Usher site:</p>

<blockquote>

<p>...Errors & Omissions insurance does not erase a mistake, but it can certainly soothe the anger and disbelief of a customer. In some cases, as in Package Choice's Hartford policy, Errors & Omissions coverage will pay to completely re-stage an event, complete with tuxedos and fresh flowers, if necessary. The coverage will protect you in court, paying attorney's fees and other legal expenses. But, the coverage does not require legal action before you are insured. The aim of this coverage is to preserve your reputation and salvage the relationship you have with your client, not just to pay damages when a court rules against you....</p>

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<p>I was asked by a bride if she could 'register' with me for her photography fees. She will be paying a normal deposit/retainer, but was hoping to have further costs off-set by her guests in lieu of a normal gift registry. (It has been established that if no one contributed, she would be responsible for all costs, and she doesn't have a problem with that.)<br>

She's already established in a home, and doesn't need more homegoods, but photography is very important to her. Apparently, honeymoon registries are becoming more common, although I'd never heard of them.<br>

I searched the forum and found a reference to this, but was hoping to get more input from photographers actually offering this service. Her wedding isn't for almost a year, so we have time to figure out the best way to go about this. We could go high tech with some sort of online payment option, or with info cards included in the shower invitations.<br>

I was hoping to get input from those who currently offer this service, not opinions on whether or not this is a good idea. If you do offer this, how do you implement it? Do you deduct fees from credit card payments? Do you send acknowledgment cards? What has 'worked' for you? What hasn't?</p>

 

<p>Changing my website to a (reguarily updated) blog format has increased my inquiries greatly. I'm half-booked for 2010 already, and that is way ahead of previous years.</p>

<p>What you suspect is happening is correct. Can you fire the flash manually by pressing the 'test' button? You'll need to set your meter to 'non-cord', and someone will need to hold it for you, but it should work.</p>

<p>Shot with at Nikon D700 37-70mm 2.8 at 35mm, iso 200, 1/60th f8, off camera strobe fired into the corner/ceiling. I normally don't pull out the lights a a wedidng, but it was pouring out.<br>

Last wedding of the season...</p><div></div>

<p>I came to this same realization a few months ago and I finally decided on ProPhoto2 by Netrivet. It was the third template I had tried. To say I am satisfied would be an understatement. They have excellent customer service, the templates are easy to customize and yet don't look like templates (IMHO) and the price is very fair. Their site is: http://www.prophotoblogs.com/ if you want to see my site to see an example it is: http://www.classicmainewedding.com/ if you have any quesions feel free to contact me directly through my blog-site! I'm happy I've made the change since I can keep the site current, which was a problem with my old site.</p>

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<p>That is alot of images to convert to Jpeg and then edit...</p>

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<p>If you use Lightroom there is really no additional time added.<br>

And if you're so happy with JPG, it's not quite clear why you're asking. It's almost as bad as the Nikon vs. Canon debate. There is no real winner, it comes down to what works best for you, your business, your workflow, etc. Personally, I shoot RAW, and I know some great photogs that shoot JPG. The flexibility of RAW (in conjunction with Lightroom) has saved my images more than once, and the storage issue is really moot with the cost of a 1 TB drive down to just over $100.</p>

<p>I thought .org website addresses were for non-profits and non-commercial entities.<br>

That said, the design is very plain. I like the logo, but the side with the photo doesn't grab me. Nor does the strange backgound overlay with the baby.</p>

<p>If I'm not mistaken you must also be in Single not Continuous focus mode for it to work, that and what Shun said about the focus point being in the center.</p>

<p>Taking pictures of kids brings up a whole other layer of issues. What do you want to do with these photos? Take that into consideration before some kid's dad pummels you for taking pix of their kid, people can be weird about that.</p>

<p>I've been using mine for ring shots a lot this year, I have the 'Composer' and the wide angle attachment.</p><div></div>

<p>The bride was has very sensitive eyes and couldn't stop squinting, so I asked her to close her eyes and snuggle in.<br>

Nikon D300, 1/160th @ f 6.3<br>

York, Maine</p><div></div>

That's easy, what does it say in your contract? I get an edit of 200 or so online in a week. Final discs delivered with proofs in a month.

When I've seen them at weddings they are always in the hands of very small children, the parents give them the cameras so the have something to 'do'. At about twenty bucks a pop with developing, all the bride and groom get are pictures of people's knees! Back before everyone brought a digital camera to a wedding they were a good idea, not anymore.

I tried keeping this group moving. I like how dynamic it is, but some people may be bothered that you can't see all of their faces. We did lots of group shots at this wedding, and this was my favorite.<div></div>

I work out of a relatively small market (and rarely post, but lurk here often),

and often see "wedding photographers" advertising online on Craigslist, small

business sites, newspapers, etc., who clearly have little wedding photography

(or any photography) experience at all. They may have bought a bigfolio website,

and a dslr, but their work is very amateur (and quite terrible too).

While I don't see these people as competition, I honestly worry that

unsuspecting/uneducated/under-funded couples will end up with what basically

amounts to on-camera flash crap for their wedding photos.

I was thinking of making up a list of important reasons to hire a professional

wedding photographer, or perhaps more importantly, an explanation of why hiring

a professional may not be cheap, but is worth it. I feel there isn't much

education out there for the average bridal consumer.

As most of us know from experience, and reading the first-timer posts on this

forum, so many people think that photography is about equipment, not time-tested

experience.

So...what I'm getting at is what would be on your list of reasons to hire a

professional/questions to ask your potential wedding photographer.

I'll start, 1.)How many weddings has your photographer photographed as the head

hired shooter?

Jessica Claire posts her boudoir sessions on her blog at http://www.jessicaclaire.net/ scroll down, and enter the password which she gives you. They are stunning, as are her weddings. Her brides are always so gorgeous.