loralee

OK, for clarification are we turning in 10 shots or the 1 best shot from the 10? I thought Anne wanted the 1 best shot.

Thanks for posting that Anne. I've shot 2 weddings at cost for friends and another for a friend for $500 bucks. All were with the understanding that I had never done this before and that they were going to get what they get. I too researched and researched everything I could get my hands on prior to doing the weddings, but even so, the more I learn the more I understand how completely unprepared I was and lucky I was that things turned out well.

 

I do have another friends wedding that I will be shooting in May which I feel better prepared for thanks in large part to this forum. Still though ... I've so far to go. You so often read from pro's who have spent so much time and money on formal education and mentoring under somebody that it can seem daunting to start from nowhere and hope to someday be able to make a career of this. It's nice to know that there are others out there starting in similar ways. For those that have all of the education, I respect you and the knowledge you bring both to your work and to this forum. For those that don't, I respect you as well for your guts (naivety? lol) in sticking it out and learning this craft.

 

Anne, I hope things continue to go well for you and whether you move or not that your photography will continue to be a passionate part of your life.

Hi Matthew,

 

You mentioned that the engagement session was included in the contract price (right?) yet they are asking for their deposit back. I think it would be important to let them know that they are only getting a partial refund or else they need to return all proofs/CD's/etc from the engagement session as they did not pay for it. They need to understand that you provided your services in good faith and if canceling (for whatever the reason) they need to pay for the services/products already provided or give back the products. That only seems fair to me. Maybe it's not worth it though.

ROFLMAO...Thanks Stacy! I totally read that wrong and couldn't figure out why you would be rubbing anybodies shoes with band aids. New polishing technique? :p

Sorry Stacy... I spelled your name wrong.

"band-aids (for rubbing shoes- mine and the bridesmaids!)"

 

Stacey, what exactly do you use the bandaids for on the shoes? I've never heard of that.

OK, just for the record... if you do keep your contacts in electronic format, back them up regularly. I'm just getting started but I had numerous contacts from coworkers at my day job who had expressed an interest in having me do some photography work for them. I had stored all of them in my PDA and was getting ready to set up a Microsoft Access database to enter it all into. Two days ago the PDA fried itself and all of my contacts are gone. Stupid and costly mistake. Luckily it's all people I know and can go back and get all of the information again.. but it will be time consuming and make me look like I have no idea what I'm doing (um, I work in tech support so this was REALLY stupid!!)

 

Anyway, I'm glad I learned this lesson early on before there was invaluable and irretrievable information lost. And I'm sure this just reenforces the legal pad gangs reasoning for not going electronic!

Thanks again David. I'm just waiting for a callback now from the co-ordinator. I think I'll take your advise and offer to shoot it for free and see if they'll let me set up a backdrop and charge for those. I appreciate the advise.

Thanks so much for both of your suggestions and for the sample piece. It gives me some ideas for the auction presentation.

 

So do you think then that I should volunteer my time for shooting the event as a good will gesture and then try to recoop some of it via the "booth"?

 

Whether I charge or not I think it would be a great opportunity to get our name out there, so either way I am going to pursue it.

Hi Gang,

 

I've been mostly lurking on this group for a while now and, like

others, would like to express my appreciation for the insight and

help which so many here are willing to offer.

 

Now for my situation/question ...

 

I received an invitation yesterday for an Annual Fund Raising Dinner

and Silent Auction (for my son's soccer club). After I received it,

I started thinking that this might be a good opportunity to get some

exposure for our photography business and maybe make some money

too.

 

I have emailed the coordinator with the following offers ...

 

1) To donate a portrait package to the silent auction

2) If they have not already arranged for a photographer for the

event, then I would like to discuss their needs and some ideas for

the event

 

So, I've made the initial contact but I have no idea what to charge

for shooting the event should they want to hire a photographer.

Along with shooting the event itself, I thought about offering to

set up a portable studio to take pictures of the couples (charging

for prints) with a portion of the profits going to the fund raiser.

 

Here are the details for the event ...

 

This is the "4th Annual Mardi Gras Dinner & Auction". It is Semi-

Formal or Appropriate Costume. $45.00 per plate. Itenerary as

follows:

 

5pm with No hosts Cocktails and Silent Auction Opens.

6pm Welcome Announcements.

6:30pm Dinner.

7:30pm Evening Festivities Begin. ???

9:30 Music & Dancing until 12am.

 

Has anyone shot this type of event before? How would you price it?

My husband says the portable studio sounds kind of "high school" ...

thoughts?

 

Any advise on these points would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in

advance.

 

Lora

I like #1. It seems to flow better to me.