tammie_p

<p>Natalie, <strong>LISTEN</strong> to <strong>EVERYONE</strong> here who says take back up equipment!!! I did a destination wedding in Cuba last winter and during the Trash the Dress session one of my cameras got severely splashed by a big wave while I was standing thigh high in the ocean. It took all of about 22 seconds to stop working. I never in my wildest imagination thought this could happen to me as I was being SO careful. Thank goodness for back up equipment. Session took a little longer due to having to change lenses a time or two but because of my back up, no harm no foul. I have replaced that camera with 2 D200's so now I have 3. I was really nervous when I was down to only one camera...I no longer had back up.<br>

Extra batteries are a must have and a converter so you can plug your charger in. Walmart sells them for about $20.00. You won't be able to charge your batteries with out it. Make sure you have protective filters on your lenses as well (ie UV filter). Sand is a nightmare. Speaking of sand, be very careful where you switch out lenses on the beach, you will be covered in sand too! I swear it's the worst part of beach pics grrrr.....Also make sure you register all your equipment with Customs before you leave Canada so you have no hassels of bringing your cameras back into Canada. I put all my gear...2 D200s, 2 SB 800 flashes, 6 batteries, (a Costco size package of AAs) memory cards, and 3 lenses (one was in my oversized purse) all in carry on this way none of my gear was out of my sight. Arrive a little bit early at the airport, customs/securoty snagged me both times I have flown with my equipment and basically emptied my camera bag. More of a pain in the butt than anything. My tripod was in my suit case. I was good to go.<br>

As far as being a whole lot different...I'm in Calgary, it was no different. Well...maybe a little, it was warm and there were plam trees there and minus 52 degrees celcius with wind chill here. Yeah...it was different!!! Good luck and have fun!!!</p>

Talitha, where exactly are you?? I live between Calgary and Red Deer. I would have no problems in seeing what I could do with some of your pictures ~ I'm not the best photoshopper around but I get by. As far as retaking some pictures or doing a trash the dress session or even just getting some "nice" family pics, I would love to help you out. I hate seeing someones day ruined by "sub-standard" photographers. I didn't realize that you have made suggestions and the photographer wouldn't go with them. That's just not right. I've sent you an e-mail with my website info. Contact me if you are at all interested.

Talitha, sorry you feel you had a bad experience. I had a look at your pictures and I can understand your frustration, however I am a little confused about a couple of things. Your "advice" is good however you state: "The photographer we hired was fairly inexperienced, with only a handful of weddings he had done". It sounds like you were very aware of his experience or lack there of, so why would you hire him? You also sounded like you knew what you were wanting at the time but the photographer wasn't on the same page...why didn't you speak up and say something. As much as I show up at a wedding with a gazilion ideas in my brain and on paper...I have couples that say "hey, what about over here?" or "I was really hoping to get a shot like this can you do it?" And I'm always open for their suggestions. It's their Wedding pictures. I don't know what he charged you, hopefully not to much. I agree with the above post, check into getting some great "post' pictures done with your husband and kids. All the best.

Thanks so much...Colleen, I emailed you and Ben I will defintly try out the fabrics. Thanks again.

I've seen this effect here and there and really like it. I know its done post

processing. I'm not a whiz when it comes to Photoshop, I know the basics and

that's about it...however I have become intrigued with this particular look and

would like to try a few. I've seen this similar look on several websites, what

I am wanting to know is it an action? Or a canvas/background? Is there some

where to purchase these types of backgrounds? Any help or advice would be

greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!!

 

link: http://asukabook.com/book-club/rebeccablaut/

Thank you Michelle, that's the kind of answer I was hoping for:)

Tammie

Oop, sorry, I should clarify abit more....I bring 4 big albums with me, 2 are complete weddings from beginning of day until the end and the other 2 are about 50 - 100 picutes of 8 differnet weddings, plus a bring a folder full of matted 8x10's so they are definatly getting a clear picture (no pun intended;) of my style. I was looking more along the lines of what do you leave with a client after you meet with them. Kinda like a care package. Thanks.

Boy, do great minds ever think alike...my post is the one right above yours:)

A little while back there was a post regarding presentation to potential

clients and it really got me thinking. I'm still working on the details on what

to include in this presentation. I want it to be very "elegant" looking yet not

too phoofy. Not that my presentation was ever crap....but I wanted to improve

it. Would anybody mind sharing what they include when they meet a client. What

I have come up with so far is this: My packages printed on really nice linen

textured paper, my business card, and 3 sample pictures...one color, one black

and white and one that is both. What am I missing? I'm considering a 3-5 minute

DVD slide show. Another question...do you, or would you print the contract out

on really nice textured paper too? It just seems like a bit of a waste to me as

I'm the one who keeps the contract and don't care if it's "pretty" or not. Do

you think the client cares? What they take with them is pretty. Thanks in

advance for your input.

Gross!!!

This would have to be my favorite for 2006<div></div>

If this has been asked before I apologize. I looked but couldn't find an

answer. I do not have a studio and live way out of town. I meet potential

clients in a mutally convenient location. Whether it's their home or a coffee

shop I lug around a couple of pretty big albums so they can get a solid idea

of who I am and what I do. Odviously it's not EVERYTHING I've done. Yes, it's

the best of the best. For Christmas I just got a wonderful laptop. I started

imagining all the photo's I could show brides if they were on CD's or DVD's,

but then I stopped in my tracks and wondered if this is acceptable. I guess I

just wanted to know what everyone else does. I know those of you with studios

can present alot more but those who go and "meet" their clients, what do you

do? If you were a potential bride whould you be happy seeing a couple of

smaller albums with about 50 proofs each of several weddings in actual print

and seeing complete weddings on a laptop? I'm not trying to keep potential

brides form see my work, in actuality I'm trying to show them more. Your

opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Tammie

Mike,

Forgive me because I have to chuckle...

You said..." A wedding is only a scene or a situation, I just need to learn the parameters of that situation and then I can put my skills to work".

I too am a beginner with weddings and really thought "how hard can it be?", the best piece of advice I can give you is GET TO THE REHERSAL. This allows you to really get a sense of what's going to take place, where everyone is going to stand, scope out where your going to stand, check out some different angles etc. Honestly, it's a complete "saving grace". You'll be surprised, I sure was. Once the ceremony is over, it gets a whole lot easier. As far as your price goes, if your comfortable with it, go with it. You'll soon find out the amount of work it really takes and adjust your price accordinly for next time. Besides, you stated that you didn't think they could afford a whole lot more and you didn't want to lose the opportunity, go for it. You don't know who they know or who they'll refer you too. I took some pictures for my brother's wedding for a scrapbook project, someone saw my pictures and asked me to do their wedding. I charged them basically my costs and they paid me double what I asked. From there, someone saw their pictures and so on and so on. I've done 4 weddings and I have 5 weddings booked next summer just from word of mouth and I feel all of them are priced fairly for them and for me. I am my worst critic and find it to be very stressful but at the same time I love it. Also, be honest with your abilities and experience. Let them know this is a first if you haven't already. Let the next one know you've only done one wedding and so on. For your contract(a MUST have), google "wedding photography contracts" to get some ideas. Then put together a basic contract with the points that are important to you. With regards to creative expression, looking at other photographers sites is very good for ideas. Between that and winging it with my surroundings I seem to make out alright. Good luck and have fun.

 

T:)

Thanks everyone. Especially David...I've seen that clip before...I find it absolutely hilarious and pitiful at the same time. Hard to feel anything but invisible after seeing that display of etiquette.

I've had the honour of photographing several weddings with another 5 coming up.

With these weddings I have also had the bonus of none of them being in a church

therefore there have been NO restrictions as to where I can be. With the bride

and groom knowing this I've been told time and time again...whatever it

takes...get the pictures. I try to keep my distance and have been very

fortunate with the ceremony set ups. At the rehersal at the last wedding I did

I ended up smack in front of the bridesmaids (I was crouched down so I wasn't

obstructing anybodies view). I came right out and asked if anybody was opposed

to me being where I was...this was an incredible angle to see the father of the

bride pass off his little girl. Everybody...the bride, the groom, the parents

the bridal party...everyone stated no with great enthusiasm, "be where ever

you have to be to get the pictures". So I did what I had to do as told...the

way the venue was set up I really had no other way to get an unobstructed view

of this particular shot that the bride wanted. So after getting the bride

coming down the isle I ended up crouched in front of the bridesmaids and got my

shots then proceeded to a less obtrusive position for the rest of the ceremony.

Behind the commisioner. Then I had to cut infront of the bridesmaids again to

get back into the isle to get a picture of the "kiss". There was no other way

for me to make the escape for that must have picture too. After the wedding I

got to my pictures and have to admit that I got some really good pictures at

some really great angels. Pictures I wouldn't have gotten otherwise. The bride

and groom were thrilled but I can't help but feel that I shouldn't have been

where I was. I wasn't hanging over the officiant sholder nor was I blocking

other peoples views....but to me it didn't feel right. Where does one draw the

line?

Thanks.

Hi, I usually just read and absorb here however, I have had a simular request on an "auction" site. Seeing as this is months from now....Tell whomever that you will gladly accept his check and forward his money....just as soon as his check clears! I guarantee he will leave you alone. I checked with my bank and I was told that it could take up to 30 days for an international cashiers check to clear. (curiosity more than anything.) I just relayed all this information to the interested party and what do you know...never heard from them again. It was sweet.