katie_odell1

<p>Animoto is going to be the least expensive short term option, but if you're wanting a high-res version, it'll take an hour or two, depending on how many images you have in the slideshow. So the problem is, if you're wanting to do a same day edit kind of thing at a reception, you have to consider the time that takes.</p>

<p>Our lab, Black River Imaging, takes about 3 days, and has a lot of templates you can use and just drop photos into. I would take Photoreflect's advice and find another supplier who can provide a MUCH faster turnaround.</p>

<p>Let me explain the back story for this bride... She had bought a very expensive gown from a high-end retailer here in Cincinnati. They (the alteration department) butchered the dress in alterations and it was not fixable so that it fit the bride. So, she ended up purchasing this dress off the rack at David's Bridal. She ended up loving this dress more than the first, mostly because the skirt was so fluffy. The series of shots I did straight on were all about showcasing the fullness of the gown, and not the bride's face. There are plenty of other shots where we showcase her and use fill flash, etc. - but the bride had a concept and we went with it.<br>

As for it not being a print image - very few of our brides purchase large prints - and if I crop this the way I think I will in post, I think it won't have the impact the bride intended as a smaller print. Unless she orders this as a large print or a custom gallery wrap, in my opinion, it's not an image that should be made into a 5x7.</p>

<p>@Erica - this angle isn't something I would've picked either, but the bride specifically requested it, so I shot it her way and my way. I am really interested in seeing how others would crop it - I completely see this being something she would add as a central image in the album, but it's not a print photo.<br>

<br /> @Alexandru - I really like the how the green popped in your version!</p>

<p>Nadine -<br>

Both parties agree to go on the show, knowing that it involves an expenses paid trip, and that they waive their right to appeal in an actual court of law. They also know that if they lose their case, they won't have to pay out of pocket. SO, knowing that, I would say much of this is dramatized for TV, and that if the photographer knew they didn't have a good case in an actual court, then this was the easier way to go, because they ended up with a free trip and not having to pay the plantiff.</p>

<p>We use a Tamron 17-50 on our D300. It's not the VC version. For this past weekend, we needed another copy, so we rented the VC version. We're pleased with both lenses, but for me, having VC was nice. I shot with it for probably 80% of the wedding day and don't have any complaints.</p>

<p>I know someone who went on Judge Joe Brown once. The show pays for you to travel to wherever it's shot, put you in a hotel for a couple days and feeds you. Then, they cover the cost of the ruling for the loser. So, while that photographer was obviously rude and may have truly not known her equipment very well....she didn't have to fork over $2500 to anyone.</p>

<p>We use Lavalu for our color correction on many of our events now. Typically, we cull, FTP the files to Lavalu, and then in about a week (sometimes less), they FTP us the .xml files. We then process them to JPG and do any artistic editing we want. It's been a very smooth partnership so far. We pay by the image. The rate depends on what we have them do to the image (cull, color correct, artistic edits, etc.).<br>

They have a very thorough form you'll fill out and they are always open for comments so that they can work over an image the same as you.</p>

<p>We use Finao, and Black River Imaging. All do a fantastic job - it just depends on what you're looking for. We use Finao in our higher packages, and BRI in the lower ones. Brides love the funky cover options with Finao, and that they are actual prints. BRI has several different press papers to choose from, and has about a 3 day turnaround.</p>

<p>And, here's the second. Both of my entries have only been corrected for white balance - everything else is a blank canvas!</p>

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<p>I've never submitted an image before, but I shot a wedding this weekend, and took two images that I would love to see what others would do!<br>

Here's the first:</p>

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<p>We do albums for reception venues. And each year, we design lay-flat cards that show off work from several weddings for florist, planners, bakers, etc. The plus to that is the cards are two sided, so our contact information is on the back of the card.</p>

<p>Well, I will go against the grain here...For Simply Bloom - yes, they may just be doing this stuff in LR, but they could also be using Totally Rad Actions. Specifically, like Grandma's Tap Shoes, Lux, Faded and Claire-ify from TRA2. If you mix those actions up and play around with the opacity of the layers, you can get the same thing.</p>

<p>We bought Lumapix last year and LOVE it. I can design an album in a little under an hour. Being able to save my projects into a template for later use is a priceless feature. It was completely worth the money!</p>

<p>Yeah, if it's a full frame body, go with the 24-70.</p>

<p>I will agree with those who have said you need to have 2 bodies. We have 3 backups to our 2 main bodies. Even when we were just starting out, we had a backup. You would be well served to rent/buy/borrow a backup body, put a 70-200 (or something else with some reach - an 85 wouldn't be a bad choice, either) on it, and use a wide angle on your primary body so you can cover larger group formals. I would then also take your "standard issue" lenses to CYA - because you just never know...</p>

<p>We use our 70-200 during the ceremony, for detail shots (rings, gown detail, flowers, etc), and as a two photographer team, one of us is using it to capture the candid moments while the other is doing more traditional work (like during group shots). Definitely put it on your backup body and shoot with both bodies - you will love the extra reach!</p>

<p>We're pretty much in line with Nadine. All told, it's about 90 minutes, although we've done them in 45 minutes before.<br>

If we have a couple that wants those really creative photos in unique spots, we make sure to educate them that we need additional time besides what we spend on family group shots. For those clients, those images are more important than not seeing each other prior to the ceremony, and they'll structure their day accordingly. Even still, that only adds about an hour to our total "formals" time.</p>

<p>We have a saying "If it lasts more than 7 days, it stays." So in this case, I would edit the cold sore out of every photo it showed up in. If people have a tattoo or something else that is permanent and they ask me to take it out because they are concerned about it, I will, but I do not offer this up on my own. Acne, cold sores, razor burn, that stuff is edited without the client even asking.</p>

<p>We have used WHCC and I was underwhelmed. We are currently using Black River Imaging and Finao, and love both - and so do our clients, which is the most important thing!</p>

<p>Tina & Cliff -<br>

We are in a similar position in that we experienced huge growth in 2009 and became backlogged with our editing. First, if a prior poster is correct and you shoot several thousand shots, you may want to be more selective in what and when you shoot - that many images to cull and go through post production is just too time consuming, and if you are not meeting your contractual obligations then it is definitely time to examine why you are shooting so many images.<br>

We have decided for 2010 to not only increase the time that is stated in our contract, but to improve our workflow. We have found color correction of raw images take us the longest time, and it is the thing we like to do the least, so we are outsourcing that part of workflow to Lavalu. We have also limited the amount of weddings we will take on during the year. We are also hiring an intern that will take over smaller daily tasks like filing, emails, phones, image back up and mailings so that I can concentrate on editing and other things. We have just decided there are some things that, even though we enjoy them, take our focus from our current clients, and that needed to change.<br>

So, certainly change your contract, but also take a long hard look at what got you to this point, and determine what things you can outsource or change to improve your workflow (and likely regain some sanity and sleep!).</p>

<p>We use a blogsite for our senior portraits. We use <a href="http://www.portfoliositez.com">www.portfoliositez.com</a> for our template (Andy) and love it. It's based on WordPress; depending on what you get, you can do either a monthly fee, or a one-time purchase. The best part is that if they come out with another template you like better, you can switch for $20.</p>

<p>Mary is right - it's probably worth it in some areas, but in others photographers are saturated. Only you know if your area is saturated via that advertising method.<br>

I can say that when we were considering advertising methods, we booked two weddings via an ad on craigslist - both brides were active on theknot.com. Once they started recommeding us on their local boards, we haven't spent a penny on advertising on sites like theknot, weddingchannel, etc. Our word of mouth recommendations have booked us almost 40 weddings this year alone, so my personal opinion is theknot isn't necessary if you have a good business model and brides willing to share their positive experiences.</p>

Jackie -

 

First, congratulations on the baby!

 

Now, on to the matter at hand. I had two little girls over the last two years, so I know the pros and cons of wedding photography while expecting. While I have known ladies whose placenta previa has resolved itself, most I have known did end up on strict bedrest.

 

As you stated, the key to not getting put on total bedrest is to limit your activity now - and in my opinion, being a wedding photographer doesn't really allow for limited activity. I would say to not do these weddings at all, if you can help it. Network with other photographers/assistants that can replace you, and then alert your brides to the situation and the backup plan you are implementing. Handling the situation properly will keep your reputation intact, and lower all parties stress levels!

 

Take care of yourself and your baby!

www.lensrentals.com

 

In my opinion, the best selection and by far some of the best customer service around! I don't even use my local shop much anymore, unless I have a last minute need to fill. They might be a little bit more pricey, but it's worth it to be able to reserve lenses, and get great advice and support when I need it!