betty_lowrey

<p>I think that the bride has to take some responsibility for booking someone who was obviously not cut out to do a wedding.<br>

I shadowed on a few weddings before branching out on my own, and on my first "lone gun" wedding I charged very very little, made sure the bride and groom knew UP FRONT that this was my 1st lone wedding, and studied my butt off before hand on lighting, posing, organization, etc. I also made sure I was familiar with the settings on my camera, etc.<br>

In addition, I was a regisitered business paying taxes prior to taking on any kind of paid work.<br>

I think people get very excited about jumping into the business. I did as well....but it shouldn't be at the expense of a person's big day. I didn't take on a wedding by myself until I felt 100% sure I could handle it. Since then I have 15 weddings under my belt in under a year and with each one I get more and more comfortable. But, I never let my guard down. I aim to stay professional and on top of my game.<br>

I feel bad when people get "taken", but one only has to peruse Craigslist to see the litany of $400 shooters out there desperately trying to turn their camera into money. It seems to be the same folks who believe the camera does all the work on it's own with no skill required from the user.</p>

 

<p>I haven't needed anything beyond business cards, honestly. Most of my advertising is WOM.<br>

I recently did a brochure and stand-up display for a silent auction I donated a sitting to, but that is the only time I've been asked for something such as that.</p>

<p>Fast prime lenses, tripod, and a higher ISO. I do a lot of Catholic weddings and they seem to NEVER allow flash or a lot of movement.</p>

<p>I think composition is up there. When I look through the view finder I'm thinking "what am I capturing here and how can I make it interesting".</p>

 

<p>Adrienne, I highly suggest picking up The Fast Track Photographer book. It's REALLY inspired me to find my "style"</p>

<p>Do you do anything in color?<br>

Just curious.<br>

As far as packaging and presenting, it depends on how much you want to spend to present it. I offer a variety of packages including disc only all the way up to parent albums and prints.</p>

<p>Kelli, I just looked over your site. It needs a LOT of work. From the pictures to the type.<br>

I cannot believe you wrote this in your pricing area: Some people are more photogenic and will have more "good pictures" than others.<br>

This is, in a word, saying "hey, if you're ugly I can't help it if your pictures are bad"<br>

This is a terrible way to approach photography. It's your JOB to make pictures beautiful, photogenic or not.<br>

Honestly, I am all for encouraging anyone to go for their dream and learn what they can, but this whole paragraph really turned me off.</p>

 

<p>Thanks for tips...think the 85 is going to be it.</p>

<p>Holy cow Mark, you're my new photographic hero. Beautiful beautiful work!</p>

<p>Thanks Robert. I'm hemming and hawing over here. I should just get both and call it day!</p>

<p>I just give my clients the full large files and reprint rights, this helps me avoid ala carte ordering of things in the future...which can be time consuming.</p>

<p>I shoot Nikon. I'm in the market for a good prime lens that is sharp as well as useful in a variety of situations. Right now I use a 30mm 1.4 that I love, but I want to expand into maybe a 50 or an 85. Anyone have any prime lens raves?</p>

<p>Mark, where are you seeing these pictures?</p>

<p>I would up the ISO a tad, and maybe utilize a noise reduction software in post-production. I use a D300 as well and have noticed the noise isn't TOO bad at about 600-800 ISO. You're lucky they're letting you use flash! I've run into so many no-flash allowed situations where my ISO had to be bumped to super-high levels.</p>

<p>Obviously only 100 of 200-400 are good?<br>

I'm confused by use of the word "obviously". That mean's you're only running at about 25-50% success.</p>

<p>Yes, we need a link. And what exactly did the bride say? Is this something you can fix in post-production?</p>

<p>Ok, a few things that just caught my eye<br>

1. The "Yes, I took this picture!"...if you want to instill confidence in brides and grooms or other clients, you can't sound like you're amazed you can take a decent picture. If it's on your site, they should assume you took it.<br>

2. A lot of the pictures under the "Life" title look like snapshots, which isn't setting you apart from anyone else with a nice camera. Be more selective.<br>

3. Your site is kind of unclear as to what kind of photographer you are. Are you portraiture? Wedding? Event? Lifestyle? You say you do weddings, but you're not really specific on what weddings you will do. You need a "brand", to sell yourself and to hit a target market.<br>

4. Your work is decent, just needs to be connected a little better on the site. Watch your blurriness on a few of the pictures.</p>

<p>I use pre-printed DVD case inserts with my logo on them and screenprinted DVDs with my logo.</p>

<p>DVD, the file sizes are just too large for CDs. I back up everything on harddrive and disc as well as online with Instaproofs.</p>

<p>I think you're right Francie, a new picture should probably be chosen.</p>

<p>Eeek on the selective color. That combined with the cliche shot just kind of screams "cheesy and cheap". IMHO.</p>

<p>Honestly, I would crop in tigher and go B&W. There is just so much detail that the energy is being lost.</p>

<p>Exactly Steve. If your bride and groom are pleased, the Peanut Gallery doesn't matter.<br>

If you want some inspiration (instead of negativity) check out Jasmine Star's blog. She has only been doing this for 2 years and has succeeded in ways most photogs only DREAM about. It certainly can inspire anyone new to work hard, dream big, sharpen their skills, and believe it can be done.</p>

<p>What beautiful Mehndi detail. Good job!</p>

<p><img src="http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g90/stumpygrrl/photonet-1.jpg" alt="" /><br>

Sadness in the midst of joy (giving away their baby) In the middle of the ceremony the husband reached over and took his wife's hand. I thought it was pretty sweet.<br>

Taken with a Nikon D40 (backup camera), ISO 200, f/6.3 No flash Converted to Black and White in Photoshop using Pioneer Woman B&W action.</p>