anna_bravington

<p>I tried it a couple of times when it was requested - far too much effort and I found I didn't really want to show the images till I'd done my final selections and editing.<br>

The images looked good and everyone enjoyed looking at them, but I found it too much of a distraction. I won't do it again.<br>

I agree that it would be better to have an assistant do the editing, projecting etc - it might work a lot better that way.</p>

<p>My outfit varies on the venue - I must admit I do like the all black look, but thats just personal preference (it's very slimming you know ;) ) - Plus when I've been kneeling on the soggy ground/grass it doesn't show the dirt so much :)</p>

<p>I always wear trousers as I'm quite an action, wedding photographer - I've climbed walls, trees, up my step ladder etc. I'd have probably given everyone a show of my underwear if I had a skirt :)</p>

<p>Shoe wise I like things with grip and that are comfy. Shoes that are quite trainer like suit me well.</p>

<p>I don't like to look like a guest so much - as I like people to know I'm the official photographer. Sometimes I wear my nice tops with my logo on, people really like those and say that they like that it makes me easy to spot.</p>

<p>I think you do have to look smart at weddings but you need to find your own personal style. There is no real right or wrong, as long as it projects your image and it is comfortable to photograph in.</p>

<p>Oh and can I agree 100% with Nadine on the pocket issue. Why do ladies trousers never have decent pockets (same goes for skirts, jackets etc). most of them have none at all.<br>

Last year I looked round about 30 shops and none of them had trousers with pockets in, or the ones that did the pockets were so small I wouldn't have been able to fit even a lens cap in them! They make jeans with loads of pockets, why can't they apply that style to trousers. Bah humbug!</p>

<p>We make a preview CD with the designs - just has a pdf with all the pages on it as I prefer the couple to see the design first and sign it off - they can make a few changes if they want, but to be honest not many do.<br>

In the last year I think I've had couples make 2 changes - one was replacing an image with another similar image and the other was cropping an image slightly to crop someone out of it. Both took about 2 minutes. I allow up to 1 hour of my time for changes (it's written in the contract), but it's never needed.<br>

I just like the fact that the couple have approved the design and I know they like it, as some albums aren't cheap to buy, so it gives me peace of mind that I'm not going to have to buy another one.<br>

But saying that, if you don't work that way and never have then I don't see why you should change now, do you think she'll not like it? It's difficult, if you're worried you could show her beforehand, just to put your mind at ease. You could mention you are just showing it to her, you don't have to mention that she will get any changes. Just show her to see her reaction.</p>

<p>I'm only 30, but my friend who is a wedding photographer is in her 50's and she gets plenty of work. She is fun, has a modern style and adapts to the current wedding market. She gets loads of young couples and I don't think it stops them booking her at all. I love it when she works a wedding with me, the couples really like her.<br>

On the other side of it I have another friend who is a similar age to me and he doesn't get so many bookings as he has quite traditional style and offers very old fashioned albums that don't seem to attract young couples at all.<br>

Best thing is to know your markets and what the couples want and adapt to that, whilst keeping your own personal style.</p>

<p>Do you mean the self-adhesive albums (or is Peel & Stick a brand name?)?</p>

<p>If its just self adhesive, the MTA range are pretty popular: <a href="http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/ctl?query=mta&ac.ui.pn=search.Search">http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/ctl?query=mta&ac.ui.pn=search.Search</a></p>

<p>or here:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.dpmwallbank.com/">http://www.dpmwallbank.com/</a><br>

If you've heard of Spicer Hallfield, the big album company that went in to administration, these albums are what they used to offer, but now a new company has taken the range over.</p>

<p>They use the repositional technology so if you stick a photo in wrong you can pull it up again, but they stick well.</p>

<p>I offer 4 types of albums.</p>

<p>First two are a digital album and a coffee table book (for people who like their photos printed on pages) - the digital album is the lower priced of the two - so it caters for couples with differeent budgets.</p>

<p>Secondly, I also offer a cheaper and a more expensive self-adhesive album, once again to cover more price brackets. The people who chose this tend to want something that looks more like an album, or they like something that looks more impressive as they are pretty heavy and thick.</p>

<p>I only offer good quality albums, so I'm not really a low end photographer, but I'm not expensive either. Kinda middle of the road in my area.</p>

<p>I find it helps to cover a small variety of budgets within the mid range, plus my customers have varying tastes so I like to cater for a few different ones.</p>

<p>I offer custom packages, which means a couple can mix and match the photography with the albums, CD's, Prints etc. I think having a few album choices works well with these custom built packages.</p>

<p>I used to offer fixed packages and only offered one type of album. It was a really lovely Coffee table album (I still offer it).</p>

<p>I love albums and it's a personal choice to offer several. I know all the suppliers and have set ways of ordering each album, so I don't find it hassle getting them from different places. Most of the companies I deal with have very easy to use software.</p>

<p>The only thing I limit is the shape of my albums. I only offer square albums. The reason for this is that when given a choice 99% of my customers ordered square anyway and secondly I have some album templates I designed, and if I offered different shapes of albums I'd have to make new templates to fit the different sizes.</p>

<p>I would have done the same as you, Matt. If someone enquired months ago and never followed through I would consider the date open for any other bride. You have no way to predict that the bride would come back months later to book, most couples don't leave it that long and I would have assumed they were not interested.<br>

If the couple you were going to see in a week were a first meeting, then I would have done exactly what you did and call them and tell them the situation. I'm not sure how she could be angry if you'd not even had one meeting yet and you had no control over the other bride taking months to decide.<br>

If on the other hand the meeting with the bride next week was to sign a contract etc, then I would have left it open and said that whoever got their deposit to me first got the date. Like you said a date is open till a deposit etc is paid.</p>

<p>I kind of agree with what your saying. I am definately one for using only specific equipment, that I know well. Compared to a couple of friends who go through a variety of equipment, bodies, lenses throughout the day - and don't know how to master any of it. I choose specific equipment that I love and know how to use.</p>

<p>But I would say that you do need to have at least the minimum equipment to do a job. I have assistants that have hardly any equipment and they can really become stuck in certain situations. I have one assistant that is great and knows his equipment well, but when he came to me he didn't have a low light lens or a flash. Although he knew his equipment well, there was no way even a expert could push it to do well/or even adiquately in the dark dingy churches here in the UK.</p>

<p>I'm really glad in the first couple of weddings he assited me that he did ask "what equipment should I get?" because using the knowledge of the type of venues I could advise him on the best couple of things to buy. Not expensive things, just bits that would make him able to photograph ok in the given situation.</p>

<p>As wedding photography is different to many areas of photography in what equipment should be used, I think that is why you have so many people asking questions about it. There aren't many other times you'll be shooting a dark dingy church, or a first dance under low light. So I understand why people need to know about the best equipment.</p>

<p>But I agree with you that people shouldn't get bogged down in what equipment they have, the best thing to do, as you suggested is to actually go out there and try some shots in the location, and try to re-create what will happen on the day. That way you know what to expect.<br>

By doing that you will also see what equipment you need to get the job done. For example if there is no way you can push your camera enough to photograph in a dark church, without flash, then you may need to get a low light lens. But until they go out there and try, they won't know. And if you do get a new piece of equipment you then have to practice with it.</p>

<p>I use sim2000imaging in the UK. They aren't too bad at all. Print quality and colour reproduction are good.<br />Very helpful if you have a difficult page/cover - I had a cover image that the couple wanted full bleed, but the grooms head was very close to the edge. I sent then the image file and fonts that I'd used to design the cover and they made sure it was perfect.</p>

<p>I've heard great things about bookedimages <a href="http://www.bookedimages.com/">http://www.bookedimages.com/</a> - they have a range that from the website seems to be even better than sim2000. They have lots of finishing touches you can add like ribbon, wooden boxes, slipcases etc. Might be worth a look.</p>

<p>I love Lustre - Individual and album prints are all done in it. The company I use uses a Fuji paper and it is lovely.</p>

<p>I find gloss not great for albums as you can see more fingerprints on it and Matt for me personally I feel makes my images a little flat. Lustre is my perfect inbetween. I think it depends on your type of images. Mine tend to be quite bold and I think thats why Matt paper doesn't suit me.</p>

<p>I do the odd metallic, but it tends to work best on certain types of pictures, so I don't bother with it too much.</p>

<p>My customers love the Lustre paper. I think it's because you don't really get it in many consumer labs here (UK) - so they've not really seen it before - and if they love it then thats one of my big factors for using it.</p>

<p>love my sb-600, I like it so much that I bought a second one.</p>

<p>I have an assistant that has only really used studio lights and ambient light before - he decided to try a sb-600 (as I told him how good it is) and loves it.</p>

<p>It's very easy to use and the first wedding he did with it his pictures came out amazing with it. He'd only practised at home with it, but as it is so simple to use, he could adapt to a wedding situation very easily.</p>

<p>I never used to have prices on my website, but I used to get calls/emails from people who could not afford my sevices.<br>

So, I now put a couple of sample packages, just 2 popular ones. Just to give an indication of price.</p>

<p>I don't bother with my whole price list as I do completely custom packages and my price list is pretty long (I did try this onece, but brides found it too confusing).</p>

<p>I normally get customers in the correct price range for me, so it seems to work.</p>

<p>I prefer putting the sample packages instead of saying I have packages from £xxx to £xxx - because I can show what is in the package, if you put from £xxx, they don't know what the package has in it.</p>

<p>My sample package will say some thing like 4 hours photography, plus hi-res CD of all edited images: £xxx</p>

<p>You could always try a couple of different ways, see how people respond. I'm always altering my website. Do it one way for a few months then change it to another way and see what works best.</p>

<p>I would agree that I would upgrade the camera, if you want to upgrade something. I never use a 70-200, some of the venues here are so small I'd have to stand out the door to actually get anyone in with one of those. On the very rare occasion they are useful I think.</p>

<p>There were a couple of guys photographing a wedding (the one before the one I was photographing) and they both had what looked like 70-200, they were standing so far from the couple sometimes that I thought that perhaps the couple smelt bad ;)</p>

<p>The d90 is a great cam - I use one. If you want it to be waterproof put a carrier bag over it ;)</p>

<p>I am actually thinking about this myself - as I want to expand to 2 locations (I have a good reason to do so). But I wouldn't let someone come in on the same pay as me, after all the money and effort I put into getting my business where it is.</p>

<p>When someone wants to come in to and established business they sometimes can buy themselves in - eg. they pay you money for a partnership. It's up to you if you want to take this route. You decide an amount that you think is fair based on the time and money you have already put in. That way you can use the money to run the business and help it expand to the size that you need two photographers.</p>

<p>It sound like she just wants an easy ride. I have people with photography degrees contacting me weekly asking for assisting work, but I don't have any places. These days photography degree students are lucky if they get paid assisting work, let alone full time work.<br>

Yes, it would be lovely if someone just gave us all part of their business, but it doesn't work like that. I think your assistant is a bit cheeky with all their demands to be honest! I'd be a bit worried having someone come in as a partner who couln't run a business - does that mean you'll have to do all the paperwork etc while they just do the nice photography?!</p>

<p>I think I'm going to have someone either paid on a percentage per wedding. I'm not sure what I'm going to get them to do though yet. Do you want this person to run your business like you do, eg. have hands on with everything. The following jobs are the main ones in the business (that I can think of) - I'm not sure whether when I have another main tog we should share these or whether I'll do more of the paperwork and pay them less etc.</p>

<p>Inital client meetings<br>

Sending out Paperwork<br>

Photographing Weddings<br>

Editing<br>

Proof books / online gallery<br>

Sending off print orders<br>

designing albums<br>

ordering albums<br>

creating CD's etc<br>

advertising<br>

accounts / general paperwork<br>

answering calls and emails<br>

buying Stationary / sample albums / equipment etc<br>

buying customers products and albums</p>

<p>There are lots of aspect of the business, if your assistant wants to join full time then they should be included in everything - including buying equipment etc - which they should really contribute financially too.</p>

<p>I hope you decide ok on how you want to proceed. Remember that it's your business that you built up - so do what you feel comfortable with.</p>

<p>William, I don't think I could ever show gratitude to anyone who lies and cheats. Just because someone is a pro doesn't mean they automatically earn gratitude and respect, its all about their manner and how they treat people. It's almost as if you think it's ok for people to treat others that way? I'm horrified that some people think that way.</p>

<p>I would agree with moving on. People like that aren't worth your time, Halle. Find some other people to assist that are better people.</p>

<p>I am very greatful to some of the wonderful people who I assisted when I was first learning. Those who were professional, upfront and trustworthy. They tend to be the people you learn the most from, and I have always tried to make sure that I am one of those people.</p>

<p>I treat my assistants with the respect they deserve whilst running my business in an ethical manner. Hopefully Halle will do the same (when you get your own business!) now that they've seen how bad some people can be.</p>

<p>I and several of my friends have all done assisting for free and been paid for it in the past (before we became full time wedding photographers). I must admit I don't think there was one of us that didn't get the bad end of a deal on more than one occasion. I must admit I am surprised how many pros are happy to screw you over.</p>

<p>A friend of mine had a very similar problem to you, the pro paid him next to nothing and on occassion my friend would shoot for free, just so he could have a portfolio of images. The pro said he could use whatever images he liked on his site, but when it came time for my friend to go full time the pro started being nasty, threatening him if he didn't take the pics down. I'm assuming it's because he felt threatened because my friend went full time and was now him competition, but if a seasoned pro is worried about a complete newcomer there is something seriously wrong!<br>

Unfortunately my friend did thake the images down, as he thought it wasn't worth the hassle. Like you have done. But he still used them in his printed portfolio.</p>

<p>I had a bad experience too. I did a full day shoot with a pro, I used his memory cards, but he said he would send me a disc with my images on. He also said he'd pay me £50 for the day. Did the work but never got paid or saw my images again :(<br>

I know he used some for the customer as I saw them on the customers gallery, but he just ignored all my attempts at contact. I was naive and some people prey on that. It's sad.</p>

<p>The problem with both these situations. Nothing in writing. It's disgraceful that pro's would act this way, but to be honest anyone that does act this way I don't call a pro. If they treat their assistants like that then how do they treat their clients. It shows a complete disregard for people and makes me thing they are just out to make a quick buck. Lying is not an acceptable business way.</p>

<p>My assistants always have contracts. I'm very fair. They can keep copyright (although they are prohibited from selling their images), I have full rights to use them for the customer. I must admit I use all my own images in my gallery - but thats just because I like my images best :)</p>

<p>Insist on at least the basic terms in an agreement between you and a photographer if you assist again. If they refuse then assume that they want to go back on their word and so don't want it in writing.</p>

<p>I've never taken posed table shots (the guests dont seem to like doing them that much!), but before the meal I take a lot of the room, which will pretty much get the layout and you can see who's on each table. With digital you can take lots of shots, so I'd rather have more than less - although I don't just shoot for the sake of shooting, it has to make a good image.</p>

<p>I'm also booked to stay a certain length of time - the couple book me from a certain time to a certain time - that way there are no misunderstandings, they know when I'm going to arrive and leave.</p>

<p>I would say that as a photographer I make it my duty to let couples know all the information I can possibly think of up front. Including times, image processing time, album delivery times, rough idea of the number of images expected, lists of group shots etc etc. The customers who book me will probably not know much about wedding photography, so I think it's up to me to inform them. I'm the professional and know how it all works and they look to us for guidance. Unfortunately this can also be the big problem too - if you have a photographer that is new or not very good then the couple can end up relying on the wrong person.</p>

<p>I love the Kubota Magic Sharp. It really does something to images that I love. I use it all the time. Sometimes on wedding images, sometimes of portraits.</p>

<p>I've tried other sharpeners, but they always seem to have something wrong or the result really isn't that sharp.</p>

<p>It's definately noticable with Magic Sharp - but in a good way.</p>

<p>If you would like to e-mail me a photo I'd be happy to run magic sharp on it to see if you like it. Let me know if you'd like to do that?</p>

<p>Hey, I like Lightscribe! :)</p>

<p>I think your images look very good - there were a few shots that you were not in a great position eg. peoples heads in the way etc. But if you do more weddings you'll learn more about the best places to stand and just barge in to get the best shot :)</p>

<p>There are a few that you have fallen in to the trap of putting the head of a person in the middle of the image so that they have too much space above them and look a little unbalanced. My assistants do this a lot. You can get away with this on certain pics, but I feel some of yours would have worked better with the people's heads being nearer the top of the images.</p>

<p>A very good shoot overall and I'm sure the couple will be very pleased.</p>

<p>I always stick to my rules when it comes to payment, I don't think it's fair to break them for one person and not for others. Plus if the couple do end up recommending you to someone else, would the new customer want the same payment terms?<br>

It's totally up to you though, would you feel comfortable with it? I don't think I would. I guess trust has to go both ways and if they don't trust me then why is there a reason for me to trust them?<br>

If my service was bad/I cheated them, my reputation would be on the line and I have a lot to lose. If they ended up cheating their reputation isn't up for stakes. I'd have more to lose by failing the contract than they would.</p>

<p>I love it when your made to feel like part of it all, I often have hugs when I leave and a kiss on the cheek. I am often found chatting to family members during slower times of the day, I think it makes them feel more relaxed when I shoot them.</p>

<p>I've been invited to evening receptions, when I've just been covering the day. It is so lovely. I've even put my camera down to have a quick dance with a bride as she wanted me to.</p>

<p>Sometimes I've had to do up brides dresses, especially the laced up variety, as no one else knows how to do it. I've calmed some down when they have pre wedding nerves.</p>

<p>I also love all the thankyou cards I get after the wedding, I have a friend who is more of a hands off type of photographer and he doesn't get many - I think because he doesn't build up such a rapport. But he prefers that. He'd hate the way my business is :)</p>

<p>Obviously it all depends on you as a person and of your style. We're relaxed, fun and all our couples follow suit.</p>

<p>I judge each wedding differently though - some couples you know are more huggy, others aren't. I try to mould myself to what the couple are like.</p>

<p>In the UK we have loads of these types of problems as we have loads of dark old churches and most of the time you are not allowed to use flash. It was an absolute nightmare trying to capture pictures. My fave lens is the Sigma 18-50 2.8, but I sometimes got out a 1.4 prime - but still had problems.<br>

Then I got a nikon d90 - I can push the iso easily up to 2000 - have been up to 3200 and with a bit of Noise Ninja it is usable.<br>

Also the d300 is good for high iso, but is a bit more expensive.<br>

The only other option is to use flash or some of the techniques listed abouve.</p>

<p>I agree with Gil, the D90 performs great at higher iso, that teamed with your 2.8 lenses would allow you to shoot in darker situations. It's much cheaper than a d300. I use one a lot and love it.</p>

<p>I don't really ever use a super wide angle, personally and I've been photographing weddings a few years.</p>

<p>The other option is that you could perhaps rent a wide angle first and take it to a wedding, see if you find it useful?</p>