geo_martin

<p>"Pressure sales" ? "hiding the prices " ? Who said anything about that ? As a studio that has been in business since 1972 we have a well established clientele and are well beyond trying to establish ourselves in the wedding market. People come to us for our reputation, service and product.<br>

We show them what we offer, and allow them to make their choices. Bottom line is that the more brides you meet with the more you will book. Simple percentages. </p>

<p>Matt, how many clients bypass you simply because they "feel" you are out of their price range ? Without even inquiring ?<br>

Call me a capitalist any day of the week. I'm in this to make money at something that I'm good at and enjoy.<br>

As for "hiding" the prices, the connotation that it is somehow a "sleazy hidden" agenda is wrong. It's about marketing and sales. It takes more than just excellent photography to be successful in the wedding photography profession. "Selling" is a huge part of it. The more brides that I get into my studio the higher percentages that I will book more of them. I do this full time, not part time. This is my only profession. I have associate shooters and most weekends we are doing two and three weddings.<br>

If I were a part timer, I could be very selective in my bookings and who i wanted to work with.<br>

As I stated, I have tried both ways of pricing and for ME, having a bride inquire and giving me the opportunity to speak/email with them is more productive than no contact at all.</p>

 

<p>"old fashioned things like use a tripod"........that's precious. Do new wedding shooters not carry a tripod or light meter ? </p>

<p>We have been in business since 1972 so for US, our clients are mostly referrals. But new clients also come from other wedding vendors and those type of referrals are gold. Most low ball brides usually come from yellow pages ads which I maintain for other photography work. But then again, I have booked some large collections off of my yellow pages ad.</p>

<p>For acquiring rim lighting, what is the visual difference and working difference between using strip boxes with grids or reflectors with grids ?</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I find digital "retouching" one of the biggest deficits in digital photography. Sure it's "fun" to make magic in PS, but time is money. The time spent behind the keyboard could be time spent networking and keeping professional relationships strong which brings in business.<br>

The idea that we would be able to control the entire job from start to finish at the concept of digital imaging sounded like a great thing, but in reality, it has made digital imaging less cost effective if one were to factor in the actual editing time spent. Most photogs don't. They look at it like it's all part of the process. <br>

Time editing, time on the internet. time working on blogs, emails, websites, and on and on and on.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I have sold brides on buying more than they initially wanted to purchase, so I prefer getting them into the studio. For ME, I would rather have someone contact me as opposed to automatically moving on without me getting the chance to sell to them face to face.</p>

<p>What is your experience with having all of your wedding collection/ala carte pricing on your website. I have tried both ways and found that with them online, if the prices are not within the budgetary wishes of the bride then move on and we never hear from them.<br>

With no pricing online, I have found that brides will contact us and I will email them our price list allowing me to make my email sales pitch to them, offer them a "special" or something complimentary. So basically it allows me, the salesman to get my foot in the door. And they leave a phone number also for possible contact.<br>

I currently am not posting my prices and I prefer it.<br>

Your experience and opinions ?</p>

 

<p>I have done two reprints already. This would be the third. The first one was due to my error. The second one was at their request. Now we're into the third reprint. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$</p>

<p>OH there are definitely Bridezillas, without a doubt.<br>

Quote : "It's my F'n day and I'll do whatever the F I want to do".....unquote.</p>

<p>I personally don't like to be the center of attention. It's the clients day, not mine. But i'm old school. Many newer photographers do whatever it takes.I just don't feel that being all over the ceremony is that important to the integrity of the coverage. Getting beautiful church images are plenty. Getting "eyeball" photos is not necessary.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Many times I personally don't do the consultation and don't witness who actually signs the contract. Other times we don't give the contract until the client selects their collection, then we mail it out to them. In those cases, anyone could theoretically sign the contract without our knowledge. <br>

It brings up some very interesting issues that I have to find solutions to. Great thread.</p>

 

<p>Mom signed the contract. </p>

<p>Shoot with primes and you'll never go back to a zoom unless it's for comrort. My 28, 50 85 and 100 primes are razor sharp and are so affordable. No need to pay high L prices.</p>

 

<p>That was the beauty of the square format. Regardless of the image, you could crop the square either way.....horizontal or vertical, as long as it was "in the square". And of course Hasselblad lenses were unsurpassed for image quality. And then there was the 500 flash synch without sacrificing flash depth. Sharp, meaty images. </p>

<p>I would love to shoot my Hassy's again but with my poor eyesight I couldn't focus the darn things. I miss the simple square set it and forget formals on a tripod.</p>

<p>Even though they have been overly picky on inconsequential items (my view) they have still been extremely nice.<br>

Personally, I just can't see how someone wants the altar flowers removed from the background on a totaly candid shot of them exiting down the aisle. That makes no sense at all. They bought the flowers, they put them there, they are part of the background.<br>

What next, remove the altar and replace it with the Crystal Cathedral ?.....lol.....</p>

<p>Yes. The MOM wanted some changes made, NOT the bride. When the <strong>BRIDE </strong> ordered HER albums, I used the proof files that the BRIDE had in her proof album files. Not the changed files that mom requested. NORMALLY, I would not do any changes for the MOM. It would have to be made through the BRIDE.<br>

It was never stated that I should use MOMS re edited files. I used the BRIDES files. At no time did the BRIDE request any changes to any files. She was happy with everything as it was. So when I designed the album I designed it for the bride NOT mom.<br>

You know what happens when people assume.<br>

The changed requested by mom are so insignificant that any normal person viewing the photos would not even have an inkling as to what needed to be changed. <br>

I feel that MOM wants things changed simply because I did it initially and NOW feels that it is as easy as one two three. If I did it at the beginning, why can't I do it now ? <br>

"All you have to do is push a button and it's done".<br>

I rarely run into this problem. Can't remember the last time if ever it has happened.<br>

I will ask her for a specific list of the changes she wants, make them, have her sign off on them and that's it.</p>

 

<p>I guess it all depends on whether how much i'm willing to spend to make them happy. I'll have to think about that one. I'm not hard up for clients.</p>

<p>Contractual protection comes into play when all else fails. I have never had a wedding in the past 19 years where I didn't get formals. </p>

<p>In regards to who is the "legal client", my contention is that WHO do I listen to ? The brides requests or the mom's requests. <br>

The bride was satisfied with the albums. Mom apparently was not according to the bride.</p>

<p>There have been other issues that I have bent over backwards on for this client. The album issue is just one of several. The wedding was a smal intimate wedding. Not some large affair. Yet they questioned why their photos didn't look like the "ones from the Ritz." Literally. Well they got married at a small wedding chapel with a small reception at a local restaurant. <br>

I'll make the changes MOM wants. But it sucks.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>The changes the mom wants were not stipulated EVER, only until she looked at the album. The bride HAS signed off on the albums as acceptable. <br>

I totally understand making clients happy, but having to reprint entire albums for a couple of small inconsequential changes is ridiculous.<br>

The flowers that mom wants edited out are the flowers that they purchased and had place on the altar for the ceremony. That was THEIR decision to have those flowers there. Now she wants them edited out ?<br>

Is the fact that the bride signed the pick up sheet accepting the albums LEGALLY enforceable being that she did not sign the contract ?</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I have a bride who had ordered her final albums, one 10x10 and one 8x8 parent album. I had to reorder the initial delivered album due to MY error on an image. No problem.<br>

Upon delivery of the second albums, the bride loved them, approved of them and signed off on the<br>

delivery sheet and left happy.<br>

Two days later she calls and says the her mom had some photos that she "didn't like". <br>

1. Mom wanted the "flowers" on the altar removed as they were "sticking out of the back of our heads" in<br>

a photo of her and her hubby exiting the ceremony. <br>

2. Mom wanted certain background items removed also in certain images. (nothing particular was given<br>

by the bride over the phone)<br>

I explained to the bride that i had re ordered the albums already in regards to MY initial error. And<br>

now "mom" wants other items edited out ? I stated that the bride was my client, not mom. The bride then stated " well my mother paid for the photos and signed the contract and she has the final say".<br>

I was silent for a while surprised at her comment. I then asked the bride to have her mother call me since she<br>

is the legal client and I would have to work with her from here on out. Also that if she wanted those changes made that they would have to pay for them.</p>

<p>Now, prior to any albums being produced, MOM had requested that certain proofs be re edited for various reasons.<br>

Remove her "double chin" even though she is 5-5 105 pounds.<br>

Edit out certain background items.<br>

Adjust the color on some images.</p>

<p>The bride NEVER requested that done. The mom did. I did it as a favor because mom was so NICE.<br>

So now, she is expecting the same thing be done to the albums.</p>

<p>The bride asked " Well why didn't you include those changes in the album ?"<br>

Me :"Those changes were made for MOM, not you." YOU never requested them. Mom did when she picked up<br>

the proofs."<br>

Bride :"Well anyone would assume that they would be included in the albums with the changes. "<br>

Me : " Well no, those changes were for mom, not YOU." The albums were designed for YOU". <br>

Bride : " Well my mom paid for the photos and she has the last say".</p>

<p>So this is where we stand as I am waiting for mom to call me.<br>

Basically MOM is the shot caller. She is very nice. But the bride cannot make any decision without mom's<br>

approval. Yet mom has not called about the albums. She prefers to make the bride do the dirty work.</p>

<p>Should I relent and re do the entire albums or stick to my policy where they have to pay to have those changes made ?</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Dragging your shutter will only give you blurry photos if they are of the couple walking out. Taking test shots during the actual exit won't work. The actual walk will end in seconds. AFTERWARDS you can play with your settings and do other creative stuff.<br>

Think in terms of a celebrity coming out of court and you are there bumping with other photogs to get the shot. It will be over quickly and you can't repeat the moment. Be ready, stay steady and get sharp captures. Trying to take different shots with different settings won't work for the actual exit.</p>