julie_sweeney

<p>I am currently looking for a new website also. I have been with Livebooks for 7 years and I am leaving them. The customer service is HORRIBLE and it's negatively effecting my business. Just FYI .</p>

<p>This is great information - thank you all. Very very helpful. </p>

<p>Hello:<br>

Recently I purchased an Ipad2 and I want to learn more about utilizing it for my wedding photography business. <br>

I'm looking for advice and what everyone's experience has been. Any really cool apps? How do you utilize it to it's fullest. <br>

I was going to put some albums on it for presentations. Any other advice would be great.<br>

Thank you ! </p>

<p>Thank you for the responses. One experience I've had recently is with a vendor that I have worked with a lot. I did create an album for them but when I met with them the gave me an envelop ( to pay them for being a preferred vendor ). I was disappointed because I've worked hard establishing relationships and good reputations, thinking that is really what matters. I felt pretty shocked learning that for some it really didn't come down to experience. </p>

<p>Hello: I've been trying to market with local reception vendors with no success. I've offered albums, free prints, services, etc. I've found that there may be a really disturbing trend in which photographers are paying to be a preferred vendor. Has anyone else had this experience and/or has anyone had success becoming a preferred vendor. <br>

<br />Thank you</p>

<p>Hello:<br>

Does anyone know of any reputable organizations that provide wedding photography services for those who have experienced life changing events? I'm looking for an organization where I can volunteer my services a few times a year but can not find any organizations set up for wedding photography in MA. <br>

Thank you, </p>

<p>Recently I've been trying to network with wedding facilities to become a preferred wedding photographer. Does anyone have any advice on working your way into "Preferred Vendor Status". Most facilities that I have contacted indicated to me that their are so many wedding photographers out there that they can't add to the vendor list. I tried advertising online and found that I was just wasting my money. Most of my jobs come from referrals but I'd really love to work more with some of these facilities. </p>

<p>I wanted to post an update and thank you again for all the great responses.<br>

The bride and groom in this scenario loved their images and referred me to another bride who booked me for 2012. I was shocked but learned an important lesson - things are not always as they appear. I was so relieved. Thank you again</p>

<p>Maira, <br>

Thank you so much for your advice ( and everyone else ). <br>

I do appreciate constructive advice. I explain to the bride and groom my photography style is posed images along with photojournalistic. I always explain that my photojournalistic images are to document the day and I will give some suggestions. I am going to communicate that more with future clients. <br>

I missed the window of opportunity to photograph the bride getting ready because she was so late that I set off to get images of the Groom instead of wasting time without the bride and bridal party before the ceremony. When he didn't want images taken of him and his groomsmen, I traveled back to the brides house to wait for her. They were running so late she quickly wanted to get dressed alone with no photos. When we talked before the wedding she expressed she wanted images getting ready. <br>

Also, I wanted to mention when I advised the Groom that the bride would like some images of the two of them the bride was not present. She had told me that she wanted images of her and her groom. I felt like I was in the middle of what the bride wanted and what the groom did not want. <br>

Thank you again for your advice. I'm going to plan better the next time and apply all of what everyone said. </p>

<p>Thank you so much for all the advice. I appreciate it so much. <br>

Daniel made mention if this wedding was a good deal for the client. Yes, it really was. I am going to digest all this information and learn from it. Thanks again so much. </p>

<p>thank you so much. I was trying to get moments here and there. They really seemed annoyed anytime I wanted to coach them in anyway for a photo. During the cake cutting I usually ask for their attention for a quick photograph. When I did this the Groom expressed "Oh come on". I really didn't know how to react to this couple. At one point I did mention to the groom that the bride would really like this image but then she told me to cut it short so they could eat. I do want to reflect on this and learn better how to handle the next time this happens. I appreciate your candor. </p>

<p>Hello:<br>

I shot a wedding recently where I didn't walk away from the wedding with images that meet my standard of quality. The bride was an hour late for her "getting ready" images and therefore I missed the window for these images; the Groom told me when I went to photograph him that he didn't want photographs before the wedding that he just wanted the ceremony over; the couple had indicated the formals would consist of immediate family and the bridal party, but the instead all the guest tagged along for large group photos; the Bride and Groom were too hungry to shoot images of just the two of them before the ceremony; after the ceremony they had a little too much to drink for really nice images. In the end I have some okay images of the bridal party, large family group images, and too many dancing images to count. I'm so dissapointed with this wedding that I'm having a hard time editing the images and also presenting the images. I am a perfectionist and I don't know what I could have done differently to turn this situation around. A great photographer I know insists that it's the photographers responsiblity to set the "mood" and get the images. I really feel I failed but don't know what else I could have done. I'd love some suggestions or feedback. I'm also walking away with only 400 images where I normally would provide 800 or so images. This is not in my contract. In the end I feel it's a reflection on me and it's very upsetting. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>Thank you so much for all the responses. <br>

I'm shooting a wedding next month with more brown ceilings (why brown). I've been thinking of purchasing a Q flash trio, but the cost is pretty steep. I'm going to try with two 580 EX II positioned near the DJ's Speakers if they are along the dance floor. <br>

I would love to try the Q flash but it's so expensive. I'm also considering video light for formals. I've been studying some of Jerry Ghionis work and love his style. His lighting is amazing. <br>

<br />Cheers and thank you again</p>

<p>Hello:<br>

I shot a wedding where the reception hall had all brown ceilings. Usually I bounce my 580 EXII on my Canon 5D. I try not to bump the ISO up past 1600. <br>

Can anyone share any other ways to light a dark reception hall that does not have white ceilings. I'm looking for creative ways to use my off camera flashes or any other suggestions.<br>

Cheers, <br>

Julie</p>

<p>Thank you for the advice. </p>

<p>I am a location photographer who prefers natural light above all else. I do not have a studio but I have been "bringing" a studio to clients homes. My goal is to aim for outdoor portrait locations but in the cold winter months - I need better indoor options. I want to change my technique / approach. I'm looking for creative advice for taking portraits in clients homes without setting up a formal studio with backdrops, etc., in a clients house. I'm finding that it's so difficult and unpredictable and too time consuming. Also, I'm not a huge fan of portraits taken with backdrops. I love the depth of field in photographs and you lose that with backdrops. Help - any advice is much appreciated. <br>

Julie</p>

<p>Thank you so much. <br>

It is on a Saturday in October. I would be taking the chance that I could lose out on another wedding. I'm going to reply with my quote - which I think may be more than she wants to pay. We shall see. <br>

Thank you again - I really appreciate it. </p>

 

<p>Hello:<br>

I've been approached by a bride to shoot 3 to 4 hours of her reception. She only wants candid photos of her guests (approximately 125 guests). They are getting married in Aruba and are having a reception after the honeymoon. </p>

<p>The bride mentioned to me that "all I would have to do is take pictures and burn them to a CD". I'm looking for advice on what I should charge. I don't want to undersell myself. My wedding package for 6 hours of coverage and a DVD of the images starts at $2200. Also, I want to explain to the bride that it requires more than just "burning the DVD". Does anyone have advice on how to explain the process of shooting RAW images and the process so a bride will understand that it's not simply burning them to DVD? I struggle when it comes to educating my clients because I don't want to be defensive when it comes to understanding digital photography is much more than simply shooting and burning? <br>

Any help is much appreciated. <br>

<br />Thank you, </p>

<p>Hello - I am in the USA. I would be employed to second shoot (not my company). I am going to second shoot with a photographer who has a well established business. She is the only photographer in her business. My services are for when a bride wants a second shooter. I shoot, and provide the main photographer with the images. </p>

<p>I am going to be working as a second shooter for a wedding photographer. I have my own "company" in which I shoot portraits. When working as a second shooter, do I need insurance? Or more importantly, how do I protect my personal assets. For example, what if the bride doesn't like the images I shoot and goes after the main photographer, then the main photographer goes after me. How do I make sure that I am protected and so is my "house, car, etc". <br>

Would I need to make my business an LLC for the most protection? <br>

Thank you!</p>

<p>Thank you all very much. </p>

 

<p>Hello:<br>

I'm seeking some advice about insurance. <br>

I've been approached to shoot a wedding. Normally I do not shoot weddings but I am considering this wedding. This is a crazy question - I don't have insurance. Is it required and how much of a fool would I be not to have insurance (perhaps I answered my own question). <br>

Also - I am going to be second shooting weddings. Does anyone know if I would be covered under the main shooters insurance since the business belongs to them? <br /><br />Thank you ! </p>

<p>Thank you so much for all of your advice! I appreciate it!</p>

<p>Hello - I am going to be shooting a local health club for their website and brochure. My question is about the Lighting. The ceilings are very high, black and metal; the walls are off white; the lighting is florescent... basically a nightmare. <br>

Due to the constraints of the health club staff - I can't bring big lights into this building. I'm going to have to rely on speedlights. Can anyone offer me advice about this lighting challenge? Much appreciated - thank you!</p>

<p>Thank you all for the advice. Next time I will also check my spelling :)</p>