jamie_vascan

<p>I would remove the image of the baby in pink with the shadow acoss her face from the wedding gallery. I don't see a bio of any kind which is always a necessity.</p>

<p>Kindly let her know you'd be happy to help her but your fee for head swapping, airbrushing ect is X amount of dollars per image. I don't charge by the hour since the client has no way of knowing that it took you 15 minutes or an hour. You could obligue "Just this once" since she had some confusion as to the editing for future reference I post in all my sales/specials & contracts that the shoot includes light editing (skin smooth and a glamour look) but airbrushing, headswapping, stretch mark removal is charged at x amount per image.</p>

<p>Thank you both. Roger- I don't plan on doing any more work for their business AT ALL, infact they owe me a weeks worth of work pay that I will probably never see since it's not all in writting I know there's nothing I can do about it and it's not worth my time fighting to get it but this gives me a reason to do nothing for them. I really don't want anything else to do with them but know the brides I did shoot for may contact me by email or phone when they don't hear from the company for a few weeks- would my best bet be to ignore it all together or to tell them I was merely only an employee at that time and I no longer work for them? Should I send the company a letter stating I no longer work for them and have no responsibility at all in their affairs? I could have the wife sign it- but don't know if it would hold up in court since it's only the wife and I don't know if she has power of attorney while her husband is in prison.</p>

<p>Hi Roger- Thanks for your response. I am on about 8 of the contracts as "photographer". The contract states photographer takes images, but then says COMPANY NAME in bold will provide- then goes onto say the books, the dvd of images, etc.<br>

On the shoots the company would break the payments up into three equal payments, the first two payments would go as checks written out to the company the last payment- due on the wedding day would go to me in Cash or Check made out to me. In instances where I was not on the contract- the company paid me in cash for final payment.<br>

I don't believe the company ever documented me as an employee. I always deposited the checks/money in my business checking account and it will be claimed on my taxes as income from my shoots.<br>

It looks as though I was named as designated photographer. When I met with these people at the first meeting, I met with them with the owner of the company and he always refered to me as "one of their photographers". Most of these clients know though (because of them not having good communication with their clients) that I run another photography business and I am stand in when they cannot make it or fill in on dates they were already booked, but have always provided them with excellent customer service because I don't feel they are being treated right in all this. I have been pretty honest and upfront with the clients but not bad mouthing the other company- I have let them know it is unfortunate circumstances and where I kind of fit into all that.</p>

<p>I totally agree. I get frustrated with the concept that clients think my camera produces the images not me. While the camera deserves some credit-SO DO I- I WORK HARD! I've been constantly asked what camera body I have and what lenses I am using. I do think lenses matter to a degree IF YOU KNOW HOW TO USE THEM- same with the camera. And as many experienced photographer's know- they can- more often than not- take a better picture on a point and shoot than an average consumer can take on a dslr.</p>

<p>I'll try to make this short. I was shooting weddings as a stand in photographer for another photography business that mentored me and this helped me fill in my schedule and have work when I wasn't booked. Long story Long the owner of the business is in prison for something unrelated to his business/photography as a whole- I had no idea about it until recently and had been shooting for them since June. The wife was running his business for him but is now going into a treatment center for three months. Obviously I am no longer going to shoot weddings for them. I was often times on the contract as the "photographer" and sometimes when they were sick I was not on the contract at all- the owner was. I know that with them being unable to work they will be unable to provide the image "coffee table" books for these clients for at least 3 months. I have edited and provided images to the clients under the supervision of the wife- so the clients do have the images. But I am wondering if I will be held responsible for providing the books legally- I personally cannot afford to make that many books. Is there some sort of document I could create and have the wife sign to release me? Or would the wifes signature not even matter? Would their clients be able to come after me? (I dont have a problem providing them image discs if thats the case- they work on a creative contract not print sales). They will both be able to work again in February as she will be out of the treatment facility and he will be out of prison. I should have covered my butt sooner (I know that now)? I don't think any of them would be motivated to sue me personally as I have good relationship with all of the people I have shot for in their place but I really don't know what to do. I have two weeks until the wife goes into the treatment center.</p>

<p>In my personal opinion, What I do is include it in all my packages. And I price for it too- but with that said I'm reasonable within the industry and I like to do couples shoots, very easy- two adults, one sparkling ring makes for a fun & romantic shoot! Your prices are very comparable to mine but I don't believe you are pricing for two photographers...<br>

THAT ASIDE, I would stress it is important for them to do the engagement shoot with you- they develope more of a level of trust in you as a photographer which plays KEEN into the wedding. The couples that do engagementshoots with me, rarely make weird remarks on the wedding day about pictures ("oh don't photograph me laughing, I look weird") I also now know their best angles, what THEIR comfort level is (if they are totally a roll in the dirt couple or a "DONT YOU DARE ASK ME TO SIT ON THE GRASS" couple) basically its their chance to see how you work, how they look IN YOUR WORK once it's edited and this is a huge opprotunity for you to get to know them, their comfort level etc.</p>

<p>Why don't you ask if you can quote her on your website?- Saying wow thank you I am glad you are happy- would you mind if I put a snippet of this letter(email) on our website so that future brides can read about your experience? (she might even offer to write something better)- I don't see anything wrong with that. If she does reward her with a 8x10 thank you and word will spread (just don't promise you will give her something for doing the review- wait and give it as a surprise otherwise seems like you are paying people off for reviews)</p>

<p>I'd shoot a few different styles of shots. If the client refuses to roll around in the roses, don't make her so to speak. I don't think this is a photographer JUDING their subject, I think she just wants to be prepared. I guess I would shoot her how I would shoot a guy. Find out what she is into. If she is into skateboarding have her bring a skateboard or guitar whatever she is into, even reading- I'd do a few journalistic type shots that included her hobby- because she will feel more comfortable- some people just do better if you hand them a prop.. I agree with those that said shoot some feminine shots too. I like to use the excuse and say "your mom/grandma/dad will kill me if I don't take this shot"</p>

<p>I forgot to say- the best lens and my go to lens for this type of portrait photography is a 50mm. You will have to move around more when you use it but the images are crisp and you can really play around with the background</p>

<p>I shoot in continuous auto focus mode for family portraits. With kids I lay the shutter pretty hard. Make sure to get an individual shot of mom & dad together, a shot of just the kids and a shot of each child individually. I also shoot mine an hour to hour and a half before sunset or I shoot 100% shade & use my flash for fill light.<br>

I don't think you should replace the lens (get rid of it by any means) I use my 70-300 A LOT for weddings so please don't trash that one, I love the focal point it gives me. I shoot on AV mode with the zoom 300mm for the individual kids (this helps also to get them in sniper mode when they are just playing and don't want to play the "cheese" game with you) with an F2.0 or lower.<br>

How old are the kids? Feather dusters and fruit snacks go a long way :) I don't whip out the camera infront of the kids until I've warmed them up to me for about 5-10 minutes.<br>

I'd keep going but then I'd have to have it published in book form ;) message me if any questions.</p>

<p>I think you should charge based on package- how many hours do you think it will take you to take and edit that many pics. Remember that you will be spending time perfecting them and taking product shots can be time consuming. You'll probably be there 4-8 hours depending how detailed it is/all the shots are the same. I used to shoot catalogs for local stores. It is a good chance for you to try out this form of photography and see if its something youd like to pursue. I wouldn't charge her a lot if you don't have a lot of experience in this area & since she is a friend. But like I have told other people on this board don't charge her something so low that she will expect you to take pictures of all of her (new, in the future) products at the same low price next year etc. I wouldn't give her the lowest price you would take to do it either because people will want a discount. I would say this is the price and I am giving you my friends and family discount at 20% off (or whatever it is) that way they know what your REAL rate would be, that they are getting a deal and it is a deal not to be quoted to everyone they know. Make sure they sign a contract. So basically lets say you want to make $30 per hour (just throwing numbers out this isnt my rate its just a number in the air ok?) lets say it takes you 4 hours to take the pictures and 4 hours to edit them, 8 hour job $240.00, but you need to bill in the way that it might take longer because it probably will. That would be just may base. If it is a friend then I might leave it at that but they need to know you are spending Gas, taxes, time for editing, (the camera doesnt do it all) etc. im not saying thats the price you should charge that is a really low rate for that kind of job and the amount of work it would entail.</p>

<p>Review sites! Yelp.com is one we use in US & yellowpages etc. I get a lot from yelp. googlesearch, word of mouth, facebook and craigslist.com. Don't be afriad to hit past clients (the people in your portfolio) up about writing a review for you on a service website! Best of all - all these methods are free.<br>

I know this wasn't something you asked about but putting a good photo of yourself on your website can help your web presence tremendously. Ask to trade head shots with another photographer you know or even just asking a friend to take a couple shots of you holding your camera or mock shooting can make a big difference. People want to connect with you.<br>

Don't waste money on sites that promise leads. Half of them provide you with fake leads and charge you for it and it is really hard to get it back even if you COULD get it back. Bleh!<br>

Invest in a really nice set of business cards with one of your best photos on them. Put them whereever you can.<br>

Absorb any and all good photography books, blogs and stuff on here. When people talk about photography they talk about their business and there is a lot to learn from those who are doing it well!</p>

<p>WTG Les. That was totally my response. I love how my clients think the camera does it all.... if that's the case- why did they hire me? ROTFL</p>

<p>I agree with a little of what James and Dennis said. I am sure as a wedding photographer you know the editing that will go into this. You said these photos will be used for Marketing Purposes so I assume you are charging them a flat rate and providing them with a release to use the photos in their ads and anywhere they want to. They will be using these photos for possibly years. I would price according to time, skill, and how close of friends you are. If you very close them cut them a break if it is more an aquaintance I would only take off 10% of what I would charge someone I didn't know. They are also doing you a small favor by adding something to your portfolio you could show businesses if that's an area you really want to branch out into the future. Just don't price yourself too low or they(this particular client) will be expecing that same price in the future (and possibly saying how Steven totally did all their business photos for the low price of fifty cents to everyone around town). Basically don't charge anything you are going to regret later or I would let them know this is a "friends and family discount" say you would glady take any referals but each job is different and you price according to the job.<br>

I would price this at a set price for everything, not by the hour. But let them know this means you will be there from for example: 12pm-3pm. You know you are probably going to be there until 4, right? But if you say you will be there until 4 things will drag until 5, ect. This will give employees initiative to be there ontime and for things to move quickly. I always book clients for half of the amount of time that I know I will be there. I'd rather under promise and over deliver and it really wows them. Besides that- you are friends, and friends get to talking so expect this process to take a little longer than for someone you didn't know.</p>