taylor_jackson2

<p>Should have mentioned the Z key, dang it. That said, I shoot Nikon, so everything is generally in focus *dodges flying shoes and Canon L coffee mugs*</p>

<p>+1 for black shirt, black pants.<br>

If it's an obviously more high end wedding, suit+.<br>

Secret super power we've learned as wedding photographers: how to be comfortable in a suit in 95* weather. The groomsmen have to deal with it anyways.</p>

 

<p>You're right, in theory you don't need Photoshop at all for corrections like this. Maybe it's just force of habit. I have a droplet set up that batches all of my folders for me. I tag anything that's backlit, indoors, and outside in photo mechanic before I send them off to the editor.<br>

When I get them back from her, the files are all 100% corrected near perfect, but I like to mess them up a bit. I split them into 3 folders, and drop them on their respective droplet.<br>

I guess the automation was originally set up in photoshop, and I haven't seen a reason to change yet</p>

<p>This is what I use for all of my weddings (I'm Nikon/Full frame)<br>

35mm f2 (stays on a non-full-frame backup body)<br>

50mm 1.4 (getting ready stuff, and other indoor getting ready shots)<br>

85mm 1.8 // 135mm f2 (I usually bring one or the other. Both great lenses, and can use them outside where my 50mm is hit and miss -- typically use one of them for first dances)<br>

70-200 f2.8 VR (ceremony, family shots, bridal party, b&g, and usually speeches)<br>

I also have a 20mm Sigma that I'll toss on for one wide shot of the venues, and a ceremony shot from the back.</p>

<p>70-200 makes my life easier. I'm glad I got it when I did.</p>

 

<p>It's a great theme, but everyone uses it (including me hah)<br>

I really wonder what brides think when they keep seeing the same basic outlines for blogs.</p>

<p>As for good titles, just figure out what brides are searching for. There are a lot of tools to analyze keywords. From something free like Google Keyword tool to something like Market Samurai:

M.S. might be overkill here, but makes for some pretty epic results if you know how to use it correctly</p>

<p>Great, thanks Nadine. I guess it's up for people to decide if it's useful information or not now haha</p>

<p>Hey all, sorry if this totally voids the TOS on the site. I made the videos here without any links to promotional products, or shout outs to products. Just good info to help people - I hope.</p>

<p>Basically this is how I edit shoots, and all the behind the scenes stuff. Hopefully it's helpful to one or two people! If it gets moderated off, that's cool too haha.</p>

<p>Part 1: Selections in Photomechanic<br>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU0DcFO06wk</p>

<p>Part 2: Basic Edits in Lightroom<br>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bhZLvqJ1eA</p>

<p>Part 3: Photoshop/Batching in slow motion<br>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LjSlqh-Rqc</p>

<p>I know there are a million ways to do everything, but this is how I do it.<br>

Hopefully it adds value to the site!</p>

<p>T</p>

<p>Hah I kind of want to test this magazine theory. Not with my own company, just with a random URL to see how many people would actually visit the site. It's super sketchy, and illegal, but I'm a stats guy, and want to see if it would get any site visits.</p>

<p>It's such a pain. I travel to the US 15 - 20 times a year for my corporate photo clients (legit), but I usually turn down weddings under my own banner.</p>

<p>I've heard there's a gray area, if you're getting paid by a Canadian in Canada, but shooting the wedding in the US. Would I test this? Probably not. I know of a few photographers (susan stripling and cliff mautner to name 2) that have been held up for a long time in customs going one way or the other over the border - and 2 that have been turned away completely.</p>

<p>My illegal black/gray-hat advice would be to bring a body, and 2 lenses, and rent anything else you need down there. We had to do this in China once (someone applied for tourist visas for us by accident, and it was too late to change it) -- they will question you if you're alone and heading to a random city in the states. If it's something touristy, and you're with a wife/gf/friend maybe they won't? All in all...probably not worth it. Getting black listed from the country would be much worse than not making $3000-10000 off of a commission</p>

<p>I've tried all kinds of things with Google Ads. For bridal stuff, I prefer facebook ads (more my market) for products, I prefer google ads.</p>

<p>I haven't had problems with seeing my own ads. It's possible you're just not bidding high enough to rank? Even if it says you are, sometimes their guesses are wrong</p>

 

<p>Omar, the bridal shop idea is great. If they trust you enough to have you at the dress fitting, you must be doing something really right.</p>

<p>As for planners, I feel the same way. It's in the 'wedding planner course' (forget the official acronym for it) that they ask for kickbacks. That said, I have made friends with a few great planners that absolutely despise that sketchy fees are part of their 'course.'<br>

I do however give some extras to couples when they book through those planners. Makes them look good, and doesn't involve sketchyness.</p>

<p>I refuse to give images away for free to venues! (haha kidding)</p>

<p>I'd say my #1 source of (quality) referrals is other photographers. I need to buy some gift baskets for Christmas.</p>

<p>Part 2 of the question: what's your general spread between inquiries from referrals to just organic google?<br>

I think I sit at a solid 50/50, with the booking conversion advantage going to google organic or facebook ad inquires. (as strange as that is)</p>

<p>Always been curious - what vendors are typically sending you the most business, and what vendors do you send the most business to?</p>

<p>Venues, salons, planners, etc? Or any other random sources of consistent referrals?</p>

<p>Hmm that gets me thinking.<br>

I'm always curious through what vendors the most referrals come in through (going to start a thread asking this in a second so I don't sidetrack this)<br>

I've found that I get very few (if any..ever?) inquires referred from makeup artists/hair stylists. I have some great friends in that industry as well. I think it just comes down to, people that value photography are typically booking photographers 2nd or 3rd on their list (venue and/or dress first) - the other details fall into place later. <br>

I personally think there's way more value in the business friendship for her.<br>

Might be wise to start getting photos in the hands of venues too.<br>

That said, every little bit does help - and a strong network really goes a long ways. 100% worth an hour of your time for coffee (great idea William)</p>

<p>Free. Grab cards from every vendor you can during the wedding day, hit them with a .zip file of best images after the wedding (watermarked // web res)</p>

<p>All vendors need photos, so they might as well be advertising for you. Especially if you're new to the area.</p>

<p>I did flex a little bit on price last year, but opted for a more relaxed winter 2011 (after 54 weddings in 2010)</p>

<p>I won't straight up offer $2000 off (people talk, your June brides won't be happy that you're quoting way south of what they're in for) but I will throw in a few things to make the deal a little sweeter.</p>

<p>Whoa, awesome posts! It's cool to see the complete opposite perspective I have. They're all valid points.</p>

<p>Alright - I don't believe in shows.<br>

The only reason I would do a show is to network with other local wedding vendors, build friendships, and make some facebook friends. Then eventually invite everyone to vendor get together nights at a local restaurant.<br>

The shows up here (Toronto) at least seem to be filled to the brim with photographers. There is one local high end show that I would consider doing, but they cap the number of photographers, and haven't let any new ones in for a few years now. Again, the only reason would be to network with other vendors.<br>

I honestly think the money you'd spend on your first show would do better either in creating a semi well produced promo video aimed at attracting your ideal bride and having her connect with you. Or just dumped* in to Facebook ads.<br>

*there's a little more too it than just dumping money into it, but $750ish spent on FB over last 2009 booked me 23 weddings for 2010.</p>