anton frid photography

<p>My pricing reflect the post processing that i offer to my clients. I don't think "free" is the correct term, at least not in my case. If i offer 100 proofs modified, then i factor that into the pricing prier of the package. If its 25, then its a different price. Yes, you do get occasional "butter knife" clients or silk wedding gowns which you have to take every wrinkle out, but again, if you price your services correct, you shouldn't have any issues modifying as many pictures as they are paying for.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Carolina<br>

Do the clients know the price of the album? If yes, then you should ask 50% upfront and the rest when they have it, if not, then you have bigger issues then payment structure.</p>

<p>Pricing, payment and deliverables should always be discussed prier to any job.</p>

<p>David, your advice is not Zero, its priceless. Keep them coming!</p>

<p>Bob, I’m not sure what prompted this email, but I this all of us appreciate it. Maybe it was to give us hope and optimism, or bring a cheerful smile to all of us that photography business is and can be prosperous even in these tuff times and all we have to do is pick up a phone and everything and anything is possible. I guess that’s a story of X-mas, right? :) No seriously, this is great stuff. What i want to know is, how do YOU get to the "decision maker" in the Human Recourses and what do you say to them so they have no problem cashing out 1K+ for your services. <br>

<br>

I too shoot lots of events. And pretty much all of them are word of mouth or past clients hiring again. Giving your strategy, what’s your "elevator" speech on the phone? before they trace a call and have your arrested for nuisance :) </p>

<p >There is a local after school teaching aid program right down the block from me. How would you target them for either event or some other type of photography?</p>

 

<p>Anna<br />I really enjoy this image. There is something very peaceful about it. The reason why I like this image very much is because the viewer is not really sure what the bride is feeling at that particular moment. We cant see her expression. Her body language is very peaceful, or maybe not? Thats the fun part. Maybe the bride is trying to keep cool in the midst of getting ready, or she is going over her vowels in her head, or just relaxing before the big ceremony. It really adds to the mystery of this image and her body language. Anna Simonak. - Mona Lisa! <br /><br />Technically, it also works. It looks like you are using available light, which i am a big fan of. Even a bit of motion does not effect it. I think the composition is well done. The clutter of the room is hidden with different subjects and you avoided the table and the plants to really focus on the bride and her dress, which in my opinion really makes this shot sparkle. It’s a timeless dress on a gorgeous tall body which really works, so in summary. Job well done. <br />I took your image and just slightly played with color balance to take away a bit of yellow. The B/W shot also works. It looks a bit like a picture from some Italian tuscany wedding. The only thing about BW is the metalic or jeweled detail on her dress kind of blends in and doesnt give the same attention to the viewer. <br />Anton</p><div></div>

<p>I agree, if one is already committed to shooting a wedding (and not just a freebie), then as good patriots of the craft need and must assist. But then a question is raised. If <em>they </em>have agreed to a paid job, shouldn't they know what and how to use and produce adequate images for the money exchanged? Plus, simply asking a question of <strong>What should i use?</strong> or <strong>What should i buy?</strong> is not going to give you any ability to understand nor experience what the Pro's are saying? <br>

<br>

Let’s say i was building a porch and didn’t really know what tools or materials to use. Posting a question on Woodworking.com would get me closer in understand how to build it. Seeing Bob answering my question what type of lumber and nails <em >he</em> issues in Seattle due to moisture and climate there, wouldn’t really help me build one in Florida. So whenever I see questions posted on here regarding <strong>What is better?</strong> or <strong>What should I buy or use?</strong> Even <strong>Am I ready?</strong> I’m often puzzled by simplicity and forwardness of the questions when in reality there are no right answers. Equipment varies from personal taste, experience, and budget. <br>

<br>

William, PLEASE say something!!! ahhaha</p>

 

<p>Hi Matt<br>

<br>

Don’t you love when this happens? Clients fighting for your time. Its a good problem to have my friend :)<br>

This is where sales skills or other known as business skills come into play. You def need to let a client know at initial meeting of the terms and guidelines of booking you. That gives them a good understand of your process and what is needed from them. Its just business, so don’t ever feel bad. Steve does have a good suggestion which he practices. Sometimes you just cant please everyone, so who ever gives you the check first, that’s your client :) </p>

 

<p>Great article Marc. I myself use a Nikon gear. Started with Fuji S2..had a great run with it, and only recently switched to D300. Clients often ask what gear i bring or use, which i find a bit strange because if you like the images, what is the difference what i use, but saying Fuji S2 (which uses CCD sensor that you so love), always brings a puzzled face, when I say “it’s a Nikon body!”...and then an immediate response "ooooh, Nikon is good" haha. I still think the auto B/W setting on that FujiS2 is the finest straight B/W images that I have ever produced.<br>

<br>

I too like the Medium Formats. Still use Mamiya 330 for my own personal enjoyment with 645 Mamiya right next to it. My son who is 9months prefers to play with them more then D300, which i can’t blame him. I’m itching to bring one of them to a wedding, but then like you said, the weight, the hassle. Now where can I find a free assistant J<br>

<br>

I do think there is not enough mentors as per the old days. There are def great benefits of learning on your own, but having a mentor like yourself just adds another dimension to one's knowledge, confidence and experience. Too bad you are not in the Big Apple...<br>

<br>

I look forward reading more of your insightful articles. I just saw Mamiya RZ with 4 super expensive lenses, 2 backs, Polaroid back, 2 flashes..and bunch of filters. Basically a full kit for $1000 on craigslist. Grrrrr, why do I do this to myself!!! Maybe my New Years present</p>

<p>Anton</p>

<p>Wanted to thank all for contributing to the post and for your critiques on the image. <br>

<br>

One of the difficult parts in submitting one of the images for critique is to convey to the reader the difficulty of a particular wedding, clients, location, or timing. Having said that, I personally achieved exactly what i set out to achieve. My style is portrait journalism, thus I don’t try to position or tell my clients how to kiss, walk, smile, and stand during the wedding. This shot is not posed thus you can see a real expressiveness on a brides face and a real ardor on a grooms face. This shot was taken walking backwards in a very very difficult terrain with almost no available light (thus the tech specs). To me this image has a magical fairy tale feeling. The log, grooms feet, wrist, creek etc only adds to the charm of the image which makes it real vs a hallmark or a studio pre-defined standard photograph. <br>

</p>

<p >It was great reading everyone’s suggestions on how they would make this shot better. I did for the most part like the cropping suggestions, which I might include in the finished album. Here are few more images from the same location. <br>

Anton</p><div></div>

<p>Wow Nadine. I applaud you on ingenuity, creativity and functionality. I think you should patent it :) No really, this is really interesting and very creative. Can you show us any photo's that you taken with this setup?</p>

<p>I almost never use flash outdoors. This shot was taken few weeks back at 4:30pm or so in Arizona in a very heavily wooded area in Sedona. Yes, you read it right. Sedona! I couldn’t believe it myself. I was expecting Red rocks everywhere, but this little charming B&B had a creek and very heavy foliage. Because of that the fall season, I was lost almost all the light but wanted to take the guys down the creek for exactly this shot.<br>

<br>

This image was taken towards the end of the shoot. The couple was a bit tired and wanted to join the guests for some cocktail. Image was taken at 2.8F / ISO 800 / 1/45 S. This image is virtually untouched. Because of the film speed and shutter I only slightly enhanced contrast and gave it a little sharpness. <br>

<br>

enjoy<br>

Anton</p><div></div>

Try Photobiz.com

<p>I would also add that it doesn’t really have to be a formal shot. I love to use surroundings as my inspiration. Sit him down in a tub chair next to a fire place, or use a house porch for some informal shots. You can give him some prop, let’s say a cigar to lighten up the mood and make him feel comfortable, maybe even take him out to a field or a patch of grass nearby and have him and the boys throw a ball around. It really depends on a client and your professional knowledge to get that image. If all fails, do what Neil says</p>

<p>try Duggal, Baboo color lab or <a href="http://www.mvlabs.com/">http://www.mvlabs.com/</a>. Those are some pro labs in the City so they might offer that.</p>

<p>Is it my turn now? Since you been following us, I think it’s only fair that we share our story with you. <br>

<br>

It’s actually a bit more interesting than your post. I never actually got a new camera, i borrowed from a friend :) I couldn’t justify spending money before i would actually make some.<br>

<br>

Shot my first two weddings like that, used the money to buy myself a new camera. I assisted only few times, but pro's wouldn’t teach me anything, so i decided that it wasn’t for me. Just like the other post, i needed money, so took a risk. No risk no glory, right? :)<br>

<br>

Guess what happened next? well, I found a real solid Corp. job with benefits, nice cubical chair and free coffee in the pantry. While basking in the florescent light all day and breathing in about 6 different lunch meals from adjacent cubical, I had my photography business on the side shooting about 15weddings a year + other small events for about 7 years. Every time i would show it to someone at work, they would say, "why are you here? you should be doing this full time". So finally one day I walk up and said "enough, if i don’t go for it, i will never do it". Never regretted ever since.<br>

<br>

I think the key was honesty and hard work. I always told my client what they should expect and what i can deliver. Even though i had no "classical" training, they liked my work and wanted to hire me. I always charged $$$ because if you do it for free, they will never appreciate it. I tried different marketing strategies, but the only one that real work is word of mouth, at least where i work and live.<br>

<br>

How do you like them apples? :)</p>

 

<p>Call me old fashioned, but i like the Original, or the first post. Others are a bit overly done IMO. I see to much noise, grain, basically over processing issues. I do like the Jack B post of the "vintage" look. That is something i would love to know more about. Interesting thread<br />Anton</p>

<p>Now that i think about it, i dont think i ever left on time. i tend to always stay a bit longer then "discussed". It’s hard to say goodbye to the couple, especially at the end. They are dancing with people, having heart to heart conversations with other guests, it’s a bit awkward to come up sometimes and tell them the "time" is up. It could be anywhere from 5-10min to get bride/groom alone for you to ask them something...</p>

<p>Same approach as Felix - "<em>Usually when it gets to the bon voyage time I ask the bride if there are any additional shots she would like with the remaining guests, she'll look around briefly, not her head no, then I nod, then I pack up and get on out of there."</em><br>

Sometimes, when im all packed up and ready to go...i will hear <em>"Oh Anton, can you pleaseeeee pleaseee take one picture of me and aunt Susie...I know you have to leave, but can you please.It will mean a world to me"</em><br>

Although i asked for that exact picture myself 3hrs ago, I will then put on my happy face again, unpack and take the most gorgeous shot i can. This is what we do. This is who we are.</p>

 

<p>I think luster finish are good for albums. Its a cross between glossy and matte. Matte finish on Kodak paper is what i use for my prints. Simple, timeless. Try Adorama....<br>

I also started to use Metallic finish on albums. I have been getting really great response from my couples. They just love it. I dont know how long the metallic look will last, but if it sells...it sells.</p>

<p>Thank you William!</p>

<p>"acne scars " mmm that’s not few second touch up. I would give him a bulk number of prints you will retouch for free, say 25, and the rest are $10 a picture. He chooses another 40 to retouch, its $400 in your wallet. As soon as it starts hitting the wallet, people quickly learn. I think this is good approach because you do give something for free, which shows your good and kind heart, and it also shows your business and professional side. <br>

Anything you do for free will never be appreciated!!!</p>

 

<p>I shoot a lot in the hospital settings - <a href="http://www.afp-medical.com/">www.afp-medical.com</a> If its in the hospital, Good luck! :) The client has to notify everyone and i mean everyone who is going to be in the room prior to the procedure that a professional will be coming into a room to photo document her birth. Some docs are not happy with anyone present. Period! Some afraid of liability issues, some just not comfortable with someone walking around taking pictures nonstop. Flash going off every second. Your def going to be in the way, and if you are not, then you are not getting the shots she probably wants. <br>

<strong >Before delivery,</strong> try to capture: blanket for the soon to be baby, cap, room details, fetal monitor report/tracing, mood of the dad, mom, perhaps clothes awaiting a new born that mother prepared..etc<br>

<strong >After delivery</strong>: wrist band, little feet. def shoots few quick posed portraits with father, grandparents...mother...even staff members (nurses, doctor) - but depends on how the procedure went. you may not want to capture the staff :)<br>

It’s obviously important to her, so make sure to capture everything.<br>

If you are doing this for yourself, then try to enjoy the time and be there for her. Leave your camera at home. I nearly chew off a plastic cup waiting for my wife to deliver my son.<br>

good luck and keep your eyes open!</p>

<p>Not sure if im convinced after reading the reviews. Just not enough data or stats to make a compelling arguemnt IMO. I did see lots of reviews comparing these to Eneloops, which is worth a shot since a lot of comments where targeting how Eneloops batt do perform well and seems like out the same amount of power and results as these batt.</p>

<p>Good post. I pretty much agree with most of the views here. It really depends on the wedding. The conditions you faced during the shoot, the locations, the clients etc. I never yet was able to correct images in a batch process. I heard of this fable many times, but cant possibly understand how you can do it when each image is shot a bit differently. </p>

<p>I think it all has to start during the shoot itself. Most people overkill with thousands and thousands of images. That only relates to more time at PC/MAC. One has to realize that more you shoot, more you have to spend time editing it and that also translates into more time for a client who then has to sit and choose the images either with you or on their own. </p>

<p>Which translates into your clients getting back to you with their Top Pics for the album in few months if ever. You might say, what’s the big deal, so they come back whenever, but the issue is that this bottleneck happens pretty quickly and then they all come at the same time asking for you to produce an album for Thanksgiving, when you want to relax and be with your family...<br>

Here is one example i go through...</p>

<p>8hr wedding translates into 1000 images (most photographers shoot twice this) 200 of which i will delete after the event. Maybe even more. 700 will be transferred onto a CD. I will then pick out MY TOP images from the wedding and put it on the separate folder for the bride to view. This def saves a lot of time for my client, although I’m sure they still go through all the images :) </p>

<p>Then, when its time for an album, they or i will select the images and I will begin designing it. I design all of my clients albums. On average its about 80-120 images per album. All of the images have to be corrected prior to being used in the album. I will also use those images for a slideshow presentation and also upload them to online gallery so they can share with friends and family. </p>

<p>Designing, retouching, uploading, transferring, burning CD's, creating CD labels, dealing with album companies, proofing my layout to the clients. correcting the album again...etc def translates into more PC time vs shooting. <br>

i tried outsourcing the design work, but there is so much limitations on how many pictures they can use for a specific album size, and each extra page or side is extra $. Text is extra...not to mention you have to pay for retouching services..its just became to expensive very fast. It just didn’t make sense. </p>

<p>If you can outsource or find a good help ($$$) that will take care of the post processing, then Mazel to you. I personally like the design work, thus im a slave to my craft :)</p>

<p>Now tell me, how much should i charge for this package? :)</p>

<p>Client packages or what they want keeps changing with time and trends. 8 years ago it was all about giving B&G 4x6 proofs in a box with an option of a digital CD for purchase. Today it’s somewhat of a common practice to give all images to a B&G after the event. I think with time, things change, so you always have to adapt and change with time. I often reevaluate my services and pricing. Now i offer Metallic prints and albums which i never used to do. <br>

One thing you can do is see what the best (aka.successful $$$) photo studio's or photographers in your area offer. That would give you a clue as to what is expected and what works. IMO<br>

Its really a moving target</p>