Today's bridezillas want the wedding photographs complete and ready to upload on her computer at least two weeks before the wedding.
The meet and greet strategy seems to me to be as good a way as any to gauge how "picky" they are. What's key is : can the non picky one exert any real influence over the picky one?
This sounds like "first base" stuff but unless you have decided that the couple need to have a penchant for film over digital then you are in direct competition with the digital shooters so you need an edge on price or service.
So on a like-for-like basis have you worked out how much film, including processing and printing, you can afford to shoot?
The ideal couple is the one sold on film for whom money is no object. How many of those are there in your area to allow you to earn a living or is wedding photography an additional income so you can pick and choose those you wish to be commissioned by?
I need to lay my cards on the table here. Other than as a favour I have only ever taken film photos at friends' wedding as a guest and then only in b&w as a novel addition to the digital professionals.
pentaxuser
Have you considered going to some local wedding shows/expos to size up the competition? Same with visiting bridal boutiques and florists; they tend to have lots of knowledge on what’s selling and who’s doing it. You might even be able to leave some promo materials and get referrals.
The cost of film, processing, and scans would be around $2000, give or take.
And that is a cost not incurred by the digital wedding photographers, so charging a premium would be in order. The couple is really going to want a film shoot, given the advantages of digital today. The few weddings I have attended recently where film was being shot, it was more as a side dish or novelty rather than the main course. And these were mega-bucks weddings with about three photographers and a videographer and an assistant or two.
Even if you're that good, you still can get sued:
Divorced Woman Demands Refund from Wedding Photographer 4 Years Later
A South African wedding photographer this week received what he calls the craziest request he has heard in his career. A woman whose wedding he shot four years ago in 2019 is demanding a full refund for the wedding photography because she got divorced and “doesn’t need the photos anymore.”
Divorced Woman Demands Refund from Wedding Photographer 4 Years Later
A wedding photographer was contacted by a divorced woman asking for a refund for the photos he shot four years ago.petapixel.com
Genius idea, not having round objects in the background.I have posted this before: At the university one of the guys in the dormitory was getting married and asked me to take the photographs. The groom was of the heavy persuasion, as was his intended and both families. I was careful to make sure that there were not round or square objects in the background. When I went to print the photographs I experimented and found the best angle to tilt the easel. I printing three albums, one for the couple and one for each family. Everyone was so happy with the photographs because I got the "real me" that I got many orders for print. I made enough money on that one wedding that it paid for a year at the university, room and board at the door, all the my books and supplies and spending money.
Or indeed the civil servant conducting the civil marriage ceremony. Is Elvis such a person when he conducts the ceremony in Las Vegas?If there is a religious ceremony, be sure to ask the priest/pastor/rabbi/etc. if it is ok to shoot during the ceremony, and if flash is allowed.
Is Elvis such a person when he conducts the ceremony in Las Vegas?
Or indeed the civil servant conducting the civil marriage ceremony. Is Elvis such a person when he conducts the ceremony in Las Vegas?
Thanks
pentaxuser
Or indeed the civil servant conducting the civil marriage ceremony. Is Elvis such a person when he conducts the ceremony in Las Vegas?
Thanks
pentaxuser
Yes, but Elvis generally likes his picture taken.
Around here, the people who officiate at wedding ceremonies outside of traditional churches/synagogues/mosques/temples etc. are called Marriage Commissioners and are licensed and registered through our Vital Statistics offices. Many of them are retired clergy. I expect they need to pass a course.
In a word: Don’t.
Just not worth it. Not fun. Not much money in it.
Do it as a favor for a couple you know and shoot a few rolls. Bring remote triggers and star filters.
Let them pay for the film. But don’t promise anything.
Nowadays, it seems normal to have multiple photographers, video crew, and a drone camera operator for a wedding. Then after the productions are processed, images, videos, sequences, etc. are released on various social media platforms over time.
With about 50% of first marriages ending in divorce, I wonder who gets custody of all that media?
With about 50% of first marriages ending in divorce, I wonder who gets custody of all that media?
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