Ok, hold the laughter ...ME a wedding photographer!???

[clemmb]

Um no ...I don't have a clue what a TLR is! I'm not saying I'm too young to remember (although I'd like to use that excuse) but I really didn't know anything about cameras or photography at all until I picked up my rebel 2 years ago. Other than that, I only owned a Kodak that shot the picture out the front and a p&s that I have now. I live a very sheltered life!

I don't remember sending my camera in because of a problem. I only sent my camera in when I had Canon calibrate my lenses to it when I was having a couple lenses I used to own looked at, the camera went along for the ride.

EDIT: Oops, hit "return" before I was done! I do think I need more cards though because I know I have a tendency to get trigger happy. But I did nix the idea of a better lens, I just hope my Siggys don't let me down!

Have you used reflectors much for weddings? I know my daughter would be happier if I didn't buy them probably but I wonder how much help they will provide.

Here is what My TLR(Twin Lens Reflex) looks like

I think that is what I am remembering, when you sent it in for calibration. I guess you don't still have your Rebel?
When I started with a Rebel I was using a Sigma 24-70 f2.8. I later swapped it for the Tamron 17-50. Your Siggys I am sure will be fine.
I have never used reflectors at weddings. I rarely use them during any shoot. In south Texas the sun is so bright it usually makes people squint more.

[Mark Elberson]

Otherwise, if you know someone that will loan you a rebel or something. I hate Rebels now but my first digital wedding was on an 8mpix rebel. They can take pro quaility shots in the hands of someone like you

+1

Keep it simple for the first one. Make sure you take your battery charger so half way through you can plug your camera batt in while you continue to shoot.

+1

[Steve U]

Right on Mark, +100!!!

[ddt0725]

The birde-to-be just sent me a quick email. Her fiance and future mother-in-law are ok with having me as the photographer! They do need to stick to a budget of $400 and want package options! I haven't put together any package options on my website (haven't had a need) so I will have to look into what other photographers offer for packages in this price range. Suggestions always welcomed ...hint ...hint! Only other thing she mentioned is they primarily want the ceremony photographed highlighting the key moments and that we will discuss further when we meet.

[clemmb]

The birde-to-be just sent me a quick email. Her fiance and future mother-in-law are ok with having me as the photographer! They do need to stick to a budget of $400 and want package options! I haven't put together any package options on my website (haven't had a need) so I will have to look into what other photographers offer for packages in this price range. Suggestions always welcomed ...hint ...hint! Only other thing she mentioned is they primarily want the ceremony photographed highlighting the key moments and that we will discuss further when we meet.

Since I am a part time photographer my prices are low. My price structure is different than any other I have seen. When I started years ago I put together packages that had print and album options. Every bride without fail wanted to adjust the packages and I would have to re-price them. Since I work full time as an engineer and part time as photographer this was too much so my package prices are for the services and a proof CD. They can build up from there. Add prints, albums, books, etc... I think the most a bride has spent with me has been around $4,000 total. My wedding only package is $475. I have no time limit on reprints. Many brides come back for other products pretty quick. Some come back a year later when they have more money. It works well for those on a very tight budget. Make sure you obtain a non-refundable deposit. For my wedding only package I charge $175 deposit. The day of the wedding they owe the remaining $300. You need to do this so if for some reason the wedding is off after you rent a camera you are not out $$s. I have only had this happen twice. As part of the contract the deposit guaranties them that I am holding their date for them. If you are giving them a DVD of full files I would not include any prints for this price but let them come back to you at any time for professional prints at a reasonable price.

[Joel Eade]

The birde-to-be just sent me a quick email. Her fiance and future mother-in-law are ok with having me as the photographer! They do need to stick to a budget of $400 and want package options! I haven't put together any package options on my website (haven't had a need) so I will have to look into what other photographers offer for packages in this price range. Suggestions always welcomed ...hint ...hint! Only other thing she mentioned is they primarily want the ceremony photographed highlighting the key moments and that we will discuss further when we meet.

If you are not doing any pre-ceremony shots, group shots afterwards or the reception I wouldn't rent any gear. I would simply charge them $400 as your fee and offer the disk of processed images and/or just a few prints. At that price you don't have any room for more expenses IMHO. You have to remember too that you're gonna spend quite alot of post processing time. They will not be able to get anywhere near beating that price.

[Mark Elberson]

I wouldn't rent any gear. I would simply charge them $400 as your fee and offer the disk of processed images. At that price you don't have any room for more expenses. You have to remember too that you're gonna spend quite alot of post processing time. They will not be able to get anywhere near beating that price.

I completely agree with the above. If you can borrow something then go for it but don't put any money into this venture (that means no reflectors!). Also, a wedding is not a place to try out new gear/new techniques. Only do what you are proficient with.

I think I got paid like $250 for my 1st wedding so $400 isn't too bad :-) Don't worry about packages. At $400 there's really no room. Give them a disc of JEPGS (processed of course) and let them know that they can have professionaly made prints off of your website. My general rule of thumb is:

1 hour behind the camera = 2 hours behind the computer. HDNitehawk is right, if you look closely you'll find out that you are making minimum wage :-( Oh well, next time you can charge $1k :-)

[HDNitehawk]

$400 which will include your $65 an hour fee? I know you will get good advice here on picking a printing and pricing structure. It sounds like she will not be getting many prints, and perhaps the disk.

Back to one of the comments I gave you early on, you might end up making minimum wage. But your reward will be you get to do your first wedding. If you do this bride a good job, give her some beautiful pictures and the files that if she wants to print off high quality prints ten years from now when she can afford it, you both win. One of two things can happen here, you get a little wedding business going or you find out this isn't your cup of tea. Either way you win. A few dollars one way or the other won't matter in the long run.

[conropl]

Back to one of the comments I gave you early on, you might end up making minimum wage. But your reward will be you get to do your first wedding. If you do this bride a good job, give her some beautiful pictures and the files that if she wants to print off high quality prints ten years from now when she can afford it, you both win. One of two things can happen here, you get a little wedding business going or you find out this isn't your cup of tea. Either way you win. A few dollars one way or the other won't matter in the long run.

To expand on this idea a little: Get the brides permision (in the contract) to use her photos for advertising for future business. Then you can use these photos on your web site to kick of that side of your business. If they balk, then remind them that your not making money off them, and this is one way to off set your reduced wage. To have actual pictures on your web site is worth a lot more than a bunch of verbage (the old Cliché, "a picture is worth a thousand words").

[ddt0725]

Yes, that would include my $65/hr. fee which $10/hr goes to my assistant.
I did get her permission (verbally) to use the photos for advertising, etc. I will have it written in the contract also.
Nope, there won't be any pre-ceremony photos!
Even though I will be spending a great deal of time going through and editing the photos, it's not like I'm doing anything else. So, I guess that part doesn't bother me so much.

I'm starting to think this could not be a better gig for a first time out their by myself. Even with only a few hours of shooting, I won't walk away with much $ wise but from this thread and doing it, I will walk away with plenty of knowledge and experience that I didn't walk into it with. If it gets me a few more gigs, then that is the icing on the cake. Or, if after it is all said and done, I find out it is not for me, then I keep it just as a hobby that I am passionate about.

So, here is where I'm at ...rental is definiitely out and I go with what I will have available.

Here is what I have for one package ...

$125.00 for a DVD of all edited photos (unwatermarked)
$195.00 for 3 hours of shooting @ $65/hr.
$320.00
$ 56.45 + shipping on my website gets (1) framed 10x13 & (2) 8x10's (small watermark in corner)
$376.45

Contract Price: $400

I would still have a full gallery of the photos on my website for them or family and friends to purchase at a later date.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Am I on the right track with this?

Denise