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

[Joel Eade]

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

Add the 3 hours @ $10/hr for your assistant and you get $406.45

[HDNitehawk]

I think it sounds great Denise. The bride gets a few prints and saves money, she can always get more later. You get this experience. The bride probably doesn’t want pre-ceremony photos or anything like that because she couldn’t afford it. You might offer to do it for free for the experience if you wanted, or not.

[ddt0725]

No, the $10/hr. isn't an additional charge to them. It comes out of the $65/hr. they are paying me . I told her I would give her that if she would help me. She's pretty introverted, so I thought it would help her too. A mom's mind works in mysterious ways!

[ddt0725]

If you have the time, and a decent margin on prints, it might be worthwhile to get the bride/groom/family shots as an extra. I'd expect that they would be back for them later if you have them. If the guests and family can order them online there just might be enough in sales to make it worth your time to get those few extra shots. Would also look good in your portfolio if you do decide to go this route.

I am hoping I will make some extra sales afterwards from family and friends of theirs from what I post in the gallery. Fingers crossed!

[ddt0725]

One thing that I was thinking that hasn't been mentioned, if I am using both flashes on camera I will need at least one flip flash bracket to go from landscape to portrait & keep the flash on top?

Can anyone recommend a good inexpensive flip flash bracket for a 7d (without grip) that can be used easily handheld?

I have an L bracket on my camera but if I use my camera on a tripod in portrait orientation, I won't be able to use on-camera flash! I may have to take all shots in landscape.

[clemmb]

One thing that I was thinking that hasn't been mentioned, if I am using both flashes on camera I will need at least one flip flash bracket to go from landscape to portrait & keep the flash on top?

Can anyone recommend a good inexpensive flip flash bracket for a 7d (without grip) that can be used easily handheld?

I have an L bracket on my camera but if I use my camera on a tripod in portrait orientation, I won't be able to use on-camera flash! I may have to take all shots in landscape.

If your daughter is going to operate a camera on tripod, grudgingly, she probably will not be willing to flip it to portrait so you will not be needing a flash bracket.

Flipping a flash on a bracket while on a tripod is why I like a http://www.newtoncamerabrackets.com/ but these are expensive but this one works in a similar way but much less expensive, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...h_Bracket.html. A friend of mine has this one and he likes it.

On another note you said something about some shots she was not interested in or someone said something about shooting other people that are not on the list of shots. Digital is free and you cannot sell a shot you did not take so take shots of her guest. They may see them and want to buy copies too

[ddt0725]

If your daughter is going to operate a camera on tripod, grudgingly, she probably will not be willing to flip it to portrait so you will not be needing a flash bracket.

Flipping a flash on a bracket while on a tripod is why I like a http://www.newtoncamerabrackets.com/ but these are expensive but this one works in a similar way but much less expensive, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...h_Bracket.html. A friend of mine has this one and he likes it.

On another note you said something about some shots she was not interested in or someone said something about shooting other people that are not on the list of shots. Digital is free and you cannot sell a shot you did not take so take shots of her guest. They may see them and want to buy copies too

Thanks, Mark! Yes, I am hoping my daughter can catch a great deal of those shots of the people not on the "high priority" list while I do my best to capture everyone that is at the top of the list.

[ddt0725]

Errr ...I could kick myself! I didn't realize that the latest 3-day live seminar on Creative Live was "Wedding Photography with Joe Buissink"! I just caught part of the last episode that was on contracts. It would have been so beneficial to see it from the beginning! Thursday he discussed his unique approach to client pitch meetings, lighting techniques and the benefits of compact camera gear! Perfect for me to have seen! Yesterday he went on-location at a local church where he held a live shoot.

Did anyone catch any of the seminar? I'm not going to purchase it for $99 but it sure would have been great to see it for free!! Today, I did learn a couple things about contracts that I didn't know before but it was hard to remember all of the paragraph wording that he recommended should be included in a contract.

[Jayson]

Errr ...I could kick myself! I didn't realize that the latest 3-day live seminar on Creative Live was "Wedding Photography with Joe Buissink"! I just caught part of the last episode that was on contracts. It would have been so beneficial to see it from the beginning! Thursday he discussed his unique approach to client pitch meetings, lighting techniques and the benefits of compact camera gear! Perfect for me to have seen! Yesterday he went on-location at a local church where he held a live shoot.

Did anyone catch any of the seminar? I'm not going to purchase it for $99 but it sure would have been great to see it for free!! Today, I did learn a couple things about contracts that I didn't know before but it was hard to remember all of the paragraph wording that he recommended should be included in a contract.

They are doing another re-watch now.

[ddt0725]

They are doing another re-watch now.

OMG! And I went to bed earlier than usual! I just tuned in now and it is at the last 2 minutes of the final episode that I already saw!