Wedding Event Photography

demimonde00 asked:


I’m on a serious budget since I’m paying for my wedding myself. I’ve always heard that you don’t skimp on the photographer. That makes sense, but I’ve never done this before, so I have no clue what a good wedding package would be.

Can anyone give me a ballpark figure? Or a range? How much is TOO much?

Comment please!

(c) 2008 Tom Jackson

Whenever you are taking photos, either for a big event, like a wedding, or just the family at the beach, you need to take notice of the surroundings. Very often, you will see photos taken by people that would have been very good, but something got in the way, like something in the background or the camera was not held straight, or some other small thing that could have been avoided, but now has lead to a picture that is less than acceptable.

Apart from making sure the camera is held straight, and that the lens cap is off, and your finger is not in front of the lens, the first thing you should look at is the background. This is where most problems occur because the photographer is looking at the subject, not the background. If you do not check the background first, you could end up with tress and other things growing out of the heads of the subjects or worse.

With the advent of digital cameras, it is an easy task to check that the photo looks good, at least on the small screen of the camera. You can tell if there are problems and make any necessary corrections on the spot. Be careful not to get caught up in the emotion, and forget to check these things. Just remember, every time you hold the camera up to take a photo, look at the background, then the subjects, then take the photo.

Also, you need to be aware of where the sun is when taking photos outdoors. When the sun is in front of the camera, you run the risk that the cameras light sensor will expose for the sun and not your subject. Your photos will be very dark as a result, although you will get a lovely exposure of the sun. And, be very careful if you are pointing the camera in the direction of the sun, as the sensor could be damaged if exposed to such a bright light for too long.

If you are taking photos for a bride and groom, then this information becomes even more critical. In fact, if you are taking photos for anyone who is paying you, then you need to make sure each and every photo is perfect. If you do not plan every photo, you leave yourself open to failure. That means a nice enjoyable day taking photos and making some money to boot, becomes your worst nightmare. Remember, plan to succeed and take care of the small details, and you will have fun and make some money along the way.

Whenever you take photos at a big event, wether or not you are being paid, checking the background os critical to taking good photos. Now, instead of just making sure that the background is not causing a problem, you now need to be looking at the background for photo opportunites. In the church or at the reception, you need to be constantly searching out suitable backgrounds to use for the bride and groom and the bridal party. Look for any opportuntiy to use a sunset, water fountain, garden, staircase or anything that will enhance the photo. You can check the blog in the resource box for a photo of a bride and groom, taken at the base of a staircase in an office building downtown Phoenix AZ. This is an example of spotting a suitable background, and then making sure the bride and groom follow the photographers direction, in order to take some stunning photos that will sell.

This office complex had such a beautiful wooden staircase, that it was an obvious choice for some photos of the bridal party. In this situation, and wherever you possibly can, if the groom is shorter than the bride, make sure you position the couple in such a way that the groom will look taller. Even if you have to use a phone book or a small box. Use whatever you can to make the groom look taller. It may seem silly at the time, but the photos will look much better, you will sell more photos and hence make more money. The bride and groom will also appreciate your efforts to make their photos look their best.

This will be a great advertisement for your skills. People will see the thought and care you put into every picture you take, and they will tell their friends. The best form of advertising is word of mouth. And make sure you have plenty of cards with you to promote yourself. People will not want to write down your details, they will want a business card or postcard or flyer.



By: Tom Jackson

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wcufan4life asked:


My brother-in-law is getting married for the second time and has asked me to be the photographer. Since it is the second wedding for both bride and groom, they’re not going all out with the traditional white wedding. I’ve been looking for suggestions for pictures, especially since I’m not a pro, but am only coming up with first time brides in white dresses. I know it won’t be a traditional wedding, but I still want them to have special pictures of their wedding. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Comment please!

If you and your camera are inseparable - if your images are really good - if YOU are the one always pressed into service when the need for pictures arises (and you love doing this) you have probably already asked yourself if you could make money taking pictures.

The answer is YES, you can!

How? Develop a plan - determine a course of action - and do it!

All the time that you have spent over the years, taking pictures for everyone -free - can now be viewed as an investment. Others know your work. You have experience! This is good. Friends can be your best advertisers. They can also be your customers. They have all - at one time or another - paid to have their picture taken. You, too, have probably paid to have your picture taken. Now YOU can meet their needs.

Let others know what you are doing Having a small amount of business cards printed works well. They are inexpensive and very effective to hand out; letting others know that you are working into photography for hire now. Hand these out to ALL your friends - “accidentally” hand them more than one - remember they have contacts in many areas that can be pointed back to YOU!

List the types of photography you have done - FREE - within the last two years. They likely include: family reunions

pictures at graduations

families

weddings

Photographers CHARGE for shooting:

family reunions

pictures at graduations

families

weddings

And people are happy to pay. They want pictures! Someone is making money taking pictures - for people that YOU know. Why not YOU?

Look through some of your pictures

Compare these with ones you have seen done by a local photographer for hire. Are yours as good? Can you make as good? Can you make them better? Are you willing to put forth the effort to make them great? - Everyone loves GREAT photos -

Starting to make money taking pictures is EASIER than you think. You already have a good camera - you know how to use it - and you love using it. Now you need to gain experience shooting as a pro:

YOU controlling the shots, in order to make it a great photograph.

YOU selecting the background - the lighting - the poses - the arrangements!

YOU having a theme in mind for a photo session.

These aspects of photography - and more - are within your grasp. How? Just keep doing what you have been doing -shooting for family and friends- but now with a definite purpose in mind.

The next time you are at a get-together - shoot like you would if you were charging for the event. Download these photos and look at them through the eyes of a customer. Would you be willing to pay for these pictures? You are now your own teacher. Get input from others - especially from ones that were there. Listening to their comments is like hearing what a customer thinks.

This is a great learning tool! You can gain experience doing what you love doing, with a new view - taking pictures of willing subjects (because they know you, and you know how to make them look good) and developing you own style of photography.

These are but a couple of ways that you can begin to make money taking pictures.

For more information on how to make money taking pictures and other related subjects you may want to read the article :

http://www.you-can-do-great-photography.com/making-money-taking-pictures.html

This article authored by: www.you-can-do-great-photography.com



By: David

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Bride2Be asked:


I live in southeast Michigan and my wedding is 6 months away and I still do not have a photographer. Most photographers are over 1000 dollars.

Comment please!