Pictures sold at the wedding

[sito]

I have been asked to do a wedding of a friend of mine. It is my first wedding as a main photographer. I have told the couple that I was not to charge any fees. They will pay for the print and the album and other minor expenses. The point is that I am planning to set a background and some strobes at the reception place to take pictures of the guests so that I can sell them. What can you recommend me in this regard? Is it a think you normally do? What's the typical size of the prints? Do you sell the pictures in the very reception? Do you take your high resolution printer and print them right away? Do you take to a local lab before the wedding is over?

[tim]

I would bet money that you'll go to a lot of effort and sell little or nothing, at least where I live, New Zealand. If you're not watching the bride and groom the whole time you're not doing your job. I suggest you forget the idea, unless traditions are different there than here.

I never print my own photos, I figure a lab is better than me at it.

[Az2Africa]

I would agree with Tim. I have done a few weddings and would not have had the time or energy to take proper photos and print them at the wedding. If you have a laptop and an assistant, you may be able to display some of them and take orders. Sometimes though people are drinking a lot and may say they are buying but not pay up later.I personally would not attempt this.

[CyberPet]

I know a guy here in Sweden that does that, but then we have other customs when it comes to the wedding reception, etc. The mini-studio he set up was not for the guests though, it was actually for the B&G and their guestbook. They wanted nice portraits of the guests together with their notes in the guestbook. He might sell some of the copies to the guests too, but it's mainly the B&G's wish to have it set up that way.

[dwterry]

I'd love to get a wireless transmitter and send my images straight to my laptop and have them incorporated right into the running slideshow..... But, I get enough "oops" pictures (someone decided to put something in their mouth at just the wrong time, for example) that I would still want an assistant to preview the image before dumping it into the slideshow.

But I wouldn't try to sell any right there at the reception ... that just seems wrong. Give 'em your card and let 'em know your images will be online and where to find them.

[sapearl]

I think it's very kind and generous that you are giving your photographic talent and time at your friend’s wedding. However even though customs may be different in your area, IMHO I feel it would be regarded as extremely tacky if you set up a “photo booth for pay” at the reception.

I understand that you are trying to recoup your expenses for the cost of film and printing but this is not the way to do it.

You are the THE PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER at the event, making the official record of the wedding. You are not some used car salesmen barking his wares off in the corner. This is a respectable trade, you are a talented person and you don't want to do anything to cheapen your efforts. I also don't believe that you will get any referrals for the future when people see what you are doing.

Did you plan on having an assistant help with the printing? If you were doing this alone, how were you going to cover all the reception action at the same time? Portrait shooting will take time; handling the prints, loading paper and refilling ink will take even longer. Meanwhile you still have to get various table shots, people toasting, the cake cutting, garter throw, bouquet toss, shots of each couple during the bridal dance ..... you get the idea.

And if you take your pictures to the local lab before the wedding is over, how will you be able to give good coverage of the reception at the same time?

I always have my pro lab do all of my printing. They can do it a lot faster and better in quantity than I can, on actual photographic paper. I don't know what price structure you were considering, but I really don't believe that guests would like to pay substantially for ink jet prints, no matter how good they may appear.

It's not my intention to sound harsh, but I really don't think it's a good idea to set up a sales booth at on your friends' special day. You are being very kind and generous to them and your heart is in the right place - don't ruin it.

I have been asked to do a wedding of a friend of mine. It is my first wedding as a main photographer. I have told the couple that I was not to charge any fees. They will pay for the print and the album and other minor expenses. The point is that I am planning to set a background and some strobes at the reception place to take pictures of the guests so that I can sell them. What can you recommend me in this regard? Is it a think you normally do? What's the typical size of the prints? Do you sell the pictures in the very reception? Do you take your high resolution printer and print them right away? Do you take to a local lab before the wedding is over?

[sito]

Thanks for your sincere comments. I appreciate them very much. When planning this I remembered my own wedding, where a friend of mine, who was beginning as a professional, offered to shoot my wedding free. But he sold many pictures in the ceremony without even asking permission. You are right. This is not a very good idea.

[sapearl]

You seem sincere in your desire to do a professional and thorough job on your friend's wedding day. This can be a stressful time for the bride and groom as well as their families. Anything you can do to make the day go smoothly for them will be well appreciated. They will see you working hard on their behalf, covering each aspect of the event and will know they have nothing to worry about.

I like Dave Terry's idea of having business cards at hand. There are usully other engaged or soon to be engaged couples in attendance who are always checking out the DJ, videographer, photographer - if they approach you, certainly say a couple of words about your work, hand them a card, but then suggest they contact you later for a more thorough sales presentation.

Good luck Sito, it sounds like your on the right track here.

Stu Pearl
Cleveland, Ohio

Thanks for your sincere comments. I appreciate them very much. When planning this I remembered my own wedding, where a friend of mine, who was beginning as a professional, offered to shoot my wedding free. But he sold many pictures in the ceremony without even asking permission. You are right. This is not a very good idea.