Do you Do your Own Processing and Printing?

[MDJAK]

I'm very interested in doing wedding/event photography. While I have a fine printer, my working knowledge of PS leaves a bit to be desired, though I try and try.

So, do most wedding photographers do their own processing? Do you do your own printing?

If I'm just starting out and can't command lots of dough, would it wind up costing me money to have all the work done by a lab?

Do most of you just give out proofs, a few larger shots, and CD's?

For some reason, I'm stuck in the late '60s, which is really the only experience I have with wedding albums, when my sisters got married. After a few months passed, the proofs would come numbering 100-200. My parents would sit with the newlyweds (my sister(s)) and pick out the photos for the album. Then months later a big, beautifully done album would come.

Is that still done? How do you figure that in the price if it is? How do you produce that?

Sorry for all the questions. I greatly appreciate everyone's time on this forum.

Mark

[PIXI_666]

Mark

Heck no i don't print my own, but that is personal preference, i find that a lab is far more easier for me and less expensive in the long run! With a proof book costing me around $150 to make with 200 photo's in them (49c prints ea) i get my money back plus more in my packages.

I now do mine up on software and send it from my computer to a lab in Victoria, it works a treat as i don't have to move my butt - especially living in the country! (Postage is 2 days too!)

I also get all my enlargements there too, so all in all i would recommend a lab, i just don't even want to think about having to print my own photo's out...you may have a better printer than mine but it just seems like a headache lol

I usually give out a proof book, then couples pick which ones they want as enlargements, also friends and families of the B&G. And i also throw in an album if they want to pay extra (LOTS EXTRA). I have also been doing the 200+ (Depends which package) photo proof book, but any extra candid shots i put on to CD for them, candids as in reception photo's of people dancing, guests etc.

I try to focus more on the special moments for the album, and most definately the Formals of the day with immediate family, and then the Bridal party shots.

And i have also been looking into proshow gold DVD slideshows - i thought id add those into packages too.

All in all if it costs you a bit in the lab - charge that PLUS extra on top so you are getting paid too. Also up your enlargement prices by i think around here people do 500% but i found some of the enlargements for me turning into big bucks so it started as 500% on the smaller ones and slowly reduced to about 200% on the VERY Large prints (Just so it doesn't scare them away)

In saying all of this....it is previous experience, BUT my previous experience hasn't been much, but i thought id share anyhow considering it could be useful!

Im very jealous of your equipment..........lol but good luck with the Wedding Photography...it's addictive, especially now with Digital technology!!!!!!!

Del

[MDJAK]

Thank you, that was very informative.

Don't be jealous of my equipment. You could probably take a better picture with a disposable than can I with my equipment. I just need every edge I can get.

Thanks again for helping me out. Anyone else's suggestions would be great too.

Oh yeah, now I remembered I had a question. How do you email your photos? Aren't they very large in size?

mark

[Phil V]

There's more questions in there than you realise.

I proof with a DVD slideshow, some proof with proof prints, some with proof albums and some with 'contact sheets' (tried all of the above).

I charge for a complete package including album, I'm just comfortable that way. Others charge time + product, shoot to hand over negs/CD etc.

Modern albums are either with mats (like in the 60's) or printed 'montage' albums, the montage albums can be designed by you, be designed and printed by you, or designed and printed by someone else. This allows you to work anyway you want.

[PIXI_666]

mdjak your right its not your equipment its having a good eye which im sure you do with your experiences!!!

I usually don't e-mail photo's to clients, and if i do need to e-mail one or 2 i just resize them down to about 200kbs and e-mail them that way.

Del

[VanceW]

Hey Mark,

Looks like the printer you have would produce very good, even archivable images for your clients. At least that's what I've read.

If you are looking for a good book to help you out with your PS, head out to Barnes and Noble (or whatever bookstore is close) and find the following book:
The Photoshop cs2 book for digital photographers. By Scott Kelby
(works just as well with CS)

As for equipment. Looks like your list is pretty danged good (like Del says) hopefully you have a back up camera body if you do get into doing weddings.

[tim]

I do all the resizing and processing in photoshop, and I use a pro lab for printing. I trust them more than I trust any equipment I can afford, plus it's easier to dump them to CD and walk 5 minutes then spend all day printing and cutting.

[VanceW]

Hey Tim,

That's when you offer them a " Very Special Deal! " of " Borderless 8.5 x 11" prints! " ;)

[llaamaboy]

Tim ...
Your favorite photos page did not load for me. Did it change?

[PineCone]

Tim... it won't load for me either..

[PineCone]

i do have a pro lab do the printing for me... i just do the PP, i've a lay out artist who does the lay outing, save it on cd or usb.. and voila! i go watch a movie... saves me time, i don't think it would save me a substantial amount of money if i do it myself, i'd have to buy my own printing equipment... nah i'd rather save up for new camera or gear.. with my limitations i think it's best for me

[llaamaboy]

i do have a pro lab do the printing for me... i just do the PP ...

Yo what do you mean "PP"? (Gotta learn the new terms)

[rlhphotos]

I do all of my own processing but its a million times cheaper to have it printed at a lab.

[TonyKInTexas]

For events I've done, I have processed my own images and taken them to a lab for printing.

All it takes is for one or two images to NOT turn out right to start eating in to profit margins.

My suggestion is to learn enough PS to do the routine stuff (Vance has a book he can get you the title of for PhotoShop) and go from there.

There are services though that do it all. You drop off the media and they do the work. That will cost you some more than just prints. Its an option you might desire to explore.

Take care,

[PIXI_666]

PP means post processing...somethign that back in the day would mean lots of time and effort in the dark room - Photoshop now helps BIG TIME with post processing to get the lighting and colours etc. right :)

[MDJAK]

Thank you all. I've been reading and rereading your responses and taking it all in.

LLaama, PP is post processing.

As far as that book is concerned, I will get it right away. Thanks.

With regard to a second body, I'm sure I'll never know the value of a backup until my main body fails. I'm leaning to the 1dmkIIn as my backup body.

Keep them answers coming, folks. I truly appreciate everybody's time.

Mark

[VanceW]

Mark,

For a secondary camera, you can always go with a bit less expensive gear, as it's your back-up in case of failure.

Still, you do want it to be good gear. I'd suggest looking at maybe the 5D as your back up. Full sensor, and a bit cheaper (less than $3k at B&H), which means more money for other gear you may find yourself needing. ;)

[tim]

Different classes of cameras means you have to change to a different set of controls when you swap. I don't have a main and backup camera, I use two 20D's, I put different lenses on each and grab the one I need to make the shot. Much easier than changing lenses.

[Wedding Shooter]

I do all my own printing up to A3 at home. I find the whole process works well for me. As for cost - the Lab is cheaper on 6x4's - everything else cost's me less at home.

As I mainly do high quality matted albums as part of my packages it works out over $100 cheaper per 20 page album to do it myself. Infact I am planning to upgrade to the new large format Canon printer when it comes out.

[tim]

I should really run my test images through my Canon ip5000... i'm just not sure I trust it for archival quality.

[PIXI_666]

Its all in personal preference really if you can print at home cheaper and easier then go for it, but if its going to take you long hours and not very good quality prints - go to a lab :)
I forgot to mention that i do my own PPing - oce you get the hang of photoshop espesh after 6years practice lol it generally get's easier with time :)

[Transportithere]

I have been going to Fred Meyers. At $1.99usd for a 8x10 or a 8x14, my choice 10 or 14. If it doesn't turnout they do it again..
I have weight the price of ink cartridges, printer, and paper. To set up my own home print station is about $250.00 usd. correct me if I'm wrong. That is about 125, 8x10s at FM. Can a home photo set up do that for? I do not know..
I am leary of many printers and cartridiges out there. If you can provide me with more confidance in Print per print at home -v- cost per print at Fred Meyers please help me. Some shops 'want' $5.00 for a 8x10.
But. I do see those Big Printers I am more inclined to purchase one of thous 4 ft wide by ? in lengh... oh yeah...

[PIXI_666]

transportithere....i would love to get a plotter machine....can do up to A0 prints i have one at work mmmm i sit and stare at it all day hahahahahaha

[Nidz]

With our wedding we got a professional who photographs among others football stars wedding etc.. He took all the shots then processed them all in an album. So we got to see how they would come out with the alterations done. We then picked some for framed shots and other various things and then we got them and the full albums of proofs plus the negatives as the photographer used medium format cameras. So I hope this helps you in some way.

[VanceW]

Been doing a little test with a 4x6 print with Epson Photo Glossy paper on my Epson 1280
for about two years now.

Left it in a window that get's late afternoon and evening sun for about a year, and no fading. Ran it under the tap, and stuck it back in the window.

Checked it the other day, and it still has no noticable fading, or discoloration.

It's still in the window as the test continues. :D

[MDJAK]

as far as archival quality is concerned:

1. I used to own the Canon s900 which printed 13x19. I started out photographing H.S. wrestling. I printed four shots on glossy paper for the school's Hall of Fame wall. They are under plexiglass and have yellowed after three years. Unfortunately, I had a hard drive crash shortly after printing and lost the shots. I've since got two 250gb backup drives that I use.

2. After switching to Epson, first the 4000 and now the 4800, the "staying" quality of the prints seems to be much better. Time will tell.

Question regarding albums as mentioned above:

When I think of a wedding album, I'm harkening back (again) to my sisters' albums where the photos were a part of each page you turned, like, I don't know, 1/8inch or 1/4 inch thick.

Is today's "album" something where the photos are in plastic slip covers?

thanks again
mark

[BLINN]

Del is right there, it is all personal perferance as far as printing goes. I use costco photo lab for all my 4x6 and 8'x10 prints. 4x6 is only 18 cents and 8x10 is only $1.99 I really can't beat that price. However for all the wedding photos that the B&G pick for larger sizes (i.e. 11x14 or larger I send to a PRO lab in Toronto, I still does not cost me that much.) with shipping a 16x20 inch print mounted is only $40 CND. And yes I do all PP my self, I have more control that way. I also give a CD/DVD Negative of all image at high res for the client as well as a DVD slide show to music that I throw in for them. It is a surprise when they get it and they seem to love that gift the most. I hope this helps.

[SuzyView]

I've seen poster size from Costco that are quite acceptable if you use the highest possible resolution. I haven't done it myself, but the 8x10 or 11x14 are quite good. The price can't be beat.

[Wedding Shooter]

I use the Canon i9950 A3+ printer with 8 inks and Canon paper. I want to upgrade to the new A2+ 13 cartridge Canon that will be out in April.

[BLINN]

I have not found a printer that does not fade and I have looke at all of them. I use lab because they chemically treat the prints and they tend to last longer before fad is visable. As a wedding photographer I do not want a rep that goes like this".... he take great pictures but with two years if faded on me..." I don't print anything I sell.

[timeless-photo]

We are a portrait/wedding studio and are growing the business very well right now. After reviewing this past year during our dreaded tax season, we have to look at how much self-printing vs. lab-printing benefits us.

We spent over $15,000 this past year on lab expenses (via Express Digital lab @ $1.55 per 8x10). At that kind of expense, I wonder if any of you have looked into leasing a mini-lab to handle up to 11x14 size prints? Either Noritsu or Fuji.

If so, what did you find out?

[jesusdelallata]

I'm a big fan of PROFESSIONAL labs. I have full trust in one of the labs in town. Not only are they amazing for film developing and printing, but I can either upload my photos to their site or take a cd with my instructions. I do all my adjustments (to the best of my ability) on Photo Shop, then the lab does the rest.

At $0.60 per print, they color correct to match their equipment's output and the prints are always amazing from their Fuji Frontier. I'm very picky when it comes to prints. My lab continues to amaze me. They are true Professionals and worth every penny.