Models affect Weddings?

[Jason Cole]

Hi All,

I am a full time photographer. I specialise in two areas, modeling and Weddings. My site is here. www.jasoncolephotography.com.au

My question:

Do you think having a modeling section on my website affects my wedding business? I shoot for several mens magazines (nothing smutty) just FHM etc, and have examples of these shoots on my model site. Does it make any difference?

If you were a bride or groom would you see that and go "no way" and bail?

Just curious for some feedback.

Cheers
Jason

[dipolina]

No. I think it looks fine.
If I were a bride looking to hire a photographer, modeling part on the web site would not drive me away, even opposite, would probably attract.

[GCRollo]

No way.. I think it will attract.. I can here a bride now.

"My photographer shoots for FHM"

Everybody want to be a model for a day.. men too. It's serves our vanity. :)

Although I do have one comment... I know you were trying to keep a cohesive theme throughout your site, but I think each section should have a different "feel"...

What might look ok for the commercial side, (eg hard & mechanical).. doesn't look right for wedding, which IMHO should be soft & elegant. The graphics, color, ect... seemed a little "Cold & Mechanical" to me...

But the photography is great.

[song4themoon]

I dont think that this matters... maybe if anything it may even attract people...

but I do feel that your website is a bit overpowering.. too much going on, too much written.. I opened it and didnt even feel like searching my way around ones I clicked on the different areas.

[staciecd]

When I was looking for a photographer for my wedding, I found one that worked with models and was more interested in him than others knowing that he would make me look like a model.

Stacie

[Yella Fella]

wedding photographers that covers models will be good

especially coming to do bridal portraits etc :D

[Bollan]

Well things like "BANDWITH LIMIT EXCEEDED" sure drive clients off more than anything else. Upgrade you hosting PRONTO is my advice.

[sblais]

wedding photographers that covers models will be good especially coming to do bridal portraits etc :D

Have you seen the modeling pics? Unless you want the bride to put on a very revealing carpenter/plumber/Other-manly-job suit and lean into the camera so we can all appreciate the Grand Canyon... :lol: :lol:

For Jason:

Actually, my wife and I were turned off by the type of "non-smutty" poses. It is possible that we just looked at the wrong part of the modelling section of the web site, but we found most of the poses to be tasteless. We were expecting more artistic shots rather than the type of poses one would likely find in a calendar posted on the wall of a mechanic's garage.

We just got married a few months ago and if we would have looked at your web site, the modelling section would have certainly caught our attention. But after viewing what kind of modelling it was all about, it is very likely that we would have gone looking somewhere else for a photographer.

We're not exactly conservative (are we? ;)), and a even a site with tasteful nude shots would have been more than fine with us. But a site with calendar girls pushing their goods in our faces was not appealing to us.

Just my $0.02.

[Jason Cole]

Thanks for your 0.02c :-) Much appreciatted.

I find that it probably works more in my favour more than against. Like this weekend we shot a Wedding on Sunday and I overheard the couple bragging to their friends how their photographer shoots for FHM and Ralph etc.. I think being a model photographer makes me a better wedding photographer. It makes me much more creative and I don't often do the same thing twice. In the model world you can't do that either. It makes me much more concious of things like the Brides arm pressed against the grooms arm, making it woder, or a double chin, or a bad angle.

In regards to your other comments, you have to understand what the theme shots were taken for. They are all magazine shots, and sure they arent smutty, but there is a market for this (sexy but not nude). We do a lot of calendar stuff as well. If you want to see artisitc nude check out the artisitc nude section of my website, there are some really cool shots in there. I think saying they are all tasteless is a bit harsh but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. A lot of thought went into those shots. A lot of planning and logisitcs too.

[Jason Cole]

One other thing, im thinking that due to the greowth of my Wedding business it must help to a certain extent having a modeling section.

I have been shooting Weddings for four years now, year 1, 4 weddings (freebies), year 2 17 weddings, 2 free, 15 paid, year 3 37 Weddings all paid, this year e have 71 weddings booked and are looking at putting on another photographer now too.

So maybe the modeling side does help, but thank you for your opinion, its always good to get both sides of the story :-)

[Inspired Photography]

So you're looking for a second photographer eh...? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Anyway, I think that it brings business in. It shows versatility and skill behind the lens, and that is all that matters.

Rob

[Jason Cole]

Im actually looking for a third photographer, I already have a second photographer :-)

[DaveG]

Hi All,

I am a full time photographer. I specialise in two areas, modeling and Weddings. My site is here. www.jasoncolephotography.com.au

My question:

Do you think having a modeling section on my website affects my wedding business? I shoot for several mens magazines (nothing smutty) just FHM etc, and have examples of these shoots on my model site. Does it make any difference?

If you were a bride or groom would you see that and go "no way" and bail?

Just curious for some feedback.

Cheers
Jason

I would suggest that most brides I've talked to are FOCUSED on the wedding, the whole wedding and NOTHING but the wedding; subsequently then your modeling section ("What modeling section?") is likely to pass un-noticed by them, although the goom might notice. If he objects then the marriage has more and quite fundamental issues ahead. "How long have your BEEN gay?" so I wouldn't worry about it!

I do think that it's important that the bride (or anyone using ANY web site) be able to easily navigate around that site without having to solve designer-induced puzzles. My concern wouldn't be your content but I would have objected if the design had made it difficult to get to the wedding section. I looked at your site and the bridal section is clearly marked and very easy to get to, so obviously it has not.

[photomansteve]

Jason, Brides are always looking for photographers that are versatile. A lot of the shots they see in mags are model shoots anyway. If they know you have a hadle on that already then they will know that some of it will flow over to their wedding shots. Di the lot. You never know one might flow into the other and vice versa.

[grego]

In the end, if your wedding photos are good, then you'll get hired. If they aren't, then you won't. Really doesn't matter. What matters is you can capture those important moments for a fair price.

[sblais]

Thanks for your 0.02c :-) Much appreciatted.
....
In regards to your other comments, you have to understand what the theme shots were taken for. They are all magazine shots, and sure they arent smutty, but there is a market for this (sexy but not nude). We do a lot of calendar stuff as well. If you want to see artisitc nude check out the artisitc nude section of my website, there are some really cool shots in there. I think saying they are all tasteless is a bit harsh but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. A lot of thought went into those shots. A lot of planning and logisitcs too.

I'd just like to clarify that when I said that the calendar shots are tasteless, I was not referring to your shots in particular, but to these kind of shots in general. If I were to judge your work in this area with another photographer, I'm sure that you are doing a good job.

What I meant is that these types of shot are very often sexist, materializing women as sex objects (yes, you can argue that men are in the same boat, but I think that it's far from being to the same extent). While this isn't a value that I would like to promote (women fought hard and for many years to finally have rights - but I won't start a feminist discussion here, you probably heard it all before), yet again, many young women fail to recognize the efforts that have been put to give them the status they have in society today. Because of this lack of recognition (among other things), they prefer to imitate the next Britney Spears, and are looking to be treated as sexual objects (then run home crying when they have been exploited - where were the parents in all of this? Probably down South, enjoying the sun or out with friends, spending money away).

If we want to evolve as a society, one would think that we should start by controlling our animal instincts and move on to other, more pressing matters (how many teenager girls are doing something to help their community vs. how many are spending thousands on the next Britney & Co. album, clothing, etc). I just find it insulting as a human being looking to make a difference in my community and my society to see so superficial beings living their lives as sheep, without realizing how meaningless they are (their style of life, that is. No human is meaningless to me). While religion is dying away (many don't go to church anymore and even more other don't LIVE their religion), we idolize rock stars who don't have any values (how many do drugs? How many have a lasting and stable relationship? How many don't even take care of their kids and have a nanny raise them?). Yes, I am generalizing, but the concept stays the same at different amplitudes or in different areas (if it's not be rock music, it can be movies, etc.)

Anyways, I am moving away from the main topic, but I hope it can give you a better view of my point on calendar girls in our society. Please don't take my comment personally as I am not targeting you at all. I just wanted to express my opinion on this "material girl" (copyright Madonna, I suppose... another one of those idols :() idea and I think I got carried away in this post... I should stop now before I spend the day writing a book about my feelings on the direction taken by our society! While I know that there are still people striving to make a difference in today's society, I see so many others that live an empty life. I just feel pity towards them to waste their lives away looking at themselves in a mirror.

And again, this is my opinion. I don't necessarily think that it's widespread (at least in practice - sure, people give themselves many good values that they never follow... again superficiality)in our North-American society. You'll get many calls from material brides that will want a superficial princess-like wedding. I just prefer to have more down-to-earth clients with whom I can have an intelligent discussion and that sincerely want to express their love with that special day.

[cwphoto]

I don't really have an opinion either way on the wedding/model stuff, but Jason you gotta pay more attention to the reflections of your studio lights in the headlights (K&N job).

It looks like you got away with it for this client, but if you wanna play with the big boys, any agent or AD worth their salt will pan you on these.

[verty]

Hey Jason..

very nice website...
impressive stuff...

nice to see a local shooter.. i recognised the light house in Wollongong in some of your shots.. your pics are fantastic :)

im from Sydney.. if your ever looking for an assistant give me a yell!

[verty]

i also saw your post with Michelle and Kristie from BB..
i remember seeing that pic in the original mag publication and thought it was really good..
you are very lucky to be able to shoot models like that.. would be alot of very interesting work :)

[Claire]

I think that modelling shots might be good in the sense that you show the couple (eh, bride) that you know how to pose people. Portraits and modelling shots show this, but at the same time I think that you should make a conscious decision what type of modelling shots you want on the same website as your wedding section.

From a woman's pov I'd love to see that the photographer can shoot people and make them look like pro models. As a bride I will maybe end up looking in tons of magazines and websites, not to mention the regular fashion magazines. I'll want to look my best and if you can make me look like a model for a day - perfect!

Now, there's a difference though in "making me look like a model" and making me look like an FHM girl. As a photographer I know it's not easy taking glamour or nude stuff, but the general public may not think about that. The bride(s) will look at your bikiniclad women and either go "Wow, he can make me look like an FHM girl", OR "Eh, I don't want a photographer that shoots for men's mags to shoot me."

I think I'd rather make a separate wedding website, or take off some of the shots in the model forum. I'd aim more for fashion-style shoots and less the typical FHM stuff. Not all girls find it good because of the reasons Sebastien mentioned.

[BrittanyElise]

I agree with Claire - depending on the types of brides you come in contact with, you will get one of two differing reactions and mine was the latter. I'm sure the bragging rights of being an FHM photographer are plenty, but I, personally, wouldn't exactly be referring you to brides-to-be... especially since my fiance is a youth pastor :)

Of course, some brides would love to brag that their photographer shoots for FHM, but others may be uncomfortable knowing that their photographer could be envisioning them in the sexiest pose possible.

In the end your wedding photos are what matters to most. But as a suggestion, maybe you should change your main model's photo to be less revealing or as Claire stated, make a separate wedding website.

-Brita

[MikeMcL]

my friend got his wedding shot by a photog that is a staff photog for a NFL football team full time. (in season)

he never said a word about his pictures, only that his photograper was awesome and that he shoots Football players professionally.

The pics were great, but the main thing he liked was the photog's portfolio.

If you got it, use it. i think it would draw customers. Maybe the models you shoot will call you when they get hitched, lol.

[Jason Cole]

I actually get that a fair bit, Brides that want some glamour shots before babies etc. etc... it happens all the time.

[proaudiorep]

I think your website is among the best I've ever seen...

[donboyfisher]

i think the way your layout of the site works is fine. there is a clear definition between the areas that you shoot by use of the colours , so there is no mixing of wedding and glamour which i would imagine could cause an issue.


As you've seen on this thread, there are those that dont like the type og glamour you shoot, and those that dont mind. You'll never please all the folk all the time.

the work you've done to seperate the areas is OK in my eyes.

perhaps the only thing i'll say is that on your very front page, the wedding one seems to last and minor. in the commercial, you have a car - directly showing an example shot of your work. in the modelling, you have a girl - directly showing an example shot. in the wedding you have a rose - its a little in-direct compared to the others. Sure you may have shot it, but you could also have just pulled a bit of clip art. It may nicer to have a bride and groom in there? just an idea.