Anyone do a Portrait Booth during a wedding reception?

[NBEast]

We're considering setting up a portriat booth (backdrop, softbox, umbrella, etc) in a corner for about an hour during the reception.

There will be business cards so they'll know where to get their photos at.

So; there's a few different ways to go on this from a marketing perspective.

Note: Every photo has our web site and phone number on it's back.

1. Build portfolio - get release there, but don't push it, promise to mail a print as consideration. Only tell them if they ask how they can get a copy. (write photo number on release).

2. Build portfolio - get address to mail a free photo, and later offer a $3 8x10 if they will allow it's use (our print cost) if they will allow us to use it on our portfolio. Tell them we will not use the address for junk mail (that would clearly be tacky and agressive).

3. Forget portfolio and collecting their info. Tell them it's a courtesy and these portfolio photos will not be marked up and 5x7's only cost 19 cents plus about $1 in shipping (Smugmug pricing). Then at least every guest will visit the photo purchasing site and have our contact info on a photo they're likely not to throw away.

4. Just mark them up normally. Don't keep track of who's who.

5. Bad idea. Don't do a portriat booth.

[SimonG]

From the perspective of a potential customer, I would say that this is a bad idea unless you have been given express permission to do this by the bride and groom, and given that you are not otherwise compromising your contractual service. Personally, I would not want my hired photographer focusing on a marketing gimmick when they should instead be focusing on what I have paid them good money for. Furthermore, when my hired photog is done taking photos as a part of that contract then I can see no reason for them to remain at the reception (whether it’s to set up a portrait booth or otherwise); after all, they are not an invited guest, but rather an employee for the evening. Just my humble opinion.

[NBEast]

From the perspective of a potential customer, I would say that this is a bad idea unless you have been given express permission to do this by the bride and groom, and given that you are not otherwise compromising your contractual service. Personally, I would not want my hired photographer focusing on a marketing gimmick when they should instead be focusing on what I have paid them good money for. Furthermore, when my hired photog is done taking photos as a part of that contract then I can see no reason for them to remain at the reception (whether it’s to set up a portrait booth or otherwise); after all, they are not an invited guest, but rather an employee for the evening. Just my humble opinion.Thank you for your opinion!

I should add that it's with the permission of the B&G. Presented as an added service but not extra charge to them in consideration of their guests that might get a kick out of a portrait while they're all dressed up. It is also manned by the 2nd shooter.

[coreypolis]

You'll end up with lots of families with the same background and lighting.

Like Mike said, follow the B&G.
If you decide you want a guests photo for tht purpose, find them when nothing else is going on (dinner usually) and approach them for a quick posed shot and you can work with them on how the image can be used etc. You get the one family you woul show for a portfolio anyway without the other hassel.

[NBEast]

You'll end up with lots of families with the same background and lighting.

Like Mike said, follow the B&G.
If you decide you want a guests photo for tht purpose, find them when nothing else is going on (dinner usually) and approach them for a quick posed shot and you can work with them on how the image can be used etc. You get the one family you woul show for a portfolio anyway without the other hassel.
Gosh, I wish I were that good that I could take a portfolio-worthy shot on demand, without specialized lighting.

Frankly; as I submitted the poll I knew my answer.

I will do it and give them out at no mark-up on the website.

I was at a 1/2 Million Dollar Christmas party back in the 90s. In fact, the band was $150K or so. Black tie of course. They had a professional portriat booth for guests to go get a free 8x10 portriat that was mailed to us. It was very classy. Its because everyone was decked out. No profit model, no marketing ploy, just a great service.

The intent of mine is two-fold. Impress everyone with a great service. Find a non-pushy way to get everyone to visit the site. Its for the guest, not necessarily the B&G.

With two photographers, we won't miss much for the hour the booth is running and the portriat lighting will be much better. The Bride is fine with it so we'll go for this one.

However; something didn't quite fit for me and I didn't know if I should continue offering this; ergo the poll. It rubs me wrong to pursue my self interests on their dime, so it has to be good for them too.

Thanks for the responses so far.

[tim]

Don't do anything for free. Sure have a 2nd shooter do it, the bride might like the images to remember their guests, and might have a few photos taken there themselves. I doubt they'd be much you'd want for your portfolio, if you want put up a sign saying having a photo taken gives you permission to use it in your advertising, but then you'd get people staying away and you'll make less money.

[karensimmons]

I offer a portrait station for an additional fee. It's a casual backdrop, a camera on a tripod, basic studio lighting, and an associate photographer, if the client purchases the service.

The associate photog is there to help - the subjects actually trigger the shots with the remote for the camera themselves. The images are then put online as part of the couple's proofing and people can buy whatever prints they want.

BUT. I do not offer this for free. The basic service starts at $1000 and goes up from there if they want additional props, time, etc. And I don't give away the photos as part of the service.

And, to be honest, based on your other posts, it seems to me that you're getting in waaaaay too deep with this first ever wedding. I think you need to slow down, concentrate on shooting the wedding first. A first wedding is stressful enough w/out having to worry about portrait stations and photo booths and all that other stuff. Get a few weddings under your belt first before you start adding more to the mix.

Karen

[twinsrus]

Who has time? If you are doing your job, eating is a luxury at a reception.

[karensimmons]

Who has time? If you are doing your job, eating is a luxury at a reception.*snort* Whatever you say.

I must be doing it horribly wrong then.

Karen

[Knightshade]

I can see how it "might" be a viable marketing tool, but I would be too worried about missing those precious moments that happen at the reception. There is just so much going on and I think those shots would be worth much more to the B&G than posed shots. It's their day, not the guests. Just my $.02

[NBEast]

Who has time? If you are doing your job, eating is a luxury at a reception.
Oh sure, scare the new guy, lol!

I get the message. Keep it simple, move fast, leave the heavy gear at home.

You guys are the best. Thanks for setting me straight on this.

I'll scope out a nice corner in the shade. While working the party for good shots, if there's a cute and game looking couple I'll have a spot to take them for a little 2 minute photo-shoot and hand them a card to say that's where they'll be posted in a week or two.

[tbfoto]

Who has time? If you are doing your job, eating is a luxury at a reception.

This is very true. I make sure that I take snack bars in my pocket because I never have time to sit and eat a meal. Remember...you are an employee during the wedding. You are the hired help. You are WORKING.

EVERY wedding that I've done has been similar in....I capture the B&G and their families as they go through the food line, then a few guests. By the time I go get a plate of food the B&G are done eating and it's time to cut the cake...and do the toast...then the first dance then.....well.....I'm working!

Tom

[monter]

This is very true. I make sure that I take snack bars in my pocket because I never have time to sit and eat a meal. Remember...you are an employee during the wedding. You are the hired help. You are WORKING.

EVERY wedding that I've done has been similar in....I capture the B&G and their families as they go through the food line, then a few guests. By the time I go get a plate of food the B&G are done eating and it's time to cut the cake...and do the toast...then the first dance then.....well.....I'm working!

Tom


hmmm things must be different where I work then. I work as a 2nd shooter for a guy here in town and we ALWAYS eat the meal. The meals are almost always a buffet line with a 30-45 min gap between the beginning of the line and the end. and so far, we've never had the B&G go through the line. They and the wedding party always get served at their table. I've shot some pics of the eating, but they've NEVER been chosen for the album. If we didn't eat, we'd be sitting there for 30-45 min twiddling thumbs. We just eat close to first and fast and never with the guests (not at their tables I mean). Don't know what else we'd do....

[karensimmons]

Remember...you are an employee during the wedding. You are the hired help.

You may be. I am not. I am certainly NOT an employee. The bride and groom are not paying my taxes or providing me with paid vacation or health insurance or retirement. Nor am I "hired help".

I am a business owner providing a contracted service and product to a CLIENT who has chosen me because they value the quality of the service and product I provide. I have a relationship of mutual respect with my CLIENT (who is not my boss) and they with me.

Karen

[sblais]

You may be. I am not. I am certainly NOT an employee. The bride and groom are not paying my taxes or providing me with paid vacation or health insurance or retirement. Nor am I "hired help".

I am a business owner providing a contracted service and product to a CLIENT who has chosen me because they value the quality of the service and product I provide. I have a relationship of mutual respect with my CLIENT (who is not my boss) and they with me.

Karen

+1. In my first year, I was once pushed around by the father of the groom to take this and that in picture. I almost walked out.

[NBEast]

Just so you know; I talked with the bride last night. She was actually excited about the portrait booth but I suggested that environmental portraits, rather than some generic backdrop, would be more in line with having the photos all about her and her event. We'd still be happy to do it but ... She interrupted to say that now that she thinks about it she would rather have all the shooting event-related and thanks for pointing it out.

Regarding food. The bride actually brought it up with me that she's trying to get us plates but we were booked so late in the game that it was too late with the caterer, but if someone doesn't show we're welcome to those. I said that's fine either way and thanks for thinking of us (come-on no shows)! I said we'll of course take a short meal break either way but will try to time it so we don't miss anything critical. Nice not having a Bridezilla for the first timer.

[JMHPhotography]

Who has time? If you are doing your job, eating is a luxury at a reception.

I have it written in my contract that I do NOT take pictures while everyone is eating. This has earned me lots of points for not wanting to disturb the guests while they eat. NOBODY likes to be photographed with a face full of food. 99.9% of the time, the families put me and my assistant at a table and treat us to a plate as well.