Meeting the bride and groom before they book? What to do?

[Tobiah]

So im breaking into wedding photography and have offered a cd only cheap package so i can build my portfolio and experience etc. I feel confident enough to do a wedding so dont really wnat advice about that.

Just wondered what you take to these meetings, what to talk about expect etc? Thanks

I have got a contract for them to discuss and will discuss events of the day. anything else?

[lil_miss]

Get to know them a bit.. make them feel comfortable and reassured of your work. Provide some examples of prints or photos if you're able.. if you dont have weddings = perhaps some portraits...

tell them a bit about yourself and how you work, and how you will share their day with them :)

[tim]

The most important thing is to get to know them a little, find out about their wedding, what they want, and if you can do it. Establish a relationship.

When I meet people I show them a slide show of photos (on a 40" LCD), a few finished albums, a price list, thank you cards, and anything else they ask about.

[Tobiah]

its a cd package so i dont really have any prints at the moment :S

i will show them some of the images ive taken at 3 other wddings and get to know them a little and take a contract just in case. i dont think they will say no but we will see

[tim]

Prints or albums are generally the end product of wedding photography, you should get samples sooner or later. Shoot and burn isn't a good way to make money with wedding photography. You will need a contract, if for no other reason than to reassure them that you will turn up, and also that you'll get paid.

[Tobiah]

yes thanks. im only doing shoot an burn to build my experience and too be able to offer a cheap package currently. I dont plan to keep this way of working when i am fully established.

[luv2sign20]

Okay... this might be a pretty long post, but I hope it's helpful. Steve Winslow, a photographer I believe in Montana, gave this advice and I have lived by it ever since....

Meeting before the wedding day
Let them know that their day is important to you , by asking about their details of the wedding. It shows that you care about their day and that you want to be apart of the day
LIST OF QUESTIONS
*When is the wedding
*Where is the wedding?
*Who is your hair and makeup person? ( That way you can show up to take photos of her getting ready if desired)
*How many attendance?
*Are little people involved?
*How many guests?
*Band ? Detail?
*Buffet ? Dinner Table? Tell them you expect to eat, sit and eat. Most people don’t like to have pictures of their faces being stuffed.
*Find out if there is a wedding planner.
*who is officiating?
*Traditional things? Garter?Bouquet?
*Special Guests?
*Special requests?

THE WEDDING DAY

The Wedding Day
*Start your day right
- Physical preperaton
-Mental Preperation
-Equipment Preperation
*Salon/ getting ready coverage
-you become invisible
-creating relationships and building trust
*Girls or Guys?
-Think like a girl
-If you have to choose, always choose the girl
*Let moments Happen
-don’t be afraid to make moments happen or repeat moments
-Help moments happen when necessary



Shooting the Day

-Bride and groom
-Be with the Groom first while bride is getting ready
-Whole group first
-Then girls
-Then guys
-Bride with Girls
-Groom with guys
-Families


THE FOUR AGREEMENTS
Be impeccable with your word
Don’t take anything personally
Don’t make assumptions
Always do your best

Be passionate about what you do

WHAT MAKES A GREAT PICTURE
Conception,execution,presentation

[tim]

The customer will answer all the questions or they will be punished! Make sure they do them quickly too, outside, in the cold.

[tomireland]

The most important thing to remember is that there's no "mulligan" for most wedding shots! My wedding day photos were crap and the day was lost photographically because evidently the slave was not firing one of the flashes making everything dark sillhouettes. Of course this was just before digital made its way to mainstream photography.

Make sure your batteries are plentiful; you cards are formatted; your flash(s) are firing; and that you're in a good mood. No one wants a prima dona photographer with attitude! Good luck your first will be stressful. But have fun and learn.

[Tobiah]

Thanks for the tips guys. i met the couple and they decided to book. im just waiting on them sending me the contract. Theyre reealllly nice people and made the whole experience so pleasurable. Its at a GREAT location... its going to be very dark but ive got so many ideas... one i thought of was this...

1. Umbrella either side of bride and groom at front of church in front of organ area? (big tall magnificent structure) take shot on tripod.

move bride and groom and equipment not moving camera. take looong exposure... (painting the light around with varioous colour gels on strobe) put couple in seperately in photoshop.


they want mostly candid a few formals and also some artistic shots. so excited now. things are really starting to move

[kevin92285]

Okay... this might be a pretty long post, but I hope it's helpful. Steve Winslow, a photographer I believe in Montana, gave this advice and I have lived by it ever since....

Meeting before the wedding day
Let them know that their day is important to you , by asking about their details of the wedding. It shows that you care about their day and that you want to be apart of the day
LIST OF QUESTIONS
*When is the wedding
*Where is the wedding?
*Who is your hair and makeup person? ( That way you can show up to take photos of her getting ready if desired)
*How many attendance?
*Are little people involved?
*How many guests?
*Band ? Detail?
*Buffet ? Dinner Table? Tell them you expect to eat, sit and eat. Most people don’t like to have pictures of their faces being stuffed.
*Find out if there is a wedding planner.
*who is officiating?
*Traditional things? Garter?Bouquet?
*Special Guests?
*Special requests?

THE WEDDING DAY

The Wedding Day
*Start your day right
- Physical preperaton
-Mental Preperation
-Equipment Preperation
*Salon/ getting ready coverage
-you become invisible
-creating relationships and building trust
*Girls or Guys?
-Think like a girl
-If you have to choose, always choose the girl
*Let moments Happen
-don’t be afraid to make moments happen or repeat moments
-Help moments happen when necessary



Shooting the Day

-Bride and groom
-Be with the Groom first while bride is getting ready
-Whole group first
-Then girls
-Then guys
-Bride with Girls
-Groom with guys
-Families


THE FOUR AGREEMENTS
Be impeccable with your word
Don’t take anything personally
Don’t make assumptions
Always do your best

Be passionate about what you do

WHAT MAKES A GREAT PICTURE
Conception,execution,presentation



Great input!

[tim]

1. Umbrella either side of bride and groom at front of church in front of organ area? (big tall magnificent structure) take shot on tripod.

move bride and groom and equipment not moving camera. take looong exposure... (painting the light around with varioous colour gels on strobe) put couple in seperately in photoshop.

they want mostly candid a few formals and also some artistic shots. so excited now. things are really starting to move

Take the photos outside, then you don't need lighting equipment. If you want or need to take them inside then you HAVE to get in there a few weeks before the wedding with a couple of friends to practice and experiment. I would probably use one flash shooting into an umbrella, fill from the camera (low power), and an exposure to get some of the ambient light (maybe ISO400 F5.6 1/50th as a starting point?) Don't put them too close to it or you'll get shadows.

[Tobiah]

most shots ill do outside but they def want some shots inside showing off the buildings wonderful architecture inside. ill upload some photos when i get them of the venue.

[Kadath]

I dont shoot weddings but a lot of your questions are dealt with here:
http://www.thebschoolblog.com/