READ BEFORE YOU POST: Wedding FAQ (advance preview)

[tim]

A few of the more experienced photographers from POTN have formed a loose alliance to write a wedding forum FAQ, to help people shooting weddings for friends or just starting out in the business. It's nowhere near ready, but the first section is mostly done and might help a few people out while we finish the rest of it. We don't claim to know it all, or be the best photographers around (far from it), but we happily share what experience we do have, as people have shared with us. Contributions from experienced photographers are welcome, please PM me if you have a couple of dozen weddings or more under your belt and want to contribute.

View the first draft of the wedding photography FAQ here.

This is our way of giving back to POTN, and the many, many people who have helped us develop our skills and businesses. If you want to support POTN and this FAQ please donate to POTN to keep this forum running.

NB: If you have questions please start a thread rather than asking questions on this thread. I may ask a moderator to tidy up the thread if it gets too long.

Disclaimer: The links to books mentioned in the FAQ earn me a referral fee from amazon.com, which I will donate to POTN.

Also check out this faq on how to shoot a wedding , by POTN member Rokkorfan.

Useful & Interesting Threads
Discussion about off-camera flash - Jamie, Lloyd, et al
Slimming Posing Techniques - Jamie Wexler.
Tims Wedding Proof Workflow.
Tims First Wedding Lessons Learned. Quite dated now, but perhaps still useful.
Album design examples - inspiration to help you design your own albums.
Wedding photography inspiration - the master list
A stark reminder of the importance of what we do.
Professionally written contract - be careful as this is for New Zealand, we have different laws from the USA. It's a good starting point at least.

Edited in by PhotosGuy:
Album Questions for Wedding Photographers
Engagement Sessions: Tips and Tricks or "How To"
Wedding contract
Complete Wedding Contract
Wedding Photography Contracts
Groom is like casper, bride dark skin??

[GertS]

That's a really good idea with the FAQ.

It would be great if the forum provided a permanent link to this FAQ, as these questions turn up again and again.

[kampphoto]

Looks good Tim =)

[GertS]

Tim,

I wanted to send you a PM regarding the FAQ, but received following message

1. tim has chosen not to receive private messages or may not be allowed to receive private messages. Therefore you may not send your message to him/her.

[tim]

I've turned off PMs because i'm going on holiday tomorrow. Anyone who wants to contact me can do it via my website

[tim]

NB: Any amazon.com referral fees that I earn from book sales will be donated to POTN.

[SuzyView]

Tim, I would add a small section for having minimal PP skills. Taking the pictures is definitely the most important part, but getting the images out in a timely manner is crucial, even for new photographers. Learning the software to manage the work should be a consideration. Dress and appearance and manners at the event is also something to mention. We have discussions about that issue often here.

Communication is key for success. If you know Aunt Jane is cheap and she wants the world for $250 for your costs and that's it, then live with it. But if you have pro gear and have shot many weddings before and Aunt Jane still insists on paying you for cost, and you know she will never be happy with anything you do, then just say no. It's okay. Tell her you have to go to Africa for a few months.

[newgenphoto]

Tim nice work... I think I've seen some of that before...hehe

[tim]

Originally Posted by SuzyView

Tim, I would add a small section for having minimal PP skills. Taking the pictures is definitely the most important part, but getting the images out in a timely manner is crucial, even for new photographers. Learning the software to manage the work should be a consideration. Dress and appearance and manners at the event is also something to mention. We have discussions about that issue often here.

Communication is key for success. If you know Aunt Jane is cheap and she wants the world for $250 for your costs and that's it, then live with it. But if you have pro gear and have shot many weddings before and Aunt Jane still insists on paying you for cost, and you know she will never be happy with anything you do, then just say no. It's okay. Tell her you have to go to Africa for a few months.

Noted - i'll add it when I have a few mins

Originally Posted by newgenphoto

Tim nice work... I think I've seen some of that before...hehe

Yeah don't have time to do the full plan yet

[hard12find]

looks like a great start Tim......look forward to the finished product. I had tried to PM you a few weeks ago and got the same message....I just thought you wre anti-social
Anyway I like your direct no nonsense style....
Jim

[tim]

I'm back from holiday so PMs are turned back on now... might take me a day to reply i'm kinda busy right now.

[newgenphoto]

Originally Posted by tim

I'm back from holiday so PMs are turned back on now... might take me a day to reply i'm kinda busy right now.

Everybody grab a number!! Number nine

[SuzyView]

Trying to keep things concise and yet thorough will be the greatest challenge, Tim. I know you can do it. I wish I had something like this forum before I started shooting events, especially weddings. The expectation levels are just insane!

[newgenphoto]

Originally Posted by SuzyView

Trying to keep things concise and yet thorough will be the greatest challenge, Tim. I know you can do it.

she said it bro... it's all in your hands now. I can now officially walk away from the project. Just kidding man... I wouldn't leave ya hangin'

[TheSteveMadden]

Nice work, Tim. Can't wait for further chapters.