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Wedding Questions – Before, after and the big day itself.
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Hi all!
So, after assisting at several weddings last year i got really into weddings and have started to advertise myself for doing weddings. I’ve got a few people interested and have a few small weddings booked for next year. Now the thing is i have a good idea of what am doing, but not a perfect one. I desperately need some question answered and i was hoping against hope some lovely people here could help me shed light on the matter!
1. How many times should you meet the couple before the actual wedding day itself? What is discussed in this meeting/meetings?
2. I understand you go to the various locations several times to check them out, should the couple be with you at these times?
3.On the day of the wedding, what time do you aim to be at the brides house for her preprations?
4.If requested to stay for the meal and first dance, what does this consist of? As in what are you expected to do exactly? How long can you expect this to take? (I have covered all other areas while assisting but have never done the meal/first dance etc so this is new to me).
Ok, so far these are all the biggy’s i can think of…am sure theres more!
If anyone could offer any suggestions, advice or help i would be so grateful!
Also just putting it out there but if any full fledged wedding photographers are reading this and are looking for a assistant/second shooter I am (obviously) looking to gain more experience and get to grips with the finer details of the process so would love the opportunity to assist or help out in anyway.
My website is http://www.silkephotography.net
Thnx,
K
Hi,
If you are doing this professionally then the answer to all your questions:- When does this stop being profitable for this client fee, or to put it another way, is this a sensible investment of time into my business1. Twice – first to acknowledge that both parties are agreeable, second to meet at church/reception and discuss photo locations.
2. The locations should be something you have scouted yourself unless the Bride/groom are looking for a specific shot at a specific location. If they are looking for something specific they will generally have seen an image that they may be able to show you as a reference point.
3. This depends on how formal the family are. She may not want you in the shower with her!! Talk to your client keeping in mind how long you are going to be working for and how many images they want in their album
4. Discuss this with your client. Are they going to feed you?? or do they want you to take pictures of people?
If you haven’t done something yet, offer it as a freebie to your next client. Say”I would like to stay for the meal/1st dance to get some portfolio shots in this location, would you have any objection”, or “can I accompany you to the hairdresser/beautician as I think your transformation into the most beautiful bride will be something you will treasure in the future” (can you smell the b-s yet?). Being a good wedding photographer is as much about being a good communicator as it is about being a good photographer. You need to listen to what your clients are asking of you and interpret how you will best deliver that. Dealing directly with the client is the one area that an assistant won’t get experience. Your website images look good and define you as a good photographer , use that as a confidence building tool. This should put your client at ease to accept the suggestions that you make. Remember, it will be there first time doing this (generally). Most brides will have a very defined idea of what they want, listen to them not their mothers!!
Hope this helps
One thing that all of us photographers must keep in mind is that a wedding is the day that 2 people get married ………… its not a photography session and not the photographers “day out” ….. its their wedding day and the photographer is just another vendor, the least important person there on the day. He/She must record the event but must not take over the event, must be there but not dominant, obtrusive or obstructive.
Just keep in mind that its the couples big day and you are just the photographer recording the event. Its generally an unplanned event and “the plan” changes by the minute. At the pre-meeting you will hear what is going to happen but then it changes as the day progresses and things begin to run late or the weather changes or the traffic holds up everyone. Just be ready for any eventuality and you will not go wrong. Don’t be in their face or in the way as you will receive aggression from guests, family and, indeed, the couple themselves. Do not take photographs while guests are eating ……… its bad manners and many people wish to eat in private without the event being on camera. Remember also that the staff are serving hot food and if you cause them to spill and destroy someone’s outfit or worse still, cause burns, you may well be held responsible as a professional.
Finaly …… make sure you have public liability insurance. Its now a requirement for parks, scenic areas and OPW locations. It is also being sought by some churches and reception venues ……. not so much at hotels yet but I think its only a matter of time in this cost cutting time we are in.
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