Advice on a paid event I'm doing........

[Elizabeth30]

Dear Drew Berrymore,

Please at least tell us that you have since removed the Craigslist ad

Yes I have

 

[Elizabeth30]

I'm just saying if the OP is honest, shows them her previous work, and is HONEST about her lack of experience, it's really the clients choice if they want to use her.

NONE of her previous work has flash in it.. and this job requires flash.. so how is showing her non-flash photos honest?

YES I do have photos where I used my flash posted. And NO I do not have liability insurance

 

[MTVision]

Yes I have

YOU Advertise > Photography and you mention MONEY / PRICES! That intimates that you are a "PROFESSIONAL"! PERIOD!

Insurance on your your cameras and lenses doesn't count! Do you have insurance to cover liability... if you get SUED? That is what counts.. and YES.. it does happen!

You should've clicked on this link before you answered yes.....

 

[NickA]

Dear Drew Berrymore,

Please at least tell us that you have since removed the Craigslist ad

Yes I have

Don't feel bad for trying to make money. So keep the ad out there if you want. Your ad said you take free photos for families with sick kids. I think that's a great service so at least keep the ad out there with that in it.

 

[Joey_Ricard]

Have you ever been to Dairy Queen?

 

[MLeeK]

The lady DOES understand I am NOT a professional.

The problem is that even though she SAYS she knows she may be getting NOTHING of any decent value from you, she does expect that you have some knowledge or you wouldn't be accepting this for money. It's really a reasonable expectation. You are accepting money and that basically says you can do the job. How to protect yourself? CONTRACT!!! Make sure you have one and that you really really really stress in there that there may be nothing of profesisonal quality as a result of the shoot.

I told her myself and she also told me that is why she contacted me as opposed to a professional that would cost more than she was willing to pay. And by the looks of her FB photos, she HAS the money to pay a professional so why she's not doing that, I don't know. She has seen my work and did not have to call based on what she has seen so there are no surprises, she knows what she's getting. She doesn't even want any of them processed. She also said if I wasn't doing the photos, it would be another family member with a point and shoot but since they are all involved in the ceremony she didn't want them to be bothered by taking photos all night.

Make sure that in your contract you have that in there... something to the effect of client has viewed my portfolio to date and is aware that these may only be of average, snapshot quality that could be created with any basic camera. I make no promises in regard to the final outcome of these images...

Another thing is I DO have a back up. My father-in-law has a Rebel T3 and 2 lenses that I am borrowing in case something happens to my camera. I also have several cards for back up if one were tofail. I also have FULL insurance on my camera and lens if anything happens as does my father-in-law on his. I ordered a back up battery to be on the safe side with that as well.

I am glad you have made sure you are covered. How about a spare flash? they are a bit more delicate than the camera and in my experience you can break one of those a whole lot easier? You SHOULD be fine with one, if you don't have a back up make sure to create yourself a DIY lightscoop (google it) just in case.

The space I will be working in is about 1500 square foot so there is plenty of space to move but I am still concerned with using my prime. my 18-55mm kit lens takes really blah photos as does my father-in-laws 75-300mm. So I may rent a lens. I've been wanting to try out a new lens anyway. I am also setting up an assessment on the space I will be working so I can see it and get a feel for where I will be working and also the lighting conditions.
I'm really looking forward to the experience and I know I can do this! She's not asking for professional photos, therefore, no pressure. I will strive to provide the high quality I am capable of but I feel confident I can at the very least meet her expectations.

The kit lens isn't that bad. True, it's not L glass quality, but it is a really good consumer grade lens. Don't knock it. Make sure you are working at an adequate aperture to get the sharpest images your camera can offer you as well as having enough DOF. You will find it's not really all that bad.

 

[Elizabeth30]

Yes I have

YOU Advertise > Photography and you mention MONEY / PRICES! That intimates that you are a "PROFESSIONAL"! PERIOD!

Insurance on your your cameras and lenses doesn't count! Do you have insurance to cover liability... if you get SUED? That is what counts.. and YES.. it does happen!

You should've clicked on this link before you answered yes.....

I took it down right BEFORE I answered yes..... click it and refresh. It has been deleted

 

[cgipson1]

Dear Drew Berrymore,

Please at least tell us that you have since removed the Craigslist ad

Yes I have

No.. you haven't!! http://peoria.craigslist.org/crs/2790679445.html

 

[cgipson1]

I'm just saying if the OP is honest, shows them her previous work, and is HONEST about her lack of experience, it's really the clients choice if they want to use her.

NONE of her previous work has flash in it.. and this job requires flash.. so how is showing her non-flash photos honest?

YES I do have photos where I used my flash posted.

Quoting your OP " I have my big speedlight flash but I honestly have no clue what is the best way to use an external flash like that. I understand natural lighting but haven't gotten to studying about external flashes. "

And NO I do not have liability insurance

Of COURSE you don't!

 

[NickA]

Dear Drew Berrymore,

Please at least tell us that you have since removed the Craigslist ad

Yes I have

No.. you haven't!! http://peoria.craigslist.org/crs/2790679445.html

CraigsList caches the postings. Sometimes it takes a while for them to come off. Delete your browser cache too and it shouldn't show. Or just hit F5 on the posting.

 

[Elizabeth30]

NONE of her previous work has flash in it.. and this job requires flash.. so how is showing her non-flash photos honest?

YES I do have photos where I used my flash posted.

Quoting your OP " I have my big speedlight flash but I honestly have no clue what is the best way to use an external flash like that. I understand natural lighting but haven't gotten to studying about external flashes. "

And NO I do not have liability insurance

Of COURSE you don't!

um....... just becuase I haven't studied about flash lighting doesn't mean I haven't used my flash :/ I have used it plenty of times I just haven't studied the settings and best way to use it

I DID delete the ad....... hence the giant smiley after saying "yes" because I had JUST deleted it. Try clicking it again and refresh your browser.

 

[cgipson1]

YES I do have photos where I used my flash posted.

Quoting your OP " I have my big speedlight flash but I honestly have no clue what is the best way to use an external flash like that. I understand natural lighting but haven't gotten to studying about external flashes. "

And NO I do not have liability insurance

Of COURSE you don't!

um....... just becuase I haven't studied about flash lighting doesn't mean I haven't used my flash :/ I have used it plenty of times I just haven't studied the settings and best way to use it

I DID delete the ad....... hence the giant smiley after saying "yes" because I had JUST deleted it. Try clicking it again and refresh your browser.

Dude.. I am an IT systems Engineer... I know how to do this stuff! She has deleted it now.. but it was there when I posted!

 

[blackrose89]

It's been deleted.....

 

[cgipson1]

It's been deleted.....

Doesn't matter... it will be back up! And she has not deleted the pricing on her FB "Business" page...

 

[Elizabeth30]

Quoting your OP " I have my big speedlight flash but I honestly have no clue what is the best way to use an external flash like that. I understand natural lighting but haven't gotten to studying about external flashes. "



Of COURSE you don't!

um....... just becuase I haven't studied about flash lighting doesn't mean I haven't used my flash :/ I have used it plenty of times I just haven't studied the settings and best way to use it

I DID delete the ad....... hence the giant smiley after saying "yes" because I had JUST deleted it. Try clicking it again and refresh your browser.

Dude.. I am an IT systems Engineer... I know how to do this stuff! She has deleted it now.. but it was there when I posted!

DUDE, I'm so serious, I DELETED right before I answered.