New to the business end, questions

[Bitter Jeweler]

DeJaVu, all over again.

Nearly word for word at that. I had to check the post dates several times to be sure I was still in the present.

 

[JenG]

when you approach someone with

oh brother...

it ends there for me, sorry.

 

[JenG]

have a nice day

 

[JenG]

I am done with this thread, thanks for the positive feedback and helpful advice

 

[PhotoWrangler]

when you approach someone with

oh brother...

it ends there for me, sorry.

Likewise... when you approach with 'how do I do it?' it ends for us.

We've all worked, and put effort into learning. We have fallen on our faces and made all the mistakes. We have spent the money gaining the gear. We have sat through countless workshops and training courses. We have shot thousands and thousands of bad pictures. We have worked on our style for months, and years, and decades in some cases. And you want us to hand all that over on a whim because you bought a camera and a few friends like your work?

And then... when we do offer some advice, or ask a tough question, or give honest critique, you (generally speaking) respond to us as if we are horrid, arrogant, dispicable, 'know it alls' who want to do nothing but keep the beginner down?

 

[tirediron]

Oh Brother....

that is exactly how you help someone.

not!

This thread has been full of helpful advice which you don't seem to have taken in.

No, you don't need a $5000 camera to shoot a wedding, but you DO need at least two good low-light bodies. You need a minimum of four lenses as has already been mentioned, a fast prime and fast zooms covering ultra-wide to medium long. You need to have insurance and whatever other business licenses your locality requires. You need to have a contract which has been "approved" by a lawyer. You need release forms. You need to know what the laws regarding taxation are in your area. You need to know the wedding ceremony inside and out. You need to know exactly where each event will take place and what the timings are. You need to have locations and alternates for the formals. Have you talked to the Deacon/Rector regarding photography in the church if it is a church wedding? Do you know how long it will take you to get there, where you're going to park, and do you have alternates? Do you have at least TWICE the number of batteries and memory cards you think you'll need? What is the difference between Rembrandt and butterfly lighting? Which would you use for a portrait of the bride and why?

Remember weddings and parties are 'no do-overs'. You're being paid for your expertise to get it right the first time. Mediocrity in any form is unacceptable.

Had you spent some time doing research and come in with specific questions, you would have received a wealth of useful information. As-is, you came with questions which basically amount to "How do I shoot weddings and parties".

No one here has been rude; abrupt, direct perhaps, but not rude. May I suggest that you spend some time doing research on the various points raised and at the same time seek an opportunity to understudy a local event photographer in your area.

 

[Jace]

Speaking of, tirediron, what's up with the TPF Mentor program?

 

[tirediron]

Speaking of, tirediron, what's up with the TPF Mentor program?

It's all laid out in the post linked in my signature; if you're interested, send me (or whomever) a PM.:thumbup:

 

[Jace]

I wasn't sure if it was still going on or not since it hasn't been updated in a while, lol. I'll go look through it again!

 

[KmH]

edited out, thanks for the help

Oh No! No! By all means, Thank you!

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

bitter jeweler,

what a surprise, another dude who thinks he knows it all....
I will go vomit now.

again,,,,

I AM NOT DIVING INTO ANYTHING...and I am sorry if I asked a question you have all seen a thousand times. Honestly, Do you seriously think being on a photo forum all day makes you experts? and enough for you to be rude and insulting to people?

This is how it always plays out. Well done!

 

[PhotoWrangler]

edited out, thanks for the help

Great! Typical beginner behavior. Thats awesome.

By removing your original post, you've taken away the learning ability of other beginners. Someone may have learned something from your mistake, but since you're selfish and removed the thread, they'll just have to piece together the conversation.

 

[tirediron]

Whose turn was it to buy the popcorn this time?

 

[Village Idiot]

I really didn't think I was asking something so taboo!! Villageidiot, so you are a confesed know it all, haha, whatever.

I never said I was doing this just to make money. Quite the contrary! These are friends who trust me and I would not charge much because I know I am not professional no.1 and they are friends, but I was trying to get a sense of what others did charge and use for their FIRST weddings. i am trying to learn all i can and get as much experience as I can. I would do them for free, but I asked because I know I am not 100% sure and was trying to get a feel for what i should or should NOT do.

Looking back I guess I should have been more specific in what I was asking here, what I knew already is not clear in my questions.

Jace, thanks for the tips and advice. I see it is possible for someone to be helpful!

I already told my friends I wasn't gonna charge them much and that I felt maybe they should ask a professional.
I was just trying to get a feel...........for what others did.

thanks again

I have a business license and I'm making money off of photography by delivering work that my clients ask for. What are you doing with photography?

 

[Village Idiot]

Sr Biscuit,

i checked out some of your flickr stream. very cool.

thanks for the positive feedback!
i'd love to check out some of your work.

Smells like troll. When that odor comes around, you rarely see any photos...