Quincenera (sp?)

AnthonyRyanPhoto · Apr 30, 2011

So tomorrow we have our first paid event. We are doing a quincenera for a friend of a friend for $500.00, my partner contracted us for 5 hrs:meh:. Whatever, its our first one. I have looked up shots for him (he will be shooting it) and tried to give him an idea.

Are there any other things for you who have done these events, that you can share with me? We just launched our website last week, here is a link if anyone also has c&C for that. Santa Clarita Photographer

KmH · Apr 30, 2011

Basically, it's just like shooting a wedding. Shots of the young woman, group shots of family/friends, candids of the party.

Visit www.dictionary.com if you want to check the spelling.

Misfitlimp · Apr 30, 2011

Ahhh I see your close to my neck of the woods. I have shot many a qiunces before so heres my two cents on everything

1. Never, ever do work for buddies/freinds/co-workers etc. etc.
Why? they always expect more. Trust me you will take those 5 hundo and then put in 5hrs of shooting and then they will ask you to stay for a little longer and then 5 turns into 7 hrs then those images taken will turn into 40 hrs of editing so now your down to 10 bucks p/hr and then they will want prints (for free) so on and so forth. Beware those 5 hundo might ruin a friendship.

2. Scout your local
Why? Because these events are usually held in poor light churches. One must not be fumbling with the dials on his camera while the services are being held. You might miss something important. So if you already know your settings for that time of day and or angle or position of the church your in your good to go.

3. Ask a Priest
What do you ask you say? Well Priests have been known to be a little anal. No pun intended. So it is customary for you to ask him if it is ok to use flash and or shoot in his chapel. Trust me you will want to do this. Ive had Priest stop me mid ceremonies and tell me to wait till everything was done with to take some pictures. I was not happy with that but you see my point here. The last thing you want is to have your client ask you why you dont have a certain shot.

4. Pictures of her official "court"
whats this you ask? well the young lady thats having this done will most likely have many young couples all dressed up with her. I strongly suggest you take some time also Photographing them together and seprate like you would the young lady thats having the quince and her escort seeing as how the couples wont be getting any of these images. Trust me these sell like hot cakes most of the time. So post these on your site for sale and hand out business cards so they are able to grab those from you as well

5. Last but not least NO BOOSE ON THE JOB!
Im assuming these are hispanic catholics seeing as how Ima say 99.9 percent of the quinces ive done have been and they almost always offer up boose. So just politley decline and tell them you are working and thanks but no thanks. A drunk photographer is not always a good one. Vicidins are ok. HA!

these are my thoughts and opionions from my experiances so take them as you will.
-love limp

SNBniko · Apr 30, 2011

I was part of the court in one, way back when. They're a huge deal, and I agree with KmH about shooting it like a wedding. She will have quite a few couples dressed up with her, it will add up just like a wedding ceremony. Formalities in the church, and fun (sometimes choreographed) dancing at the reception.

Good luck!

AnthonyRyanPhoto · May 1, 2011

Thanks for all the replies. I passed this info along to my partner, and I am hoping he gets good shots today. I wish I could be there but I had other commitments and did not get enough notice.

I agree that we are giving it away. But I had a long talk with a friend who convinced me my event prices were too high, until I am established.

KmH · May 1, 2011

Does your friend have business/marketing/sales experience?

joealcantar · May 1, 2011

Let us know how it turned out and if you will do it again for that price. Know it was a friend so hopefully you can get the favor returned.
-
Shoot well, Joe