Wedding Photogs....

[ababysean]

Do you allow family portraits during your wedding formals?
I shot a wedding, max 30 guest, but I had 151 DIFFERENT formal shots, not 151 shots of the wedding party, but grandma with uncle joe, sister family, generation shots...
I know this is a time when family is together so easily done, but man, I just felt used. haha

So I want to know how to handle this in the furture. I don't mind taking a snap or two of uncle joe and his wife and kids, but not a formal shot, after the brides maids...

Seems like a different session, and I should mention this in my contract somehow?

 

[reznap]

Someone like KmH will probably give a more informed and better answer but..

I'd put it in the contract limiting formals to immediate family only. If they want more than that you can adjust the prices accordingly. Man, 151 different shots must have taken forever.

Last wedding I went to (they had hired a photographer) they only did immediate family for the formals at the church and the bride, groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen all went in the limo to another location (nearby park) to do some posed shots and stuff.

I'd say they definitely got their money's worth from you. If anyone asks why that's in your contract, tell them your '151' story - I'm sure they'll understand.

 

[mwcfarms]

Ask the bride and groom before hand. They can veto it or approve it and you can adjust cost accordingly.

 

[Ryan L]

Yeah...you were used... I can't say how you may want to word this in the contract, but I have a list to show the B&G that has most all formal shots with family, they can check mark the ones they were wanting done and I can reference as I am going through them, I don't want to miss anyone! If there are any other shots they want, they may write them in. I am guessing the formals weren't between the wedding and reception? If they were I would have told them flat out, you have a schedule to keep and you wont have time for wedding party.

 

[ababysean]

Yes, the formals were between wedding and reception but seriously everyone stayed until formals were done... It took over 1.5 hours. I was not happy, but what could I say? Finally thank goodness the church kicked us out!
We had a list but then the bride busted out a 4 page front/back written list of other photos "while I was here" and while everyone from out of town was here.... I wanted to say well that is a different session, but that is where I need to grow a bigger pair comes in.... haha

 

[ababysean]

reception was done at someone's house, so there was really no time schedule.

 

[Patrice]

One word for you: Contract.

Photographing a wedding professionally is no different than any other agreement to provide goods and services. Whether you provide photography, custom furniture, car repairs or consultancy, a carefully prepared written agreement goes a long way towards keeping your client/provider relationship amicable and profitable.

Make a list of the agreed upon photos to be taken which both parties sign. If you want to allow for changes or if there is the possibility of it occurring then clearly state the increased financial responsibility of the client. Not all contingencies can be predicted but a clear understanding of what is to be provided and at what cost goes is a key element of a successful business deal.

 

[RauschPhotography]

One word for you: Contract.

Photographing a wedding professionally is no different than any other agreement to provide goods and services. Whether you provide photography, custom furniture, car repairs or consultancy, a carefully prepared written agreement goes a long way towards keeping your client/provider relationship amicable and profitable.

Make a list of the agreed upon photos to be taken which both parties sign. If you want to allow for changes or if there is the possibility of it occurring then clearly state the increased financial responsibility of the client. Not all contingencies can be predicted but a clear understanding of what is to be provided and at what cost goes is a key element of a successful business deal.

+1

 

[sierramister]

Most contracts give a certain amount of time. I let the B&G know about formals early on so there are no surprises. But if they want me to spend my time taking formals instead of them, I let them know its their money and time. I just let them know ahead of time. I don't see why you should limit this in the contract...If they want you to waste your time on formals instead of wedding shots, that's on them (although this needs to be discussed beforehand).

I've gotten one or two referrals from a formal shot hanging in somebody's living room taken at a wedding.

 

[bigtwinky]

Always discuss the formal shots with the bride and groom, have a list, bring it with you. And most importantly, stick to it.

I usually break down the shooting day in a schedule (after knowing the basics of what the day will be from the B&G) and I slot in there time for the formals. I explain to them that this time is to get the shots they listed. If we happen to have more time, then I'll do more, I'm good with that. But when the big hand on the clock hits the right number, we are moving on. If I don't this will jeapordize the other important shots I need to get.

What I will do is during the reception, once I have all the shots I need to get, I'll look for some semi posed shots of the guests either standing, sitting and take those. Formals of the family are all nice and dandy, but they will never make an album. Same goes for most dancing and reception shots (other than the key shots). So I mixed the two. As long as they have that picture of uncle fred and aunt lucie from out of town, it's all good.

During the reception, I usually ask the B&G if there are specific people they want to have pictures of or with.

I can understand the B&G wanting formals of everyone. But a contract is a contract and a schedule is a schedule. If anything goes off of schedule at the request of the B&G, I note it down, with the time it was said and what was asked.

 

[bigtwinky]

Most contracts give a certain amount of time. I let the B&G know about formals early on so there are no surprises. But if they want me to spend my time taking formals instead of them, I let them know its their money and time. I just let them know ahead of time. I don't see why you should limit this in the contract...If they want you to waste your time on formals instead of wedding shots, that's on them (although this needs to be discussed beforehand).

I kind of share your view point, in that if it's what they want, it's what they want.

The issue I have with the statement is that this is usually the first time the B&G are getting married. So they really don't know what they want. They also have so many other things going on, their brains are being flooded with information and emotion, that I find it part of my job to ensure that they have images of their wedding that they can look back on with pride and bring back emotions of the day. They don't know how to do that, which is why they hired me.

I'm sure 5 years down the road, the bride will appreciate having more images of her and her husband that uncle steve and aunt gertrude.

But... you need to find the right balance in keeping them happy on the day AND getting the shots you know you need to get.

 

[DeadEye]

The ushers are your best friend. Explain to them early on that when you are doing the formals its there job to keep the scene/set clear. It's the wedding party's special day and they deserve the best possible pictures~ This wont get done if uncle/friend/or so and so are distracting the subjects getting posed at THEIR formals.

You gotta take control or a wedding will get crazy

 

[Big Mike]

There are many good points here so far.

My take is that if the B&G really want you to take all those family shots, then you do it. They are hiring you for the day (or for so many hours) so if that's what they want, that's what they got.
Of course, it's your job to let them know what has to be done & how long it should take. For example, I usually do the large group/family shots first and then then bridal party and then the B&G alone. If the family shots take too long, then we may not have time for the B&G shots...or it may make them late for the reception.

This is certainly one of the things that should be discussed before hand. You may even mention to them that things could get hectic and you can either go with the flow or stick to the schedule.

Also, being able to quickly run though the family poses is certainly a good skill to have. Sometimes we do get stuck shooting a whole ton of family/group photos and when time is tight, you just have to be a quick as possible.
Some of the things that can slow you down, are the family & guests trying to take their own photos. I do have it in my contract that I'm the only one allowed to be taking photos, but I really don't mind if they do. I mainly have it in there, so that in the event that they are distracting the B&G or causing delays, I can bring it up...but that's a last resort because it doesn't come off very well. I'm more likely to say that the B&G are paying me a lot of money, so just let me do my job and you can relax.

Also, I usually try to influence the itinerary in a way that is favorable. For example, I tell them to schedule as much time as possible for the photos. Three hours or more, if they can. Of course, there are usually delays or problems during the day, and that time gets eaten away...but if you scheduled more time that you actually need, then you will hopefully have enough time.

Another thing I like to do, is to not shoot many shots at the church right after the wedding. I get them to choose a location somewhere else. This way, only the people who need to be in the photos, will travel to the new location. This will really cut down on those extra group shots and guests snapping photos.

 

[bigtwinky]

Another alternative...hire a second shooter (or get a friend who knows photography) and have them deal with the other family formals while you focus on the B&G

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

You should have said something. No contract obligation is a two way street. They try to use you but you are not legally obligated to be used, so put your foot down.( assuming you were forced to exceed your agreed time frame for shooting. If everything was just agreed sort of loosely that you would shoot the wedding, regardless of time, then lesson learned ). Or post process all of the 151 pics and charge through the nose for the prints. Explain that you wasted so much time on the editing and taking of said pics, that the cost reflects that.


For the future though, spell it out in a very detailed contract.