Technical > Digital Imaging > This struck a nerve to wedding and or any photographer..

This struck a nerve to wedding and or any photographer..

Dear groom,

Get out while there's still time. Do not pass GO, do not collect $200, do not walk ... run!
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When diet and exercise just aren't enough, there's Ipecac.

reply to asjamias

Priceless wedding memories captured forever

reply to asjamias
Here's the response from a photog:

»www.petapixel.com/2012/01/26/why···re-wack/
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"The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark." — John Muir

reply to asjamias
I don't have a link to share but her ad and the photogs response is all over facebook too! I understand her frustration at finding a good photographer but a photographer has to eat too.

The photog's response ia amazing.
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»www.jrslaterphotography.com/

reply to bfreas

reply to asjamias
A good wedding photographer is worth every penny they charge. The ones she needs to complain about are the "weekend professional" wedding photographers who think they can charge the same money as a true professional wedding photographer.

They are the wedding photographers who are "hanging out at a wedding taking tons of photos and editing them", and the ones who give the true professionals a black eye. I love it when I read some of their "about me" pages on their websites.

quote:

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"I own multiple 1-series and 5-series camera bodies in both digital and film formats and professional L-series lenses ranging from 16mm to 300mm, all f/2.8 or faster."

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When they go out of business, maybe they'll sell me some of their stuff cheap ...

Seriously, I admire the ability of good wedding photographers who not only understand the technical aspects of the business, but also have the people skills to get something other than those posed "hurry up and take the picture so we can move on" smiles...

reply to asjamias

reply to bfreas
Good grief. What a marvelous response and so detailed and well put. I don't think that were I to have answered, I would have been able to do it with such finesse. Nor I think, even were I to have the talent, which I don't, that I would ever do weddings. There's simply way too much expected of those who do them and even do them well and for that $3000 fee. I have to feel that compared to what is expected, they ought to cost a lot more!
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JKK

Age is a very high price to pay for my maturity. If I can't stay young, I can at least stay immature!

»www.pbase.com/jaykaykay

reply to EGeezer
I'm curious about something. We all know or have read about photographers who do weddings where photography is not their primary vocation. We've had some heated discussions about this in the past. Where do these so-called "weekend professionals" fit in the wedding photography landscape? For instance, the lady who is ranting about the prices. Should she have the option of choosing a photographer who may not have the skills a professional wedding photographer possesses, yet charges a fraction of their price? All one has to do is scan the Internet to find hundreds of these "weekend professionals" whose work is anything but professional. If you're a bride (or groom) should you have to settle for less than professional results, even though you might have known up front that the price you paid is hundreds or thousands less than what a seasoned professional wedding photographer would have charged?

It is my view that unless you can produce images on par with a seasoned professional wedding photographer, you shouldn't do weddings because weddings are an important once in a lifetime event. There are no second chances! But, if you do do weddings, you shouldn't be charging anything. You should hone your skills first. Call around and ask if you can tag along with some seasoned professionals for a year or so. Then, once you're confident in your abilities, you can start charging a reasonable fee for your services. But, to "put up a shingle" and call yourself a wedding photographer just because you have a passion for photography, you love to shoot weddings, someone told you you're a great photographer, you have a professional camera and a bunch of lenses or whatever the case may be, you're doing a disservice to the bride and groom, their friends and families, the wedding photography business and to yourself.

Does that make sense or am I being too hard?

As with many product and service providers, there are those who overstate their qualifications and overcharge relative to the quality of their product.

There are also talented people who do work part time to supplement their hobby or income who may do work perfectly acceptable to the customer. I believe the customer has a right to determine the quality of the product, and should be prepared to pay fees commensurate with that product.

Anyone who advertises to do event or other commission photography needs to be accurate and complete in their resume. Ideally, they'll provide references and portfolios of their past engagements. Anyone who solicits work should also set expectations.

As for the customer, (s)he has a responsibility to research, and up-front communications with prospective photographers is paramount. I'd clearly communicate my requirements, ask for those references and review their portfolios as well as ask for a copy of the contract in advance so it can be reviewed without being in a hurry. I believe a good photographer will have a scripted set of questions to ask or a questionnaire document that will help establish the requirements.

It's possible that while many part-timers may be less skilled, or qualified than top level pros, their work may be acceptable to the potential client who is on a budget. The important factor is ensuring the customer and photographer each understand the needs and abilities to satisfy them.

As far as charges, the market should set the price.

In other words, you get what you pay for?

reply to SandShark

reply to SandShark

reply to SandShark

reply to asjamias
My cheapest package for wedding is 2000$. I don't even consider shooting a wedding for anything less. It's just not worth it otherwise.

Do these people have any idea how much work and stress a wedding is for a photographer? For eight hours of shooting on site, I can put in as much as 40-60h hours overall in prep time, scouting, post processing, printing, assembling, etc. Then factor in equipment cost (I carry around 5000-7000$ of equipment on location for a wedding), insurance (both for property and liability), it's an extremely pricy affair. My professional civil liability insurance costs me more than twice what this photog is asking for per year.

PS. I will echo SandShark's comment about weekend professionals. Check out their credentials, experience, and especially their portfolio. Photography students may agree to shoot a wedding for next to nothing for experience. I've referred people to universities who found success!

reply to bfreas