Update on wedding

First I want to thank all of you that gave me advice about the wedding situation. The groom called Saturday morning to confirm with the pro it was a good thing he did. She confirmed she was coming but had the wrong time and place (6:00 instead of 4:30 and totally wrong location). She got there a few minutes late but did make it. I said hello to her and let her know I was a good friend of the family. I tried my best to stay out of her way on only once did she make any comments to me, during the after wedding photos to tell me to get at least five feet away from her. This was not a problem as I could still find a place to get my shots and stay out of her way. I think she is a very creative person and that sometimes creative people are not always good at the business end of things. Not trying to generalize but for some that is the case. Any way here are a few of my photos. I'll post some others soon but I have a lot to go through.

More Photos

Well I am very glad that everything worked out for you! Those wedding shots are excellent. The one of the couple dancing is good.

I to have found that creative people have trouble with the business end.

Good Stuff Stina.
Sounds like you were far more professional than the "pro".
Props to you!
Brian

You did it!!!! great shots...any color ones?

I really like your images......especially the one by the water - and the one in the car.

Looks like the XT is really working for you. I'm sure your friends will be very happy. :)

Liz

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Originally Posted by Stina

First I want to thank all of you that gave me advice about the wedding situation. The groom called Saturday morning to confirm with the pro it was a good thing he did. She confirmed she was coming but had the wrong time and place (6:00 instead of 4:30 and totally wrong location). She got there a few minutes late but did make it. I said hello to her and let her know I was a good friend of the family. I tried my best to stay out of her way on only once did she make any comments to me, during the after wedding photos to tell me to get at least five feet away from her. This was not a problem as I could still find a place to get my shots and stay out of her way. I think she is a very creative person and that sometimes creative people are not always good at the business end of things. Not trying to generalize but for some that is the case. Any way here are a few of my photos. I'll post some others soon but I have a lot to go through.

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Thanks for the compliments and here are a few more. Oh and all the b&w were originaly color I just though those might look good in black & white.

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Originally Posted by Stina

had the wrong time and place.

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Ooh, that's bad! I'm such a worry wart that I have two copies of printed Yahoo maps (one in a camera bag, one in car), lots of extra time to get there and hardly sleep the night before. Yeah, I'm nuts but it's working for me! :)

Nice shots, glad everything went well! If you have any interest in this, you got a good lesson on how not to be! ;)

I do the same thing with maps always afraid I'll leave with out one and give myself extra time because if I don't I know I'll end up lost.I can say I learned what not to do from this.

I sill can't decide if weddings are something I'd like to do. This was my fourth one and so far they've all be favors for friends or family. Not sure if I feel ready to start charging yet but I think I am going to have to decide that soon. My name has be give out to a few brides-to-be by those I already done weddings for.

you seriously need to start charging....a workman is worth his wages in gold...

no gold just go for cash. You don't get given a talent to put it to waste. It's taken me a year to realize that...pretty much if they aren't paying you they'll pay someone else...don't feel bad about chargiung for your time and talents. If it's a dire situation with low cash flow... charge them something...but charge them.

especially in church situations and "friend" sessions where cash flows aren't necessarily available, I take the stress out for myself by telling them that I do some work on donation basis and for a portrait session and let them decide. That way it puts the stress of figuring how much your worth and assure you if you have no expectation you will be pleasantly surprised how much money people give you(even though they don't have a lot to work with)

examples of donations/bartering I've gotten:

enagagement session for a weekend of babysitting for my hubby and I to get away.

my very first wedding...they needed shots I needed experience they had $400 to spend I charged $300...they gave me 50 extra....

maternity session...we didn't discuss payment ahead of time...she said she wanted to give me something...she later donated $250 because she was so happy.

Christmas family shots...quick job in my living room...next to our tree...
donations of $25 - 75 for like 15 minutes worth of work...

I probably should make more but I feel like I don't compromise my heart/convictions about being affordable---while still acknowledging that God's given me a talent and a passion that I should pursue.

now that I've rambled I guess what I'm saying is that consider if you had another type business liek a bakery: everytime someone approached you and wanted a cake would you just bake it, decorate it and then give it away for free....you wouldn't stay in business long. you have needs that need to be met as well and there is always a half way point. ;)

blah blah sorry I rambled on ;)

BTW the color ones are beautiful...and it's great they transalte well to BW

I think you did a great job.
I LOVE the color!

the only suggstion i might give is to increase the contrast in the b/w shots, but you may already be planning on doing that before printing anyways.

As a pro. wedding photog, i don't mind others shooting 'with' me, and they are not shooting ALL of my shots ie: following me around all the time. That hasn't happened, but I've heard of it. As long as I get my shots we're all good.

These are nice, but I agree about the b&w needing some more contrast, or something. They look a little flat. Somewhere on here, I think in the digital forum, or else the help files, both Trevor and Asylum Steve have posted conversion tips, if you need a little help.

Glad it worked out for you!

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Originally Posted by Stina

First I want to thank all of you that gave me advice about the wedding situation. The groom called Saturday morning to confirm with the pro it was a good thing he did. She confirmed she was coming but had the wrong time and place (6:00 instead of 4:30 and totally wrong location). She got there a few minutes late but did make it. I said hello to her and let her know I was a good friend of the family. I tried my best to stay out of her way on only once did she make any comments to me, during the after wedding photos to tell me to get at least five feet away from her. This was not a problem as I could still find a place to get my shots and stay out of her way. I think she is a very creative person and that sometimes creative people are not always good at the business end of things. Not trying to generalize but for some that is the case. Any way here are a few of my photos. I'll post some others soon but I have a lot to go through.

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Great shots Stina. I really like the first one and the third one!

Thanks everyone for your comments and input. I think I will look for the thread on conversion tips for the black & white, they do still need a bit of work. The mother, father, and brother of the bride came over to look at the photos last night. They seemed really happy with them. I am uploading them to mpix.com for printing so hopefully I will have them by Friday when the Bride and Groom return.

They asked what they owe me for taking the photos and I honestly don't know what amount to say. They are paying for the prints and they already had to pay the pro so I don't know what about to respond with. A few weeks ago I did my cousins wedding and she paid for all prints and gave me $100 (I did not ask her to) so I may just say $100, do you guys think thats an okay amount. I know my time is worth something but I would have gone to the weddding anyway and I have been friends with them for a long time.

I think you should have decided on that amount beforehand. But since you didn't, $100 is $100. That's almost a months worth of lattes.

In all honesty I did't not intend for them to pay me but they insist so I thought that might be an okay amount.