Comments on: Wedding Photography Survival Tips: The Preparation

By: PLPNO

PLPNO — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:23:24 +0000

Hello fellow DPS members!

It’s great reading the comments made under the Wedding topic.
I too have been following the tips here and actually did a wedding (my first) back in August of 2011 as a back-up to a friend and put them into practice.

The wedding day was great…except the few weeks after. My friend and I had no idea that the bride would accuse us of being money hungry and to add insult, call us liars. It all started with the Proofs…after we compiled all of the images for the proofs and ended up with over a thousand images, we realized that they will not fit Online. We then contacted the client immediately (via email – for paper trail just in case) and gave her 2 options with one having the proofs on a DVD. She then replied giving us approval! We decided not to edit all of the proofs because that is what they really are…PROOFS. The client asked if they were all edited and we replied letting her know that the final selected images (by the client) will be edited via post processing software. Then she asks about how she can show the proofs to her family…which we then explain to her that she can pass the DVD to members of their family after they have viewed and selected the photos they would like on their album, canvas, and 8×10.

As far as my friend and I know, we’ve been professionals about it. We never replied negative responses to all of her derogatory emails.

To date, we are still waiting for her to provide the image numbers so we can do our editing and fullfil our end of the contract.

If she replies back with another derogatory email, we have no choice but to refund her money…all $1,600*.
(* Since this is my friend’s 2nd and my 1st (and possibly my last…I don’t know about my friend) wedding, we worked with her (the client) since she has a tight budget and couldn’t afford Professionals!

Sorry for the lengthy comment!

Anyone care to share some feedback? Is refunding a good idea? Is there a “fullfilment” contract someone can share?

Thanks in advance!

Cheers!
PLPNO

By: David Lehner

David Lehner — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:48:43 +0000

Nice article. I am a Wedding Photographer in Cardiff.( http://www.photographers-cardiff.com ) I remember my first wedding 10 years ago as second photographer and then when I started on my own I was looking for similar blogs like this to get an idea how to take good pictures

By: wedding dress Orange County

wedding dress Orange County — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:54:03 +0000

Wonderful tips! Aspiring photographers can use these things to help them out on their first photo shoot to ensure that he/she can capture the most important scene that the couples will be doing their wedding day.

By: Sheldon C. Penny

Sheldon C. Penny — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 23:51:59 +0000

I normally just wing it most of the times. With Weddings, I would much prefer to be more prepared. Especially having a Shot List is very important.

By: orange county wedding photographer

orange county wedding photographer — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 22:07:02 +0000

I find that scouting location is very tiring but very important for time management on the day of the wedding.

By: Toledo Wedding Photographer

Toledo Wedding Photographer — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:12:01 +0000

The shot list… a definate must – depending on my memory isn’t an option, because it’s not so great sometimes! Great information! Thanks!

By: Blackfin

Blackfin — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 04:25:46 +0000

Great info for getting into the photography business, i have some other great tips on my new photography blog Wedding Photography Contract it goes over how to write a photography contract, thanks ~B

By: Heather

Heather — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:52:38 +0000

I’m shooting my first wedding today! Reading this blog and all of these comments keep making me laugh – thanks for the laughter today – I’m so excited and am trying NOT to think of the scariness! Wish me luck!

By: Cindy

Cindy — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:35:55 +0000

Hello,
I really enjoy reading the articles and comments on this thread regarding wedding photography. I am shooting my first wedding in more than 4 years this May, and I have been reading wedding tips, I have a wedding list from the bride and groom, etc. Even had them sign a contract at our first meeting. I also know the bride. The only thing so far, is I didn’t charge enough…The wedding is in Philadelphia and I reside a few hours away. I didn’t factor in overnight expenses. I hope this can serve as a lesson for others reading my post:)

To share a story about my first wedding I photographed, most of the wedding party and guests spoke Greek more than English, the wedding, although on Valentine’s Day, was very small with very few guests, and the only brides maid did not show up at the reception! I think I only shot one roll of film during the whole event.

If anyone has any tips for me, please feel free to send me an email! Thank you!

By: Ivey

Ivey — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 01:35:25 +0000

I did my first wedding in September. In my opinion it was awful at best. Lighting was bad. I just felt that everything was wrong. However the bride was oh so pleased. I am shooting my best friends wedding in Aruba in July. So the pressure is on! Any tips for sunset beach weddings. I have a basic dslr camera. A Nikon D60. Please help!!! Thanks