As a photographer I want my hands available/free and nothing is wrong with that
This weekend the MOB made me feel shitty because I wasn’t offering to hold the bouquet or the brides dress/veil That’s not my job! And not in a way like I’m not up to serve…but in a way that I need my hands free to do my job…I shouldn’t be standing next to the bride through transitional moments. I like to “teach” my brides how to hold their dresses themselves so I can capture the transitional moments and the other partner carry a bouquet if needed
When a new wedding inquiry comes in, how quickly do you usually respond on average?
Across all 7 days of the week! Automated or instant confirmation emails don’t count.
The irony is getting wild
Couples ask for candid, intimate, present (+ that’s what we sell). Then every major moment is surrounded by photographers, videographers, content creators and vendors all trying to capture the same thing. At some point, the documentation starts changing what we’re documenting. But if photo/video steps back too much, someone else fills the space. Are we preserving the experience or producing it??? What can we do about this? 🫤
Reciprocity In the industry
If you’re someone who is constantly reaching out and asking questions or for advice, make sure you at least take a moment to see how that person is doing or that you’re giving back as well. If not, pay to have a mentorship instead of being an information vampire.
What has been a major game changer for your post wedding workflow?
I’ve recently started working with an editor, but regardless it takes me weeks to prepare and deliver a full wedding gallery. Lightroom is so slow, spot healing and AI tools work at a snails pace. Small color tweaks, consistency across the gallery, etc. Imagen and Aftershoot ain’t it. My post process sucks all of the profitability right out of my business. What has been a major game changer for your post wedding workflow?
I've had to block Vanity Fair UK entirely
They will not stop contacting me for selling spaces in their print campaigns!!! 😂
Anyone else just laugh when those greedy publication emails hit your inbox?
"Exclusive opportunity” "Featured placement” "Special offer” Then you scroll down and it's thousands of dollars for a listing, an ad, a feature, or some package that's supposedly going to transform your business. The funniest part are the publications that go the hardest trying to sell me are often in countries or markets I've never even worked in 😅 Are enough people still buying into this to keep the cycle going? It feels like this business model should've died years ago.
Charging for breaks in days
I add in whatever is worth it for me: A cost of a hotel room so I can relax and get ready before the next event A meal Travel between Considering the overall weekend (how much time is dedicated to the event) $500 minimum for me personally Charge what makes sense for you and don't feel bad about it!
How do you charge for breaks in days
It’s for a welcome event. I don’t have a hotel and it’s 4 hours in between events… Do you charge extra, how do you calculate the time wasted in between?
So many of my vendor relationships have come and gone. It’s so important to diversify from the start.
Vendor relationships change so much over time. People slow down, have kids, move away, leave weddings, grow differently or simply stop being the right fit. It really shows how important it is to build a wide range of connections early 😅 Sometimes it also feels like you’re giving more value than you’re getting, while the people who could be a better fit already have established circles. Building new relationships takes time and effort. Just putting my thoughts out into the abyss 🫶
[community sourced #6] What did another Creative do, or fail to do, that made you not want to work with them again?
4. Talented, but struggled to keep up. I need to rely on my 2nds physically, especially when I’m coming off multiple days. 5. They keep posting my work without credit even I’ve pointed it out. At this point I know it’s intentional 🙄 6. Their response times are unacceptable, and when they do reply it’s half assed and I’m still left with unanswered questions 7. they were so attention seeking and self obsessed. loud, making jokes, filming content. they took away from the couple !! 👎
[community sourced #6] What did another Creative do, or fail to do, that made you not want to work with them again?
1. My second shooter took Super 8 footage, edited it, and sent it to MY couple without telling me. I found out from them. Like what?? 😳 2. Video showed up to a black tie wedding in jeans, boots, and a jean jacket. When I addressed it: “Are you gonna buy me a suit?” So that was it. 3. I was so impressed the first time around. After that, their work ethic shifted and it affected everything 😬