Wedding Photographers Blog

Many of you have been following my blog for a while. Some may just be tunining in to my wonderful blog.

During the summer months blogs will be shorter lighter and not as periodic. Since I have more weddings in the summer I will blog less. I will start to pick up the weekly blogging again once things slow down in the fall.

Expect to see at least one blog post a month.  Please check out the archives. I’ve listed some top visted articles below:

1. Facebook Marketing for Wedding Photographers Part I
2. Top 10 Wedding Photography Sins
3. Top 10 Tips on Building a Wedding Photography Business
4. Secrets of Pricing Wedding Photography
5. Recession Marketing for Wedding Photographers

Do more with less time has always been my mantra. I’ve recently have been listening to Tim Ferris and have been inspired by his audacity and tenacious endeavor of trimming all the fat and improving your life and making yourself more and more profitable.

GM Tangent

Speaking of excess; today marks the end of GM as we know it. Today, GM is officially bankrupt.

I think at this point of the day; everyone knows this; that’s if you’ve been hiding under a rock somewhere in Timbuctou. Unfortunately, General Motors provides us an “alamo-like” reminder that times are tumultous, harsh and the rules of the game in Business.

How does it relate to Wedding Photography?

You, too, are a business owner. You must be careful in such times to manage your cashflow effectively and out think and outwit your competition.

3 General Rules of a Profitable & Very Successful Business:

1. Cash Flow
2. Religion of ROI
3. Time Management

Cash Flow

Are making more than spending? Or is it vice versa? Make sure your books are well kept and keep every reciept you can. Take control of your money and if you’re not going to buy Quickbooks or some type of financial software; then just keep it simple. Keep a spreadsheet with a cash flow sheet of your money coming in(Column A) and out(Column B). I’m no accountant so i try not to use those fancy confusing accounting terms.

You must also ask; Can I really afford something like this given my current Income?

Make sure you are projecting your sales. Provide realistic historical cash flow data into your analysis.

Religion of ROI

Investing and maintaining equipment is a large part of wedding photography. Make sure you keep track and see if is really worth purchasing certain items. This might mean asking several of the following questions:

• Is this piece of equipment required to do your job or provide you more income?
• Is this form of advertising maximizing the most amount of dollars for me?
• Am i really using this service enough to

Time Management

Your time easily equates into dollars and cents. I’ve probably covered this already and have talked about it several times.

Here are some quick ideas for better time management (These are some of the ideas shared by Tim Ferris in his book; 4 Hour Work Week):

1. Reduce the amount of times your check email a day.
2. Reduce drive time. If you can. Make clients come to you or meet you in the middle.
3. Bring things to do while you wait for clients.
4. Keep a list of errands and do them all at once.
5. Execute at most 2 tasks. Doing multiple tasks at once always that efficient.
6. Have phone calls rerouted to your cell phone. Don’t answer every call. You really don’t need to unless it’s absolutely urgent
7. Time yourself. Keep a timer on hand or download one onto your computer. Get a grasph of how many minutes on average it may take you to retouch a photo.
8. Outsource as much as you can. Simply, find ways to free up your time
9. Avoid meetings that don’t have any set agenda.
10. Replace phone calls with with email.
11. There are so many more. So sure you check out Tim Ferris’ book, 4 Hour Workweek.
12. Oh my last tip is this. Don’t read books. Just listen to them while working on your Post-Processing. You can sometimes finish a book in 3-5 hours. When reading a book might take double that if you aren’t the fastest reader. The exception is if you’re going on a trip. I think that’s most profitable with your time. When you can’t find wireless.
13. Give yourself breaks. Try the 45/15 rule. Work for 45 minutes; break for 15 or 60/20 or 70/30, etc. Whatever works for you. 45/15 seems easiest to keep track of.  Breaks allow you to keep focus. It is often difficult or challenging to work large amounts of periods of time.

Once you free up all that time. Your hourly rate will jump quite a bit. This will give you more time to do things that’ll make you more money.

More ideas on profitability later.

This is an article i’ve published a while ago for a forum. I’ve decided to share the following nugget of advice for you all. I apologize for the advanced readers who already know this.

The dreaded red-eye effect or demonic looking eyes is frequently seen in photos. To avoid them one must understand how it is caused. If you understand how this effect is caused you might want to skip the following paragraph:

The red-eye effect is a result of quick bursts of light off of the retina. This burst of light is reflected off of the retina and into the camera. These quick exposures to light do not allow the pupil to close down small enough to avoid retina reflection. This is more frequently caused by on camera flash because the angle of reflection is close to perpendicular to the camera. The red-eye effect is more common when the ambient (or environmental) light is very low; thus causing the pupils to open up more.

To avoid this red-eye effect one can do the following: (1) Elevate one’s camera flash. This can be done by using an external flash or a camera bracket. This would provide a greater angle of reflection. (2) Move into an area where there is more light. You must also allow a few seconds for the pupils to close down and adjust to the light. (3) Position your camera angle to be above or below the camera subject. This would allow a greater angle of reflection. (4) Avoid on camera flash. Try using natural, continuous or ambient light sources to illuminate your subject(s). (5) Use bounce flash. Bounce your flash off flat objects to illuminate your subject. (6) Pre-flash. This is an option I’d avoid, subjects tend to dislike flashes. But, some cameras are equipped with pre-flashes (which are usually red) that flash onto the subject. In my experience, they’re not too effective but in theory it should work.

If you are somewhat camera savvy the following are some things one can do with their camera settings to avoid red-eye:

(1) Use faster film or lower ISO/ASA speeds. If your ISO speed is lower than there are a fewer chances that your film/sensor will be able to detect the light bouncing off of one’s retina. (2)If you cannot change your ISO/ASA speed, than using the same principle, aforementioned, one can increase your f-stop to allow less light into the camera. (3) Speed up your exposure (time) and allow less light to be absorbed into the camera.

If you could not use any of these tips and red-eye still exists in your photograph there is computer software that can eliminate your red-eye. One can use various software to correct red-eye: Google’s Picasa (freeware), Adobe’s Photoshop, Adobe’s Photo Elements, etc.

For Most Wedding Photographers wedding season is underway. It’s getting warm; even here in michigan. You’re probably busy shooting engagement portraits outdoors or even going to weddings.

I thought today for this week i would write about how to improve your photography eye-q (IQ. Or visual intellect. I just made it up just now). Meaning your visual creative genius or part of the brain. I find that anyone can develop your creative muscles if you would everyday for at least half an hour spend sometime looking over photos.

The reason professional photographers are better than an amateur is truely not because of our technical abilities or camear gear; but the amount of creative intelligence we possess: technical ability comes second (IMHO). You see this holding true with a photographer like gregory crewdson. He rarely ever likes to shoot photographs but he is gifted and talented and can create strong concepts and ideas for his team to execute.

The greater our Eye-Q of an individual the easier it is for a photographer to  contrive, execute and pre-visualize our shots and create beautiful images on the fly. This is what our clients pay extra for; or should be paying you a premium for. They’ve entrusted their dollars/rupies/currency to execute their wedding/portraits with the utmost creative excellence for whatever you do.

You’re ready to work out your Eye Q?!

Here are some things that you can do everyday to enhance your creative Eye-Q. But first you should follow some rules:

1. Copying. Try not to copy the style.
2. Be yourself. If it’s not your style don’t do it
3. Don’t give up. Keep learning

Here are somethings or ideas that will help improve or expand your creative Eye-Q.

1. Keep a collection of magazine photos that you are inspired from
2. Store these clippings somewhere. I find a cork board best. Stack images on top of them each month. Keep it updated.
3. Subscribe to some magazines that interest your style: Brides magazines etc.
4. If you don’t want print. Print some things out and attach it to your creative cork board.
5. Spend time minutes scanning portraits or paintings or find some inspiration for photography through other mediums: movies, books, paintings

After you’ve found your clippings or have filled your inspiration board. Try to execute on them. Have them stored in your brain (with neurochromes) and try to execute them in your own way: whether at a wedding or a portrait session.

Hope this has been helpful for you wedding photographers. Hoping you all the best start of the wedding season. -C

Image Shot by Flickr User: SqueakyMarmot

A lot of people make emotional decisions by pricing. You want to avoid that. If you can. Remember to be as rational and objective as possible. Most of the time good business decisions are made with solid information and empirical data. You may not be a good business person if you decide that one day widget a would be a good day to sell more only because of a gut feeling.

Emotions should only belong in selling to your client. You want to instill emotion in your clients by presenting something that is sensational and an offer they cannot refuse.

In this current economic condition in the US, it maybe easy to drop your prices in order to obtain a quick sale. Say a 500 dollar wedding. We’ve all done it at some point but you don’t want to admit it.

In my eyes, this presents several problems:

1. Future Growth: If you’re starting off you don’t consider where you’ll be in the next 1-2 years. If you’re doing this for a profession it’s important to keep in mind that you need to make a profit; in order to continue wedding photography as a profession. Doing business without making profit means that you’ll quickly in the long run go bankrupt like the auto counterparts. In your case, you will not be receiving a bailout.  Unless you have a rich uncle.
2. Caste system: In an ideal world a rich client would be perfect. It’s easier starting to shoot weddings for the higher clientele than to move up on the food chain.
3. Less is more: Why shoot 40 weddings for $500  when you can shoot 15-12 $4,000-8,000 and end up on top.
4. Hourly wage: Your hourly wage decreases as you have more photos to edit. You don’t get paid for that time unless you already consider it in your fees in the first place.
5. Deliver a poor product: at $500 dollars a wedding you cannot spend time to edit your photos. If you do; It maybe more profitable for you to work as a manager at McDonalds.
6. Customer Service: Good word of mouth depends on excellent & sterling customer service. You need to pay yourself for that as well. Meeting with your client costs money as well: Gas, telephone bills,
7. Risks: Traveling to a wedding where your equipment may cost more than what your making may present a lot more problems. If your equipment breaks at least once; you’ll have to work double as hard to make up for it.

I cannot stress more enough  that profit should dictate your business actions & decisions. Time is finite and is only diminishing: More time should be spent on profitable endeavors: Networking; Meeting with clients; building relationships and closing sales.

The free and under $500 Lesson Here

Again, there are always exceptions. Frequently, you’ll encounter photographers who are pretty lucky; work hard and make it big starting of at $500 weddings. My message is that it is not sustainable. I’m sure you can do 30-40 $500 weddings; but it’s not sustainable in the long run.

If you cannot travel. Try engaging your clients through social media and creating conversations; helping others etc. This we will discuss later in an article titled; building word of mouth marketing.

Photo Source: Squeaky Marmot. This person has a huge collection of photos of antiquated cameras they’ve collected over the years

Join me in the next blog article when i discuss how to price yourself in a recession.

Here at wedding photography blog (which includes just me a lone wedding photographer) we’re (or I am) a bit honest and opinionated.

After scouring and reading some tweets I thought i’d save you all some time and pick 10 headlines that a wedding photographer shouldn’t write on their own wedding (company) blog.

1. How to pick a wedding photographer - This is very often the most written article in the world. If you can put a different twist on this give it a shot. I doubt the world will end if you’re not going to write this article. This might be different if you’re submitting this for Publication: As an editorial piece for your local printed publication. No bride is going to believe you. You might as well write in; pick me.
2. Keyword Keyword Keyword Wedding photography - You might want to avoid keyword stuffing. Google knows when you’re doing this. It has very adverse effects. Just write naturally in a style that is akin to eloquent conversational speaking to improve your Search Engine Results Page (SERP)
3. SuPrr! - Undescriptive titles may be providing you a disadvantage. Provide a good title anyone could want to click on. Oh and at least try to spell most of your words correctly. Nowadays, they do have spell a checker on blogs.
4. Politics - These are some things you shouldn’t ever write about anyways: Politics &  Religion. Anything that might be too polarizing. The only exception to the rule is if you are writing to appeal to a community which you are actively in. I.e. Your experiences at a religious event, etc.
5. Tangents - Avoid writing off topic. Stick to wedding photography. Every once in a while go off topic if you really really need to. Some exceptions include linkable content that is related to current events, etc: The tinkerbell dog that flew away in the recent wind storm. If you have a series of blog articles you must write about; consider creating a seperate blog. Nowadays, a blog takes several minutes to setup and start writing. Try using services like blogspot or wordpress.com.
6. Wrong perspective - Consistently write from the similar perspective. I think (this is highly subjective) the best type of blogger is one who speaks with the people at the same level. One whom is humble and isn’t condescending.
7. Common Sense - Writing about common sense can turn readers off. Avoid the obvious. You can write about common sense that isn’t often thought about.  Unique content will always get you more viewers. This has been the case since the beginning of media: Newspapers, TV, Radio, Books.
8. Sales or advertising writing - I would avoid writing in a sales approach. Blogging is a form of no nonsense, no fluff, no pressure sales. Blogging is a way of educating, building or fostering a community. Avoid salesy pitch type writing: “Why my photography is better than others”, “Buy my photography for reason x and x”.
9. Plagiarism: Don’t copy someone else’s writing. Blogging is fun, expressive and easy to do. If you’re not able to do this there are plenty of people in this world that are willing to do this for you at a reasonable price.
10. Fake: Be yourself and true to your own heart. Write to help another person. Which is the sole reason why i’m doing this. Thanks for reading.

It is wedding season again. Here are some wedding tips for the casual shooter and the professional. Some of these tips are general enough to be applied to people or portrait photography.

1. Stay positive and keep your eyes open.
2. Look for quality of light first outdoors.
3. Find shade immediately. Or take cover.
4. Look for awnings.
5. Use a doorway.
6. Windows are found softboxes.
7. Shoot into the sun.
8. Make sure your shadow is not in the frame (painful mistake on my part).
9. Carry a WWDHD  (What Would David Hobby Do) bracelet.
10. Speaking of flashes use your flash to fill. Turn your flash on if you cannot find cover.
11. Remember the Sunny 16 Rule for perfect exposure. Keep in mind if you’re in the shade the exposure will be different.
12. When shooting on manual mode (if you have a DSLR) constantly remember to check your ISO if you’re moving from indoor and outdoors.
13. Bring a reflector.
14. Tall reflective buildings buildings are great large reflectors. Avoid red or green colored walls or buildings
15. Keep your subjects comfortable. They’re not models. Their endurance and attention span is minimal. Make sure they’re well hydrated and kept cool. A happy wedding party will allow you better photos and expressions.
16. Change the position of the sun. Have your bride or groom or subject lay on the ground. I learned this one from John Michael Cooper of Alt-f fame.
17. Use high speedsync.

You think you have more tips to add? Leave us a comment below!

This may or may not be a concern for a working photographer. We’re usually faced with many challenges to our gear, brain, and logistics. Being a wedding photographer is knowing how to solve your challenges instantly and going with the flow.

I thought i’d shed some light on this. I believe the earth is something we take for granted for and should take care of because it takes care of us: beautiful landscapes, food, shelter, etc.

Here are some small ideas for a wedding photographer that can eventually become a big impact.

1. Recycled Batteries: This is a simple and no brainer. Purchase your brand choice of recycled batteries. A lot of photographers will say Maha Powerex is their pick of choice. I’d agree it seems like the most durable batteries i’ve used so far.
2. Recycle when you can: You’re a wedding photographer and you probably love getting and sending packages. Try your best to reuse your boxes when you can.  With USPS the only requirements are that you cover up any previous label.
3. Purchase Recycled Products: Keep your eye out for recycled paper products for the office. Sometimes they’re cheaper and in effect will save you money as well.
4. Unplug any auxillary accessories: When you’re not using your printer. Unplug it from the outlet. It still will continue to consume electricity if it’s off but plugged in. Unless you purchase a special surge protector. This will save you a plethora of money as well!
5. Buy a GPS: Stop printing google maps. You’re going to waste a lot of paper and ink. Just buy yourself a GPS. Just make sure you plug in the destination points the night before.
6. Printing: Print on the back of paper that’s already been used. Sometimes you might need paper for drafts. Use the back!
7. Meetings: If you meet your clients more than once. Try to minimize travel by replacing one in person meeting with your client with a phone call or skype/web meeting. Doing things over the internet will save you and your clients time as well as tons of gas. Here are some examples: Invoice Day, Final Date Confirmation meetings. Some things you cannot replace in person meetings might be: Album/Creative Meetings.
8. Eco-Friendly Car: This isn’t a viable option for everyone; given the costs of a eco-friendly car isn’t the most cheapest option at this point. Purchase or lease a car for your wedding photography business. On the plus side; the value of hybrids keep their value very well and may eventually save you a lot of money in the long-run when gas is at $4-$5/gallon
9. Maximizing your Car trip: This is a bit related to the last one. Try when you can to car pool and make multiple trips all at once: While heading home from my wedding i can check my PO box because it’s on the way and send any put any mail while at the PO box.
10. Carbon Offsets: Purchase Carbon Offsets to Offset your brand! This isn’t the most attractive option; but for environmentally conscious brides this might be a good way to market yourself. Personally, I’ve only encountered a few couple brides in the past several years whom are enviornmentally conscious.

Being able to assert and build trust with your customer is the foundation of good sales. In fact it may boost your sales. Being able to have piece of mind and confidence in your purchase (from a client point of view) may help you win and boost wedding photography sales.

How do you do this?

1. Demonstration: Demonstrate to them that you know what you’re doing. Often photographers use the slideshow to do this. Try not to make this a crutch.
2. Leadership: Exude confidence and the skills necessary in being a good leader. Demonstrate you’re a good leader by giving back to the community or doing seminars or educating others. Give back some time to the community.
3. Consistency: One of the largest dependencies of trust is being consistent. If you can consistently show them your portfolio that has a congruent look or style; it will make the sale a bit more smoother.
4. Decision Making:  Show that you make good decisions. Whether you make good decisions on presentation styles, your camera angles, body language, the type of clothing you wear, etc. Make sure you nudge and highlight some of these things. Just try not to be too pushy or overtly haughty.
5. Blogging & Writing: Write about wedding photography. Build a community and network with other bloggers. Demonstrate and link your website to your blog. Write about something where you can show your years of experience.
6. References: This should be your last arsenal. Provide Brides with a list in which they can contact previous brides. Make sure you get permission from your previous brides. Have this list printed with your contact information on it as well. Bonus points if you have your photos on it as well. This can be a good piece of collateral to pass out and for them to think about.
7. Credentials: Sometimes clients will instantly trust you if you have the same educational or vocational background as them.
8. Building rapport: Learn to turn small talk into something substantial. Show that you have good interpersonal skills.
9. Networking: Develop and qualify leads that are already from a credible source.
10. Direct Eye Contact: Being able to look into the clients eyes is an important and sub-conscience demonstration of confidence, interpersonal skills, and

Pitfalls. Credibility is not:

1. Using a testimonial: Delivering testimonials can be helpful if executed correctly. I think reading a testimonials are usually superfluous. Testimonials must be delivered from another person in person.
2. Reciting Facts: Reciting facts might be entertaining but won’t give you any credibility.
3. Making Jokes: Humor is good for building rapport sometimes but eventually you’ve gotta get serious with your client.
4. Un-Authenticity: If you don’t believe in your product you really should sell it. Clients will be able to smell this on you instantly!
5. Written or Verbal Communication: When you can use proper punctuation and grammar when communicating with your clients.
6. Ego: Leave your ego at home; or at least try to control it through mediation.
7. Inappropriate or Ackward Body Language: Invading another persons space or inappropriately touching at the wrong time may put your client at alert.

Here are some common thin

1. Slideshow: Depending on your slideshow. Showing too many wedding pictures.
2. Need: Not understanding your clients needs. This may also include showing wedding pictures that aren’t related or similar to your client. Your client must relate to your photography.
3. Talking too much: Not spending time and listening. A conversation is a two way street. They want to talk about their wedding and you might want to talk about gear.
4. Steamrolling: Not paying attention to the response of your client and just steamrolling through the whole thing like one big script.
5. Arrogance: Being too arrogant or rude can instantly end the conversation.
6. Professionalism: You’re a professional photographer. Do what you’re expected to do. Show up on time, Dress Well, turn off your cell phone, Address them by Mr. and Ms. Offer them common courtesies, etc.
7. Lack confidence: Being unconfident and nervous may make your client feel uncertain about you.
8. Poor Communication Skills: Use correct punctuation. Go over your wedding photography sales material or collateral and correct it. You maybe missing a comma or period.
9. Complaining: Regardless of your day be positive. Bring positivity to their corner. It may make their day. If they complain try not to contribute to it. Try to reverse it around and make it a positive thing. Don’t complain about your latest bride or client.
10. Condescending: Explain everything. They might not know all the F stops or shutter speed. Ask them if they have a clear understanding.