wadding photography

KALEL33 said:

jaschenn said:

I have sent roughly 50 emails to local independent photographers
offering up intern-like assistance...and not one has replied even to
say "thanks, but no thanks!"...I have explained my energy and
ambition in these emails but it's all been moot up to this point. I
will work for free in order to absorb knowledge.

Click to expand...

There was a discussion of this on one of the podcasts I listen to,
TWIP. There are two types of pro photogs on this subject.

1.) If they train someone, they feel that they are developing people
that will be competition later and think that they will lose money in
the long run.

2.) They love photography and are willing to help out anyone
seriously interested in a career in the field. These people are
usually very comfortable with their own work selling as to not see
teaching someone else as competition.

You know the pros you sent the emails to would like the help,
especially for free. I think they fall into the insecure category of
the first description. Keep plugging away, you'll find someone
that's willing to share their knowledge.

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I agree KALEL. Which is why I didn't go off on the usual "all pros are snobs" line that I have seen many times over on certain sites.

Maybe it's a local inferiority complex (Minnesota), maybe it's an economy thing or just sheer coincidence.

I apologize...One did get back to me but stated his reason for not taking my offer was that he solely used assistants who carried Canon gear. That way if my glass was (crappy) I would be able to use his glass. I didn't bother replying...

Just gotta keep pushing....

KALEL33 said:

1.) If they train someone, they feel that they are developing people
that will be competition later and think that they will lose money in
the long run.

2.) They love photography and are willing to help out anyone
seriously interested in a career in the field. These people are
usually very comfortable with their own work selling as to not see
teaching someone else as competition.

You know the pros you sent the emails to would like the help,
especially for free. I think they fall into the insecure category of
the first description. Keep plugging away, you'll find someone
that's willing to share their knowledge.

Click to expand...

--
off topic (not so off)

Have you guys watched the movie "vicky christina barcelona" and Scarlet johansson
's character? She learns photography, by being a bit*ch to Penelope and the guy?
After reading your post, KALEL33, I was reminded of this movie.

There's a third category of people (and obvious) who'll teach if you become their bit*ch.

Apologies for my language, if it was bad or offended anyone...

I am one of the sad experience Brides father

I can not put up the pix just now as I am about to catch a flight for my early annual holidays

There are two ways to look at this, which some people severly critisised me for

I paid UK £1500 For thirty photos of my daughters wedding

The photos I received, the photographer had used strong flash and everyone appeared to be wearing a SCOTS GUARDS BUSBY ie:- the shadow on the wall behind was black showing hair like two feet high

Now to me £1500 was a months wages, that this guy was getting for one afternoons photo sesh so to me expensive

I posted the pics for critique and was advised that, I was a fool and that it should be more like £6000 for a wedding, and what else could I expect for foolish money

Well going by my own amateur attempts a damn sight more than I got from him

I personally would not go down the sueing route, but would steer clear from wedding photography for that reason alone Unless very well insured

Though insurance would not pay if you were the reason for the **** up, so very dangerous territory IMHO and the insureres always have a get out clause

I would love to post pix before I go but can not just now

Just imagine bride and groom wearing big black Busby's due to a big black shadow on the wall

The end result was people said I got what I paid for

The other side is the guy had spent a day checking out the venue, a day with his assistant taking the photos, a couple of days producing, travel costs and equipment tax and insurance so yes I reckon the hecklers were right that £1500 was a pittance and what else could I expect for five days work for two people travel and expences

So to the OP about £6k be competent and provide an album with thrity pix
Though do not expect too many common people

Jack McHammocklashing
--
Chillu chi nun si fa l'affari sua, ccù la linterna va circannù guai:
He who doesn't mind his own business
uses his lantern to look for trouble.

Jack McHammocklashing said:

I posted the pics for critique and was advised that, I was a fool and
that it should be more like £6000 for a wedding, and what else could
I expect for foolish money

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You're not a fool, my wedding photos cost $600 and they were wonderful. We were married in Hawaii so I had to choose a photographer on the internet. We went through dozens of photographers, looking at their style and price. The photographer spent an hour on the beach with us during the ceremony and after photos. He was very minimalist in his equipment, but did a tremendous job giving us 35 photos for $600. So I think your $1500 was expensive compared to ours and that was in 2005.

KALEL33 said:

Jack McHammocklashing said:

I posted the pics for critique and was advised that, I was a fool and
that it should be more like £6000 for a wedding, and what else could
I expect for foolish money

Click to expand...

You're not a fool, my wedding photos cost $600 and they were
wonderful. We were married in Hawaii so I had to choose a
photographer on the internet. We went through dozens of
photographers, looking at their style and price. The photographer
spent an hour on the beach with us during the ceremony and after
photos. He was very minimalist in his equipment, but did a
tremendous job giving us 35 photos for $600. So I think your $1500
was expensive compared to ours and that was in 2005.

Click to expand...

Actually he said £1500 - more like $3000. Hardly a pittance for a wedding photographer imo. My question to Jack is, did he see any samples before hand? Just curious. Either way, sorry to hear they mucked it up. Perhaps it's time to start licensing wedding photographers? Heck you have to have a license to cut someone's hair, and a botched haircut isn't as bad as a botched wedding photo shoot (unless the haircut is for the wedding ;-)

Being extremely new to Digital Photography, my two cents would be, are you nuts? I could only imagine to stress to provide perfect shots and managing the wedding party, something that experience would be number one.

Ten years ago my wife and I spent $500 for services and still, my wife expected alot form the photographer.