MazeRunner Offline Upload & Sell: On
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It's not your fault, so don't go all savior on them unless you really want to. And definitely don't do it for $500. It's really not worth the trouble.
I mean, I shoot 3-6 weddings a month during the season, and actually passed up on a second shooting gig to attend a not-close friend... she knew that she was hiring a lower-end studio-package photographer (in NYC, there are Asian studio packages that offer 1 MUA, 2 emcees, 2 DJs, 1 photographer + 1 videographer for 10 hours, dress + tux rental for bride/groom + all the b-maids and g-men, 1 e-Sessions w/ clothing for about $5-6k). And she mentioned she wouldn't mind me bringing my stuff and taking photos (of course not). I knew her budget. I knew she fully understood that she was skimping out. But I felt really bad as I've seen some of the photos from those package photographers. So I come for the ceremony, and lo and behold, photographer is shooting entire wedding with a 5DM2 and a 24-70/2.8. With one flash on top, and another flash on a stand. This was inside a church where he needed a 70-200 or something longer (altar).
I just cringed and took some shots with my 70-200, always staying out of the way and out of sight. Then at reception (I love receptions), I took a handful more. Uploaded quick edits by next day, and got a 2 of the 5 bridesmaids interested in having me for their weddings, 2-3 leads for 2015, and 2 e-session inquiries by the end of the week.
Granted, it's not always going to happen. But with social media nowadays, it can mean additional business if you play it right. But just be sure you do it in such a way that they would 0 reasons to think you would possibly shoot theirs for free. That and, consider the budget of the people attending. If the bride/groom have guests who are in late 20s/early 30s (marriage age in my area) and they're the type with solid income, you can pick up some business.
To be honest, if I didn't know the bride as well (and didn't think her and her husband were amazing folks), I wouldn't have bothered with what I did. Have to be practical and remember you're doing it for peanuts if anything, unless you can see how it'll get you $$$. Have to make bread!
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