This is a question more for those who do the very small destination wedding.
Typically the coordinator books these small weddings exactly 1 1/2 before sunset on the beach. This allows enough time for the ceremony and then bride and groom portraits followed by sunset pictures.
However, last night we get to the beach and it starts to downpour. We drove to a new location for the ceremony (luckily in Hawaii we can drive 5 minutes to get sun). By the time we had the ceremony it was dark. I did my best with portraits and the bride and groom were very relaxed and understanding.
My question is this... if the ceremony gets delayed for whatever reason (beyond my control), do I just go until the designated time or do I need to be prepared for any situation, including shooting portraits at night. I know night portraits are very doable, but for these lower-end weddings, I am not coming with studio lights.
I shoot the same regardless of how much I'm being paid. Only the ammount of time and/or album is different with our packages.
I think you should bring everything you need to get you through the day. If you feel that because this low income bride couldn't afford your He-man package, she doesn't deserve your best work, thats your perrogative.
If you book low cost weddings and are OK with low quality images because you were too lazy to stick a couple of extra boxes in your trunk then be sure and show only those images to others in the same price range. This way they know up front what to expect and that you cannot shoot if things run a few minutes late even though it is a evening wedding.
As for time schedules I would Never walk out on a ceremony. If the bride and groom were fighting that is one thing but waiting a few minutes for rain is a non issue. If I held all my clients to a fixed time I would have a lot less business.
I always take what I know I need and what I might need with me no matter the price of the shoot. I bring my equipment( lights, backgrounds, stands etc) for day events or evening events and leave it locked in the car if not used. My name is worth too much to deliver anything except for the best I can offer.
Personally, I think some people are being harsh, or not understanding your question. Many photographers define their packages by how many hours they will be available to shoot. More hours = more expensive package.
So what do you do if you are hired for X amount of hours, and because of delay, you have to choose giving them more hours than they paid for, or not getting the shots? I think it is a legitimate question, and I hope you get some helpful responses.
I think you may be misunderstanding part of my question. I always stick around no matter what also. Actually, I always stick around way longer than expected. No matter what. Last night I stayed way longer than I was booked to get the job done.
I am also just clarifying that this is a low-end wedding to set the mood. Bride and groom only, no guests, only want 1 to 1 1/2 hours. I'm not stating it's low end to say that I'm going to shoot 1/2 way.
What I'm saying is that by the time we called the shoot, it was dark. I actually do not shoot the types of weddings that require studio lighting and do not own studio lighting, but rather I purposely shoot the lower key weddings that don't want studio lighting. I'm just wondering if I should start considering getting the studio lighting regardless.
I guess my point of this thread is because I am not happy when I can't get all of the shots I want to get, regardless of the bride and groom. And if it gets dark before I can get all of my stuff done because the wedding got postponed, what is the best way to deal with this.
I'm fine with up to a half hour over. Granted I have a four hour minimum. Anything between 1/2 hour and hour is questionable. More then an hour, they pay. More then an hour then they should have paid for more service.
With that said, each wedding is different. If its a fun wedding, every thing has gone smooth I don't mind doing a little extra. On the other hand if I warned them about their time restrictions knowing this was going to happen and told them extra time would be charged accordingly, then I charge.
In short, theres a difference between great customer service and being taken advantage of. Thats how I decide.
thank you 57suzi. yes, you get the question. i don't mind staying longer, sometimes way longer. if you ask any of my clients, I ALWAYS give more than in the contract. but, typically the bride only wants 1 to 1 1/2 hours AND wants the sunset. so, the coordinator books the wedding to that schedule, right before sunset. if it wasn't dark, i'd stay all day if needed (or until the bride says she's done). i'm just trying to figure out the best way to get the images. or is it ok just to do your best with the time allowed and not worry about it. on a positive note, the bride and groom were totally happy and just happy that we put the effort into finding them sunlight and no rain.
If your client is responsible for delaying the day, and prevent YOU from shooting during the hours you were supposed to shoot, it's not your fault.....use whatever skills you have to get creative, but once its dark outside, unless you are in a city atmosphere with exterior lighting and buildings, or some location indoor ambiance, shooting outside in the dark is a tough call if you dont have any additional lighting............dark is dark. Once that sun goes down, any chances for sunset shots is lost.........no amount of what iffing will bring the sun back.
Should you ALWAYS bring additional lighting ? I always have some additional speedlights which can come in handy for situations just like you had........it's a personal choice.
Just document what prevented you from getting your shots and move on....that way if the client questions it late on down the road, you have the proof.
I had two wedding last weekend where both clients refused to go to a pre approved location for after ceremony romantic pics even though it was agree upon .......they just wanted the "pics done at the church"......................."ok......stucco exteriors, dull surroundings".....
But i managed to still get some great shots that they will be pleased with........
Whats that old saying............"when handed lemons, make lemonade"........
That is a good question. I haven't run into this yet with my 2 hour weddings..I have lighting gear but don't usually bring it with me. Maybe now I will start..
Thanks hassy501. I think they will be pleased regardless. Maybe I'll look into some portable studio lights as a back-up. I have all kinds of on-camera flashes, but once it's dark, even they don't do it.
On a side-note now, can anyone recommend some portable (i.e., no power outlet needed) studio lights?
Hi Kim! Let me know if you need an assistant some time. I'd love to go out and shoot with you.
The high end would be a Hensel Porty, around $2k. Or you can get a Quantum kit for $500-$1k per head/battery. Or you can buy Alienbees at $200/pop and bring a Vagabond (18lbs). Or you can get a few Metz 54/58's, or a whole set of 580's and add a Radio Popper for each one. It all depends what modifiers you want, what size and light quality you want, and how much you can pay.
