A few questions

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Archive 2009 · A few questions

rprouty
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p.1 #1 · A few questions

I've only shot a couple of inexpensive wedding in the past but I keep getting calls from future brides.

My wife wants us to start shooting them.

My equipment is:
1DsMIII
1DMIIIx3
50D
17-40
24-70 f/2.8
24-105 f/4
70-200 f/2.8IS
70-200 f/4
100-400x2
and a couple of long lenses that we use for fun.
580IIx2
White lightning 800sx3
Vagabond IIx3

Now the questions:
Do most shoot flash of some sort or shoot available light or a combination of both?

If I needed prime lenses what are the suggestions?

I'm thinking a 35mm f/2, a 50 f/1.4 or f/1.8, 85 f/1.8

Most every call I get is about price. A $1000.00 -$1200.00 wedding around here is, for the most part, considered expensive.

Thanks is advance for any help and suggestions.

Rod

Nov 19, 2009 at 12:00 AM

gravygraffix
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p.1 #2 · A few questions

A good prime wouldn't hurt. Sigma 50 1.4 is amazing. I shoot avail till reception most of the time

Nov 19, 2009 at 12:04 AM

ksmahgrts
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p.1 #3 · A few questions

your questions can be answered in the PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING sticky at the top of the forum - and by searching the forum, as these topics have been covered at great length.

good luck.

Nov 19, 2009 at 12:05 AM

TRReichman
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p.1 #4 · A few questions

Your equipment is fine. Primes are nice, maybe as a diversion but not required at all. $1000-1200 may not be worth getting into it though. I hate to make general statements but at that price its next to impossible to make a sustainable salary/profit.

That said, if you brand/market effectively you'll attract a bunch of folks that will spend many thousands and thank you for it - they are out there!

- trr

Nov 19, 2009 at 12:09 AM

RichardLavigne
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p.1 #5 · A few questions

TRReichman wrote:
Your equipment is fine. Primes are nice, maybe as a diversion but not required at all. $1000-1200 may not be worth getting into it though. I hate to make general statements but at that price its next to impossible to make a sustainable salary/profit.

That said, if you brand/market effectively you'll attract a bunch of folks that will spend many thousands and thank you for it - they are out there!

- trr

I agree 100%.

Nov 19, 2009 at 12:13 AM

Chris Cooke
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p.1 #6 · A few questions

What do you normally shoot? You have got a lot of nice gear!

Nov 19, 2009 at 12:31 AM

davenfl
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p.1 #7 · A few questions

Honestly at $1000-2000 for a wedding you would make substantially more profit selling some of your equipment and staying home. You cannot make a profit at those numbers, the math doesn't work.

Dave

Nov 19, 2009 at 12:41 AM

rprouty
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p.1 #8 · A few questions

I'm semi-retired from the US Air Force. I don't get enough to live on so I do a few high school senior shoots. I have a small studio built in my basement I do more more traditional shots and not some of the fancy shoots that I see posted in people photography. I really like a of the trendy stuff but have found that moms do buy much of that type at least around here.
We do some wildlife photography for fun.

Thanks for the replies.

Nov 19, 2009 at 12:41 AM

rprouty
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p.1 #9 · A few questions

I didn't say that I have to shoot weddings it was my wifes idea.

Nov 19, 2009 at 01:05 AM

RichardLavigne
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p.1 #10 · A few questions

rprouty wrote:
I didn't say that I have to shoot weddings it was my wifes idea.

Honestly, I think you probably have an inaccurate perception of of the cost of a wedding photog in your area and my guess is that as you shoot a couple and realize how much work is involved, you'll realize that others are charging more and you'll raise your own prices to match the level of work involved.

Nov 19, 2009 at 02:28 AM

rprouty
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p.1 #11 · A few questions

I've only done a couple and they were simple.

http://www.pbase.com/rprouty/sept_16th

http://www.pbase.com/rprouty/kristy__adam

Nov 19, 2009 at 02:32 AM

Imagemaster
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p.1 #12 · A few questions

rprouty wrote:
I don't get enough to live on .....

Yeah, it must be tough:

My equipment is:
1DsMIII
1DMIIIx3
50D
17-40
24-70 f/2.8
24-105 f/4
70-200 f/2.8IS
70-200 f/4
100-400x2
and a couple of long lenses that we use for fun.
580IIx2
White lightning 800sx3
Vagabond IIx3

Nov 19, 2009 at 03:13 AM

rprouty
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p.1 #13 · A few questions

Okay, i do make enough to live on and buy some nice equipment....

Nov 19, 2009 at 03:16 AM

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