Short notice weddings...

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Archive 2009 · Short notice weddings...

maxwell1295
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p.1 #1 · Short notice weddings...

I got a call yesterday from the MoG asking if I was available for a wedding this Saturday.....3 days notice. Amazing.

We're signing the contract Friday eve with the wedding taking place Saturday at 11am. I did have to move an e-session back a day (to Sunday) in order to accommodate the request. No big deal there...

Out of curiousity, what's the shortest amount of lead time you've had prior to shooting a wedding? Better yet, provided you have an open date, how much notice would you need before booking a wedding? If someone called you today, would you be able to shoot it tomorrow?

Nov 19, 2009 at 09:12 PM

TRReichman
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p.1 #2 · Short notice weddings...

2 months is the shortest I'd do. If they can pay my rates I suppose I would show up tomorrow but we have a year long process that we feel leads to better work that we don't like to deviate from. I'd probably charge more for a next day service (right?) and I wouldn't refund out the engagement stuff thats included.

- trr

Nov 19, 2009 at 09:15 PM

hardlyboring
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p.1 #3 · Short notice weddings...

If I wasn't busy on a Saturday and they had the dough I would be all over it, as long as my batteries were charged!
haha
Ya If they have the money I dont care how short of notice!
Doug

Nov 19, 2009 at 09:26 PM

Inku Yo
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p.1 #4 · Short notice weddings...

maxwell1295 wrote:
If someone called you today, would you be able to shoot it tomorrow?

Yes. Cash payment upon arrival.

Nov 19, 2009 at 09:33 PM

57suzi
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p.1 #5 · Short notice weddings...

Does filling in for a sick tog count? If so, 4 hours.

Nov 19, 2009 at 09:33 PM

deepbluejh
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p.1 #6 · Short notice weddings...

Inku Yo wrote:
maxwell1295 wrote:
If someone called you today, would you be able to shoot it tomorrow?

Yes. Cash payment upon arrival.

What this guy said.

Nov 19, 2009 at 09:51 PM

sboerup
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p.1 #7 · Short notice weddings...

If it was cash, I would do it with a couple days notice. Rather not, but cash is king.

Nov 19, 2009 at 09:59 PM

davenfl
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p.1 #8 · Short notice weddings...

Good business opportunities are sometimes created by other people screwing up and leaving people in a hole. You did the right thing, any good business person would certainly attempt to take the opportunity as long as payment to you is to your liking.

Dave

Nov 19, 2009 at 10:05 PM

gravygraffix
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p.1 #9 · Short notice weddings...

I got called to do a wedding that started in 45 min, it was 55 min drive there AND I was still out eating lunch with my kids ans didn't not have stuff with me. I made it on time ;-)

Nov 19, 2009 at 10:09 PM

bryanlindsey
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p.1 #10 · Short notice weddings...

maxwell1295 wrote: If someone called you today, would you be able to shoot it tomorrow?

This happened to me earlier this year - signed the contract on Thursday, wedding on Sunday. 50% cash deposit upon arrival.

Nov 19, 2009 at 10:29 PM

Victor S
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p.1 #11 · Short notice weddings...

If it was a Saturday morning and someone called me and asked me to do their wedding, I'd be like Hellz yeah! Cash first though!

Nov 19, 2009 at 10:40 PM

Miker Reid
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p.1 #12 · Short notice weddings...

If it was an emergency like a photog did not show up, I could just throw my stuff in the bag and go.
Certainly with a days notice I would be all set to go. I like that kind of OMG stuff...
The more pressure and energy the better for me.

Nov 19, 2009 at 11:16 PM

jcolman
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p.1 #13 · Short notice weddings...

I was a news shooter years ago so I'm use to dealing with last minute pressure. No big deal. If I'm not busy, I'll drop whatever it is I'm doing and go shoot the wedding.

Nov 19, 2009 at 11:34 PM

jefferies1
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p.1 #14 · Short notice weddings...

Think it was about 2 hours for a wedding. Just enough time to get dressed and get equipment from my studio.
Money is money. If I can get what I ask then why not.
For some non wedding events I have done them with no notice, being called driving home from my studio. Had the cameras and I keep everything charged and ready to go so why not take the business.

Not like I am doing something special to get ready for a wedding a week or two before. Just point out the bride and groom, mostly the groom since the bride is in the dress and I can figure out the rest as I go.

Nov 19, 2009 at 11:41 PM

Matt B.
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p.1 #15 · Short notice weddings...

TRReichman wrote:
I'd probably charge more for a next day service (right?) and I wouldn't refund out the engagement stuff thats included.

- trr

If you value what you'd be doing otherwise MORE than the actual cash you'd make from the wedding, then I'd certainly charge a premium for short notice shoots.

Nov 20, 2009 at 12:45 AM

Inku Yo
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p.1 #16 · Short notice weddings...

I wouldn't charge more than my usual fee for a "next day" wedding if I were available. Chances are that they're already in a bind. I'm not going to do something that makes me look like I'm trying to take advantage of them and their situation. Just my opinion.

Nov 20, 2009 at 02:11 AM

TRReichman
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p.1 #17 · Short notice weddings...

Inku Yo wrote:
I wouldn't charge more than my usual fee for a "next day" wedding if I were available. Chances are that they're already in a bind. I'm not going to do something that makes me look like I'm trying to take advantage of them and their situation. Just my opinion.

If I were a package system kind of guy I'm not sure I'd sell my lowest option. Just sayin'...

- trr

Nov 20, 2009 at 02:21 AM

mineymole
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p.1 #18 · Short notice weddings...

maxwell1295 wrote:
I got a call yesterday from the MoG asking if I was available for a wedding this Saturday.....3 days notice. Amazing.

We're signing the contract Friday eve with the wedding taking place Saturday at 11am. I did have to move an e-session back a day (to Sunday) in order to accommodate the request. No big deal there...

Out of curiousity, what's the shortest amount of lead time you've had prior to shooting a wedding? Better yet, provided you have an open date, how much notice would you need before booking a wedding? If someone called you today, would you be able to shoot it tomorrow?

Well it's off season here, so if I had a last minute call like this I would totally do it.

Nov 20, 2009 at 02:37 AM

Inku Yo
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p.1 #19 · Short notice weddings...

TRReichman wrote:
Inku Yo wrote:
I wouldn't charge more than my usual fee for a "next day" wedding if I were available. Chances are that they're already in a bind. I'm not going to do something that makes me look like I'm trying to take advantage of them and their situation. Just my opinion.

If I were a package system kind of guy I'm not sure I'd sell my lowest option. Just sayin'...

- trr

My lowest priced package is such that that's the minimum I'm willing to work for on any given day. Just sayin'...

Nov 20, 2009 at 03:06 AM

DavidM5
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p.1 #20 · Short notice weddings...

The same thing happened to me just last week!
I was booked on Friday 3pm for a Saturday wedding.
The initial last minute inquiry did come on Thursday morning though.

Nov 20, 2009 at 07:26 AM

lisy78
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p.1 #21 · Short notice weddings...

I'd do it. I'd have to charge them something extra for all the lithium batteries I'd have to go buy 'cause there's no way all my batteries would be ready to go (camera batteries yes, flash batteries fuggedaboutit) ... but I'd be all over it.

I THRIVE on time crunches and complications and problems ... it's an essential component of my day job, so I'd be all over it

That's not to say I mind having months' notice... 'cause I do

Nov 20, 2009 at 07:32 AM

christait
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p.1 #22 · Short notice weddings...

lisy78 wrote:
I'd do it. I'd have to charge them something extra for all the lithium batteries I'd have to go buy 'cause there's no way all my batteries would be ready to go (camera batteries yes, flash batteries fuggedaboutit) ...

Yeah, 12-hour charging times are a bit of a hindrance to the pick-up-and-shoot thing, but I think I'd be down for a last-minute wedding, even a shotgun wedding, if only for the guaranteed good story (and the right price, of course). I think a few of us would probably get along pretty well with the type of people who book their wedding 3 days in advance, to boot.

Nov 20, 2009 at 08:41 AM

asparkes
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p.1 #23 · Short notice weddings...

What are you charging that takes 12 hours? A car?

Nov 20, 2009 at 01:42 PM

AndyKellett
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p.1 #24 · Short notice weddings...

asparkes> What are you charging that takes 12 hours? A car?

Many sets of batteries and only two chargers. I like to allow about two evenings to get all the flash (AA) batteries charged with no rush. I'm building 6v sla battery packs to use for next year. They also work great for portable radios and flashlights.
Best,
Andy

Nov 20, 2009 at 01:57 PM

joezasada
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p.1 #25 · Short notice weddings...

shortest notice for me was 8 days... but on the DJ side I've jumped on shows with <2 hours notice (last minute disasters from other companies). If the cash is good enough it can move mountains (or get last minute contractors)

Nov 20, 2009 at 08:10 PM


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