What Goes Into A Wedding

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Archive 2010 · What Goes Into A Wedding

tonyhart
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p.1 #1 · What Goes Into A Wedding

Hi guys,

Don't know if this will be of any interest to you all, but I've just finished writing a rather overly long piece about what goes into shooting a wedding. I didn't mean it to be so long, but it was inspired by the blog post a while back from the bride who asked whether photographers and brain surgeons had a common bond. I think you might recall it!

Anyway, not so much by way of response as by way of inspiration - the bride asked some legitimate questions - I wrote this piece about the behind the scenes. Apologies for it's considerable length!

Edited by Steve Tinetti on Mar 16, 2010 at 08:45 PM

Mar 16, 2010 at 08:29 PM

tonyhart
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p.1 #2 · What Goes Into A Wedding

Ah. Apologies chaps. Didn't realise that was one of the house rules.

Mar 16, 2010 at 09:04 PM

Chris Beaumont
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p.1 #3 · What Goes Into A Wedding

I read Tony's blog post here - http://cogitations.co.uk/files/what_goes_into_a_wedding.html - and found it quite interesting.

Pretty sure that's allowed, very informative article Tony, thanks.

On topic - I personally believe this is a very important area, I've very much for informing my brides how much work goes on behind the scenes, even though I'm quite cheap by UK general standards, I'm actually about twice the price of the majority of the other wedding shooters around here, it has of course popped up a couple of times in initial meetings, and I'm happy to be able to say that usually by the end of the meeting, and, especially, by the time their album is done, they really appreciate how much extra effort I put in over the 'shoot n burn' guys, that I genuinely believe in doing the best possible job for their unique day rather than just seeing their wedding day as a chance to make a quick buck.

Mar 16, 2010 at 09:10 PM

lindabrowne
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p.1 #4 · What Goes Into A Wedding

Hi Tony,

A very thorough article. When I got to this: "This article has spilled to a much greater length than I intended", I laughed as I was wondering if any brides reading it would stay with it that long! Posting it here would be good. A big plus for posting it in threads instead of just a link is that months and years later it's still in the archives while the link may have changed.

I've started a similar article inspired partly by that same blog posting, but moreso by some of my own clients/friends/family. One of my earlier clients said "it's only one day's work, after all!". How far from the truth that is. Even if I get the workflow down to one-day processing, it's still so much than two days put into it. Not to mention the limited days clients usually get married on (if my July 24 and Aug 14 inquiries would choose days I'm free, I'd be booked full for this summer), plus all the expenses, overhead, etc.

Linda

Mar 16, 2010 at 09:26 PM

maxwell1295
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p.1 #5 · What Goes Into A Wedding

I skimmed through it really quickly, but I'll read it thoroughly when I get back from the shoot I'm running out for. Some really good info in there from what I could see.

Something I noticed that didn't sound right:
"This first run through is about selecting the rejects. I shoot upwards of 2000 images at a standard wedding and culling the junk is the first stage."

And then:
"At this stage I've normally reduced the selection down to somewhere between 300-500 images. I then take an enforced break. 2000+ photos is a lot to look through and after a while you end up going a little photo numb."

I'm not sure I'd tell clients that upwards 1500-1700 of their images are junk. Unless I read it wrong, of course......if so, I apologize.

Mar 16, 2010 at 09:33 PM

TTLKurtis
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p.1 #6 · What Goes Into A Wedding

Yeah I thought this was an enjoyable read.

I've got no problem with this being linked, personally.

Mar 16, 2010 at 09:59 PM

BKphotography
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p.1 #7 · What Goes Into A Wedding

I don't read too well... nice photos though Tony!

Mar 16, 2010 at 10:41 PM

tonyhart
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p.1 #8 · What Goes Into A Wedding

Glad to hear that it was interesting/of value to a few people. Thanks for the feedback Max, adjusted the article ever so slightly to make clear that only 15% or so of the images (the rejects) are classified as junk. Added an extra sentence to hopefully make that clearer.

Mar 17, 2010 at 12:40 AM

tonebag
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p.1 #9 · What Goes Into A Wedding

Tony, fantastic article! It may appear long but your writing style makes for an easy read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A absolute must-read for all brides and weekend warrior wannabees.

Thanks for sharing.

Mar 17, 2010 at 01:27 PM

ichiban
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p.1 #10 · What Goes Into A Wedding

Good read, thank you sir.

Mar 17, 2010 at 10:26 PM

Keith Flood
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p.1 #11 · What Goes Into A Wedding

Thanks Tony, you sum up in words what I generally do as well but I could not write it down nearly as well as you have.

Cheers, Keith

Mar 22, 2010 at 02:17 AM

tonyhart
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p.1 #12 · What Goes Into A Wedding

I had a call this weekend while away in Wales that is obliquely related to this thread. Groom called enquiring as to my pricing structure and packages. I asked about the date and venue and explained that my pricing started from £950. His reply? "Ahhh... that might be a little on the steep side". I asked what his budget was, to which he told me that he'd come across another photographer who could offer him the entire edited wedding, on disc, with 50 prints for £250 and that ideally they were looking for £250 or less all in.

I politely told him that while I might be able to offer him a discount, I couldn't even begin to approach £250 for full day coverage as a professional photographer.

I'm not in the least bit surprised that there are people out there looking for, or doing this, but it made me think of this thread/article. I wished him the best of luck with his wedding photography. At that price he'll either need it or need not to care!

Tony

Mar 22, 2010 at 01:03 PM


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