p.2 #1 · When was your first international affair?
The third wedding I ever shot (yes, the THIRD) was a wedding in northern Wales. I certainly was not "ready" in some senses. I would give almost anything to be back there and having that opportunity again with the level my craft is now at. But, i still did a good job with where I was in my career.
p.2 #2 · When was your first international affair?
I shot a conference in Vienna in March. Perhaps I was naive, but I was careful to ask the customs agents about my gear to make sure I would be able to return with it. I've also done two shoots in Canada, and the only concern those customs agents had was whether I intended to sell the equipment in Canada. (Same concern in Vienna.)
Then again, academic conferences are likely not a red flag, though in 2004 when I entered Canada for a conference the customs agent grilled me over whether I was being paid to give my presentation. He was very skeptical that I would be giving a talk without being paid; he was incredulous that I would have to pay for the conference, transportation, and room/board to speak! I laughed and shrugged: That's the way it is in academia.
So I appreciate the advice not to mention weddings, and not to carry contracts in your camera bag. My main concern is whether or not my equipment will be subject to duty on return, and I am grateful for your experiences.
p.2 #3 · When was your first international affair?
lightpix wrote:
So I appreciate the advice not to mention weddings, and not to carry contracts in your camera bag. My main concern is whether or not my equipment will be subject to duty on return, and I am grateful for your experiences.
We do quite a number of destination weddings per year and love them!
For sure do not mention that you are working.
Take along a reasonable amount of gear to do the job.
For customs, in Canada, before leaving the country, at the airport, we can go to the customs office with our gear and have the serial numbers recorded on a form which they stamp and date to indicate that you have possession of the said gear in your home country.
This facilitates returning home and proving that you already had the camera gear.
For the US, be prepared to answer questions like:-
1) Purpose of your visit (duh!)
2) Your line of work.
3) How long you are staying.
4) If you say that you are visiting friends, they may ask how long you know them, their names etc.
Have all your answers prepared and do not look nervous!
Bring along a friend/girlfriend/wife and make a holiday out of it!
p.2 #5 · When was your first international affair?
BKphotography wrote:
Don't do it!
Too many guns over there... and not to mention the food which is VERY fatty.
They put bacon on everything!
Also, if it isn't bacon it's probably made from corn syrup.
You ever heard Christian rock?
All their good male actors are not American.
Need I go on?
GFY........ HAHAH kidding...
I agree, our food is shit. Horrible for you but tastes so damn good. Come to PGH. We have a sandwich that to Europeans, would be able to feed 3 or 4 people. But we crush it in one sitting per person. Primanti Sandwich Slaw and fries pilled on top of whatever fat sandwich you are having. Plus we take it down with a few 22 oz beers.
p.2 #6 · When was your first international affair?
My first one was in Asia. I hope to do a little more in the future, somewhere in Europe maybe. A new environment is always interesting to me to create something unique.
p.2 #8 · When was your first international affair?
Am I the only one appalled by all the advice to LIE and falsify entry papers rather than doing things the legal and RIGHT way? Or is all this bad advice coming from non-professionals that just don't know better?
If you're going to do it, do it the right way: legally and above-board. Your customers will appreciate your professionalism and honesty.
p.2 #9 · When was your first international affair?
John Patrick wrote:
Am I the only one appalled by all the advice to LIE and falsify entry papers rather than doing things the legal and RIGHT way? Or is all this bad advice coming from non-professionals that just don't know better?
If you're going to do it, do it the right way: legally and above-board. Your customers will appreciate your professionalism and honesty.
John
I appreciate what you saying John.
If we were to do it the legal way, we would be doing a whole lot less destination weddings.
The costs and hoops you have to jump through to arrange the paperwork is not always feasible.
p.2 #10 · When was your first international affair?
DavidM5 wrote:
I appreciate what you saying John.
If we were to do it the legal way, we would be doing a whole lot less destination weddings.
The costs and hoops you have to jump through to arrange the paperwork is not always feasible.
You do realize that's the entire point, right? A nation is attempting to protect the business interests of its citizens by making it so that foreign workers need to pay (or at least play by equal rules) to perform paid duties.
Once you price your destination wedding shoots accordingly, couples will start to weigh the correct costs against using a local, native photographer, thereby no longer circumventing national and local taxes and regulations.
