Property division discussions seem to be wrapping up…
Photo shot from a now damaged Bradley during a high speed pass…used a 300 f/4 shot from gun port, hand held… on the fly, as the lens rental co. wanted their 800 back after finding what it would be used for…
I know you're doing this for a friend, but have you even assisted photographing a divorce? Tackling your first divorce assignment without getting a little experience under your belt may not be the best idea. A lot of people start with pre-divorce photography, taking the images that are will be used as evidence on divorce day, then work their way up to actual divorce events.
One thing any experienced divorce photographer will tell you is have plenty of backup equipment: at least a second camera, lenses, batteries, flashes, cards, and Tazer. And keep those lens hoods on, you may have all sorts of things flying at your front element.
Get plenty of shots of the ex-bride. She'll have dieted, had a makeover, and anything else she can have done to look better on divorce day than she has in years. She may scream and throw some things at you right now, but after she's remarried and put those 20 pounds back on she'll be asking for copies of all the photos from this special day.
Is there going to be a separate videographer? You might be able to coordinate lighting and risks with him or her.
RCicala wrote:
I know you're doing this for a friend, but have you even assisted photographing a divorce? Tackling your first divorce assignment without getting a little experience under your belt may not be the best idea. A lot of people start with pre-divorce photography, taking the images that are will be used as evidence on divorce day, then work their way up to actual divorce events.
One thing any experienced divorce photographer will tell you is have plenty of backup equipment: at least a second camera, lenses, batteries, flashes, cards, and Tazer. And keep those lens hoods on, you may have all sorts of things flying at your front element.
Get plenty of shots of the ex-bride. She'll have dieted, had a makeover, and anything else she can have done to look better on divorce day than she has in years. She may scream and throw some things at you right now, but after she's remarried and put those 20 pounds back on she'll be asking for copies of all the photos from this special day.
Is there going to be a separate videographer? You might be able to coordinate lighting and risks with him or her. ...Show more →
Being a frequent visitor to the wedding forum, this one made me laugh. Thanks, Roger!
RCicala wrote:
I know you're doing this for a friend, but have you even assisted photographing a divorce? Tackling your first divorce assignment without getting a little experience under your belt may not be the best idea. A lot of people start with pre-divorce photography, taking the images that are will be used as evidence on divorce day, then work their way up to actual divorce events.
I was under the assumption that pre-divorce photography and wedding photography were very much one in the same, only separated by an arbitrary time period…determined by various habits, both learned and acquired, resulting in irreconcilable differences . I read part of a book one evening on The Art of Photographing the Wedding, and How to make Standout Pictures without having to stand out in the rain…
I’ve never meet anyone who survived….I mean became an experienced divorce photographer to be able to take advantage from their mistakes and learn from their successes…
When I applied for advice in the Wedding Forum, I was met with words and phrases I didn’t understand, and quite frankly, don’t believe I want to from the context that was used…
I’m looking for sound, useable advice I can apply and trust, to use in future endeavors as I advance my new found career…
fredmaurer wrote:
Talking about "insurance", a little OT, but who would have guessed such a thing exists!
(Not a commercial endorsement)
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This gives me reason to continue and become successful, just knowing there ARE others out there that share my ambition and drive in my chosen field of photography…
How do you pack this glass for travel...would it fit in the standard B1B bombay or do I need something special like the B2?...I may have access to a used B-52, and with a GPS driven tail section added and remote wireless, it could be delivered over the site as the proceedings begin...that may be the way to do this...
There are many who believe that when there could be a risk to the front element, such as from hazardous or dangerous materials flying about, that it is a fine idea to a protective UV filter. Consider this.
Given that the time between your first shot and the point when the subject acquires his/her target may be rather limited, it could be advantageous to have a camera with a very high burst mode rate and deep buffer to ensure that you are able to capture sufficient frames - both for the client and also to provide evidence at later court proceedings. This could speak for the 1Dx, though some might prefer the fastest Nikon model in this case.
Also, in terms of minimizing your exposure, though not, unfortunately, eliminating it, you should consider using a laptop and an application such as those provided with the camera or possibly others to remotely operate the camera and see the live view screen images.
I also recommend drawing up a list of next of kin, getting your directive and will in order, and so forth.
Enjoy.
Jefferson wrote:
I may have the opportunity to shoot a friends divorce proceedings in the near future…rather than taking the chance of having an expensive lens such as a 35L…50L…or 85L destroyed by flying objects, I was thinking more along the lines of the 500 f/4L, on a 1.6 crop body, for the serving of the divorce papers, as that should give me a safe distance from flying objects at the time of the serve….and maybe a rented 800 f/5.6L for the “finals”, understanding the subject has a pretty good arm and a firearms permit…of course, insurance will be in play to cover any loses both to equipment and bodily injury…
I can’t use the 1200 f/5.6 because SI said no and it is too hard to run with will seeking cover…
Any reasonable suggestions would be appreciated,
Jefferson ...Show more →
RCicala wrote:
I know you're doing this for a friend, but have you even assisted photographing a divorce? Tackling your first divorce assignment without getting a little experience ...
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Is there going to be a separate videographer? You might be able to coordinate lighting and risks with him or her. Great one Roger! You've given me the confidence to answer frankly:
As an experienced wedding photographer who has divorced from the FM wedding forum, I feel that I can offer advice from a background of rationality and purity that could be of value to you.
First of all, you must abandon the idea that a Zeiss 3D look or f/1.2 bokeh will cause your clients to fawn over you and buy truckloads of canvas prints. The most important aspect of both wedding and divorce photography is capturing emotion. If you can show how the soon to be ex-wife feels as she tears up the once-prized wedding photo, it won't matter if the old print is a bit out of focus. As for the new shot, even focusing on her further eye rather than the near one will pale in significance compared to the expression on her face. The ex-husband will pay big bucks for your shot, I assure you.
The biggest difference between the business of wedding photography and that of divorce photography is that parents add a lot to your bottom line in the former, whereas in the latter it is friends who will pay. Consider that the ex-husband's "friends" may want pictures of his former wife. Do not overlook the chance to sell digital downloads through a web hosting service. Also, learn to use Facebook and Twitter to your advantage, but beware of Pinterest. You may wish to be careful that all of your divorce pics are watermarked through the center with your URL.
Good luck in this new phase of your career! Remember that today's divorcees are tomorrow's brides, and today's newly single men are tomorrow's angry wannabees.
Great one Roger! You've given me the confidence to answer frankly: