marti.g3 wrote:
I agree.....to me, just about anyone can shoot candids of that portion. Now that's not to say that there aren't many awesome shooters here who put out unique getting ready captures. I just feel my time could be put to better use for my client.
To be honest, I think that just blows out the water the whole point of it. Setting up a series of staged photos would tire on me very quickly. Of course, we could probably shoot the entire day in an hour if we had a preconception of everything, but not everyone likes or wants this - granted, it works for some (many), so to each their own.
I think photographers like the "getting ready" part because there tends to be a ton of time and almost no expectations so it is an opportunity to indulge trying to get creative with details or the mundanity of the preparations. I do feel that over time I've found that clients care less about it than photographers, although that is obviously a generalization that doesn't cover everyone. I'd much rather start at putting on the dress since most of my clients/parents/etc would rather be ready than photographed in the middle of prep. I also no longer try to prove how clever I am by shooting details and prep so I've lost interest in overshooting that part of the day. My clients often leave it out of the album.
marti.g3 wrote:
Even though it may be way more "fun" for us, wouldn't the first look and portraits be more important as time passes and emotion of the wedding day fades ? I would rather have more time to photograph artistic, beautiful images of a bride and groom than them in their skivvies. Some photos of that part of the day are fine, but devoting hours to that seems like overkill in the scope of importance. IMHO.
...people value different things, place important on different things. I know brides that HATE posed portraits of B&G's, and would just not want this at all on their wedding day. If you don't like the morning and don't feel it really has much value in comparison, then in part I think you have to work with that for your own business. If, for example, you feel portraits are the most important element of the day then show this, show why people should care.
There is no right or wrong here. Do what you want.
I think many women look forward to their wedding day their whole life. The dress, flowers, trappings, not to mention a strapping young lad. I feel that the getting ready photos kind of encapsulates that whole part of their life. The "getting ready" part. Depending on the type of photography you are doing, it can be really important, or totally non-consequential. The more of a storyteller you are trying to be the more important those parts are.
TRReichman wrote:
I think photographers like the "getting ready" part because there tends to be a ton of time and almost no expectations so it is an opportunity to indulge trying to get creative with details or the mundanity of the preparations. I do feel that over time I've found that clients care less about it than photographers, although that is obviously a generalization that doesn't cover everyone. I'd much rather start at putting on the dress since most of my clients/parents/etc would rather be ready than photographed in the middle of prep. I also no longer try to prove how clever I am by shooting details and prep so I've lost interest in overshooting that part of the day. My clients often leave it out of the album.
Did you finally win the battle over details with Jaime? Details are the least important thing to me in terms of getting-ready (and really just in general).
I enjoy shooting getting ready depending on the vibe in the room but the fact of the matter is - of the 20 or so albums I printed in the last year there were very few pages devoted to that part of the day. Much fewer than the proportion of getting ready images delivered overall.
One of my brides didn't want coverage for it initially but her mom asked her to get it because it was important to her. It's a special time with her family, before she is whisked off by the groom and is busy with other guests. I enjoy it but I hate the dress shot (the one of it hanging on a hanger). To me a dress is infinitely more beautiful on its bride, curves filling it all in the right places. And yes I capture the dress shot though anyways because clients want/expect this. I even include it now and then in the blog highlights.
The bride should be almost fully made up though because most brides will like the photos of her face with make up over the without.
ricardovaste wrote:
To be honest, I think that just blows out the water the whole point of it. Setting up a series of staged photos would tire on me very quickly. Of course, we could probably shoot the entire day in an hour if we had a preconception of everything, but not everyone likes or wants this - granted, it works for some (many), so to each their own.
It depends on where you prioritize the shots. You will sacrifice one for the other either way and no client ever is hanging images of guys shaving or putting on a shirt on their wall so why are you prioritizing the other way around.
We have to get away from being precious little artist and worry about doing the best overall coverage we can for the clients. Getting ready stuff can waste time and prevent you getting more of the images the client will display.
Marcus Watts wrote:
It depends on where you prioritize the shots. You will sacrifice one for the other either way and no client ever is hanging images of guys shaving or putting on a shirt on their wall so why are you prioritizing the other way around.
We have to get away from being precious little artist and worry about doing the best overall coverage we can for the clients. Getting ready stuff can waste time and prevent you getting more of the images the client will display.
Again, I disagree.
Ever consider that because you're taking the same images, someone shaving, that people don't display them or value the, over others, because they just feel like "stock"? Similar to what I wrote above, if you don't feel this part of the day is important, you dearly reflect that in how you do business - but this is not the same for everyone, so no point tarring everyone with the same brush.
Yes - I have people specifically want and value this part over any other part of the day and yes they display these images. Weird, eh.
Ever consider that because you're taking the same images, someone shaving, that people don't display them or value the, over others, because they just feel like "stock"? Similar to what I wrote above, if you don't feel this part of the day is important, you dearly reflect that in how you do business - but this is not the same for everyone, so no point tarring everyone with the same brush.
Yes - I have people specifically want and value this part over any other part of the day and yes they display these images. Weird, eh.
I didn't say it is not important. I am saying to can get the exact same shot and free up your time to get more shots and the ones that clients want.
If you get some clients displaying a shaving shot i highly doubt that this would ever be the norm for most of your clients. If it were the norm then yes that would be very weird.
For those who do want it show me an image that cannot be set up to look just as good. There is no reason it has to be less creative. In fact you will find more control will allow you to get a cleaner shot and in less time.
Mocking it up will get you the same or better shots and allow you more time for quality portraits as well. Purely from a business perspective that is a better option.
Of course you can do what you like. There is just nothing pure or beneficial to standing around waiting for those things to happen over setting them up.
I believe that yes, they are really important cause in that moments you can tell the emotion, the tension o f the beginning.
More importante than photos caught after, when she's dressed.
I'm agree that we can do also great photos after the getting ready: it's like shoot a model: make up, dress, location, etc
But that photos seemes to be more false, like a fashion shooting.
The best condition is to take both but usually we don't have the time to do it
Marcus Watts wrote:
It depends on where you prioritize the shots. You will sacrifice one for the other either way and no client ever is hanging images of guys shaving or putting on a shirt on their wall so why are you prioritizing the other way around.
We have to get away from being precious little artist and worry about doing the best overall coverage we can for the clients. Getting ready stuff can waste time and prevent you getting more of the images the client will display.
Those are my feelings. Spending an hour or two on "getting ready" photos seems like a waste to me. In my career, I've never had a bride order a 16x20 print of her putting her dress on or request a two page spread of her getting her lipstick applied by her makeup artist.
I have had brides specifically request the in-the-mirror shot, which isn't my favorite but that's OK.
I like the getting ready photos because it's a good time to get to know the bridesmaids and mom a little and get them on your side, which can be hugely helpful as the day wears on.
From a photography standpoint, there always seems to be a moment between mother and daughter or the bride and her sister (or aunt or cousin or whoever) that captures the emotion of the day. We don't direct any of that other to ask if the bride wants us to be there when she puts on her dress. Some do, some don't.
Of course, if it's a choice between two hours with the bride and groom and two hours while they get ready, we want the portrait session but I don't think I've ever had it come down to that.
