Category Archives: Bride / wedding discussion

March 4 bridal show The Factory, Franklin TN. – Be there or be square :)

That’s right, I will be a featured vendor at my second Factory bridal show put on by Here Comes The Brides. http://herecomethebridesbridalshow.com/ I will be getting a bunch of complimentary admission tickets I can distribute, just ask if you have interest in attending and I will provide you with tickets while supplies last. Please let me know asap, I will not be mailing any out after the 28th of February, as it may not arrive in time. :) There are 5 other middle Tennessee wedding photographers besides me, and there will also be venue representatives, bakers, videographers, photo booths, dress and formal wear shoppes, etc. It’s kindof sad that some people view these shows as merely a way to get free trinkets. Sure, that’s a nice touch, but attending these shows is also a great way to get ideas, and get to know the vendors who made an effort and investment to be a part of the show. It’s a way to get face to face with your vendors, which is an effective screening and qualifying process. Also the visual presentations that are at the booths give brides a better idea of what that vendor offers.

For this show, I will have a few more mounted prints than last show, and have added 2 new furnishings to use for extra print display, that I found at a local thrift store, M&M Furniture at Riverside Village East Nashville. Here is a map of Riverside Village http://www.riversidevillagenashville.com/map.htm and another for the shop, though they don’t have a dedicated website. http://wikimapia.org/14812532/M-M-Furniture . I will be having Midtown Printing re do the crappy brochures that the last printer totally botched. LOL. Many good things in the future that I look forward to, this show definitely being a huge one for me! Please stop by and say hi, and please tell any friends or family who will be, or are planning a wedding. :) There will also be a fashion show with dresses and mens’ formalwear. I hope to see you there!

Random / candid details at weddings can really be great!

I had the pleasure of shooting a small, and fairly brief, but fast paced wedding at a sweet little country chapel, utilizing nice natural window light. The ceremony and the bride and groom / wedding party portraits were already done. The cake cutting and best man speech was done, so I was working the room getting some random reception candids. Just to capture a journalistic mood. To me, those fly on the wall moments are what makes the wedding photography tell a successful story, and many couples are seeing it that way too. Photographs from a skilled wedding photographer should have a different feel from those guests take. Often these candid / journalistic wedding photos are done without the guests even knowing it. When I am working an event, that’s my goal to blend in rather than distract them and have them pose. I learned this from street photography years ago. Seeing that animation of people interacting and shaking hands, having a drink together, etc. are best captured undisturbed. I am sure wildlife photographers would agree with that approach when photographing their subjects, LOL.

 

I just happened to walk past the bride and groom table, and there was a mirror like serving tray on their table. I saw them stand up and get ready for a bride and groom dance, and as they stood up and embraced, I saw their reflection in the serving tray. Rather than photograph them in the normal fashion, I focused on their reflection in the serving tray, and it created a totally different, but dynamic result. I had all of 3 or 4 seconds to capture it before they moved. Because it was a reflection, it was upside down. With a rotation of the image and working on some highlight and shadows while making black and white, I realized I had a very rich, and intimate moment captured, in a unique way. My only risk was missing that image of them together, but there were many others…..and the potential to get something different that made a statement  far outweighed the risk of taking that spur of the moment chance. The couple loved that photo, which really made it worth doing and thinking on my feet. I can only hope for future weddings, I don’t miss those chances and take advantage of those opportunities :)

One question some brides ask, but it’s a moot question

I’ve very rarely ever had any couple who has booked me ask me this, as one of their primary concerns. It’s “How many photos do we get?” I will address why this is not really possible to answer, and why it doesn’t even matter. Every wedding event is different, they all move at different paces, it also depends how many setups and necessary, and how many different locations we use in the day. It just seems odd to me that when a couple sees how well that wedding photographer can tell the story for other couples, the thought of how many still enters their mind. I can understand the couple wanting their day documented and not missing key events, but whether there is 300 photos, or 3,000, the value for the service provided isn’t necessarily higher just because of a higher number of images shot. There are some photographers who shot large quantities who do it very well…..and others just shoot a bunch of repeats of the same thing, and in turn make work for the couple when viewing them. LOTS of work.

 

It all depends on the size of the wedding for starters. My particular approach when I photograph weddings is to capture some location details, and take my time looking around first, that way it comes to me faster when shooting, what is most interesting. And to make sure I get enough to choose from, with every part of the event. I’m not a rapid fire shooter for several reasons. First one being, if I was, I’d be in those peoples’ faces every minute of the day, and then they might as well hire a videographer instead, lol. I enjoy capturing random and natural candid moods, and that means often stepping back and being ready when it happens. And I find those are the photos people love the most. Dancing photos, etc. from the reception, I like to think about using lighting and properly composing my images rather than just shoot like gangbusters. I find this way I am more efficient with telling the story and not just having a bunch of duplicates or blinkers. And the clients get enough, and then some. Also I am less invasive to their event, but yet am still a fun part of it.

 

I had a bride tell me that her friend got married and she had to view a proof gallery of 2,000 images, and her wedding was medium sized at best. She was overwhelmed and started balling because it would take an age to look through all those, to make prints or an album. For an album, 100-150 photos is enough to tell the story for just about any size wedding. Even less for a small wedding. Looking through thousands would make that process all the more difficult. I’m not saying larger quantities are automatically decreased quality, but it also doesn’t automatically mean better value. Think about why you hire a wedding photographer. To tell your story about you, your life as a couple, and your families, as well as your dream wedding day. The same way, you have a house built because of how well it’s built, not how many nails the contractors use. :)

What I look for in wedding clients

As clients have to qualify vendors, we also have to do the same to some extent. I can’t speak for every photographer, but for me, this is how I process things. For me, it’s not all about clients with large budgets. It’s more about working with organized clients with realistic budgets, I find they are the best to work with and truly value the services I provide for them. I have gotten a decent amount of wedding photography inquiries lately which is great, but it’s a similar process to looking at a used car you’re selling on Craigslist. You may get many calls or email inquiries, but unless they come look at it and make an offer, they aren’t serious buyers.  The first thing many clients have to do is make sure that photographer is able to suit their needs, as well as work within their budget within reason, so that may be part of the initial qualifying process for them. In which case I will respond by email and explain how my packages work, and ask them further details about their event and set up a time to talk in greater detail, so I can finalize my quote to them. I am always cordial and inviting to everyone, and try to provide them the necessary information they need to get the ball rolling, but it’s only the preliminary.

 

Just like the Craigslist analogy, not everyone is a fit to do business with everyone else. My package pricing is reasonable, but I’m not the cheapest by any means, nor the most expensive. But I believe in my heart that I will provide a great product to prospective clients, and will take good care of them. If price is someone’s only concern, the chances of them doing business with me are approaching slim. Because there are a slew of people doing all day $500.00 weddings, however, the informed client can see the value in hiring a professional photographer when they compare, as there are no do overs for wedding photography. Jumping through hoops for those price point people has proven to be less fruitful, mainly not even because of their budget, but because of them not being willing to put work and communication into anything, and not being organized. Therefore, I’d likely have underbid a wedding I was not happy with, and the client isn’t happy either because they wanted a Mercedes for the price of a Kia, or their own disorganization made the event a catastrophe. Not fair for anyone involved.

 

Ask any bride who had a successful wedding, she will tell you that there was hours of communication with the photographer before and after the event, so the during time could run as smooth as a Rolex watch. Shortcuts do not create favorable results. The questions more informed and organized clients ask before selecting a wedding vendor / photographer are of course what can be offered in their price range, etc. but it doesn’t end there, is my point. By then they have already established that they feel a connection between my work and their wedding. They generally want to know how much time I have spent in my field, if I am insured, if I will be there for them years from now, if God forbid anything happen to their wedding photos in a fire or flood, etc. (well, no one knows this, but from a business solidarity standpoint I mean). Also that I understand their needs, and am flexible, and easy to get a hold of. It’s the accountability that also separates the professionals from the hobbyists who are charging people to photograph them. I’ll take someone who knows and trusts my work, yet is clear about their needs, even if borderline demanding, that’s fine, I know where I stand and know what I have to do. Generally people like that have no problem establishing what they can spend for what coverage, and make additions or sacrifices to suit. And have a better organized wedding and a product they are pleased with, as opposed to those with tunnel vision or hire the first person who gives them a price they like. No one likes to lose business, I sure don’t. But successful business creates more successful business, and that makes for a successful business. It’s about the big picture :)

 

 

Patience is key when choosing wedding vendors.

Of course for any sizable wedding, a good planner is a sound investment, and I don’t mean a bride turned planner. I specify this because they already know reputable vendors who they have experience working with. But if you are not using a planner, I do have these very important tips for selecting any wedding vendors, whether officiants, DJ’s, wedding photographers, florists, venues, etc. I know it’s a lot of work, but start early enough to secure your date, don’t wait until the final 3 months and expect to get your picks and have it organized. Also, avoid contacting random vendors for a quick response, and going with the first person who tells you what you want to hear. Asking others for recommendations is always a good plan. Now I will move this towards selecting photographers, although the same techniques still apply. If searching Google, look carefully at their website, and quality of work and overall style and how the style of your wedding corresponds with the style of that photographer’s work. Take time to read any info sections, and only if you are interested in that photographer, bookmark the site. This way you have more information before you even contact them. And the list is narrowed down as opposed to blasting the contact forms of many photographers. If you were browsing sites of photographers’ sites you didn’t feel a connection to, there’s no need to bookmark that site or contact them. This way it streamlines the process. Rather than typing out mass contact inquiries as you go, this is a better organized way to go, and you remember who you are talking to when they respond, because you went with quality over quantity. In the end, it’s far less work than not taking time to research them with a closer look before contacting them.

 

Think of that person you know who wandered into a car dealership who was anxious to get a car. Sometimes the worse you want it, the worse you get it. If that person took a little more time to research the dealer, and the type of vehicle they want, as well as financial aspects of the transaction, they are far less likely to engage in a deal that they’ll regret, like too high a payment or interest rate, etc. Some people just can’t get past the fact that looking more carefully before they discuss business takes more time up front, and they compartmentalize how much they have to do, well that’s a mistake. If you look more up front, contact fewer, and make one informed decision, two positive things will happen. The quality of their vendor is generally better, and they save time and aggravation in the end. Also, involve your future spouse in these decisions, as well as get opinions of those you know and trust, when narrowing down your selections. Overall it’s about making a better decision, because of being patient and diligent. This also means that the initial conversation has to go beyond price. More to come about how I, as a vendor, qualify my clients as they would qualify me.

How and why wedding photographers arrive at their rates

I met with a couple not too long ago, and when I showed them my package options and prices, the bride seemed to be pleased with what she saw. The groom raised an eyebrow a little bit, and said, wow, I am in the wrong business. I’m just curious, how do you arrive at the prices charged in your packages? Well, I’d much rather be asked this while they are there and listening, so it’s not a bad thing at all, and hopefully my explanation helped educate the client. I definitely don’t claim to be the cheapest, but I’m not the most expensive either. As an industry standard, I am pretty modest in my pricing, but am in no way out to compete with the lowball price point shooters. I can keep my cost down some by not having high commercial studio rent.

Part of the prices commanded are based on how often we work, as well as cost of doing business. And I made it clear to them that I was not explaining this to get sympathy because it was my choice to get into this field, and I don’t regret it. First came countless hours developing my craft and gathering the necessary equipment and skill to start a studio, as well as assisting and second shooting for another photographer for a much lower rate than shooting them for myself. But that’s the responsible way to get into wedding photographer. I bring 15-20 thousand dollars worth of equipment to weddings. I have backup everything should there be any equipment failure. Backup camera body, several lenses, backup flashes, memory cards, radio slaves, etc. I also bring studio lighting for group formal portraits, to ensure there will be enough light to fill a dark church or overpower daytime sunlight. I am also hiring an assistant during weddings to help things stay moving and organized. Liability insurance is also an expense I incur, but it’s required by many venues, and it’s crazy to photograph any wedding or events without it. Not to mention professional organization memberships, marketing and advertising expense, time networking. How ever much time I spend photographing your wedding, on average, 3 times amount that time is spent behind the computer getting the images retouched and ready for the client. Not even counting time cropping or printing, or album design. Also not including the time I spend with each couple prior to the wedding. So however much per hour it looks like we make on the surface, with all the equations to consider, that gets watered down considerably, but it’s all worth it if the referral business kicks in and it’s enjoyable for all.

Sure, there are price point hobbyist photographers out there who will do it cheaper than me. I am not out to compete with them because they don’t offer the same product, or accountability to the client. Kindof like hiring the kid who mows your lawn to trim a 40 foot high tree. Maybe he can get it done…..but maybe if he trims a limb wrong will cause a limb to fall on the roof of your house and damage it, or crush a gutter. Or he falls out of the tree and breaks his arm. And if the homeowners’ insurance policy finds out you didn’t hire a licensed and insured contractor, they may not cover the damage. Nor would that kid have the insurance to cover damage to your house, as a professional tree specialist would. It may mean the difference between paying $200 and $600, but saving that money on an unqualified person can be much much more costly. And a wedding is an event with no do overs. There are probably 3 thousand Nashville area wedding photographers. Out of that number there might be 300-400 who fit the professional criteria listed above, and offer that accountability to the customer. Price and budget is a factor for sure, but cutting corners is not saving. Worth thinking about :)

Tips for grooms, making photos more bearable

I’m a guy myself, and have definitely gone through my own camera shy periods. I get it. Things like engagement photos, wedding photos, bride and groom photos and wedding group portraits aren’t most mens’ cup of tea. The wise man realizes how much the wedding means to his future wife, and tried his best to be interactive in the process, rather than dumping it all on her. And tries his best to put his game face on. One thing I have seen is that the brides think ahead when they think of the lifelong importance of photos and album, etc. even for future generations. The guys are usually like, ok, whatever she says, LOL! But then later on they appreciate it, but by then if they hadn’t done it, it would be too late, it’s just how the genders are wired most of the time :)

 

It’s ok not to be totally into it deep down inside, but the best tips I can offer you are to discuss with your future bride about the themes that are important to the both of you, and discuss any camera shy fears you have with one another. This is win win, as vulnerability strengthens trust. And that way you can work together to alleviate camera shyness. Practice in the mirror, even just making different expressions and relaxing your face muscles from time to time, just make sure friends and co workers aren’t watching, LOL! If you’ve packed on a few pounds over the Winter and the wedding is in 2 months, just do what you can in the meantime. Even one month of eating right and hitting the gym and doing some cardio 3 times a week can produce some noticeable results. Even if you want to lose 20 pounds, and can effectively do the first 1o, that does wonders for self esteem and comfort on camera, as well as seeing your guests. Showing your bride you are willing to put forth some effort is a great way to start your lives together, it’s about give and take. Hey, if you can hang out with your friend’s date’s friend who you aren’t attracted to, in order to be wing man for your best friend, this seems easy in comparison. A good wedding photographer can help ease the process and help make everyone comfortable and enjoy the process.

December engagement session, fun and colorful!

I don’t know what’s going on lately……I still love my black and white photography, no worries. But the farm wedding, and the last 2 engagement sessions I did, were all so rich and colorful, I just could not bring myself to make any of them black and white. But each photo has to speak to us as artists as presented a certain way, which is why the retouching and selection process is worth spending enough time on. I met this nice couple through the last bridal show, so we went with a nice December engagement photo session. It was nice to have an interactive couple, the bride had even brought paintings she made to incorporate into the shoot, as well as a bag of confetti. It all worked out so well. The paintings even matched the color scheme of the first building we shot at, per the bride’s suggestion.

 

We then moved onto downtown Nashville, and found some cool old buildings and alleyways to use, one of which had Christmas decorations. I was thrilled with the result. Nice journalistic style engagement photos, on the streets of Nashville, like a day out and about on the town together. They were very connected and the colors in the locations and their clothing all gelled nicely. I really like a candid feel, it feels less forced, posed and awkward, and shows how happy the couple really is, as people may see, but it’s never captured that way. Something like an engagement photo should be special and different. Anyone can shoot snapshots of them in a bar next to each other, or doing the prom pose. To capture a slice of life and showcase the love the couple has for one another is what it’s really about. Another good reason the photographer shooting engagement photos should be doing the wedding as well, to finish telling the story as it’s continued.  This couple is now finalizing their wedding details, congratulations Dale and Valerie!

A happy new year special from Jay Farrell Photography!

I hope all of you have enjoyed Christmas and New Years, and are excited about what the future holds for you in 2012! I have certainly enjoyed the photoshoots and the people I have met in 2011, as well as the new marketing I have employed. As well as expanding sample albums and prints to display for clients. One thing I’d like to do is have collages.net make me a coffee table book just for engagement photos, especially since the popularity of those sessions have grown a lot. And I have some wonderful recent engagement photos to showcase, but would like one more really solid one so the book can contain all new stuff.

 

I will be posting this deal on my Facebook page as well. Here it is. I hate gimmicks, but this could be something useful not only to me, but also the client, and help both of us form a very successful working relationship by the time their wedding takes place. Through January 31, I am offering this to only one eager and energetic, creative couple unless otherwise specified. Complimentary engagement photo session with the booking of any one of my wedding photography packages. If the package they choose includes a bridal or engagement session, they will receive their choice of credit. Cash credit of the value of the engagement session, album order credit for after the wedding, or complimentary bonus bridal photoshoot in addition to the engagement session. Normally I would not run this special all month, but with Christmas just here, I want to give people a chance to recuperate :) Please let me know if you or anyone you know are engaged and would like some great photos to showcase the love!

Words from my photographer friend about being photographed

Actually I started out asking my fellow photographer friend, Marty Copley if it was ok with him and his fiance for me to write a blog article about not only their engagement session I photographed with them, but also a little clarification about the history of the formation of their relationship. I may have been half asleep when I messaged him asking this in a Facebook message. So he took it to mean I wanted him to write a blog article about those subjects, but it all worked out great, because this gives an inside perspective directly from them! I will share this, in his words from this point forward.

First comes love, second comes marriage etcetera, etcetera.  Well, not really if you’re lucky, an engagement falls in there somewhere. At least that’s how it happened for me.I met my fiancée’ out of the blue and it was what you might call a whirlwind romance.  Within a week of meeting her, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life loving her.  She’s about as perfect for me as I could have ever prayed for.  In less than months, I bought the ring, she accepted, we were engaged and had the wedding date set for November of 2012.    So, in my world it’s more like ‘First comes love, then comes ring, then engagement pictures, then comes wedding pictures’ –But I’m a photographer.  –now, I’m also a fiancée’.

 
Guess what, my fiancée’ wanted pictures to document our engagement in pictures.  Did I mention that I’m a photographer?  I don’t like having my picture taken.  Go figure.  That’s how it all began.
I’ve known Jay Farrell for several years now; we respect each others’ work. Have met multiple times for lunch and swapped war stories and bragging rights and the like about this or that job or session and how we might make it better next time..  Well, having your picture taken is a serious undertaking when it’s as important as your engagement and more importantly; when it’s your wedding and finding the perfect fit in a photographer is paramount to documenting the memories that you will want to remember for a lifetime.

 
My fiancée had seen Jay’s work from our interaction on Facebook and subsequently, his website and she became a fan, and I wasn’t even jealous.  So when she suggested I talk with him about shooting our engagement session and he accepted the assignment of photographing another photographer, I was as excited as I could get about the ‘ordeal’
We met with Jay and shared ideas and concepts, which is something I always prefer to do myself before a session, and I would urge anyone to do as well when selecting their own photographer.  We came up with a few great concepts and set the date and prayed the weather would cooperate.  It did.

 
On the day of the shoot we met and went over the larger details and left the rest to timing and skill.  Through the session I have to say Jay was great.  Almost as great as I would have been! (just kidding, Jay) He was as professional as he was cordial, if not jovial!  His personality and professionalism accomplished the one thing that I try to succeed in myself, make yourself invisible, make your shots one of a kind, make the memories that the client will want to hold on to for a lifetime. Jay came through with flying colors and I didn’t ‘hate’ the experience as I had expected. I actually enjoyed it, and to my surprise, I was actually looking forward to seeing the proofs.  Honestly, I was almost as excited as my fiancée.  And that was pretty surprising to me! The proofs arrived in short order, and I was beyond pleased.  So, when Jay asked me to write something about my experience shooting with him, I was happy to do so.  And in short, what you have read is my personal account of my experience with Jay Farrell and I couldn’t give anyone a better recommendation.  If you can’t book me, you GOTTA go with Jay or you may well regret it!  Do it and you will not be disappointed?
~Marty Wayne – website www.copleyphotography.com
p.s. Stay tuned to the upcoming wedding because Jay is the only one I would trust to photography my wedding since my fiancée won’t let me multi-task.