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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
First combined shoot

Alan R
Enthusiast

May 6, 2007, 2:31 PM

Post #1 of 4 (618 views)
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First combined shoot	Can't Post

We shot our first video/photo shoot yesterday. The couple had not hired a photographer and asked us if we could do a few photos. We ended up with more than 550 photos, most of which will not be keepers. Doing both is a lot harder than I thought. My assistant did most of the photography, and I had to keep reminding him that video is our primary responsibility. It is easy to get distracted. We got very little during the ceremony, when both of us were manning the video cameras. But the couple knew that, so it won't be a problem. Still I would like to do more of this. Here are a couple of photos of the bride:

Alan Robinson
Bonnie Blink Productions

Jeko
Enthusiast

May 6, 2007, 6:32 PM

Post #2 of 4 (604 views)
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Re: [Alan R] First combined shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

My scariest thing about doing both was setting up audio without missing photo opportunities. I certainly share the sentiment that it is pretty hectic at moments... and yet you got some very nice shots as shown. Photo+video eventually became too busy for my tastes and we backed down on our true photo+video combos. But the opportunity to shoot video and observe many area photographers truly helped develop a variety of my approaches for many situations in the photographic realm.

But back to you:
For now, don't forget to integrate still images into their video (but not too frequently). I always liked integrating them into slow, emotional segments usually as B/Ws.
For the future, build a demo photo album to use as a sampler. It will be a useful to show prospective clients as you continue your path towards the still (dark) side. Wink

Scott Brooks
Veteran

May 6, 2007, 7:21 PM

Post #3 of 4 (596 views)
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Re: [Jeko] First combined shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

Honestly, be wary. After about a year and a half I realized that our time was far more profitable on the photography end when it came to weddings. Currently, I am only making my upper end wedding videos (just a few a year as the better area coords still prefer us) with many more weddings being photo only. But, all is not lost in the video end... one can shoot local school events (larger schools with musicals or talent shows) on weeknights for easy edits yielding good $.

I've found the costs to be (obviously) higher on the photography side if you're including an album, but the time editing photos as opposed to video isn't even close. I'll take the photos any day. $$ per hour on each product definitely yields better for photography.

I still feel like I work harder on the wedding day than I did with video. Nothing wrong with that as I'm also more in control.

And like yourself ... I actually enjoy taping stage performances. After all my complaining in the members only section about a certain dance studio ... I just picked up a smaller one. It's going to be more simple, single camera shoot, 90 minute program. AND the really cool thing ... they booked me because one of their current students just came from the old studio and showed them my DVD. Another plus for me ... it's on a Sunday, so I don't have to block out a wedding date in June.

Jeko
Enthusiast

May 6, 2007, 9:18 PM

Post #4 of 4 (591 views)
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Re: [Sparky] First combined shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

Glad to hear about your new studio pick-up.

As for the album cost issue, this is generally passed directly on to the client (except for the demos) as integrated in the package price OR when they order afterwards. I actually profit much more from the album either way, and try to entice all the clients to purchase larger albums and/or parent albums. It can include more memories for them, as well as generate more profit for us. Furthermore, I now get about 70% of my new business from parents showing of their albums around town... which they couldn't well do with a video/DVD. So I actually save marketing expenses because of the albums too.

I am now evaluating larger/heavier albums for the clients wanting to pay for the more substantial. Once I generate a demo or two, I'll be ready to market more upper end photography (I hope). Maybe no more event video too???

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.