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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Holy crow - first booking!

Jenn M
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Sep 6, 2006, 11:43 AM

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Holy crow - first booking!	Can't Post

Well, we booked our first combo package last night. Oh geez, I probably shouldn't have said that - I'll jinx it. Actually, they have to sign and return the contract, but they called after our meeting and said they definitely want to book. (But I know a job isn't official until that retainer check clears...)

We arranged a time to meet for engagement photos in October, when the leaves start to change, so I'm really looking forward to that.

The wedding is in December 2007, so unfortunately we have to wait. But the upside is that we hope to have more jobs before then, so by then, we'll be old pros. Wink

The bride came in with her parents. They said the same thing that motivated us to do this in the first place - they don't want or need 1000+ photos - just a few nice ones, mainly the formals - family and bridal party, BUT they do want a better video. Light on the photo coverage for the ceremony and reception with more emphasis on the video. Sounds like a perfect fit. They said the reason they called us was because we offered this approach. So that gives me hope that it may eventually catch on.

My other couple from last week (the older one, second marriage, etc) called last night with a few more questions. They're really interested in a basic video and basic photo pacakge and asked me to send a basic video sample. We haven't done many basic video packages (and I hate using that word 'basic' b/c they're still better quality than many of the other 'basic' videos I've seen), mainly because the income wasn't sufficient. But boy was it easier! So with photo making up the difference, we can afford to offer a more basic video package. And by basic, I don't mean cheap or poor quality - just less produced - no montages: ceremony from processional to recessional and reception events, period. Highlights recap optional.

Now if only we can get someone to let us shoot one this year for free to get some samples, I think we'll be on our way. We have one scheduled in October, but I'm getting nervous as we haven't heard from them and they were supposed to contact us to set up a time to do an engagement shoot. They are running out of time for that and I have a feeling they will end up skipping it, but I hope they don't blow us off for the wedding shoot, too.

We'll see.

GmElliott
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Sep 6, 2006, 12:24 PM

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Re: [Jenn M] Holy crow - first booking! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congrats Jenn- keep us updated on how your ventures into the world of photography are. As for me I'm shooting my first couple photography gigs that I booked myself (rather than being second shooter to another photographer). I have one next friday and another in January. I haven't officially added it as a service yet. I'm not quite ready to cut the ties with my photog leads yet. Unsure

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

Jenn M
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Sep 6, 2006, 12:46 PM

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In Reply To

I haven't officially added it as a service yet. I'm not quite ready to cut the ties with my photog leads yet. Unsure

I COMPLETELY understand as this is the exact reason it took us so long to make the decision to just do it. We've talked about it for the past 2 years, but we hesitated. However, we realized over this past year that as much as we want to think certain photographers are loyal to us as we are to them, it's not the case. It's every man/woman for him/herself. And ultimately, it's the brides and grooms making the decision.

Maybe it's b/c this past year (and so far next year,too) we booked more weddings before the photographers and then we showed up to the gig only to find the photographer monopolizing the couple and making our job much more difficult than it needed to be... I don't know. But we finally decided it doesn't matter if we lose out photography leads as long as we continue being easy to work with for couples and venues, we'll be fine. It might take a little longer to get there, but I think it will work out eventually... since most of our jobs come from Client referrals more than anything else.

Brackish
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Sep 6, 2006, 12:51 PM

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Jenn M
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Sep 6, 2006, 1:09 PM

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In Reply To

Hopefully it's not a fluke.

You're not kidding. I thought the same thing about this years' couples when they had hired us last year, stating that the video was their top priority and asking about basic photographers. But honestly, after going thru this year, I think that maybe we found our niche b/c we did show up to many of the weddings as the higher-end vendor. Doesn't mean we got more cooperation, of course. Like I said, we ran in to stupid problems that could have been avoided by eliminating one other vendor, if you know what I mean. (uh-hem, the low end photographer). Just a little bit of teamwork goes a long way, but if they are 'competing' with you, in their minds, it sucks.

I think as long as we continue to put out decent videos, we can maintain this hopefully growing market. I've heard it for YEARS - couples, after getting their video and their photos back, telling us that the pictures were nice, but the video was what they most appreciated. And several photographers have confessed to us that when there is a videographer, especially a good one, they get fewer reprint and album orders. No wonder they don't like us. Wink

Brackish
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Sep 6, 2006, 1:31 PM

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Jenn M
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Sep 6, 2006, 1:39 PM

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Re: [Brackish] Holy crow - first booking! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Sometimes, but not always. It usually comes up in our conversations as a sidenote. I do mention that we like to work with the photographer, for example - we stay out of their way for formals b/c those are important photo ops, and we ask for the same consideration during the vows, for example, b/c that's a video moment since you can't hear them in a picture. That usually opens up some discussion.

Often times, it's parents who express that they are looking forward to the video more so than the photographs, which I find interesting.

RustyB
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Sep 6, 2006, 1:43 PM

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They said the reason they called us was because we offered this approach.

....Hopefully it's not a fluke. How do you go about advertising that you offer a highly edited video but are offering just basic photo?.....

Goes to show how popular wedding photography is, I guess! It sounds like they have such a great reputation as videographers, people are willing to book them on faith alone.

To use the old car sales analogy, can you imagine selling a car to someone after telling them that you can't show them their car will look like, because you just got into the car business two weeks ago after buying some car-making equipment. You don't have any experience in building cars, but you've seen it done on TV and have some friends that work at the Ford plant. "Who do I make the check out too!?!" Laugh

All I have is an entry level digital camera, and a bunch of junky film cameras, and am still looking for that "fluke" to book a wedding photo shoot. It's tough without a portfolio. I can see how this how this would frustrate the other photogs in your market, who will blame you for low prices and a lower amount of brides booking a pro, because of the market being flooded with amateurs that bought a DSLR and proclaimed themselves a photographer overnight. Sound familiar? What do we say about the people that do this with video? Yet, we all had to start somewhere!! I personally can't afford to cross my fingers and wait anymore, so I'm gonna have to go shoot some freebies next month, to get some samples online.

Good for you Jenn!

Faith Poison Wedding Films Blog
Intergalactic Award-Winning Epic-Cinematic Wedding New-Doc Style Indie Fusion Bridal Movies on Hi-Definition Blu-Ray Disc

videochicke
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Sep 6, 2006, 1:48 PM

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Congrats! The more I shoot stills, the more I like it.
Julie

Brackish
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Sep 6, 2006, 2:11 PM

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RustyB
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Sep 6, 2006, 2:18 PM

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In Reply To

Do you have any freebies lined up?

Nope! I've advertised cheap packages, but not freebies yet. I was hoping to finish up the video backlog first, but now I gotta do something quick because the money is gone. Laugh

I'm gonna post something on Craigslist and hit up the local churches here in the inner city.

Faith Poison Wedding Films Blog
Intergalactic Award-Winning Epic-Cinematic Wedding New-Doc Style Indie Fusion Bridal Movies on Hi-Definition Blu-Ray Disc

szerangue
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Sep 6, 2006, 2:30 PM

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I don't even know if I am going to push the wedding photography thing. It might be something that may evolve with experience. One thing I would really like to do is portraits on location and, if things work out, maybe create a little studio in my basement. The photog I talked to last weekend has be doing this for the past 5 years. She does about 8 weddings a year, she has no studio but her and her apparently rich husband live on the "brow" up on the mountain and she just built a beautiful garden complete with pathways and benches that she uses for photo shoots. Can you say, business expense!!! Anyway, she says fall is a great time for portrait work and she went on about how much she enjoys that work over weddings. I would think I would feel the same way. Saturday I shot a 20 minute training video for a local company. It was great, all controlled. At one point I was using a wide angle lens and I zoomed in a little too far and I went blurry. All I had to say was, cut, let's do that section again. Try doing that at a wedding!!!
Miracle Pictures
"If it's a good picture, it's a Miracle!"

"Life Productions, coming out of the dark, into the light"
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Jenn M
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Sep 6, 2006, 2:43 PM

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Thanks Rusty.
One thing we did at the last 2 meetings that seemed to help was we pulled out the actual photo gear and showed them we had real equipment, back-ups and everything. We showed them the tele lens (as this tends to impress people) Wink

and we explained that we made the investment in this rather expensive lens b/c we feel it is a necessity to shoot in the manner we prefer - unobtrusive, both video and photo simultaneously. At both demos, they really appreciated the fact that we had back-up equipment.

We showed them our scant collection of photos, some non-wedding related, some from our nephew's Christening, in the church and at the house. We showed them an edited image vs. a proof image (to show we are capable of editing). We showed some of the shots we've been taking at weddings after the photographer leaves (if we get that lucky) and/or shots we took specifically for the DVD cover. All to mainly show that we know how to handle a camera.

We explained that we don't have a full sample book yet b/c, as the hired videographers, it wouldn't be polite, professional or acceptable for us to pull out a still camera at a wedding where there is a hired photographer. And besides, the photographer's head would explode if we did so. Shocked

Then I explained that I will be assisting another photographer this month to get samples, and I would be happy to share some of those with them when I get them. (She better not back out on me!) At the end of the month, we're actually working with her, and I'm hoping to snap some photos while doing some of the video work, all of which I will give her for the Client (she can sell them), as long as I can use them for samples.

Lastly, we offered free engagement sessions, even before booking, kind of like a "try us for free" thing. This seemed to intrigue them, though it hasn't happened yet, but we figured it can't hurt. They get a free CD of images, we get samples. I have one scheduled for next Monday (it better not rain!!!!!).

So we're working on it. Thanks for the vote of confidence!

Jenn M
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Sep 6, 2006, 2:48 PM

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In Reply To

I'm gonna post something on Craigslist and hit up the local churches here in the inner city.

We called some of our favorite DJs b/c typically they work with a wide range of budgets - low to high end brides. We explained that we were looking to do a 3 free weddings before the end of the year to get samples (subject to availability, of course) - so if they knew of anyone in a pinch, with a tight budget who might not consider a professional photographer, we suggested they send them our way.

One couple called us but we're booked with a video job. However, they asked if they could dress up the next day and just take some formal shots. We're like, hell yeah. But we'll see. Again, it could be one of those things that they just never get around to really doing.

We also called a 2 other videographers that we're tight with and told them what we're up to. That's how we got the October gig.

So that's another idea...

Jenn M
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Sep 6, 2006, 2:51 PM

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Re: [Brackish] Holy crow - first booking! [In reply to]	Can't Post

By the way, Brackish, I guess I should explain that by "basic" photo coverage - I just mean streamlined. Less excessive (probably ending up with 400-500 images, rather than 1000+), without the obligation of having to buy reprints or albums from us. We still intend to do the best job we can, offering comprehensive coverage. I don't intend to slouch just because the word 'basic" is in there.

RustyB
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Sep 6, 2006, 3:09 PM

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....she says fall is a great time for portrait work and she went on about how much she enjoys that work over weddings. .....All I had to say was, cut, let's do that section again. Try doing that at a wedding!!!

Yeah, it'd be nice to give up weddings altogether. There are a lot of ratty old warehouses/commercial buildings around here where artists and photographers have setup shop. It would be nice to just schedule commercial photo or portrait work all day. And then some simply rent out the studio to whoever wants to use it for photo, video, or whatever they want to use it for. All you need is a big room and a bathroom. Laugh

Then all you need is one of those big muslin backdrop things, and a cheap portable light kit for shooting portraits, and you're ready! Of course, I'd probably get evicted from my apartment...so I'd need a sleeping bag and a case of roach spray as well. Laugh

Faith Poison Wedding Films Blog
Intergalactic Award-Winning Epic-Cinematic Wedding New-Doc Style Indie Fusion Bridal Movies on Hi-Definition Blu-Ray Disc

Colvin ADTR
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Sep 6, 2006, 3:17 PM

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I use "Standard" for that collection and "Instant" for the burn to CD.

Scott Brooks
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Sep 6, 2006, 4:41 PM

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Jenn ... I had three packages this year and it seemed to go fine. Getting the workflow down has been the hardest part of the business end. I have a tendency to try new packaging ... always did the same when it was video.

Anyway ... I could care less if I never have to do another album. So what I've put together for 2007 is go with $1500 which will give them up to 7 hours of coverage, data DVD with their files, on-line gallery, and $500 in print credit.

One package and that's it. They can purchase an e-seesion, additional hours, DVD slide show, albums ... anythinge else as an add-on.

I had albums included in two of my original packages but decided that if I'm going to do this then I'm going to do it the way I want. If it tanks ... then it tanks.

I'm sure those figures are low to a lot of people, but around here it's still a bit high. I figure most of my weddings will be about 45 minutes from here.

I have a friend that I'm going to second shoot with in October and November. I'm really looking forward to it because I can pretty much do whatever I want. Get the safe shot ... then play with it.

AlanB
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Sep 6, 2006, 4:53 PM

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So with photo making up the difference, we can afford to offer a more basic video package. And by basic, I don't mean cheap or poor quality - just less produced - no montages: ceremony from processional to recessional and reception events, period. Highlights recap optional.

Have you come up with pricing for this type of "basic" coverage? I have been thinking about it also for those that don't want the fully produced with montages packages. I currently don't offer it but have been reconsidering it lately. If I also decide to go with photography in the near future, this might be a really good way to handle both with out being overwelmed with all the editing time needed for the "full" packages. And if I may ask, how are you going to price your combo video/photo package?

It looks like you are on your way. Cool. Keep us informed.

Alan

Brackish
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Sep 6, 2006, 6:06 PM

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AlanB
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Sep 7, 2006, 1:30 AM

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Still have to figure out how to shoot and edit something basic, but hopefully it will
be a bit of a taste of what it would be like to do a more basic video
if they want video/photo also.

Brack, let us all know if you figure it out. Wink

I actually think I know. A friend of our daughter got married in Florida a few months ago and her mother was trying to copy the video to give to some friends. She couldn't get it to work so she asked me to do it. Of course I took a look at it, and OMG, it looks like a drunk uncle Charlie did it. Bobbing and weaving all over the place. Really sad. It is just the ceremony, toasts, first dance and cake cutting. About 25 minutes. He did do a good job on exposure and color and he actually used a wireless - the audio isn't too bad. I may hang on to a copy to show folks what a really bad video looks like. Crazy

Alan

Brackish
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Sep 7, 2006, 8:56 AM

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AlanB
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Sep 7, 2006, 2:57 PM

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Actually he was a professional (I say that loosely). My daughter, who was there, said he was probably in his 30's. I have no idea how much they paid for him, but with the quality of the video, I am sure curious.

Alan

Shadow
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Sep 7, 2006, 5:53 PM

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Hooray!

Congrats Jenn!!