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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
TRUE Photo-Video Products

Jeko
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Jul 31, 2006, 9:59 PM

Post #1 of 11 (754 views)
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TRUE Photo-Video Products	Can't Post

Rather than competing as ANOTHER photograper or ANOTHER videographer, I am trying to develop some unique integrated photo-video coverages. These are designed for 2 to 4 camera people to perform. These are being offered at upcoming bridal shows.

The ideas I am a bit uncertain about are two true Photo-Video products which I have developed, but have actually not observed from any others. I'd like some of your feedback (any pit-falls?), knowledge of anyone seeing similar offerings, and maybe a few other original ideas geared towards integrated photography-videography.

1. Blended Photo-Video-Photo Coverage = Photography of Preparations + Ceremony Videography & Light Photography + Formal Photo Sessions + Reception Photography. Its a more photo heavy with just a bit of wedding video to cover the ceremony. Its really a basic package which clients can add-onto for us to see if there are people interested in this type of product.

2. Photo SDE = Basically, it is an SDE adding only still images before final rendering. For us, it would only be available for those already desiring our "love story" level package. I am excited about this product as the effort is primarily in advance, and the amount of time to complete this (during valuable wedding day time) is minimal. Yet the immediate crowd/client reaction and marketing advantages could be fantastic.

Jeko

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

RustyB
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Jul 31, 2006, 10:48 PM

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Re: [Jeko] TRUE Photo-Video Products [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think there's a good reason most photographers don't offer video options to there packages. Why would they?

If you have extra camerapersons in your business, maybe it would be more profitable to give them a DSLR and have them go shoot a different wedding for you, so you could double book the day.

I'm offering a photo montage with the wedding pictures, as an alternative to getting a wedding video. But, if photography ends up paying well enough, I'll quit offering it...as there's no point in making videos of any kind if I don't have to. Same goes for projection/photo SDE. I've thought about doing it, but if it means working for videographer wages, I'll drop it. It would defeat the purpose of going to photo...profit.

I also have the option of recording the vows and including it in the photo montage....something that should really make it a true alternative to getting a video. Not sure how that will work out as well, when it comes to what I can charge for it.

I still have no idea how tough competition will be in getting photo bookins, as to whether I'll need to use these video options as a sales booster. But if I don't have to do them to get bookings, I'll drop them. It's very difficult to charge enough money to cover producing videos. We'll see I guess!

Good luck!

faith poison wedding films
anger is an energy

Scott Brooks
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Aug 1, 2006, 12:48 AM

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Re: [Jeko] TRUE Photo-Video Products [In reply to]	Can't Post

Shadow
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Aug 1, 2006, 1:05 AM

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Re: [Jeko] TRUE Photo-Video Products [In reply to]	Can't Post

Jeko,

Looks like you've been giving it some good thought. It is those people who put effort into it and do something different that will shine above the others.

Rusty had an awesome idea of adding vow recording to a photo slide show, I don't know ANY photographer who does that.

I've been starting to think about marketing for photography as well and what can make me different from others around here. Most of it would be service based, extras available to the client. I read an idea in a wedding photography book to offer a service for a gift program. Basically the bride would purchase a 'father gift' in advance. When the father/daughter is going on the photographer snapps some pictures then when things get quiet you print one out with a portable printer. It would go in a matted frame. You give that to the bride with a silver pen and she writes a message to her Dad on the matte then at the end of the evening makes a presentation to her Dad with the present (you bring gift bag and wrap it up for her).

I thought that was a cute idea. I'm sure there's other things that are unique that we could do.

Good luck with it!
Heidi

Scott Brooks
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Aug 1, 2006, 3:24 AM

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Re: [Shadow] TRUE Photo-Video Products [In reply to]	Can't Post

Rusty had an awesome idea of adding vow recording to a photo slide show, I don't know ANY photographer who does that.

A few weeks ago I almost had it. I had the iRiver in my case for that very purpose. I hadn't discussed it with them ahead of time (huge mistake) and the groom thought it might freak the bride out, so he passed on wearing a wire. However, there are photographers that have started to do this ... just not that many, so let's keep it a secret!!

The iRiver remains in my photo bag. This weekend is an outdoor wedding ... second this year. They have opted for a single cam coverage of the ceremony while I'm also doing stills, so they will be wearing a mic and more than likely I'll incorporate the audio into the on-line slide show.

BTW ... if any of the regular contributors to this forum would like to see my latest slide show I would be happy to share it with you. Just send me a PM and I'll send you the link. I have no desire make it public.

I still have a long way to go, but overall I was pleased with the shoot.

RustyB
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Aug 1, 2006, 3:45 AM

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Re: [Sparky] TRUE Photo-Video Products [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Yeah, I probably got the idea from you here on VU!

I'm interested to see how many will opt for it. I'll probably do one for free to make a demo, and see it it will be worth my time to edit, versus how much money people will actually pay for it. It wouldn't surprise me if customers would pay more for a slideshow with vows, than an entire full blown video package...simply because they're buying it from a photographer instead of a videographer, and will expect to pay more. Shocked

faith poison wedding films
anger is an energy

KevinShaw
Veteran

Aug 1, 2006, 8:24 AM

Post #7 of 11 (716 views)
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Re: [RustyB] TRUE Photo-Video Products [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I think there's a good reason most photographers don't offer video options to there packages. Why would they?

On the contrary, I see many photographers also offering video now. I don't think most of them put much effort into this, but it's a way to collect a few extra bucks and they're probably happy to get us out of their hair by doing it. As we've discussed before, it's probably going to be increasingly common for couples to expect one company to provide both video and photography: solves problems for them and for the photographer/videographer.

I like the same day photo SDE idea. By the way, the Sony HC1 can create competent still images from video by playing a tape and clicking the photo button on the camera at any point you want a still. Easiest frame grab solution ever, and you never miss a critical moment (which I've been told is one of the hardest aspects of being a wedding photographer).

Jeko
Enthusiast

Aug 1, 2006, 9:36 AM

Post #8 of 11 (704 views)
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Re: [RustyB] TRUE Photo-Video Products [In reply to]	Can't Post

"I think there's a good reason most photographers don't offer video options to there packages. Why would they? "

I know what you mean Rusty, because the video products are ususally under-priced. We are offering services and products that are unique in their scope (photo+video in nature). I am hoping to develop this market nitch that others simply can't accomplish. This will be an advantage over both standard photographers and standard videographers.

I agree that if the demand isn't enough to pay a fair rate, I'll not do it. I do like the ida of the using the vows as audio backdrop... Thanks.

Jeko

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

Jeko
Enthusiast

Aug 1, 2006, 9:47 AM

Post #9 of 11 (702 views)
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Re: [Sparky] TRUE Photo-Video Products [In reply to]	Can't Post

In line to be edited is a version similar to what you've mentioned.
We did video and photos for an earlier wedding and it will be edited as follows.
Start with a slide show of photos taken prior to the ceremony ... from any formals to guests arriving. NO VIDEO was shot prior to the grandparents being ushered in.
Ceremony was shot with a single camera and so the ceremony will follow the slide show.
Following the recessional the video will fade to black and come back up with another slide show that will be of the post ceremony formals and any other photos during that time.
After that slide show the video picks up with the intro of the bridal party, toasts, cake cutting and then will end with a few more photos.
These slide shows are nothing more than photos in a timeline with straight dissolves ... no movement ... nothing timed to music.
Had there been a first dance or any special dances then those would have been included.

I have another wedding this weekend that we sold a single camera coverage of the ceremony only for $500. It's an add on to my photo coverage. No reception.
This type of video coverage is ONLY available with our photo package.

Have these packages been in demand for you? ..or are these firsts??

I have been doing integrated photo+video, but simply find the days to be too much sometimes. We haven't had any major problems yet... but if something fails on us the lack of time and free space could lead to a catastrophe. Thus I am hoping that clients will desire the lighter packages that reduce the videography somewhat...

Jeko

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

Jeko
Enthusiast

Aug 1, 2006, 9:59 AM

Post #10 of 11 (700 views)
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Re: [Shadow] TRUE Photo-Video Products [In reply to]	Can't Post

Jeko,

Looks like you've been giving it some good thought. It is those people who put effort into it and do something different that will shine above the others.
Thanks for the positive outlook Heidi. I hope these do take off.

Rusty had an awesome idea of adding vow recording to a photo slide show, I don't know ANY photographer who does that.
I liked Rusty's idea too.

I've been starting to think about marketing for photography as well and what can make me different from others around here. Most of it would be service based, extras available to the client. I read an idea in a wedding photography book to offer a service for a gift program. Basically the bride would purchase a 'father gift' in advance. When the father/daughter is going on the photographer snapps some pictures then when things get quiet you print one out with a portable printer. It would go in a matted frame. You give that to the bride with a silver pen and she writes a message to her Dad on the matte then at the end of the evening makes a presentation to her Dad with the present (you bring gift bag and wrap it up for her).
I thought that was a cute idea. I'm sure there's other things that are unique that we could do.
I like the concept of this idea. Perhaps this could be tweaked where the Bride or Groomcan can pre-record a brief video thank-you for their parents, with a few prep/ceremony/dance photos added in for immediate gifting by that evenings end... sorta turns the Photo-SDE into an immediate gift for ease of marketing.

Good luck with it!
Heidi

Jeko

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

Scott Brooks
Veteran

Aug 1, 2006, 12:15 PM

Post #11 of 11 (693 views)
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Re: [Jeko] TRUE Photo-Video Products [In reply to]	Can't Post

Jeko ...

Only 6 weddings this year for photography and two of them requested the video product. It was nothing that I pushed and more than likely won't. I'm doing my best right now to simplify the whole process. Perhaps after I get a better work flow down I can start adding features.

I think I called the slide show with vows my "enhanced slide show." It was on my site for a very short period and then I pulled it thinking that it might be more work than I want for right now.

What I'm hoping to do is make one slide show with the vows as well as a few other comments from the officiant to put on the net. If it goes over well in demo mode I will charge much more for the product.

The slide show that I have on-line right now takes no time at all to produce, but it's in flash and can't be burned to DVD. Currently there is no charge for the slide show (on-line version) as it's a neat way to get them to look at the photos I've chosen and send the link to their friends.

Honestly, the only reason I do it is that I'm hoping to pick up another wedding from a relative or bridesmaid. We'll have to wait and see if it works.