Jenn M
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Mar 1, 2007, 1:13 AM
Post #11 of 21
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Re: [Postal Boy] Terrified of starting things up?
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hey Postal -
We kinda came to the same place around the same time - I recall you starting to pop up on the photog side of the VU around the same time as I did. I also hesitated for quite a while. We had kicked around the idea for well over 2 years, talking about it as "what if..." But a few things held me back - 1 ) not wanting to learn all new equipment and editing software, etc. (seems like I'm doing enough of that w/ video on a regular basis) - my previous experience w/ photo was all film, and with Nikon. So chosing a camera was obstacle #1, then learning my way around it came next when i decided to go w/ Canon.
Also, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do both. I stress myself out over wanting to do the best video; I know I'll be just as anal, if not worse, with photo - b/c this is my baby. Video was always Brian's thing. I played with photography before I even met him - which is probably why I picked up video so easily. Then I worried that I would miss video. But boy oh boy, after the year we just had... I think I might be able to live without it, or at least, without as much of it. Just stupid stuff happening... and nutty photographer to work around. I was getting burned out!
Another worry was that we would lose referrals from photogs, which USED to be one of our main sources of getting jobs. BUT I paid attention the past 2 years or so and noticed that we were getting hired sooner in the planning process, and in some cases, before the photographer. Esp. last year and this year. This gave me some confidence that we could pull it off.
And a little part of me worried that I wouldn't be able to take charge. Like Darren said, as videogs, we have the 'luxury' of remaining the fly on the wall, a quiet presence. Photogs do have a lot more responsbility with organizing and gathering people, etc. But I found it increasingly more frustrating NOT being able to step up. I LIKE working with brides and grooms. I don't mind those tasks. By nature, I'm a very organized person, so it drives me crazy when the photog doesn't have a plan. We worked with a few newbies and dreaded friends of the family last year and in a few cases, I actually did step in and organize, as much as I could while rolling tape.
Anyway, I took each of these worries and distected it. The more I looked at the numbers and the more I played out different scenarios (and the more nutty photographers we ran into), I realized I was cheating myself by NOT doing it. We made the official decision in July. By September, I was so annoyed that I hadn't done it sooner! But I kept reminding myself, at least I'm doing it now!
So far for 2008, we are booking strictly combo and photo jobs - it has worked out that way. We have one video job w/ a bride whose family we worked with many times in the past, and she's on the fence about having us do the photo b/c she's afraid the video will suffer. I almost want to say, "Honey, after the year I've had, I believe your video will suffer if you DON'T have us do the photo...." b/c I'm convinced she will hire a photographer who will screw with us and compromise her video. She wants an inexpensive photog - b/c she 'claims' the video is her priority. So I'm afraid she'll go out and hire some nut who doesn't give a crap and has no respect for the event itself, running around like a maniac, snapping away.
Anyhoo - so much for that.
I just started reading everything I could find on the internet. I bought a few training DVDs. I practiced constantly with the camera so I know it intuitively (and I still do). And as corny as this sounds, I practiced posing people - including Brian, other relatives, a wonderful friend who puts up with me, the dogs  - though I'm not a huge fan of rigid poses, I want to know how to 'direct' someone so it makes sense to them. I want to learn which 'poses' work and which ones don't. I started offering free engagement sessions to anyone who would let us shoot. I called a DJ friend and asked him for leads - told him, if he knew of anyone getting married last fall or this winter who was in a pinch and needed a cheap photographer, we would do it for free or next to nothing. Called a few video friends, too. That's how we got our first 2 'jobs' - one which is this Saturday. I can't wait!
The engagement sessions paid off b/c several led to the weddings coming up this year. Also, it gave me some samples, since I don't have weddings, which also helped to book a few weddings for this year and next. We pulled the camera out at a few weddings after the paid photog left - which gave us some field practice. We also attended several wedding rehearsals (for our video jobs) last fall and brought the DSLR along to practice shooting.
I practiced a lot.  I'm not a total risk-taker. I needed to 'know' I could do it before I booked my first paying job.
I tried calling a few photogs that we are friendly with and offered to second shoot, but as I suspected, they weren't interested. I'm not coming into this as a complete newbie - so I think that 'intimidates' them. At least, that's what I've been told. The second-shooter thing didn't work for me... but that probably has something to do with this area - everyone is very competitive. However, if you can do it, that's a great opportunity - just don't allow yourself to be taken advantage of.
Lastly, don't discount your video experience. I really do believe having been a videog for so many years will make me a better photographer. I'm so trained to constantly be looking around, observing and shooting. As you know, with video, it's important not to leave gapping holes in the 'story' - or it can be a real pain in the butt to edit. For years, I watched traditional photogs snap off their standard shot list and then sit back. That was the opposite extreme of what I'm seeing today - just random machine gun firing - but again - what good is it if there's no story or point? also, as videogs, we have to make sure we're in the right place, ready to go - you can't come into something half way thru, so again, we will be better prepared.
I don't know about you, but perhaps from doing video for so long, I can almost anticipate a person's next move or word or even emotion. Again, I believe that will make me a better photographer.
So good luck. I hope this rambling post has helped at least a little bit. If nothing else, it gave me reprieve from my late night editing! 
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