Having the opportunity to photograph someone's wedding should be treated as an honor and a privilege, and as a wedding photographer, this job should be taken very seriously. The bride and groom have been meticulously planning every detail of their wedding for weeks, if not months, or perhaps even years, and you will want to show them that you are as serious about their wedding as they are. You can show your seriousness by having the wedding photo shoots planned out in advance. This will show your clients that you are organized and professional, but at the same time helps you stay on task. Read on for suggestions to help keep you organized as a wedding photographer.
It is likely that the Bride and Groom will seek out your services months ahead of time. This can be anywhere from a few months to over a year. This is the initial contact with your clients and this is when you should meet in person to discuss their wedding photography needs. At this time you can show them your portfolio, and discuss any promotional packages you have at that time. You may also want to discuss rates, and the type of products you offer.
At the first initial meeting, you should provide a contract and have your clients sign it. At this time it is a good idea to collect a 50% retainer or deposit to lock your clients in and reserve that day. Once you have a signed contract, you will want to get any and all pertinent information from the couple. This includes the venue, number of guests, how many family photos are expected. You will also want to discuss the timing of the event, and get a detailed timeline from the bride and groom so that you can follow and ensure that you are able to take as many photographs at the event as possible.
After the first meeting, and collection of the deposit and signing of the contract, you will want to keep in touch with your clients. About a month ahead of the event you will want to contact your clients to make sure all of the details previously discussed have not changed. You will also want to remind your clients of what to realistically expect as previously discussed. A week before their special day, contact them to confirm there have been no last minute changes.
Prior to the wedding you will want to make sure all of your equipment is ready and working. This can include charging all of your cameras and batteries, cleaning all lenses thoroughly, and packing all of your camera bags with all of your needed gear. Review all of your information the night before and get a good nights' rest.
Follow the timeline your clients gave you, and even prepare your own timeline and include all of the photos and shots that your clients expected you to take. Bring your own timeline to the event to keep you on schedule. Having your own schedule will help to prepare you ahead of time, and will also help to ease any discomforts the couple has about getting every shot on their special day. Now that you know the basics of being a wedding photographer from the initial contact, to signing the contract to creating a timeline, create your own checklist that you can use for all future weddings that you shoot.
It is likely that the Bride and Groom will seek out your services months ahead of time. This can be anywhere from a few months to over a year. This is the initial contact with your clients and this is when you should meet in person to discuss their wedding photography needs. At this time you can show them your portfolio, and discuss any promotional packages you have at that time. You may also want to discuss rates, and the type of products you offer.
At the first initial meeting, you should provide a contract and have your clients sign it. At this time it is a good idea to collect a 50% retainer or deposit to lock your clients in and reserve that day. Once you have a signed contract, you will want to get any and all pertinent information from the couple. This includes the venue, number of guests, how many family photos are expected. You will also want to discuss the timing of the event, and get a detailed timeline from the bride and groom so that you can follow and ensure that you are able to take as many photographs at the event as possible.
After the first meeting, and collection of the deposit and signing of the contract, you will want to keep in touch with your clients. About a month ahead of the event you will want to contact your clients to make sure all of the details previously discussed have not changed. You will also want to remind your clients of what to realistically expect as previously discussed. A week before their special day, contact them to confirm there have been no last minute changes.
Prior to the wedding you will want to make sure all of your equipment is ready and working. This can include charging all of your cameras and batteries, cleaning all lenses thoroughly, and packing all of your camera bags with all of your needed gear. Review all of your information the night before and get a good nights' rest.
Follow the timeline your clients gave you, and even prepare your own timeline and include all of the photos and shots that your clients expected you to take. Bring your own timeline to the event to keep you on schedule. Having your own schedule will help to prepare you ahead of time, and will also help to ease any discomforts the couple has about getting every shot on their special day. Now that you know the basics of being a wedding photographer from the initial contact, to signing the contract to creating a timeline, create your own checklist that you can use for all future weddings that you shoot.
About the Author:
Hawaii wedding photographer Anna Riedel has shot hundreds of weddings and has many organizational tips on how to shoot any wedding. Stop by Anna's Hawaii wedding photography blog to get more wedding photography tips and ideas.
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