Photographer questions

[peckmiranda]

In one of the books I read, they said one of the best ways to save money on your photography was to hire a student at the local college. I've decided to do that, because there aren't too many photographers around the area, and the ones I could possibly afford, I've heard horror stories about. A recently married friend of mine was telling me about how she doesn't even have a single picture from her wedding or reception yet because they changed the rates on her right after her wedding and now she can't afford to buy the prints.

The book said that the best way to get a student was to just post an ad for the job on the bulletin board by the photography department, or to talk to the head of the department and ask him his best students. I have a few questions about this. First question is, since my wedding is in December, should I wait until August to post the ad, that way it's the current semester? Second question is, what all should I put on the ad? Should I put how much I'm willing to pay, or should I put "pay negotiable based on experience"? Should I put that one of my stipulations is that I get ALL the negatives? I don't really care if they edit them or anything, I just want all of the pictures, even if they're just on a picture CD or something. I know I should put the location and everything. Also, since I'm in Texas and they're in Kansas, should I say that they'll need to email me their portfolio?

Thanks for any and all advice!!

[NovemberGal]

I think it wouldn't hurt to talk to the head of the department now; there might be students who would still be around in December that he/she could strongly recommend. The head would also be able to tell you whether posting an ad was a good idea, and the best place and time to do so. He or she may also send out an email on your behalf.

If you post and ad, I would suggest saying "pay negotiable" and that you'd like to see a portfolio when you meet. I don't think you need to put that you want the negatives in the ad, but do say that when you meet, and put it into the contract (you should still have a contract, to protect both parties!).

I would suggest also that you be open to digital photography as well, and in that case stipulate that you want all pictures in high resolution images provided on a CD.

[ladedah]

I would try to contact the department now (and if you're looking at KSU..they have a photography club). Let me warn you..I tried this technique (only with musicians...not photograpy)....It took FOREVER for someone to just respond to an e-mail...and then I got a string quartet from KSU to agree to perfom at the ceremony (cheaply but also with the offer of free food and drinks at the reception )...They agreed..and asked me to sign a contract (which I did, no problem)...but then they totally flaked two weeks before the wedding.....and what can I do? Sue some college kid for breach of contract??

I'm sure that if you only have one student to worry about it's not as scary as getting four people organized....but just remember they don't have an established business and hence no recommendations or reputation that they are trying to protect....

Good Luck with the process, though. I'll be interesting to hear how it turns out.

[justnmary]

Originally Posted by ladedah

I would try to contact the department now (and if you're looking at KSU..they have a photography club). Let me warn you..I tried this technique (only with musicians...not photograpy)....It took FOREVER for someone to just respond to an e-mail...and then I got a string quartet from KSU to agree to perfom at the ceremony (cheaply but also with the offer of free food and drinks at the reception )...They agreed..and asked me to sign a contract (which I did, no problem)...but then they totally flaked two weeks before the wedding.....and what can I do? Sue some college kid for breach of contract??

I'm sure that if you only have one student to worry about it's not as scary as getting four people organized....but just remember they don't have an established business and hence no recommendations or reputation that they are trying to protect....

Good Luck with the process, though. I'll be interesting to hear how it turns out.

Excellent advice and warnings Ladedah!!!!

[syringa]

Some photography faculty also do photography on the side and you may have better luck with one of them than with a student. Also check with the newspaper in Kansas. In my area, several of the newspaper staff photographers do weddings and other events on the side.

[peckmiranda]

Originally Posted by syringa

Some photography faculty also do photography on the side and you may have better luck with one of them than with a student.

After hearing Ladedah's advice/warning, I may do this instead!!! I was going to check references and everything before hiring anyone, but I'm sure you did the same thing, ladedah, and it still turned out badly. I just need someone to do it very cheap, because our wedding budget is spriraling out of control!!! I originally budgeted for 150 people max, and our guest list is now up to 221, and most of the out-of-town people that I thought would just be a courtesy invite are actually saying they'll come!!!

Another reason I really wanted to do a student (or just anyone who isn't a professional) is because all of the wedding photographs I've seen from my area are all the same, and I wanted someone with a fresh look. Professionals come in there with a set list of photographs they need to take, and that's it. I was hoping with a student, they'd take more candid and original shots. I hate being run of the mill

[ladedah]

I loved our photographer....they were awesome!! And did more of a Photojournalistic approach for our pics...but our pictures were the MOST important thing to us...so we spent almost a 1/3 of our budget on them....but that is just me. The musicians were no big deal because they were easily replacable....but if that happened with our photographer...I would have literally had a nervous breakdown.

[Leslee&Jake]

I think you should be able to find a student who would do it. I do have one thing to add being a student. I would want to give you a copy of the negatives but I would want to keep a copy of them for myself so that I could use them in my portfolio. Also you might be able to get a few students to do it for you! I would reccommed using a digitial photography student.

[peckmiranda]

Ladedah...do you mind me asking who your photographer was? My pictures are VERY important to me, too, it's just that my budget is pretty small.

[sparklesweetie]

Just adding my two cents in here...I emailed my local college and asked the department head about any students that would be interested. I got one email back from a girl, and she was just as expensive as a professional photographer. So why would I pay that much for a student if I can pay that much for a pro?

Other than that though, I think it's a great idea and wish you luck.

[Belles]

Going through the school may be a great idea! I actually suggest it to brides occasionally... We pull interns from the local universities, and keep them around as second shooters later on. There are quite a few that I would trust to do a great job - and they would love the opportunity.

As for the student asking for pro prices, yeah, not a good sign! The best students, I've found, always feel tremendous pressure due to the nature of the event, are honored to be a part of it, and appreciate that you are going out on a limb and offering them a special opportunity, (just as they're offering to help you out).

When they feel overconfident, and expect top dollar, they just may be getting in over their heads...

Good Luck!

[ladedah]

Originally Posted by peckmiranda

Ladedah...do you mind me asking who your photographer was? My pictures are VERY important to me, too, it's just that my budget is pretty small.

Sorry...I missed this the first time around....


We used Clayton Jenkins. He was out of Salina with JenkinsSerene Photography. He moved to Colorado and opened a studio there right around the time of our wedding....his link....

www.claytonjenkins.com

His assistant came along with and I know that she now works for Fast Focus Photography in Salina (Jane Serene)....they both have more of the "journalistic" approach...she's *not as good* but still good I think. If you are interested I can e-mail you some of the pics they did...(you can see some by clicking my wedding pics in my signature link....but some of those pictures were just random people taking pics that e-mailed me pictures).

I think the package that we purchase was somewhere close to $3,000. But that included all day photography, our engagement pictures and most of the prints that we wanted. Let me know if you need/want more info. (they have other less expensive packages)

[CMK]

You could also post an ad for a "gig" on www.craigslist.com or similar. It's free & simple. Most importantly just state the day & location that you need a photographer for. It's a good idea to state your max. budget, to save wasting time. Ask them to e-mail a list of references, & a link to their website or an on-line portfolio.

To me there isn't much of a difference between someone who shoots film or digital, so I wouldn't stipulate that. Film gets more accurate colors picked up whereas digital depends on the camera's settings & the printing equipment interpretation. You get more accurate color if you use film & have a pro-developing shop scan in the negatives to electronic files.

[Maryann Caravaglia]

Try looking for inexpensive wedding photographers in the classified or Bridal Section of your local newspaper.

Try photographers that don't have a studio but work out of their
home. They won't have the overhead expenses that a studio has. So
their prices will be considerably lower, hopefully.

You probably won't find these photographers at the big highly advertised bridal shows, because they cost so much to enter.

Look for smaller local bridal shows.

Try asking the other vendors that are working on your wedding
if they know of any inexpensive but professional photographers
in the area.

Good Luck everyone with your wedding plans

Maryann

[Belles]

You may want to look at getting a great photographer for some bridals, and then go by budget for the big day. Bridals are where you'll get the really awesome images. The ceremony itself - well there's only so much that you can do with three people standing still at the front of a church for an hour...

These are from a recent bridal shoot we did. We love weddings - but you don't get these kinds of shots at them...

[Geoff the Photographer]

Would it be okay post the potential text of my new wedding photography website to this thread in the hope of getting back some useful feedback? I won't be advertising my services or redirecting people anywhere. I'm just trying to see if my message is on target. I'd like to see if what I am saying resonates with current brides.

[ljeagle]

Originally Posted by Geoff the Photographer

Would it be okay post the potential text of my new wedding photography website to this thread in the hope of getting back some useful feedback? I won't be advertising my services or redirecting people anywhere. I'm just trying to see if my message is on target. I'd like to see if what I am saying resonates with current brides.

If you are a business we really like you to do it in the advertising part. A lot of times it gets deleted if you don't do it in the classifieds. Thanks

Reading the FAQ might help you out.
http://www.pashweddings.com/weddingf...faq_comm_rules

[Complicated Woman]

Originally Posted by ljeagle

If you are a business we really like you to do it in the advertising part. A lot of times it gets deleted if you don't do it in the classifieds. Thanks

Reading the FAQ might help you out.
http://www.pashweddings.com/weddingf...faq_comm_rules

+1

But, if you want to post an ad in the classifieds and then participate in the board -- offering advice, asking questions about what brides are looking for, etc etc, feel free! It is great to hear from vendors and we have several who are regular members on here. And welcome to Pash!