Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/02/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I've been enjoying your wedding stories, but you really shouldn't let it bother you so much. I have photographed about 120 weddings with very few problems. The most important thing to remember is our expectations of the work for the most part far exceeds the customer's. EXAMPLE: I have had prints in a pile for discarding and the customer saw them and wanted to buy them all....and I was going to throw them away. The other very important thing is to have a contract that the client signs in advance stipulating what happens if something goes wrong. The standard language is that all you are liable for is the return of any deposits made. This keeps people from suing you. I have only ever had to return one deposit and that is because the lab damaged the film. I made arrangements to do some custom portraiture for these people and they knew it wasn't my fault. They have since sent me several referrals. The bottom line is do your best to prepare, make sure you are capable to do a wedding with the proper equipment, make a list of things the client wants shot, and enjoy yourself. If you miss a shot you think you should have had don't sweat it...chances are the client is too busy having fun to notice. My .02 on weddings - -- Thomas Herbert, Photojournalist (915) 546-2342 (915) 485-3018 pager (559) 677-8961 fax iphoto@elp.rr.com > From: LawsonCL@aol.com > Reply-To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us > Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2000 13:43:08 EST > To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us > Subject: [Leica] Wedding stories--Thank You! > > It is to take place in less than 24 hours. A Valentine's Day wedding. Talk > about your icky-gooey expectations. > > The bride asked me to photograph the event. The instant she popped the > question, I stiffened with anxiety. Quickly, out of fear, I did the right > thing. I bang-shifted my mental gearbox into self-deprecating, obsequious > suck-up mode and said: "I am very flattered you would ask to photograph your > wedding, but there is no way I am experienced or competent enough to be > entrusted to on such an important event." > > She bought it. > > This morning, as I read wedding photographers' horror stories, I am comforted > by my cowardice. I sit content, belly full of breakfast, knowing the > gut-churning anticipation of busting a shoot for which there can be no > re-shoot event will not be visited upon me today. My breakfast is safe. > > Chris (Make fear your ally) Lawson >