Sorry for the expletive, but that's honestly the first two words that ran through my mind when the request came in.
So as some of you know, I just joined OSP about a month ago. That's roughly the same time when I had decided to give professional photography a shot (though I had been thinking about it for a couple of months). My fictitious business name filing will be finalized by the end of the month, and I'm just getting ready to print some business cards. And now I'm shooting a wedding in August.
Yikes!
It's a small wedding, to be sure, but I certainly have NO desire to be responsible for ruining my friends' memory of their wedding day.
Well, at least I've got seven months to get my act together. I remember DJ saying something about pouring through every wedding photography book on Friday nights at Borders when his friends started asking him to shoot their weddings. I'll be doing the same, no doubt.
Any OC/LA/SD OSP peeps want to let me tag along on a shoot so long as I promise not to get in the way? I'll even put in $1,000 as collateral so that, if I DO get in the way, you're free to keep the money as damages. :-)
Okay, so I'm kidding about that last part.
But seriously, I'd appreciate any help that anyone is willing to offer. I've more or less always been self-taught in just about everything I've ever done, but with this I'm not going to pretend that I can do it and succeed at it on my own.
Thanks, OSP. You're the best!
Full Version: First Wedding Request
QUOTE(Wayne Toshikazu @ February 4 2008, 01:40 AM) 
Sorry for the expletive, but that's honestly the first two words that ran through my mind when the request came in.
So as some of you know, I just joined OSP about a month ago. That's roughly the same time when I had decided to give professional photography a shot (though I had been thinking about it for a couple of months). My fictitious business name filing will be finalized by the end of the month, and I'm just getting ready to print some business cards. And now I'm shooting a wedding in August.
Yikes!
It's a small wedding, to be sure, but I certainly have NO desire to be responsible for ruining my friends' memory of their wedding day.
Well, at least I've got seven months to get my act together. I remember DJ saying something about pouring through every wedding photography book on Friday nights at Borders when his friends starting asking him to shoot their weddings. I'll be doing the same, no doubt.
Any OC/LA/SD OSP peeps want to let me tag along on a shoot so long as I promise not to get in the way? I'll even put in $1,000 as collateral so that, if I DO get in the way, you're free to keep the money as damages. :-)
Okay, so I'm kidding about that last part.
But seriously, I'd appreciate any help that anyone is willing to offer. I've more or less always been self-taught in just about everything I've ever done, but with this I'm not going to pretend that I can do it and succeed at it on my own.
Thanks, OSP. You're the best!
So as some of you know, I just joined OSP about a month ago. That's roughly the same time when I had decided to give professional photography a shot (though I had been thinking about it for a couple of months). My fictitious business name filing will be finalized by the end of the month, and I'm just getting ready to print some business cards. And now I'm shooting a wedding in August.
Yikes!
It's a small wedding, to be sure, but I certainly have NO desire to be responsible for ruining my friends' memory of their wedding day.
Well, at least I've got seven months to get my act together. I remember DJ saying something about pouring through every wedding photography book on Friday nights at Borders when his friends starting asking him to shoot their weddings. I'll be doing the same, no doubt.
Any OC/LA/SD OSP peeps want to let me tag along on a shoot so long as I promise not to get in the way? I'll even put in $1,000 as collateral so that, if I DO get in the way, you're free to keep the money as damages. :-)
Okay, so I'm kidding about that last part.
But seriously, I'd appreciate any help that anyone is willing to offer. I've more or less always been self-taught in just about everything I've ever done, but with this I'm not going to pretend that I can do it and succeed at it on my own.
Thanks, OSP. You're the best!
Wow Congrats!!! Yeah, definitely second shoot and read a lot! You've got a lot of time but it will be here before you know it!
Great news Wayne & good luck with it.
I have been 2nd shooting for a few months now with my first wedding at the beginning of March so not too long to go now. It's in a castle too so lighting isnt going to be the easiest.
I have been 2nd shooting for a few months now with my first wedding at the beginning of March so not too long to go now. It's in a castle too so lighting isnt going to be the easiest.
QUOTE(katiebev @ February 3 2008, 11:42 PM)
Wow Congrats!!! Yeah, definitely second shoot and read a lot! You've got a lot of time but it will be here before you know it!
Thanks, Katie! I'm a bit nervous but the excitement is definitely the greater of the two emotions!
QUOTE(mikeanywhere @ February 4 2008, 04:07 AM)
Great news Wayne & good luck with it.I have been 2nd shooting for a few months now with my first wedding at the beginning of March so not too long to go now. It's in a castle too so lighting isnt going to be the easiest.
Thanks, Mike.
A castle? I imagine that you'll get some great backdrops at that wedding!
QUOTE
pouring through every wedding photography book on Friday nights at Borders when his friends started asking him to shoot their weddings. I'll be doing the same, no doubt.
That's actually a great exercise to keep up throughout your career. It's always inspiring and educational to study the works of others.
Congratulations!!
Second shoot for as many people as you can in the next few months so when you get to yours it will feel more comfortable. Also think of lining up someone to second shoot that one for you so you arent doing it all on your own.
There are tons of photographers down in your area, so if you get the message out on the boards and any other forums you should be able to get several weddings lined up.
ALSO - this is very important. Find someone you can "tag along" so to speak to watch their workflow - you need to think beyond the wedding day. What are you going to do with all those great images, and how are you going to get them to the client to see, as well as put an album together for them, if thats part of your contract. Do some searches here on OSP and read what others have posted on their workflows.
And if you don't have a contract, get one in place.
I'm sure there are lots of other tips, but those are the ones that come to mind.
There are tons of photographers down in your area, so if you get the message out on the boards and any other forums you should be able to get several weddings lined up.
ALSO - this is very important. Find someone you can "tag along" so to speak to watch their workflow - you need to think beyond the wedding day. What are you going to do with all those great images, and how are you going to get them to the client to see, as well as put an album together for them, if thats part of your contract. Do some searches here on OSP and read what others have posted on their workflows.
And if you don't have a contract, get one in place.
I'm sure there are lots of other tips, but those are the ones that come to mind.
QUOTE(bsteffine @ February 4 2008, 07:44 AM)
That's actually a great exercise to keep up throughout your career. It's always inspiring and educational to study the works of others.
Congratulations!!
Congratulations!!
Thanks, Bruce. And yes, you're right: lifelong learning is absolutely essential!
And great pics on your blog!
QUOTE(Mark @ February 4 2008, 08:48 AM)
Second shoot for as many people as you can in the next few months so when you get to yours it will feel more comfortable. Also think of lining up someone to second shoot that one for you so you arent doing it all on your own.
There are tons of photographers down in your area, so if you get the message out on the boards and any other forums you should be able to get several weddings lined up.
ALSO - this is very important. Find someone you can "tag along" so to speak to watch their workflow - you need to think beyond the wedding day. What are you going to do with all those great images, and how are you going to get them to the client to see, as well as put an album together for them, if thats part of your contract. Do some searches here on OSP and read what others have posted on their workflows.
And if you don't have a contract, get one in place.
I'm sure there are lots of other tips, but those are the ones that come to mind.
There are tons of photographers down in your area, so if you get the message out on the boards and any other forums you should be able to get several weddings lined up.
ALSO - this is very important. Find someone you can "tag along" so to speak to watch their workflow - you need to think beyond the wedding day. What are you going to do with all those great images, and how are you going to get them to the client to see, as well as put an album together for them, if thats part of your contract. Do some searches here on OSP and read what others have posted on their workflows.
And if you don't have a contract, get one in place.
I'm sure there are lots of other tips, but those are the ones that come to mind.
Mark - thanks for the advice. Any wisdom from others already in the business is always appreciated.
As far as second shooting is concerned, I'd LOVE to tag along with others. I'm going to the next OC PUG and then Master Your Craft in LA at the end of the month, so hopefully that will open up some networking opportunities for me.
And then trolling the boards never hurts either.
Thanks again!
QUOTE(Wayne Toshikazu @ February 4 2008, 12:38 PM)
Mark - thanks for the advice. Any wisdom from others already in the business is always appreciated.
As far as second shooting is concerned, I'd LOVE to tag along with others. I'm going to the next OC PUG and then Master Your Craft in LA at the end of the month, so hopefully that will open up some networking opportunities for me.
And then trolling the boards never hurts either.
Thanks again!
As far as second shooting is concerned, I'd LOVE to tag along with others. I'm going to the next OC PUG and then Master Your Craft in LA at the end of the month, so hopefully that will open up some networking opportunities for me.
And then trolling the boards never hurts either.
Thanks again!
Going to those meetings will for sure get you some 2nd gigs. Don't forget to tag along even on portrait sessions or other types of events. Doing a variety will get you thinking on your toes.
Thank you for the compliment, Wayne!
You going to try and make it to the WPPI convention? There is also a great get together in two weekends up in Napa with OPS folks from around the country.
You going to try and make it to the WPPI convention? There is also a great get together in two weekends up in Napa with OPS folks from around the country.
QUOTE(bsteffine @ February 4 2008, 01:07 PM)
Thank you for the compliment, Wayne!
You going to try and make it to the WPPI convention? There is also a great get together in two weekends up in Napa with OPS folks from around the country.
You going to try and make it to the WPPI convention? There is also a great get together in two weekends up in Napa with OPS folks from around the country.
Unfortunately I'm still doing the full-time day job thing, so attending these sorts of weekday events is difficult. I would love to attend next year, though, as I'm getting a free ticket for posting Joe Photo's WPPI washed up rockstar video on my blog (hint, hint!).
Can you give more details on the Napa trip? My wife would love to go there.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.