wedding ??

[Genevieve Buck]

I have a couple questions to the wedding photographers out there...

Do you post a couple pictures as a "sneak peak" or in your blog before the bride has a chance to approve any posting? I ask becuase after a bride had givin me permisson to post her weddin photos(a pre wedding talk), called me, well actually texted me irate because she didn't get to see any. They were two of the cake and one tastefull one of her. She clamed this was not a normal thing, and they should see all pictures and "aprove" before any posting. I took them down right away and will be all done with that wedding! But had to know when you post a few pictures in your blog or on Facebook or online do they always see them before hand?

another question is when you are DONE with a wedding and the couple has their album CDs pictures ect do you keep a copy?

Thanks!

[genepaltrineri]

I ask first.
I tell them that, normally I will post them within x days, but if they wish I can have a private password for her approval before we publish it to the advertised guest password.
I have only had two brides request that in the ten years or so we have been posting. All others just have the edited images posted. If they want one deleted, I do so immediately.
One challenge that might occur is if a guest is depicted as too "friendly" with someone who is not their significant other. I believe a very well known photographer was sued when posted images at a wedding were grounds for a guest's divorce. They were found not guilty but cost several thousand in legal fees.
Shortly after the notoriety of that event I had a lawyer bride to be, try to add in her contract that I, ther photographer, would be responsible for all such claimes ant that she, the bride, could not be held libal.
I obviously returned her retainer along with the unsigned revised contract.

[Genevieve Buck]

Thank you so much Gene!! This couple as been less than ideal and I am going to be really happy when it is over! I appreciate your input it is nice to belong to a group a professional photographers who are nice and helpful!!
I certainly have learned a lesson and am grateful for that!

Genevieve

[Paul Purpura]

Another reason why I do not photograph weddings.

Paul

[Genevieve Buck]

I am understanding what people are talking about when they say they do not photopgraph weddings!! She wanted to have the unedited photos. Is this at all heard of? Does anyone show their brides all the unedited photos?

[Cassandra Sullivan]

Just show what you want them to see. Delete all the bad stuff, and renumber what's left so there's no gaps in the numbers and she won't say 'Where's the rest?". There ya go!

What do you mean by She wanted to have the unedited photos.? Like does she want a disk? Sometimes if yo prod them further they don't necessarily want ALL the photos. Also ask what she means by 'unedited'. Perhaps she's just looking for a deal, and thinks 'unedited' = 'less $$' or even 'free'.
Ask questions!

[Genevieve Buck]

when I say unedited I mean UNedited! They asked me if I shoot in raw (which I don't) because they would like to tweet the photos. I should also mention this WAS a person I was "friendly" with from High School. Her husband is a photographer (actually just moved to NH from another country) and apparently this is how he shoots a wedding. Shows his bride all the photos then she can pick wich ones she wants edited!

Because I am still new and building a body of work I am charging per hour and then the couple gets a cd of the edited pictures. This has worked well for me so far. I call it my portfolio building prices with all intention of going up in price once I get established. I have to say I have learned a lesson and am going to make sure everything is clearly written out. They have been a big headache! I am very happy to be done with this event!

I do apprecite your responses!! It is helpful as I am new the to wedding photography buisness

[Karen Walker]

I've been (happily) out of the wedding business for about three years now so I'm a little out of touch, but it was my experience that as I raised my prices, my problems became fewer and fewer. For the price I charged (about $4500) my clients trusted me to deliver a quality product and for the most part, did not nitpick.
One thing that is clear is that all those little details need to be discussed and agreed upon before booking the event. And then put in writing.
I now need to take my own advice. I've agreed to photograph two small weddings this summer. I think I may be loosing my mind.

[Larry Asam]

Genevieve - Renumbering works well. I would not show folks my mistakes. But do what you are comfortable with and as Karen says make sure it's in writing so that there are no misunderstandings.

Once in awhile if someone gives me a hard time in the initial meeting - I suggest that we might not be a good match. I would rather not get the wedding then to have either of us unhappy....