the f.a.q.
- August 1, 2008 -

I’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions (per se) that either I’ve received, or that has been brought up many times in this industry. Though I do speak a bit in jest, I desire to educate people on the industry itself, so that everyone will have a proper view of what we, as photographers, do.

I guarantee at least 10. I promise.

No two weddings are the same, but generally there can be 300-500 images provided. Although I take many of pictures during the actual event, I edit very tightly to provide you with the best of the best. I will go through and remove duplicates and blinks and the likes so you don’t have to. My goal is to provide you with the best collection to tell the story to its fullest. For portrait sessions, I will average more around 50-100 images.

When is the best time to do portraits?
The best time is when I’m around.

For most photographers, their favorite time to shoot portraits (or pretty much any sort of outdoor images) is just before sunset. The sun is an amazing source of light, and as it goes down you can receive very rich colors in the sky. The toughest time is either in complete darkness (obviously), or at high-noon…then you just have everyone squinting and sweating…nobody likes that.

What kind of gear do you use?
I use cameras.

There are many people who get caught up with brands and specifications of cameras and such. But ultimately, when you are showing the images to you friends and family, you are not saying ‘This is image was shot with a Canon 1Ds Mark II and an 85 1.2!’ (…unless you’re a photographer). Now, the higher end cameras do provide greater ease in the hands of a trained photographer, but the true test: look at their portfolio. Are they consistent? Do you like the style? Does it speak to you? This is what you should base your decision on, not on whether its a D300 or an XTi.

[for the record, I use Canon bodies, a Canon lenses, Sandisk CF cards, and Apple/Adobe products for my digital darkroom.]

I found a photographer who is willing to shoot the entire wedding and rehearsal, and provide a full set of printed proofs, an album for us and also two parent albums for $300. Can you match it?
Hmmmm…I don’t think I’m the right photographer for you.

Many photographers who do not have a great grasp on the financial aspect of the business or as simply trying to build a portfolio are willing to give away anything and everything for experience. But this is not something that can (or should) be expected of the majority. In all seriousness, I would not be able to even break even by providing albums at that cost.

A general view of the wedding photography industry is “$8,000 for 8 hours of work? If you just do 10 weddings a year, you’re making $80,000 a year!” What many people do not see is the amount of hours a photographer puts in outside of the actual event. With consultations and editing, most photographers actually log more than the average 40 hour work week. In addition, there are many additional costs that we must incur: equipment, insurance, backup equipment, advertising, and some also have studio workspaces (now there is rent, electricity, heat, etc. to factor in). In addition, there are the raw cost of goods such as prints, albums, shipping, and packaging.

Can I give you a list of the 80 things you definitely need to take (and another list of the 40 formal portraits we need)?
Ummm… you can give it to me…can’t promise I’ll do much with it.

Personally, I don’t like to use shot lists, as it goes a bit against my approach of documenting a day as it occurs. It would force me to step outside of vision, in a sense, and simply seek or pose situations. If you like the work of a photographer, you will receive that style of photography. Now, if there are some important ceremonial/traditional circumstances, by all means keep me aware. But I cannot promise that I will follow a given list point by point through our time together.

…and about the 40 formals with families…if you really want it, we’ll discuss it further :) .

be sure to visit the contact page if you’re looking for a chicago wedding photographer, available nationwide.

natemathai | filed under: Personal

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