Weddings preparation and back up equipment.

[akr]

I think people on tight budgets are willing to chance it a lot more with lesser experienced togs.

I think that's the same for everything in life - to a certain extent you get what you pay for. Sometimes you get nice surprise, sometimes a bad one.

To back up John's case out wedding tog (friend of a friend building portfoli etc) body failed the week before wedding and had to be sent off for repair so we lent her one of our cameras, and had our other one on standby with some lenses just in case....

 

[AliB]

Totally agree with everything John has written here.

The one backup that I was lacking was flash. I have an EX580 and my backups are two vivitars. Now the vivitars are great bits of kit and for some off camera flash where it's all manual I'm happy to use them but I was very aware that the trickery of the EX580 was not there so there would be a problem if something went wrong with the EX580. So I bought another one. Second hand, after all, I will still use my "bought from new" one as my frontline one but at least I have a backup.

Blooming good job! Only the second wedding since I bought it and mine developed a fault, would not change mode and would not zoom. Oh dear! OK, I'll sort that out later, in the meantime, just dive into my bag and as if by magic.........another EX580 with fully charged batteries is produced and off we go. Bride and Groom just laugh because one of the questions they had asked me was about backups. "What happens if" With two photographers and each with backups just about every eventuality can be covered.

And John makes another very valid point, what happens if you, yourself get crocked and can't do the day? I'm lucky that there is a group of five SWPP members that I am friends with and we have an agreement that we would (if avalable on the day) rush to the aid of each other should that happen. If I was feeling that bad a few days before, I'd be on the phone arranging a possible substitute.

Tested the flash when I get home side by side and found the fault, all fixed now with a new foot on it.

 

[jpwone]

Completely agree that those on tight budgets are more willing to take a chance on the quality of product and risk of failure. I think that so long as the photographer is up front about this and the couple understand and accept the risk then there really should not be an issue.

It concerns me that there are a significant number of photographers entering this area of photography who are prepared to wing it and hope nothing goes wrong.

It is good to see that some are getting the message that the photographer should not be one making this decision but the decision should be made by the bride and groom.

Good luck with your wedding today hsuffyan - you seem to have it well covered and at the end of the day it would now take a major series of events to stop you producing images. If only more were as well prepared.

John

 

[AliB]

I've tried to address the issue of those on tight budgets in a different way that means less risk for those couples. I offer a very cheap £300, shoot to disc option that only covers bride arrival, ceremony and group and B&G shots at the ceremony venue (or somewhere close that's nicer )

That way couples on a budget can still have a fully kitted up pro, just not all day. And they can then add shots taken by their guests etc and have a decent record of their day.

I also make myself available to help them if they decide they want an album later, or if they would like a DVD slideshow, or canvas, acrylics etc. It gives them access to all that if they want to come back later when all the dust has settled.

There is no real need for those on a budget to compromise to that extent and I know plenty of fellow pros who will offer similar. We know not everyone can afford the £1000-£1500 package.

I did watch one £15,000 (just on the photography) wedding last night and although some of it was undoubtably very nice (the venue was stunning) there was also far too much cutting off the train of the dress and overexposure going on for that price IMHO.

 

[jpwone]

Hi Ali,

Afraid the 430 is dead, no longer with us, a has been 430 etc.

Will test it again later as it may have got damp but suspect I am clutching at straws with that one.

I have similar arrangements with local pro's and skilled amateurs as yourself. I also offer reduced service packages with all the benefits of using a fully equipped and prepared pro. Maybe I just need to spend a little more money and time on marketing this service but I am also aware that a smaller job on a day could cost me a bigger job on the same day. It is finding that balance between price and service and availability and revenue targets that is the tricky bit. Too cheap and I could be booked every day of the year. Too dear and I'm twiddling my thumbs.

Suspect my home made 6volt power pack might have been too much for the 430 - its taken a real hammering the last few months and it could be that it just cannot handle the quicker recharge times of a proper battery. If I burn out the new one then I'll know that is the cause. Works well with my Metz and Nikon flash though so I would hope that the Canon should cope as well..

John

 

[AliB]

Ah now that rings a bell. The Canon EX580MKI I have to watch carefully if I use it with the quantum powerpack because it is possible to fry it. The MKII has protected circuitry so you may be lucky with the new one I hope so

I need a serious workout with the flashes now I have them both working so I bought a field guide and will be back out shooting the washing line again. I don't care what the subject is when I need to practice but I won't be posting any socks pics

 

[unclened]

Completely agree that those on tight budgets are more willing to take a chance on the quality of product and risk of failure. I think that so long as the photographer is up front about this and the couple understand and accept the risk then there really should not be an issue.

It concerns me that there are a significant number of photographers entering this area of photography who are prepared to wing it and hope nothing goes wrong.

It is good to see that some are getting the message that the photographer should not be one making this decision but the decision should be made by the bride and groom.

Good luck with your wedding today hsuffyan - you seem to have it well covered and at the end of the day it would now take a major series of events to stop you producing images. If only more were as well prepared.

John

thanks for the encouragement.

just got home, very tired and knackered, but the wedding was lovely, no kit issues. Just burning the RAW's to DVD to put into the safe cuboard. I really think that we did a good job for the B&G. Pity the brides mother was ill the whole day and had to leave in an ambulance :shake:

I'll be putting some on here once I have the release from the B&G... thank god no more bookings for a month, can focus on the day job!