Photographing for your client.

One of the fun things about photographing weddings is basically the unpredictability of the day. You are never sure what kind of images you are going to be taking.

Well, you now to a certain degree. These would be the Getting Ready photographs. The Ceremony and then the Reception. The best part though is finding those gems amongst everything else that you will be photographing.

It is the constant search for the interesting guest's and the special moments that the couple will be taking when they think nobody is watching.

It is also about the beautiful formal photographs and the opportunity to make sure you get some really individual and special photographs that the couple will appreciate long after you have left.

On other occasions it is also really interesting to test your own creativity. What can you create with the model and the location that you are working in. What works well for one photograph might not always be appropriate for every other photograph in the same location.

For me finding the best photograph is not about clicking the shutter release button a million times. Rather it is about watching your client or model and knowing what you can expect when you ask them to do something. By knowing the reaction or even been able to anticipate the action you can be sure to capture the photograph you are looking for.

Do not be shy to ask questions because it is a great way to elicit some reactions from your models.

All collages created here can become some great wall art for you and your family. Just ask.

Enjoy your photography and think beyond just been the photographer. Rather think of it as the treasure maker and the collage creator or any other name that would be suitable for your chosen genre of photography.

Have a great day.

Denzil

Are you ready to sign up new clients....?

Hello everyone.

I say this not because I am curious about what you have done in the past or what you have already prepared for your clients, but it is more of a question for myself?

Tonight I went to a showcase for a company that I work for. It was a showcase for wedding couples looking for photographer's, DJ's and videographers. I have to admit I was not sure what to expect because I had never attended one before. So let me prepare you so that you do not make the same mistakes that I made.

Firstly, they always say that you should have a website or a portfolio ready to show prospective clients. Well, I got all of these. I have Behance it has some of my work but it did not have any of my wedding portfolios or any of my engagement sessions. I just realized that you have to make sure that your portfolio is up-to-date with the latest work that you have recently done.

I also have my own website which showcases more recent work. However the point that I am trying to make here is that you have to be prepared to show your clients all of your work no matter where you are. Tonight I had a number of different options available to me.

I used my IPad to link my Lightroom collections to my LR Mobile app. This helped me ensure that prospective clients can see some of my best work on a screen and they are able to make a decision on whether my work is suitable for their particular event. If you have not used this option before then all you have to do is download the LR Mobile app from the Apple or Android store and then when you go into your Lightroom collections you click on the little square box next to the collection name and this will sync that collection to your mobile app.

Here is a short video to see how it works.

Now you don't need a collection with hundreds of images. Just make sure it is a collection with your best edited images.

Next, make sure that you make a few prints. Whether they are canvas wraps or even large prints in a frame they are good selling points for your clients. They can see what it looks like when they have their photographs printed. It is also an investment in you and your company. Do not think of it as an expense that is wasted. It is a portfolio that you can take with you wherever you go. 

Finally, make sure that you have your business cards with you. Let the client leave knowing who they have spoken to and whether they would like to come back to you. You need to make an impression. This is your career that you are talking about and you always want them thinking and talking about you.

One additional item that I have added is a slideshow of some of my work. If you are a wedding photographer then have a great wedding slideshow of some of your best work. Here is a sample slideshow that you could have running in the background when you are speaking to potential clients.

So be prepared for any and all eventualities. I wish you all the best and success in your careers.

Kind regards.

Denzil

Good Morning from your Sunday Ambassador. My name is Wayne, I am currently enrolled in the BS Photography program.  I hope you are all staying cool from this heat wave. There are many different areas of photography, as there are many wonderful photographer's. One of my favorite subjects to photograph are weddings. This is a face paced environment and you don't always have the time to set up and get that "spectacular" image. I have worked with some great photographers who's idea was quantity not quality. So by the end of an 8 hour wedding they may have 3000 images, but many are unusable. Use your available ambient light, and always shoot in manual.

When photographing a wedding it is very vital that you know your equipment. This includes your camera, speed lights, strobes, remote triggers, reflectors and soft boxes. Try not to rush your images, take your time so that you can create those long lasting memories for your clients. Furthermore, know the advantages of shooting in manual mode vs. shooting in auto or one of the presets. Manual allows you, as a photographer to create the photograph and not allow the camera to decide what the final image looks like.

When photographing, I always shoot in RAW instead of JPG because RAW will capture all the data in the image with minimal compression. This allows for easier post production.

Below are some photographs from two recent weddings. Please feel free to ask questions and leave feedback.

                                                         Flash Mob Photography Network - Wayne Salat

   Flash Mob Photography Network - Wayne Salat

                                                       Flash Mob Photography Network  - Wayne Salat

                                                          Flash Mob Photography Network - Wayne Salat