Has anyone thought of this?

joshhuntnmjoshhuntnm Registered Users Posts: 1,924 Major grins
edited April 5, 2008 in Mind Your Own Business
I did my first wedding tonight and an idea came to me. It seems so obvious now, I am thinking this may be the routine thing for everyone do, but just wanted to get some feedback on how you work the details.

My idea is to set up a couple of umbrellas and a background to the side of the reception. then, have the DJ announce the bride and groom want everyone's family photo (with or without the bride and groom, or both?).

The thought then, of course is to sell family photos to everyone at the reception, not just pictures of the wedding. Plus, the bride and groom would get really nice pics of everyone there. i was a little frustrated taking table shots and candid shots of everyone and thinking how much better they would be with this approach.

Has anyone tried this? how do you work the details?

Josh
Josh
Las Cruces Photographer / Las Cruces Wedding Photographer
Other site

Comments

  • RustingInPeaceRustingInPeace Registered Users Posts: 255 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2008
    When I have a brinde that really wants pictures of everyone under the sun, I set up on the receprion line.

    “Look, I'm not an intellectual - I just take pictures.” -Helmut Newton-
  • glhphotosglhphotos Registered Users Posts: 16 Big grins
    edited March 16, 2008
    It depends on whether that is a good use of your time. Did/do you use a second shooter? If so perhaps that person could take those shots of whoever was interested while you continue to focus your efforts on the wedding. If you are planning to try to do more weddings in the future you might also better spend the time setting up a slide show of the current weddding that can be shown during the reception. Have the slideshow on a laptop and put it along with some business cards where you can keep an eye on the computer but where the wedding guests can see the photos. You can do a quick edit from the wedding and the first part of the reception while everyone is eating and have the slideshow ready to go by the time the main meal is done. If you decide to try to do formals of the guests you will also need to think through how you are going to market those images. Will you put them on the web and hope that the B/G tell everyone where to find them? Will you include the ones that are not so good? If you take the time to shoot, say 25 family groups, and sell 10% of those is it worth the time and effort? How are you pricing your final product to the B/G and how does having these types of shots figure into your finished product?
  • Vivid VisionsVivid Visions Registered Users Posts: 22 Big grins
    edited March 16, 2008
    joshhuntnm wrote:
    My idea is to set up a couple of umbrellas and a background to the side of the reception. then, have the DJ announce the bride and groom want everyone's family photo (with or without the bride and groom, or both?).

    The thought then, of course is to sell family photos to everyone at the reception, not just pictures of the wedding. Plus, the bride and groom would get really nice pics of everyone there. i was a little frustrated taking table shots and candid shots of everyone and thinking how much better they would be with this approach.

    Has anyone tried this? how do you work the details?

    Josh

    I considered this idea early on in my work as a wedding photographer, but couldn't do it because I found that I needed to be mingling in the reception too. I usually work alone, or with one assistant.

    However, a bride did request this recently, and since I had an intern in training, I put him on this task. It worked fairly well, but there were a few things I would make sure we worked out the next time:

    1. Make sure the location has the ability to be properly lit. The wedding I did was outside under a tent, and when it got dark the only light source was the strobe. It was ok, but not lit the way I would have preferred.

    2. The guests had to be repeatedly reminded to get their photo taken. Some guests didn't want to be in photos, and others waited until they were drunk and unkempt looking before gathering the courage to pose for their close-up.

    3. After all of this, the bride didn't take any of the prints. There were some great shots of groups of people, but she didn't take one of them. For this event, this activity was a bit of an after thought and not included in the initial package, so if you do this, make sure you price it in the contract instead of adding it on. I think this had something to do with why she didn't buy the prints, even though SHE wanted the photos.

    The bottom line for me really is the availability of a second photographer to do this while someone is working the reception and getting the candid moments. I promote my style and technique as photojournalistic, so getting those candids on the dance floor and at the tables is really important to delivering as promised to the client.
    Judy
    Vivid Vision: A bright and distinct object of extraordinary beauty, presented in a clear and striking manner.
    http://www.vividvisionsphoto.com http://vividvisions.smugmug.com
  • glhphotosglhphotos Registered Users Posts: 16 Big grins
    edited March 16, 2008
    It also comes down to what the B/G want. They hired you to record their wedding and may or may not care about having formals of all of the family groupings and guests When you meet with them early in the planning stages ask what their expectation are. My guess is that most of them will want to have a the expected formals (B/G with brides family, B/G with groom's family, bridal party...) but will not care all that much about your spending time on the other guests when you could be recording their event.
  • anwmn1anwmn1 Registered Users Posts: 3,469 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2008
    During the dinner is a good time to do this. It is usually down time for the photographer because well - who wants to have their picture taken when they are eating.

    We did this on the last wedding I worked. Had the DJ announce that anyone that wanted a family photo done before the next event could do so. The DJ then came out and let us know 5 minutes before the next event was going to happen.

    The families were given a business card with the direct web link to where the photos would be. It wasn't that difficult and was time we would normally be shooting the breeze with each other or the other contracted vendors.
    "The Journey of life is as much in oneself as the roads one travels"


    Aaron Newman

    Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
    Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion
  • PupatorPupator Registered Users Posts: 2,322 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2008
    I'd make sure you clear this with the bride and groom first.

    As a groom, I'd be angry with you if you "used" my wedding to find some side jobs. I paid you to use your time getting the shots I care about, not to establish a portrait studio for all comers in my reception hall.

    Just my two cents, of course.
  • joshhuntnmjoshhuntnm Registered Users Posts: 1,924 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2008
    Well, I had in mind to check with the bride first.

    My thought was the bride and groom would like it because they would get nice pics of all their friends, instead of just candid shots.
    Josh
    Las Cruces Photographer / Las Cruces Wedding Photographer
    Other site
  • anwmn1anwmn1 Registered Users Posts: 3,469 Major grins
    edited March 19, 2008
    joshhuntnm wrote:
    Well, I had in mind to check with the bride first.

    My thought was the bride and groom would like it because they would get nice pics of all their friends, instead of just candid shots.

    Most of the time the bride and groom aren't going to care about photos of anyone other than themselves or ones of specific family members/friends with the bride and groom. deal.gif A cute or very cool candid that captures a special moment is an eception though.
    "The Journey of life is as much in oneself as the roads one travels"


    Aaron Newman

    Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
    Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion
  • PupatorPupator Registered Users Posts: 2,322 Major grins
    edited March 19, 2008
    anwmn1 wrote:
    Most of the time the bride and groom aren't going to care about photos of anyone other than themselves or ones of specific family members/friends with the bride and groom. deal.gif A cute or very cool candid that captures a special moment is an eception though.


    Agreed. It's certainly a matter of personal preference and worth asking the B&G about if it's something you want to do.

    I just know that, as a groom myself not too long ago, I wanted candids of people having a good time (myself included) far more than I wanted formal portraits of them. The formal portraits I wanted had already been taken by the time the reception started (my family, my wife's family, & the wedding party).
  • bhambham Registered Users Posts: 1,303 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2008
    joshhuntnm wrote:
    Well, I had in mind to check with the bride first.

    My thought was the bride and groom would like it because they would get nice pics of all their friends, instead of just candid shots.

    One the wedding day, its all about the bride. Unless its a second photographer doing it, I don't realistically see this as a selling point or an item that couples would want.

    You are trying to get creative and think out of the box which is good, but taking your focus from the center of attention (the bride) is not necessarily a good thing.
    "A photo is like a hamburger. You can get one from McDonalds for $1, one from Chili's for $5, or one from Ruth's Chris for $15. You usually get what you pay for, but don't expect a Ruth's Chris burger at a McDonalds price, if you want that, go cook it yourself." - me
  • AngeloAngelo Super Moderators Posts: 8,937 moderator
    edited March 21, 2008
    so we're turning the bride's wedding into a flea market?

    hmmmmmmmmmm headscratch.gif I'm thinking there could be some sharp objections to this idea.
    www.angelo.smugmug.com

    Moderator of: Location, Location, Location , Mind Your Own Business & Other Cool Shots
  • joshhuntnmjoshhuntnm Registered Users Posts: 1,924 Major grins
    edited March 23, 2008
    Angelo wrote:
    so we're turning the bride's wedding into a flea market?

    hmmmmmmmmmm headscratch.gif I'm thinking there could be some sharp objections to this idea.

    just to be clear. My idea came to me as everyone was sitting around after they ate at the reception. It was a long reception. I was taking pics of everyone there, but was thinking it would be nice to have better ones. In a few cases the B&G asked me to "take a pic with us and uncle fred" which I did, but it occurs to me uncle Fred might want that pic too. And, a lot of other people might want the same thing. And, the B&G might want the same thing. These are all people they have paid $20 a plate to feed. The idea that they might want a nice pic of them seems reasonable. And, in the digital age, it is all free.

    I agree that ultimately it is the B&Gs call but I think I will ask if I get another wedding.
    Josh
    Las Cruces Photographer / Las Cruces Wedding Photographer
    Other site
  • bhambham Registered Users Posts: 1,303 Major grins
    edited March 23, 2008
    joshhuntnm wrote:
    just to be clear. My idea came to me as everyone was sitting around after they ate at the reception. It was a long reception. I was taking pics of everyone there, but was thinking it would be nice to have better ones. In a few cases the B&G asked me to "take a pic with us and uncle fred" which I did, but it occurs to me uncle Fred might want that pic too. And, a lot of other people might want the same thing. And, the B&G might want the same thing. These are all people they have paid $20 a plate to feed. The idea that they might want a nice pic of them seems reasonable. And, in the digital age, it is all free.

    I agree that ultimately it is the B&Gs call but I think I will ask if I get another wedding.

    I don't thinks its a bad idea, and for longer receptions it could be easily doable and not really take to much away from the B&G. But I think you will have to find the right mixture of a B&G willing to and with the knowledge of how or when it could nicely fit into the schedule at a reception.

    After more of your response it sounds like you might have it setup but only spend like 15-20 minutes at the reception to use it. That I think can change peoples response to it. From the first impression, I was thinking more of a ordeal and time commitment to it.
    "A photo is like a hamburger. You can get one from McDonalds for $1, one from Chili's for $5, or one from Ruth's Chris for $15. You usually get what you pay for, but don't expect a Ruth's Chris burger at a McDonalds price, if you want that, go cook it yourself." - me
  • PupatorPupator Registered Users Posts: 2,322 Major grins
    edited March 24, 2008
    joshhuntnm wrote:
    In a few cases the B&G asked me to "take a pic with us and uncle fred" which I did, but it occurs to me uncle Fred might want that pic too. And, a lot of other people might want the same thing. And, the B&G might want the same thing. These are all people they have paid $20 a plate to feed. The idea that they might want a nice pic of them seems reasonable.

    Actually, there's a solution already in place for this that has been used for many years.

    The bride and groom say "Hey, take a picture of us with Uncle Fred." Then, when the pictures get in, they order it if they want it and (usually) Uncle Fred asks them if the pictures are in and how he can order a copy (if he wants one).
  • bhambham Registered Users Posts: 1,303 Major grins
    edited March 24, 2008
    Pupator wrote:
    Actually, there's a solution already in place for this that has been used for many years.

    The bride and groom say "Hey, take a picture of us with Uncle Fred." Then, when the pictures get in, they order it if they want it and (usually) Uncle Fred asks them if the pictures are in and how he can order a copy (if he wants one).

    I usually have one family per wedding ask if they can get a nice family photo. I always tell them I would be glad to when I am not busy with the Bride & Groom. It works well and I have gotten some orders from it, but it really hasn't been a boom or anything.
    "A photo is like a hamburger. You can get one from McDonalds for $1, one from Chili's for $5, or one from Ruth's Chris for $15. You usually get what you pay for, but don't expect a Ruth's Chris burger at a McDonalds price, if you want that, go cook it yourself." - me
  • qsjewlqsjewl Registered Users Posts: 101 Major grins
    edited April 5, 2008
    I'm not a pro or anything....just an average person reading the thread because I am interested in becoming a pro one day. Anyway, this intrigued me because I've been to tons of weddings (helping my aunt who is a wedding planner) so I've seen lots of different ideas. If you are wanting to do this to make extra money, I'm not sure if the B&G would be really pleased if you used their time and event to do so, but if you are doing it as a way for them to have really nice photos of their guests, I have a suggestion that I've seen done.

    Set up a polaroid (please, no hate mail!) and put it by the sign in book. Have the family take a picture (or your assistant take a picture) and then put it in the book (with double sided tape) and sign their name and a short saying or blessing. That way, the B&G might actually have use of the sign in book and display it on the coffee table once in awhile. When people go to look through it, they can see who uncle fred was. You could include this book in your price as a nice extra.

    I'm sure tons of you pros will object, but just a different thought. mwink.gif
Sign In or Register to comment.