Unique Wedding Request...HELP!!! PLEASE!!!
Hi All,
This past Monday I visited a private animal farm with my wife and children. One of the attractions is as you might guess an elephant ride. My wife and children mounted up and I went across to the far side of the ride area with my Canon 100-400 to shoot the event. Long story short, the owner of the elephant came over to me and asked me about my gear because they were in the market for a new camera for their souvenir pictures. A very nice lady asked if I had a business card which I handed to her and she asked if it would be ok if her husband called to ask some questions about their next camera purchase. I said sure and that I'd be happy to answer any questions he may have. Well fast-forward to today, my phone rings and it's the same very nice lady who owns the elephant. However, instead of what I expected, which was questions about a camera, she asked me if I would shoot her son's wedding in 2 weeks. It's going to be very small, approximately 10 people or so and is planning on being outside. Here's the kicker, it's at the animal farm and they are including the elephant in the ceremony.
I've only done secondary shooting at a wedding before and I was wondering if anyone out there has run across similar request or if you have any advice. The people are not well off as you can imagine so price is of great concern and they seem to be very nice.
Thanks in advance and I'm including a picture of my family on same elephant that will be used in the ceremony. My wife, daughter and son. The little boy in the front is someone else's. The guy in red leading the elephant is the pending groom!
This past Monday I visited a private animal farm with my wife and children. One of the attractions is as you might guess an elephant ride. My wife and children mounted up and I went across to the far side of the ride area with my Canon 100-400 to shoot the event. Long story short, the owner of the elephant came over to me and asked me about my gear because they were in the market for a new camera for their souvenir pictures. A very nice lady asked if I had a business card which I handed to her and she asked if it would be ok if her husband called to ask some questions about their next camera purchase. I said sure and that I'd be happy to answer any questions he may have. Well fast-forward to today, my phone rings and it's the same very nice lady who owns the elephant. However, instead of what I expected, which was questions about a camera, she asked me if I would shoot her son's wedding in 2 weeks. It's going to be very small, approximately 10 people or so and is planning on being outside. Here's the kicker, it's at the animal farm and they are including the elephant in the ceremony.
I've only done secondary shooting at a wedding before and I was wondering if anyone out there has run across similar request or if you have any advice. The people are not well off as you can imagine so price is of great concern and they seem to be very nice.
Thanks in advance and I'm including a picture of my family on same elephant that will be used in the ceremony. My wife, daughter and son. The little boy in the front is someone else's. The guy in red leading the elephant is the pending groom!
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Not really sure what your question is, are you concerned about the elephant being part of it? It sounds like it would be a wonderful wedding!!! You should make sure to get some cool shots of the couple on the elephant ... hmmmmm ....there would be sooo many cool things you could do!!! + with 10 guests the pressure won't be that high on you ... should be fun ... HAVE FUN!!!
Thanks Agnieszka. There really wasn't a specific question, especially giving the uniqueness of the request. I've never been the "primary" photog on a wedding shoot. I am very excited about the opporutnity as well because of the uniuqe situation and the once in a life-time opportunity to shoot in this venue. I am just thowing it out there to see if there might be some guidance in general (yes like you mentioned some cool shots with the elephant) which I've been running through options ever since I got the call. I'm looking forward to it! Thanks for commenting.... I'll keep you posted.
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Next, I think you should sit down, face to face, and talk to them. Find out what their expectations are. How are they planning to include the elephant in the photos/wedding. What are their ideas for the photography. Odds are that if they have thought about including the animal, they have also thought about how they want to include the animal. Take notes!!!! Now, convert these notes to some sort of written agreement/contract so that everyone can be on the same page.
Money is an issue for them. Determine, based on their expectations, what you would like to get for the wedding. Remember that you have worked weddings before so you do bring experience to the table. Make sure you price it high enough that they really appreciate you and your work and respect both. Of course you need to be sensitive to their situation as well. Talk to them and find out what else they are contracting for the wedding. Are the catering the food? How about a DJ? Etc. If so, you have an idea of what their budget is and this can help you avoid the low-ball efforts and the claims that they "just can't afford more". Bottom line - get what you are worth and make sure you are worth what you get!
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Thanks for the thoughtful insight Scott. Their family goes back generations with the care and show of elephants. They truly love the animals. Added to the uniqueness of the situation is also the point that the wedding is "short notice" e.g. they just started planning yesterday and are targeting for July 25th. It's not your typical wedding in that all of the frills are not really going to be there (e.g. DJ, catered Food and a reception) and dad is performing the ceremony as he is a JP. I'm not sure there expectations are very high based on initial conversation with mom (though mine are) I'll spend time with them before and see how I can get them great results, good price and happy memories. I'm looking forward to learning from this and catching some great shots.
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Is the Animal Park near Boston? I have a granddaughter who would just love to see a live elephant!
Did I see you on Newbury Street today?
Virginia
"A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you, the less you know." Diane Arbus
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Hi Flyinggina,
It's actually about 45 minutes outside of Boston. It wasn't me on Newbury Street today but perhaps we'll bump into each other as I work on State Street. I'm looking forward to the shoot.
www.brogen.com
Member: PPA , PPANE, PPAM & NAPP
Two things to think about: I saw in your profile that you have two bodies so use both bodies to shoot the wedding so you aren't changing lenses during the ceremony. Too many things can happen.
Make sure that you shoot with a wide lens to capture the entire scene. The 24-70 on the 5d is perfect for that and then if you have a longer lens on the Xti you can cover the longer range. The 100-400 is a great lens for wildlife, but the 70-200 might be preferable depending on the time of day - the wider lens opening with it's low light capabilities maybe more important than the longer range. Make sure that shooting you don't blow out the highlights on a white dress and that you don't cut off feet and hands etc. That will separate the pros from the wanna bes.
What about lighting? Do you have the right lighing to make the faces in the ceremony all evenly lit? With the size of the elephant, you might need some lighting to capture the event properly. Check with them regarding time of day.
There are so many details in a wedding day.
Flash Frozen Photography, Inc.
http://flashfrozenphotography.com
Thanks you for the great input ChatKat. Those are great tips. The lighting is outdoors and probably starting around 6PM. I'm getting a 580EX to run with my 480 in slave mode with a pocket wizard setup. I also plan to arrive early enough to take some test shots to find the best spots and potential lighting issue areas that may be affected by direct sun or shade.
www.brogen.com
Member: PPA , PPANE, PPAM & NAPP
Pocklet wizards do not work with the Canon Flashes. You need a Canon ST-2 Infrared remote or another kind of flash set up.
Flash Frozen Photography, Inc.
http://flashfrozenphotography.com
Good thoughts from Scott. I will remember this when people are trying to hire me with with a sad tale of limited funds.
See what else they are spending money on to determine if the proclaimed budget is real or not.
Now assuming they have limited means, you may want to consider, (I think I would), quoting your normal, or a more normal price for the services your providing, and offer a discount if you can have access to the animals during off hours.
You could get some wonderful photos of the elephant being an elephant rather than a taxi. Oh, and maybe they would rather have you take the gift shop photos than buy a new camera.
Sam
To be honest, .... 10 guests is not a lot. I would not plan on getting a lot of money out of it (I wouldn't even try) Get some out of it, but consider it mostly being something cool for your website / portfolio, hell, I would want to have a wedding where there is an elephant included!
They seem to be on a budget, and most likely just want to have a nice, small, quite ceremony with some friends/family. So ... I would actually not do a big flash set up ... sorry ... but I think the photographer needs to respect the intimacy of a small wedding + it might just scare off the elephant & everybody will feel uncomfortable!
For small weddings I usually try even harder to be more in the background (just have a good zoom!), and tell them to plan in like 1/2h for the posed photos (of just the 2 of them) / they might not think about that, or might not know how long it will actually take to take some cool shots ... anyway, as I said have fun with it & share your pics with us
With anything but the 580EX II, you need something like this (see included picture). With the 580EX II, all you need is a mini-plug -> x-sync cord. Set the flash to manual and you're off and running....
I know this how? I've one of each (580EX and 580EX II) and they both work just fine with PWs. I've even used them with my G9 at a shutter speed of 1/1250s (now that's cool!)
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However, lighting an elephant after 6pm with just two speedlights would be a challenge all by its own...
Most animals seem to have a minimal if any reaction, but I have seen a few, very few, horses start to get upset.
And yes, unless the elephant can fit on a book shelf, your not gona be real successful lighting it with speed lites.
Sam
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Thoughts on photographing a wedding, How to post a picture, AF Microadjustments?, Light Scoop
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Thanks, I stand corrected...I have the 580's that need the adaptor that Scott showed...so I bypassed that adaptor by buying the ST-2 transmitter.
Flash Frozen Photography, Inc.
http://flashfrozenphotography.com
As for lighting, I actually do have 3 strobes but they are not very powerful. I was thinking, barring in-climate weather, the lighting will probably be scattered shade, possible hot-spots of sun. I'm going to scope the area at the same time of the event in a couple of days so that I have a good idea of what lighting issues I have to deal with. I did actually get the ST-E2 and a couple of 580EX-II because I wanted them before for a wireless setup and before I make a final decision on lighting I will definitely discuss the affect on the elephant as well as alternate location setup so I can be prepared either way. Given that this is a very unique situation, and that I'm 99% sure of their financial situation, I'm going to be pricing it accordingly so that they are very happy and that I get the opportunity to shoot this once in a lifetime event. I'm really looking forward to it and will post some pictures soon after. Thanks again to everyone who has replied and any more ideas out there I'm checking back on a regular basis to see!
www.brogen.com
Member: PPA , PPANE, PPAM & NAPP