Yes, you are reading the dates right, it has been way over a year since my last posting here. Have I decided whether or not I am going to keep this up, the blog that is...I am not sure. Time plays a huge role in actually having the extra hour to blog per day or week for that matter.
I passed along my url to a good friend today, and I guess it spurred me to post something tonight. Its been a long year, I have decided to change my school. Why you ask, recently I have become very un-motivated to take part in any of my classes at AI, as I posted back in May 10, the classes were boring and lacked enthusism even from the professors. Well it had only gotten worse over this year, I went through a term where not only did I not receive any guidence from my professor, they had decided that I was not worthy of the class, and gave me apoor grade. I did all the work, yes, I did the work according to what my interrpution was (it was a photo class) of the instructions. And not once did my professor say 2 words to me. Can I ask, how are you supposed to learn and improve your game if your teacher ignores you? Also, and I feel very strongly about this next point, photography is a form of art, like any other form of art, it is very personal, not everyone is going to like what you shoot or how you shoot something. But does that make it any less of an art form? This came up in another class as well, the professor did not understand why I was shooting what I was shooting, I explained it, but they still did not understand it, and from that moment on, I was the black sheep in the class.
So I went on a search for other schools out there. I know the grass is not always greener on the other side, but there is a point where you are spending all this money for a degree, you want to get the best education you can for your money, and you are just plain old tired of being treated how you are treated. I did some research, contacted a few universities about how classes are run among other things. I got to sit in on a class, see how it worked, how the students and teachers interacted with each other, and loved it. So in January 2012 I am attending Academy of Art. They had sent me a few forms to fill out, answer some questions to waive out of a few basic/intro photog classes, and these questions were above me.. yes I have been in the business for 10 yrs now, but what they were asking, I had no clue about. To me, that tells me what kind of education I was getting at AI and what kind of education I will be getting at AA in January.
On to photography, I have some tips and tricks that I need to post here, but I left my little black book of tips at work, so I will have to get that done next week (I hope). But to Liz, if you are reading this, get a little book and write info on shoots, locations, setting, directions, what is around you at a location in that and keep it with you.. it has helped me numerous times!
I haven't really shot much like I used to, and I have to change that. I think gas prices have played a huge role in that, sadly. I love to shoot, but heck to spend 4dollars a gallon in gas, is hard to do these days. Not that its an excuse, but its just one of those things. I have done some low light work, weddings, and senior photos this year. I think my work has shifted a bit to something more people sided rather then nature sided. I find too that I am using my phone a lot more to shoot, sadly. Not that I dont have a good camera on my phone, it is 8mp.. but I am finding it a lot easier to carry my phone, rather then my 20lb camera pack.
Maybe I need to put together a girls weekend and go shoot with my friends.. any takers?
I wanted to talk too about what it costs for a photographer to shoot a wedding. This topic is always a touchy one for the photographer to bring up to clients/prospective clients. My view on this is,it is your time, your expertise, talent that you are bring to an event or wedding. You know what you have to shoot, and how to shoot it before you even get to the wedding or event. Chances are you have already been out to the location to scout it before the event, so there are no surprises for you as the photographer. Always meeting the B and G and parents (if they are paying for your services) before the wedding. Have some sample work for them to see (if you have any), ask them if they have a budget, ask them what they are looking for photo wise and what they expect from their photographer. A helpful hint is to do a inclusive engagement shoot with the bride and groom, so they are comfortable with you, and how you work ad vice versa. Tell them that you want them to sign a contract (once they have decided on you shooting their wedding), go over the contract and make sure that what they want is clearly listed on the contract. Have them sign it and you follow suit. The way I do it, is at time of booking 50% of the cost is required. Most of the time, its a good chunk of change, if they opt out, forget, change dates, they will be missing that $$. As for cost, it comes down to it as your time.. and its not just the 5 or 6 hrs at the actual wedding.. its the weeks afterwards of editing and enhancing, ordering, printing of the photos. Have a standard price range, 5hrs with 1 photographer for lets say $1500. Its your gig, and if you feel the need to play with the price when you meet witht he clients, feel free.. I know I have done that for friends. To shoot a wedding for 10+hrs for anything lower then $1000 or $1500 is insane, for a potential client to expect anything less is....My opinion on how I would handle that client would be to tell them that I could not shoot their wedding for that low of a price, and that they should call around to some other local photographers for pricing. I might even hand out a few names and numbers as well.. tell them good luck in their search and hang up. So my adivce would be, meet with them, ask about a budget, tell them your standard price and go from there. But always be upfront and sign a contract with them. That covers you!!
I think thats good for tonight.. I know I might have more to say tomorrow, but for now.. good night all.
