I was looking back over some images searching for a particular photography and ran across my first paid job that “marked” a start to a paid professional photographer. It was for a mere $150 for a beach wedding. Say what you want about the pricing on weddings…a market exists for low cost beach weddings and someone has to cater to that in my opinion. Sure “Uncle Ed” can do them for that price, but for starting photographers it’s a good way to “get your feet wet”.

This was a beach wedding in Flagler Beach, FL a young couple on a small budget. I actually had fellow photographer Forest Egan with me on this shoot since he was “pondering” getting into the wedding photography. (He was already an awesome wildlife photographer in my opinion.) So both of us took are “version” of shoots for the wedding and burned everything to CD for the clients and gave it to them. (I know, I know….we can start the “CD Negative” debate all over, but that is what we did back then.)
The client proceeded to Wal-Greens eager to print photos from the wedding. (Even after being advised that they should use a professional photo lab.) So they tried to print them from the self-print kiosk and decided the photos “sucked” essentially. (dark, blurry, etc.) The bride called me all upset and after assuring her the photos on the disc would print fine I had an 8 x 10 printed and mailed to her at no charge. After a few days I called her to follow-up and told me she told me how great the photo I sent looked. I assured her all her photos could be printed properly if she took them to professional lab.
Then a few weeks later I got this from my bank….
Needless to say the client would not response to emails or phone calls.

I really had no recourse for this client since I had provided them with the negatives etc already.

Can you say…”Lesson Learned”….

The longer I continue to shoot photography, the more I begin to understand it is a life style just as much as something you “just do”. I continually shoot, edit and learn from my experiences dealing with people which can have a huge impact on my free time.

A prime explain was this last weekend here in Daytona when I attended a Rolando Gomez work shop hosted by Jack Watson photography. Two days of shooting, learning, and networking. There goes my”free” weekend, but I feel the relationships and interaction that comes out of these workshops is SO important to be successful. Much more important than actually getting any photos to add to my portfolio. (Of course the models Rolando brings are top notch and it would be hard NOT to get some great shots!) These workshops are like the “boot camps” of the Marines, Army, Navy, and well I guess the Air Force too.

 I know plenty of great photographers, which are great technical shooters, but lack the skills to interact with people. In my opinion whether it’s the person you are taking photos of or the perspective client communication is the most important aspect of your business.

Here is one of the shots from last weekend. Examples of Hi-Key photography and a concept the model “KT” asked that I put together. (What a FUN model!!)

As a wedding photographer over the last few years I have begun to understand the profession much deeper than I did from the outside as a “doing it strictly for fun” type of photographer. As I moved forward I realize that you have at least two types of clients:
Client number one is a “snap shot” client. Essentially what he/she wants is “snap shots” from the wedding to record the event. Typically these clients wants lots of picture of “whatever” (I am quoting a client!!) and the disc with all the digital negatives for a few hundred dollars.
Client number two wants “Artistic” photos. He/she wants those special touching moments captured in a compelling form. Something that tugs at your heart and brings back the emotions of the day. These are the types of pictures you blow up to 16 x 20 and hang on the wall of your home.I guess the point of this Blog is that neither one of these is bad, but I truly want to be remembered for the “Moments” in people’s lives through my photography. Not as the “camera guy” who shows up and take some “snap shots” at your wedding. Trying not to offend my clients I have begun to have real world discussions with them about what they want out of their “Wedding Photography”. Uncle George can show up with a decent DSLR and take the shots for them. They can also buy the disposable cameras and put them on all the tables for guest to pickup and use for some great “snap shots”. If they want the “snap shots” guy I can be that guy, but is not my preferred “form” of photography (any more). So needless to say this year I have begun to let my pricing reflect that “change” in my perspective.

With Humble Respect,
Dwayne Fleming