This is the Transcript of the #WeddingMarket Chat on July 17th, 2013 with Robert Evans, Casey Fatchett, Lesli Emmetts, Emma Smith & Victoria Grech. The panel aimed to help both wedding photographers Blacksburg and couples looking for photographers for their big day as there is quite a bit of helpful information given by the panelists. The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different.
Wedding Photography Panelist:
Robert Evans
Robert Evans has photographed some of the biggest celebrity weddings including the weddings of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Miranda Lambert & Blake Shelton, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.
Casey Fatchett – NYC
Lesli Emmetts
Nashville, Tn.
Emma Smith – Los Angeles, California
Victoria Grech –
UK Wedding Photographer & Cinematographer
Q1: How did you get involved with wedding photography?
Answer:
Robert Evans: I shot my first wedding in Jan. 1989. I worked in a color lab in Hollywood then for 3 studios. Started my own in Jan 94.
Casey Fatchett: My friends from college were getting married and I would shoot a roll of film and send them 1 or 2 prints that I liked. They told me my pictures were better than the pro they hired so I decided to look into shooting weddings. After my first wedding I was totally hooked – I love the emotion!
Lesli Emmetts: 24 Years ago I had the worst wedding photos ever so I had to learn how to save future brides! Been hooked ever since 1400 weddings later, I am still kinda smitten with them.
Victoria Grech: I fell in love with photography on a safari trip while still in an investment banking career. I then started to take some photos at friends weddings, it got to the stage they liked my photographs over the main photographers & things went on from there.
Emma Smith: I started out photographing family and kids and realized it wasn’t my passion. I started weddings and I was hooked plus shooting with my husband its like reliving our wedding day over and over!
Q2: How did you obtain your first paid photography job?
Answer:
Casey Fatchett: I had no idea where to look for wedding jobs so I got my first through Craigslist then friend referrals
Lesli Emmetts: My neighbor’s wedding photographer canceled on her 2 days before the wedding! She begged me. I was crazy nervous. Did many bridal shows for years! Great way to talk to potential brides face to face!
Victoria Grech: I assisted wedding/studio photographers for a year to gain valuable experience. Then my first paid job was from a studio.
Emma Smith: My first paid wedding was the older sister of a senior girl I had photographed.
Q3: How do you work with couples during the first visit?
Answer:
Robert Evans: I make a great effort 2 get 2 know them. I ask about what their vision is for their wedding. I found out how they met and how he proposed.
Casey Fatchett: I get to know couples during their first visit – how they met, likes/dislikes, all figuring out their story and aesthetic. I use the engagement session as an extended meeting. See how the couple interacts, just get to know them deeply.
Lesli Emmetts: We sit in our studio and just get to know them, we love to hear their story and learn all we can about who they are. We try to never forget that we are so blessed to have them as OUR client and not just the other way around.
Victoria Grech: I spend the first 20-30mins letting my clients talk, finding out about them, how they met, what’s their vision of the day before even showing them my work. I then answer each area that is important to them & share my stories with them. I believe it’s the stories couples remember and not just the images you show them that. I tell the groom to be he has to buy a diamond to add to the ring each year of their marriage 🙂
Emma Smith: We offer complimentary engagement sessions for this reason. It gives us a chance to get to know them. They get to know our style and we spend the day laughing and really just breaking the ice. We joke around ALOT. We want people to smile. During the consultation we ask them how they met, proposal story we show a vested interest in them.
Q4: How do you pre-visualizing or plan for the day of the wedding?
Answer:
Robert Evans: I make it up as I go……I spend a lot of time educating my couples on what to expect and how to run on time. Tips for family hair and make up etc.
Casey Fatchett: I create a detailed itinerary so we all know what is happening next! I pre-visualize the shots I want to get of the couple. During ceremony, reception, portraits. Seeing it in my mind before the day makes it easier to capture the day of.
Lesli Emmetts: We tell stories through our lenses, if we did our job getting to know them, it’s effortless. A detailed timeline helps! And Pinterest can help (sometimes) Beware of the Pinterest trap though! lol
Victoria Grech: I visit the venue before a wedding day & start to visualise my ideas. We have pre production in house for our team especially when filming weddings. It’s almost a script of shots we need to tell for each & every couples unique story.
Emma Smith: We always request a timeline, and go through to make sure it works with our needs in terms of time allotment for photos. Often time we have scouted the location so we know where we want to shoot ahead of time. We also send out detailed questionnaires that help us plan the day.
Q5: How do you handle customer’s expectations? Time limitations?
Answer:
Robert Evans: I listen then give them my expert opinion on what I think will B best for their wedding if they want great wedding images.
Casey Fatchett: I am sure to discuss everything thoroughly with clients beforehand. I keep everything realistic. Be honest, under promise and over deliver!
Lesli Emmetts: Communication is key! A detailed timeline helps set the expectations before the big day so there are no disappointments!
Victoria Grech: Our meeting we discuss times &what we need to produce the quality of work they see in our albums & films. The paper work we send also covers the same info. We follow up & gain a schedule of the day before to re-confirm. We aim to not only over deliver but smash every expectation they have! = raving fans which means they market for you!
Emma Smith: I am honest with how much time I feel is needed. We of course try to work with any timeline, but if something is going to become an issue, we will address it beforehand, because the last thing you want on the day is frustration over time. We do a 30 day walk through of the venue and go over details and timeline then also. Managing expectations on all levels is key. There are no surprises during the wedding or after.
Q6: How do you deal with Guests Photographers getting in the shots? Distracting Couple?
Answer:
Robert Evans: Educating your couples ahead of time is a great help. Lots of couple today are sending notes in their invitations. This Article I wrote on my 411 blog is a great help to photographers and B&G’s http://tiny.cc/qend0w
Casey Fatchett: Ha! I wrote a whole blog post about dealing with guest photographers – http://www.fatchett.com/blog/2013/04/how-to-keep-your-guests-from-sabotaging-your-wedding-photos/ … . Speak to the couple beforehand and see how they want to handle guests so there are no misunderstandings. I also try to get the couple and anyone in portraits removed from guests to eliminate distractions.
Lesli Emmetts: Kill ’em with kindness 🙂 Prior to wedding we discuss with B&G having an “unplugged wedding”. Works like a charm!
Victoria Grech: For me I always take the couple aside for their shots together away from the distractions of the crowd. I encourage guests to take photographs. That way when I do need them to move for group shots they are happy to cooperate. Turnaround time is 4 weeks. However we try to surprise our clients & have them ready for when they are back from honeymoon. Firstly make sure your client has signed and agree to have their wedding day in either social media or printed media. Keep the embed video without vimeo links-you want clients to link back to your website and not to vimeo.
Emma Smith: We recommend that our couples ask their guests to enjoy the wedding vs them trying to photograph it. This is why they hired us. We use a digital delivery system called PASS and it allows the client to share it with their family and friends plus it includes downloading of the images. On the day of the wedding when we tell guests this, they are so relieved and put their cameras away. We have had times where guests are blocking our shots and we ask them politely to step aside. We also don’t allow anyone else to come with us while we are shooting the bride and groom.
Q7 : What is your turnaround time for editing wedding photos?
Answer:
Casey Fatchett: Usually 2-3 weeks depending on workload
Lesli Emmetts: 4-5 Weeks for entire Gallery; 1 week for sneak peek or the same night as wedding if I am fed well.. lol
Victoria Grech: under three years than anyone can!
Emma Smith: For turnaround time next day sneak peek, Monday the blog, and we say 30 days and try to deliver in under 2 weeks.
Q8: What do you think is the proper social media etiquette for wedding pros posting photos/video online?
Answer:
Casey Fatchett: First I think posting to social media should be discussed with the couple – what are their feelings? Some couples are very private and have reasons for not wanting their photos shared. On the day of, most couples are okay with sharing some details – but not the dress pre ceremony!
Lesli Emmetts
Emma Smith: We live in a social world, my clients all know I will be posting a sneak peek on facebook and a blog post. They love it. It’s always discussed but our ideal clients love sharing as much as we do.
Q9: How do you take your photography business to next level ?
Answer:
Robert Evans: Consistent hard work Taking risks don’t take no for an answer Listen to that little voice inside Find your own Vision!
Casey Fatchett: Be yourself. That is the main way to separate yourself from the crowd. Make it personal.
Lesli Emmetts: What you focus on you get more of, so focus on what you want. Give ridiculously great customer service. Simple.
Victoria Grech: 4 steps 2 success -Know your outcome, Why you want it, Massive action plan & reviewing your progress. Success leaves clues!
Emma Smith: By pushing yourself and stepping outside the box, setting yourself apart from others. Never becoming complacent
Q10: What would you like everyone to take away from this #WeddingMarket Chat ?
Answer:
Casey Fatchett: Don’t compare yourself to others. Always be willing to learn and get everything in writing.
Lesli Emmetts: Photography is a business and you have to work it like it is, but never lose sight of what makes you unique. Be yourself
Victoria Grech: “DO NOT GIVE UP” dreams & ambitions for your business. If I can make it as a high end film & photo business in under under three years than anyone can! If people aren’t laughing at your dreams, then your dreams aren’t big enough! Don’t let anyone tell you “it” can’t be done!
Emma Smith: To learn at least 1 new thing, to push themselves harder, to believe in themselves and never give up.
#WeddingMarket Chat Questions From Our Audience:
1. @JoPhotos: How do you emphasize to brides who are having outdoor weddings that time of day & amount of photo time is imp for good pics?
Lesli Emmetts: We do a timeline walk through to get as realistic timeline.
Victoria Grech: It’s all about trust and managing expectations. They come to you for advice so educate them.
2. @PixieDustBride As a new wedding blogger, how can I attract photographers to publish with me?
Casey Fatchett: I choose publications based on the shoot and my target audience. Have a defined style. If I don’t know the couples you are trying to reach – then why submit?
Lesli Emmetts: Just ask for images. We often are so busy we don’t have the time to shop for blogs, so hit us up!
Victoria Grech: Twitter / Twitter / twitter lots of Togs love to be featured on blog sites
3. @JoPhotos: Do any of the photographers outsource their editing? If so, where or who?
Lesli Emmetts: I by nature am a control freak so I try to do all in house. But I am willing to change.
Emma Smith: I need to outsrouce but havent yet. control issues. LOL but it would really free up my time
Victoria Grech: Yes I have a full time retoucher, and several video editors. Outsource to free you time to market & shoot
4. @AmandaJoy13: What is the proper etiquette for tagging a photographer’s FB biz page in their photos on another FB biz page!
Casey Fatchett: Etiquette? Please do tag us! We want people to know we took the pic!
Lesli Emmetts: If the photographer watermarks the photo its easy, if not tag them with the business name or facebook page.
5. @JoPhotos: Do you cap the # of weddings you shoot per yr? What is your max?
Casey Fatchett: Yes, I cap at 30-35 / depending on the amount of pre-day work involved.
Lesli Emmetts: We shoot 35 weddings on ave for the past 15 years. The first 6 years we won’t discuss, cough.
Emma Smith: We have a cap of 26 but its not firm.. We have a family and that comes first.
6: @HomelandPhoto: When do you find is the best time to take family portraits or groups on the wedding day?
Robert Evans: I shoot pictures for 90% of my weddings before ceremony I run on a three hour time schedule prior to ceremony
Casey Fatchett: Before the ceremony. Get it out of the way. If the couple is willing to do a ‘first look’. You will usually have more time before the ceremony. Which means it will be more relaxed. Most of my clients want to enjoy the cocktail hour/reception so we do as much as we can before.
Victoria Grech: I like to cover the couple shots first so I have fresh expressions then the grps after that.
Emma Smith: I prefer a first look so that it gives us time after the ceremony for quick family photo.
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