Wedding Pictures you ask for vs. the pictures ultimately purchased
As I was helping one of my clients find a photographer this past week, I asked as usual,
"What kinds of pictures are the ones you are drawn to? What pictures are you most looking forward to having?"If I am lucky enough to have the client in our planning studio and brides library I will sit down with the client and we'll go through some of the wedding albums photographers have given us and some wedding photography books. I have to go through this process because narrowing down the enormous list of talented photographers isn't a task I take lightly and it is incredibly time consuming.
Anyway, more often than not, the response to my question is:
"I don't like the posed pictures, I want candid (or photojournalistic), and I absolutely have to have sunset photos, and I don't want to see the sweaty dance photos."
I wondered if this is what actually ends up being the case though. So I asked some photographers who follow me on twitter,
"What are the 2 most REQUESTED pictures (before wedding day) & the 2 most PURCHASED after?"Here is what some of them had to say:
"I get a lot of formal requests and a lot of group photos are often purchased." Alicia Williams of Cordele Photography
"Most requested: formal poses, most purchased: guests buying posed & candid photos of themselves (not bride&groom)" Anne Ruthmann of Anne Ruthmann photography
"Requested: "lots of details" & "don't want to pose" Purchased: Posed couple and posed family." Kara hudson of Solais Photography
"2 most REQUESTED pictures: candid + romantic shots. Most PURCHASED: I agree with Anne, guests buying pix of themselves + formal" Shari Bare of Shari Bare Photography
"Requested: candids, photojournalism style shots. Purchased: posed groups, posed couple shots" Christine Tremoulet of Christine Tremoulet Photography
How about that? Looks like there are some differences. What does this mean? It means you should be looking very closely at everything your photographer shoots. Ask to see at least 2 recent complete weddings. Why two? Because every wedding is different, and different lighting, venues, and people make all the difference when you're "browsing". Ask yourself if all of the above mentioned requested and purchased photos are done well, and are there enough of them.
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9 comments:
I think it depends on the work that you show. I get a lot of requests for formals simply because I don't show a lot of posed photos on my website. However, someone who shows lots of details and poses probably gets requests for more candid work because it's not obvious on the website.
I should add that I also think you'll sell differently based on what you photograph. I learned early on that people love buying photos of themselves, so if the only photos you have of guests are the posed ones with the bride & groom, than they'll purchase those. However, if you shoot a lot and end up with a lot of guest photos, than they're likely to purchase more than just the standard posed shots. So... essentially, a lot of it comes down to how you photograph the scene and what you make available.
I have a variety of images on my website, from details to candid moments, emotion and less formal posed photos. Through my images I attempt to create an emotional bond with the viewer and allow them to feel as if they were a part of the actual day - right there with me at that precise moment in time.
After the wedding, it is the family, group and candid photos of guests that are most requested. Sure it's great to have a particular style as a photographer, but it is also wise to have all of your bases covered and capture a wide variety of images. Once the day is over - it's over.
[kc]
The photojournalism style candid photos and the detail shots are often more prominently featured in the album, but the print sales are almost always posed shots.
I always find out if inquiries are going to be at a venue I've already photographed, and I encourage them to look at full weddings from that location so that they can see my work in that place. Like you said - I think it is really important!
Christine's comment rings true for me both from my vast experience (a whole entire wedding) and common sense. When I got married or want to put a picture on my desk from someone else's wedding - it isn't going to be a shot of the wedding dress or a picture of the ring bearer picking his nose (as funny as that is). It's a posed shot of me standing next to the groom, bride, fill in the blank. Nonetheless, the candids and macro shots really fill out the story and while perhaps less profitable are also what distinguish a professional from Uncle Bob firing away from table 12 (I like my Uncle Bob btw).
Phat Wedding Photography
I think most bride's assume that perfect pictures just happen. The most perfect and effortless pictures take the most planning, time, and effort. None of these are bad things- they actually can lower the stress of the whole day. Picture time should be a time for people to connect.
Very helpful info. It seems like prospective brides can relate to the emotional and fun candids in other people's photos and appreciate the trendiness and art in the detail shots. This helps to get the assignment, but when it comes to their own photos, they gravitate to the formals.
I have found that they love more candid group shots, if any exist. So, the common factor seems to be having key people in the shot but one that represents the sentiment of the day.
I just wanted to post a link to a follow post by Anne Ruthmann which I found very interesting!
http://tinyurl.com/dghdgj
hi.
I am pretty new to photography and I have just seen graphi's prices!
I searched online to find others. ("sim20000" - dont publish prices) - anyone had any experience with them?
I also found "photo productions" they publish their prices. (and cheaper than what I have seen so far)!
has anyone had any real experience with photo productions? I would love to know.
the website is: http://photoproductions.com (and the prices are under the "Photobook" section in the title-bar)
thanks, (in advance) for your help ;))
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