| Craig McKenna |
June 15th, 2014 09:18 AM |
Re: The Switch: From Amateur to Professional
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Rush
(Post 1848702)
CLIVE YOU NAILED IT!
Honestly you summed up why I jumped from the rat race about 4 years ago - the day itself can be hard beyond belief (I have definitely told myself to 'Get it together! on more than one occasion) especially when it seems all is going wrong (I've had a few this year - only a few weeks ago a pouring down wedding with a church ceremony at 3 going through to first dance at a very early 7pm with a stop off in a park inbetween and setup for video guest messages, bearing in mind I'm a solo shooter - I actually said to myself 'WHY AM I DOING THIS?) But when you're editing it all together and you see all the good stuff it's soooo worth it - and then the emails/cards/phone calls from happy clients proving that you've made a treasured recording of someone's special day- makes it all worth it :)
My only regret is not doing it years earlier!
Pete
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:) I am hoping that I don't have that regret in a couple of years time, but at the same time, it's allowing me to build up my kit to deliver a more professional service. Thanks for sharing Pete!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Edward Calabig
(Post 1848711)
I think the most important thing is to realize that the experience you provide is more important than the footage you shoot. This means being a great person to be around when you meet your clients, during the wedding day, and communicating with the after.
I see far too many people trying to sell their video rather than sell their themselves (not in that way :). Your services do not matter, You matter. This means that the client should hire you for the way you shoot and the experience you bring. Don't get caught up trying to sell the sliders, Glidecam, multi cams, etc. Be interested in your couple
Don't get angry with vendors, no matter if they wrong you in the worst way. This also means don't rely on them or their word. Good vendor relationships are a great, free way to get more people to know about you and trust your services.
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Wise words. Thanks Edward. From my experience working on my first wedding, I definitely found the help of everyone involved appealing. I tried to do my best for them, and hoped that they would do the same in return. I guess with all of these words of advice, it's a great thing to keep a good relationship with all of the venues, in the same way as it is with your clients.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Bleasdale
(Post 1848759)
Don't upset the clergy, don't upset the people who help the clergy, don't upset the venue boss, don't upset the DJ, don't upset the toastmaster, don't upset the bride, be on time, do the simple things right, have the right equipment and double the equipment, be ready for things that might or might not happen, be ready for the unexpected because the video guy is the last to know! Yes? The last to know!! Be ready for the next stage in the day, think one step ahead of everyone...
Make sure you have a contract or else, make sure you don't stand on the brides dress or else, make sure you have the dance time in the contract because they will keep you there till whenever they want to dance or the DJ says never mind the video guy you have the dance when you want, even though you will have been with the bride since 9am.
After getting all those things right weak in week out then you can say you are top dog and professional. Welcome to the mad world of filming weddings. Good luck. in our Northern area...
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Thanks Steve, great advice... even if it's a making me feel a little weary! :) I am sure that you love the job loads Steve, as you're always very passionate about these upsets and that's just a testament to how much you care. Keep up the good work! Thanks for sharing :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Partington
(Post 1848768)
Steve, sounds like you're talking right out of my experience book ^^ :)
I would add something else. Make sure you have real passion for what you do, not just OCD right now because you want a change from what you're currently doing and this looks like a lot of fun. Lots of people start & they absolutely love the first few weddings, then after the initial euphoria they realise it's not quite how they thought it would be.
It's getting both easier (improved equipment) and harder (higher expectations) to do great films with true innovations that make people go wow!
Meanwhile, as the equipment becomes cheaper and makes it easier for amateurs to get reasonable results more and more people are crowding in to the market. This inevitably means prices drop as supply outstrips demand.
As Danny said, make sure you understand your costs, not just the costs on the day, but the hidden costs like insurance, accountants, music licenses, equipment to make your DVDs, how you're going to make the DVDs and cases and how much time this really takes. This is all part of the job, so it's not something you should be figuring in as free time. Will the vehicle you drive be determined by the equipment you need to carry and is this now costing you more than it otherwise could/would? That's a hidden cost most people completely ignore.
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Thanks Dave, all of these expenses really do add up! Are we even making 30K a year in the UK? It seems as though you would need to shoot 40 weddings just to make an average living.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Partington
(Post 1848768)
You're all set with new gear now, but how much will you need to allocate from each and every job you do towards replacing that equipment in 2,3 or 4 years time. Talk of new gear is constant, but try not to get caught up in each and every new craze.
As a teacher, you're probably all set here, but for others looking on, make sure you're a people person and are happy chatting & interacting with the B+G and guests. If not, you may need to adjust your shooting style so you're more of a fly on the wall. In this case, will you be happy being totally ignored while the photographer is getting all the love & praise on the day? Perhaps the photographer is being fed by the couple and you get nothing, no drinks, no food, no thank you, nothing. It happens.
I don't want to dampen anyone's spirits. I want every one to be successful at what ever they choose to do. But in order to do that, you need to be sure this is your true vocation. If not it can easily be an expensive hobby that ultimately goes nowhere.
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Brilliant advice Dave, and this is why I'm shooting this summer - to give myself four weeks as a 'professional' to see what it's like to wake up every morning and edit people's weddings who you do not know... it's an interesting one, but ultimately, it's one that I've found incredibly exciting and enjoyable. I am hoping that this is a venture that I'll wish to stick at it... but only time will tell.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Benda
(Post 1848776)
I just changed our contract so that if there is an issue, but they keep their wedding videos, they can't get a 100% refund - basically I make them pay for music licensing (per song, for us) and the custom DVD cases (around $200 in cost)
For future expenses, well, I pay myself a paycheck, and the business keeps the rest. Some of that goes into it's savings account for when its time to replace gear.
And when buying new gear.... don't! Wait and wait a while to make sure its something you can really use. If, after a couple of weeks, you still want it, try and sell your partner (or a friend in the business) on it's value. If you can't sell them, it's probably a poor idea.
And close ups of, not just details of objects, but of people. I love being able to cut to a bride's eyes, the B&G holding hands, or some small detail during a real moment. Since my wife and I shoot together, we usually agree on responsibility, so its my job to get the safe shot, and she knows she can take a chance on something that often ends up being really nice. Last week, during the B&G first look, they start a kiss, and my wife panned down to them holding hands. It was a great shot and perfect for a transition.
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Amazing that you have a partner to shoot with... I love details too... I'm really intrigued by the use of a macro lens for small details and making that work... I know that as a videographer, time is a pressing issue; but to shoot some amazing shots of the rings and having someone take the ring for example, out of the frame, all adds to the end product / film.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny O'Neill
(Post 1848899)
And factor in re-edits. Are you going down the route of "We will change it again and again until you are happy"? If so then the time it takes to make changes, render, upload/post out disks.
Sounds like a great thing, as thats how you want to be treated. Until you get your first bride which ends up being a full year of back and forth tweaks that you realise you need some sort of barrier to stop the "Can you make the shot of my shoes 2 seconds longer" type brides. :)
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Oh dear, I think re-edits would have to be a one time only thing, for minor changes... most videos, you obsess to the finest detail... to ensure the best possible quality. I don't want to mess up the entire flow of the video by making a shot two seconds longer... do you all feel this way too?
Thank you to everyone for your replies so far!!! :) |
