My first paid wedding! Woohooh! :D

[bloomphotog]

Alright, so I shot their older daughters wedding for free, and they called me back for the next daughters wedding; only this time they wanted to pay me. Nice. I had just bought my new D700 and was totally jazzed to get in some wedding work with it.

It's all natural light, in a nice backyard setting. White balance correction only.

Here are quite a few of my favorites. C&C VERY welcome. Thanks!

1
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552214287_rNzAQ-XL.jpg

2
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552215034_kpokX-XL.jpg

3
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552208809_hvGq9-XL.jpg

4
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552207259_N7hNG-XL.jpg

5
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552211256_SghaA-XL.jpg

5
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552206101_inZNb-XL.jpg

6
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552215138_aqpxF-X2.jpg

7
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552211487_MRDRz-XL.jpg

8
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552213626_t9B3V-XL.jpg

9
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552204063_ooFNj-XL.jpg

10
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552209876_ZcLES-XL.jpg

11
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552213085_77aG7-XL.jpg

12
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552208652_7wwVs-XL.jpg

13
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552212599_xPpg7-XL.jpg

14
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552211319_oYMuX-XL.jpg

15
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552216030_ZGSi2-XL.jpg

16
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552207628_FqiGE-XL.jpg

17
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552204645_ergox-XL.jpg

18
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552210710_8PjAM-XL.jpg

19
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552208831_RT9fQ-XL.jpg

20
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552216175_qWZFZ-XL.jpg

21
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552207559_zqEAV-XL.jpg

22
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552214126_ahqLp-XL.jpg

23
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552212097_LZunm-XL.jpg

24
http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552206307_bkHaW-XL.jpg

[rhondavid]

Excellent shot! Know they will be pleased with all of them if they turn out as well as these did. Beautiful bride, beautiful setting and beautiful job of capturing their special day.

[zoomer]

You earned your money. Nice shots, you captured some very nice moments.
A couple could use some fill flash but overall very nice series.
She is a cutie.

[Agnieszka]

Oh my! Beautiful work! I HOPE they paid you!!! This is no beginner-work!

Just one thing, I'm sure the bridel would appreciate if you would touch up her skin a bit :wink

... and oh my ... what happened to that cake?? Sounds like quite a story .... :D :wink

Thanks for sharing. Really enjoyed looking at this (fresh, colorful, well "lit", fun) set :clap

[Jeff_Milo]

Very nice series, great for a First wedding. Only suggestion is that she has a few blemishes on her face you may want to clone out, especially in #4 & the two #5's on her chin. If they were birthmarks I would say leave them but these appear to be acne.

[MA-FOTO]

Nice series ....
Great job. :thumb

Agree on the skin touch up for bride and all party involved (close up shoots)
Also try a little B&W for the bride getting ready ... helps the mood.

#1 nice capture - like it a lot - nice colors/composition.
#3 - try in b&w or another preset to minimize frame behind head.
otherwise nice capture.
#5 - sweet but add skin touch up.
#8 winner .....
#16-#19-#22 all very nice.

thanks for sharing....

Later,
_Mark

[Camara Photography, LLC]

Damn Dude! Nice stuff. I agree with Angie. This is not beginner work. I hope your pricing is reflecting your quality, and not experience!

[elizabeth_Luna]

Do tell about the cake !! :rofl and I agree with everyone else some fill flash needed overall LOVE THEM!! great job :thumb:thumb:thumb

[sweet caroline]

Beautiful work. I can see why they asked you back. You are now a professional wedding photographer!

Caroline

[bloomphotog]

:) Wow, thanks so much for the great response and critiques. The story on cake: In transit from the bakery(sister-in-law) the upper layers took a slide and got pretty roughed up. The bride never knew, but it took some doing to make another batch of frosting and do some bodywork on the cake. Very funny ordeal to look back on though!

So I need a flash, is that what I'm hearing? :) I actually have an SB600 on the way, so we'll have to see if that improves my game next time around.

I agree on the skin retouching. Do you guys think some simple Lightroom cloning would be sufficient?

Here a fun question: What do you think this wedding set is worth? What should a set my pricing at considering my style/skill?

[sweet caroline]

I love the natural light! Don't mess that up with too much flash. Maybe just an assistant with a reflector.

Caroline

[JustPlainMe]

Beautiful set . . . I'm not a wedding photographer, I didn't have a photographer at my wedding, but "the" wedding photographer here in our little podunk town---who is booked for two years out---charges $2000 for just the session. And she doesn't do nearly as good a job as you did. These are stunning, so much personality, so much beautiful color.

[Mox]

These are really lovely! You have a wonderful style. Do you mind saying which lens(es) you shot with?

[bloomphotog]

Beautiful set . . . I'm not a wedding photographer, I didn't have a photographer at my wedding, but "the" wedding photographer here in our little podunk town---who is booked for two years out---charges $2000 for just the session. And she doesn't do nearly as good a job as you did. These are stunning, so much personality, so much beautiful color.

Wow, thanks! :)

[bloomphotog]

I love the natural light! Don't mess that up with too much flash. Maybe just an assistant with a reflector.

Caroline

Funny, that's exactly what I was planning for the next wedding. I think natural light is a big part of my style, so I am all in for keeping the flash off and bouncing some real light.

[bloomphotog]

These are really lovely! You have a wonderful style. Do you mind saying which lens(es) you shot with?

Most everything was shot with my personal favorite the Nikon 80-200mm 2.8. I also used a 50mm 1.8 for a couple shots.

Something about the bokeh on that 80-200 is just incredible. #13 just has such a magical look to it. It's a unique bokeh and I think it serves weddings quite well.

[zoomer]

Hard to say what you could charge.
This is one wedding in near ideal lighting conditions.
Lets see what happens when you do an outside wedding in the sun, or a wedding in a dark hall, or a wedding where everyone shows up late and it is raining and you have 25 minutes to shoot the bride, wedding party and family and you main camera just went down because it got wet.

You need to realistically judge your skills and experience, gauge that against your local competition and that should give you a starting point to think about what you could charge.

You need to learn how to use a flash, there will be times when you will need it. Reflectors are not the way to go for consistency and ability to use in any scenario.




:) Wow, thanks so much for the great response and critiques. The story on cake: In transit from the bakery(sister-in-law) the upper layers took a slide and got pretty roughed up. The bride never knew, but it took some doing to make another batch of frosting and do some bodywork on the cake. Very funny ordeal to look back on though!

So I need a flash, is that what I'm hearing? :) I actually have an SB600 on the way, so we'll have to see if that improves my game next time around.

I agree on the skin retouching. Do you guys think some simple Lightroom cloning would be sufficient?

Here a fun question: What do you think this wedding set is worth? What should a set my pricing at considering my style/skill?

[MA-FOTO]

:) Wow, thanks so much for the great response and critiques. The story on cake: In transit from the bakery(sister-in-law) the upper layers took a slide and got pretty roughed up. The bride never knew, but it took some doing to make another batch of frosting and do some bodywork on the cake. Very funny ordeal to look back on though!

So I need a flash, is that what I'm hearing? :) I actually have an SB600 on the way, so we'll have to see if that improves my game next time around.

I agree on the skin retouching. Do you guys think some simple Lightroom cloning would be sufficient?

Here a fun question: What do you think this wedding set is worth? What should a set my pricing at considering my style/skill?

....yes. It is my main tool.
There is the skin softening preset in the brush tool.
good stuff.
Later,
_Mark

[bloomphotog]

Hard to say what you could charge.
This is one wedding in near ideal lighting conditions.
Lets see what happens when you do an outside wedding in the sun, or a wedding in a dark hall, or a wedding where everyone shows up late and it is raining and you have 25 minutes to shoot the bride, wedding party and family and you main camera just went down because it got wet.

You need to realistically judge your skills and experience, gauge that against your local competition and that should give you a starting point to think about what you could charge.

You need to learn how to use a flash, there will be times when you will need it. Reflectors are not the way to go for consistency and ability to use in any scenario.

Hmmm...thanks for the critiques. To answer a few of them: I don't see how you can get much darker than some of the indoor bride/groom shots. Quite a few of the shots(most are in the main gallery) were taken at 6400/12800 ISO, f/2.8. The D700 makes these shots much easier than they should be. A year or so ago these shots would not have a chance without a flash.

For low light, I would be far more inclined to use a reflector over a flash. In a bright, high noon wedding I could see why you'd want a flash for some fill during the ceremony.

And actually, it started raining about 10 minutes after the ceremony. The group/B&G shots were taken during intermittent breaks in the H20.

http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/552215961_mDUwD-XL.jpg

Oh, and I should clarify. I know how to use a flash. :) Just has never been my favorite tool in the bag. Here's a recent "flash" shot with one borrowed speedlight.

http://bloom.smugmug.com/photos/556774658_FAzR9-M.jpg

[bloomphotog]

....yes. It is my main tool.
There is the skin softening preset in the brush tool.
good stuff.
Later,
_Mark

Cool, I will add this step to my wedding workflow! :)

[zoomer]

No worries.
Looks like the assumption I made that you were a beginner photographer was wrong.
You obviously know what you are doing, you are just new to weddings.
You will be fine.
Take a look at what photographers in your area are charging, you should be able to jump right in at the median rate after getting a few under your belt for experience.
I totally hear you when it comes to the D700, the ISO capability opens up so many possibilities.
I hope there will come a day when I can get rid of my flashes, I hate when I have to use them.

[elizabeth_Luna]

No worries.
Looks like the assumption I made that you were a beginner photographer was wrong.
You obviously know what you are doing, you are just new to weddings.
You will be fine.
Take a look at what photographers in your area are charging, you should be able to jump right in at the median rate after getting a few under your belt for experience.
I totally hear you when it comes to the D700, the ISO capability opens up so many possibilities.
I hope there will come a day when I can get rid of my flashes, I hate when I have to use them.

Amen to that I hate them too...

[bloomphotog]

Amen to that I hate them too...

+1 :D They have their place, but more often then not they alter the look of the moments we are trying to capture; kind of defeating the concept of freezing these special, unaltered moments in time. I really try to avoid anything too synthetic looking. But hey, now I have a new challenge. When that SB-600 arrives, try and get the shots, with better technical lighting, while still keeping my "look".

[Mishka]

These are fantastic! And you should definitely be charging for all your future shoots!

[Jeff_Milo]

Went back and re-looked at these picks and decided I just love 16 & 19. The little girls eyes in 19 are unbelievable.

[nikmolson]

great shots man awesome job. and as someone said the clone tool in light room and the skin soften brush will be perfect, though some times it can be hard not to over do it with that skin softening

[bloomphotog]

These are fantastic! And you should definitely be charging for all your future shoots!

That's the plan! :) I am a career photog, so hopefully weddings will be a good fit. It is my living after all.

[bloomphotog]

Went back and re-looked at these picks and decided I just love 16 & 19. The little girls eyes in 19 are unbelievable.

Tell me about it! I still don't know who she was exactly, a guests daughter I think. The opportunity for a shot presented itself and I ran with it. Her eyes are unbelievably huge. Very cute. I got a few other shots of her too.

[kwcrow]

Great work! One CC though. From looking at your PP work here ( http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=133532 ). I think you might be the best PP that I have ever seen. I think the Bride deserves some of your skills to remove the couple of pimples that you left in the shots. Also the fathers teeth could use some slight whitening.

[Shima]

Very nice job for your first wedding! You have a great eye and did a wonderful job with the lighting. Some of these seem very grainy though, so I'd be a little careful of what ISO you use, as that may have caused this. Other than that, fabulous first wedding job!

(4 and 11 are two of the more noticeable ones with grain)

[BoomerangNetwork.com]

Great job on your first wedding. Nice capture of the bride looking out with her dad.

[divamum]

I absolutely love this series - you've got colours, comps, expressions and totally captured an atmosphere. A+!

[squiddy]

So I need a flash, is that what I'm hearing? :) I actually have an SB600 on the way, so we'll have to see if that improves my game next time around.



Post some after wit the flash - i'm wanting the same one! :)

Beautiful photos. When i look at wedding photos i look as more of a bride than a photog. I'd be happy with these!

[bloomphotog]

Very nice job for your first wedding! You have a great eye and did a wonderful job with the lighting. Some of these seem very grainy though, so I'd be a little careful of what ISO you use, as that may have caused this. Other than that, fabulous first wedding job!

(4 and 11 are two of the more noticeable ones with grain)

Yeah I shot quite a few of these at 6400-12800 ISO. :) I turned NR of in camera and in post. I should probably use some Lightroom NR next time. Thanks!

[bloomphotog]

Great work! One CC though. From looking at your PP work here ( http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=133532 ). I think you might be the best PP that I have ever seen. I think the Bride deserves some of your skills to remove the couple of pimples that you left in the shots. Also the fathers teeth could use some slight whitening.

Thanks for the compliment! :) I agree with your thoughts on some minor beauty re-touching, definitely. I have the ability to do pretty much anything I want with a photo, but for wedding photos, much like my sports stuff, I really like to have everything look as genuine and real as possible. I will try and see what I can do with some minor LR cloning and clarity tweaks. I'll edit one of the bride shots and post it here.

[bloomphotog]

Great job on your first wedding. Nice capture of the bride looking out with her dad.

I really the like the father/bride shots, too. Some of my faves. :)

[insanefred]

Fantastic job...:lust

just one thing... what's up with the borders!?:scratch

[bloomphotog]

Fantastic job...:lust

just one thing... what's up with the borders!?:scratch


Eh, I saw this other wedding photog using borders/matte as opposed to watermarks. I am not really trying to "protect" my images as much as brand them so I went with it. Good point though. Feedback on my "borders" would be cool too. :)

[pward76]

As a father, I would pay big bucks for #12 . The look on the brides face is very moving. Excellent job.

[bloomphotog]

As a father, I would pay big bucks for #12 . The look on the brides face is very moving. Excellent job.

THANKS! When I took this shot I was so excited. I felt it represented so much. There is so many cool interpretations of that image. Such symbolism. I really appreciate someone seeing what I saw in it. :)

[Jeff_Milo]

Eh, I saw this other wedding photog using borders/matte as opposed to watermarks. I am not really trying to "protect" my images as much as brand them so I went with it. Good point though. Feedback on my "borders" would be cool too. :)

I am not a fan of borders, I don't want to detract from the pictures in any way, just MO. If your set on using borders I would suggest, for lack of a better word, a "duller" color, something that does not draw the eye away from the shots.

[lisarhinehart]

I can't believe this is your first paid shoot!!! You are amazing! I really like the intimacy and emotion, as well as the storytelling aspect. Very very nice work!!!!

[bloomphotog]

I can't believe this is your first paid shoot!!! You are amazing! I really like the intimacy and emotion, as well as the storytelling aspect. Very very nice work!!!!

Thanks! Storytelling is my ultimate goal at an event shoot. Glad to hear it's working. :)

[Dave P]

Bloom:

I'm certainly no pro photographer, but to my eyes, as a consumer, those are some great images. In other words, I'd hire you in a NY minute. :D

As far as specific pricing goes, I'm clueless. But, after running a successful service business over the past decade, I've at least learned one thing: Basing your prices on what competitors charge is generally a bad idea. Your service is not the same as theirs, and you have different financial goals to achieve.

Enough of that....:D Thanks for the excellent shots and text. I'm learning a lot here.

Dave

[scottV]

great shots, #12 is my favorite.

[Chris_ND]

not sure if this has been said but, I always usually touch up on the skin, and teeth. =/

Something maybe people are like..eeh shy about? if they don't have those pearly whites, But it makes the pictures look a little better.

Just something to think about. But, you're the one getting paid not me =) hahaha so that's just my measly .02


Other wise my horrible criticism, amazing shots. Cake shot was funny also!