Expert: Don Wood - 4/16/2009

Question
Mr. Wood,

My wife is wanting to get into photography (weddings, engagement, etc.), and we are trying to find a camera for her to start out with. Will the Canon Rebel XSI be a good enough camera to start out with? I know that she'll need several lenses, but will the 12.2 MP camera be strong enough to perform for weddings that don't want to pay thousands for a photographer?

Answer
My camera of choice is the Nikon Coolpix 8700. It has a zoom lens. My feeling is that you won't need any extra lens, the zoom is very adequate for groups, close-ups and in-betweens. The 12.2 MP is very adequate. You will probably only have to supply 8x10 size pics. Only an expert can tell the difference between my 8x10 and other 8x10s shot on cameras with more pixels. I would invest in a hammerhead strobe so that you reduce the red-eye problem which come when the retina reflects back the strobe light and it has red in it because of the blood vessels. However, by raising the strobe head and placing it to the side, you avoid getting red-eyes.
A word about developing your business, give away or produce it at your cost one wedding and stipulate in your contract that you may use it to demonstrate to customers what you can do.
I would also work up a contract, safeguarding what you will do, and what they can ask for. I would also work up a shooting script detailing the basic pics you're looking for. This involves the couple in thinking about pictures they want rather than you shooting hundreds of shots and they choosing only 15-20. Those not used are actually wasted space on the memory card. I would get the largest memory card you can get for what you will spend.
As far as pricing your services, remember that more goes into the wedding service than producing the pics. How do you travel to the location? Remember that while you are traveling, you could be doing something else, so you should charge possibly 25 cents or more per mile portal to portal, from your studio to the location and return trip. You should also consider the clothing you will wear and possibly the meals if you are on an extended drive.
I had a Doctor tell me one time that if I tried to raise my prices from a beginning level to the professional level that it would be difficult.
All this being said, wedding photography usually takes place on a Saturday, sometimes, Sunday, very seldom on week-days. Weekday evenings are generally when they shop for photographers. If working from home, remember that they will be impressed by the decor of the environment, cleanliness and lack of clutter are paramount. Just remember that if you undercut prices just for the sake of getting the business, you may regret it when it happens to you. Also remember that of 10 start-ups in a year, 5 will quit within 4-6 months, 3 may last the year then quit, 1-2 may last 2 years. Doesn't leave much left. I hope you're in the category that is lasting.
You should go to libraries to study their art and art photography books, museums can also help you. What you are doing with this is to develop your photographic eyes so that you will recognize the great pictures, the particular spot that enhances the picture. Remember that you are a historian, the picture you take freeze that scene forever.
I wish you luck in your endeavors, if you think of something more please let me know.