Oh I was always going to have to reply to this thread with a subject heading like that wasn't I?
Chronologically:
[1] Digital shot presentation. Completely depends on the client and what they're willing to pay, and what they want obviously. My list of options tends to be no digital negs, standard presentation (cheapest), low res digital files (web), with or without standard presentation, through to full res digital files, with or without standard presentation (most expensive).
[2] The market price depends on so many factors, and most of it is common sense. You can't just ask, what's the market price of a digital camera. You need to know if you're after a point and shoot, digital SLR, medium format single shot back, larger format scanning back? Resolution? Similarly, you need to ask yourself, how good are my photographs, what kind of service can I provide, who are my clients, can be clients afford to pay, what sector of the market am I planning to target?
[3] How many shots. Completely depends on your style. Should be completely independent of whether the chosen format is digital or film. Of course, for some people, the chosen format dictates their shooting style.
[4] See below.
[5] Keeping negs and returning negs is a sticky issue and depends on the market. In SG, almost all amateurs AFAIK return negs, thereby giving away their copyright in the process. Over here if you did that you'd be murdered by quite a few people.
[6] Agree with go to a good lab. Regardless of whether you're diging or not.
[7] It's not just if a flash blows up at a wedding. In addition to that, it's if the flash blows up at the wedding, you need to be able to work to your same standard with either no backup, or one backup, or two backups (and the cost associated with that).
[8] Agree on not dropping your rates down. Be good enough, not cheap enough.
[9] Not sure if there's a need to establish your name, but you need experience so you don't muck things up. And you also need a good book. Both of which can be conveniently got by working (usually for free hence no responsibility) as a second photographer to a pro at several weddings.
[10] Yes certainly I ask my clients preferences. As with any other business, the customer is always right. Alternatively, you can also just prepare a stock package on the assumption that if the clients don't like it, they won't come to you. But you should always be prepared to listen. I do a bit too much listening myself at times... but that's a different topic for a different day.
[11] Generally, no RAW.
[12] Inspiration. Look at lots of wedding pictures. *Good* wedding pictures.
[13] Agree that passion should shine through, all other things being equal.
Good luck.
Chronologically:
[1] Digital shot presentation. Completely depends on the client and what they're willing to pay, and what they want obviously. My list of options tends to be no digital negs, standard presentation (cheapest), low res digital files (web), with or without standard presentation, through to full res digital files, with or without standard presentation (most expensive).
[2] The market price depends on so many factors, and most of it is common sense. You can't just ask, what's the market price of a digital camera. You need to know if you're after a point and shoot, digital SLR, medium format single shot back, larger format scanning back? Resolution? Similarly, you need to ask yourself, how good are my photographs, what kind of service can I provide, who are my clients, can be clients afford to pay, what sector of the market am I planning to target?
[3] How many shots. Completely depends on your style. Should be completely independent of whether the chosen format is digital or film. Of course, for some people, the chosen format dictates their shooting style.
[4] See below.
[5] Keeping negs and returning negs is a sticky issue and depends on the market. In SG, almost all amateurs AFAIK return negs, thereby giving away their copyright in the process. Over here if you did that you'd be murdered by quite a few people.
[6] Agree with go to a good lab. Regardless of whether you're diging or not.
[7] It's not just if a flash blows up at a wedding. In addition to that, it's if the flash blows up at the wedding, you need to be able to work to your same standard with either no backup, or one backup, or two backups (and the cost associated with that).
[8] Agree on not dropping your rates down. Be good enough, not cheap enough.
[9] Not sure if there's a need to establish your name, but you need experience so you don't muck things up. And you also need a good book. Both of which can be conveniently got by working (usually for free hence no responsibility) as a second photographer to a pro at several weddings.
[10] Yes certainly I ask my clients preferences. As with any other business, the customer is always right. Alternatively, you can also just prepare a stock package on the assumption that if the clients don't like it, they won't come to you. But you should always be prepared to listen. I do a bit too much listening myself at times... but that's a different topic for a different day.
[11] Generally, no RAW.
[12] Inspiration. Look at lots of wedding pictures. *Good* wedding pictures.
[13] Agree that passion should shine through, all other things being equal.
Good luck.
