Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

I've told you all about my idea of snapping a few pictures of upcoming venues that I'm booked at and sending off the B&G, they love it!

But there is another angle I've been working on with the same pictures. When I go snap some early morning light snaps of venues and send them to the events coordinator via attached to the venue's Facebook page I've been well received. In the last 3 months I've gotten on 3 more venues preferred vendor list using this angle.

Yesterday I got word that another venue has requested our permission to be placed on their preferred vendor list. I've taken pictures 3 times of this venue over the last 3 months, it paid off. This morning I went out a 4th time and snapped another picture of the place and emailed to the marketing manager. She was thrilled. The pictures I snap are not about the wedding but the venue, generic snaps they cam use for all sorts of events and marketing.

Just though t I would pass along more reasons to do what I'm doing, it's working ;)

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St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Thank you for sharing. S-

xxredbeardxx Loc: San Clemente CA.

Hey, that's really is a great idea. Thanks for sharing.

I'm sure the bride and groom love having a nice clean generic photo of the place they were married.
It would have a special place in their wedding book too.

The hotel would have to be thrilled to get clean shots
like these too for their public relations stuff.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Once again, that was a great suggestion. I actually scheduled a meeting with our downtown Marriott which is a wedding/reception venue for some of the higher end weddings. They are the place that charge $70 per person per plate for the reception!

Anyway, upon our last discussion of your taking photos ahead of time. I decided to call the event organizer and ask if I could go inside and outside to get light readings, take a few test pictures, etc. Well, I'm going on the 15th of next month to do this, and with nothing more than seeing my webpage (which we've discussed), and the fact that I actually called and spoke to them, they asked if I would want to be considered "the preferred photographer" not just on the list, basically "the list."

Because of my health problems, my business partner's Muscular Dystrophy, and the fact that my daughter who is/was taking over the business is pregnant with her first child, I'm not really sure that I want to take that on.

Here's an idea that I've been kicking around. I was thinking of hiring more "subcontractors" that have either interned for me, or that I know and trust already, then basically I would just take a commission or finder's fee for booking them? I had a thought like this years ago, but worried about insurance, etc. I'm thinking a prerequisite would be that I would only take them on, if they show ME proof of insurance. Has anyone thought of doing this? That way, I can shoot the weddings I want to, but if I end up going through more treatments, or if my partner can't work any more, I have options.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

I get asked about 40% of the time do we send sub-contractors or do we come ourselves. Fact is I usually bring this up myself if they don't ask, it's a selling point for me as there are so many 'National' companies selling on the cheap and then they basically send seconds to go snap as first.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

That's been my thinking as well, but I also don't want to get to a place where I'm booked every weekend, or worse, health reasons make me have to back out. I wouldn't mind as much being on a list of preferred vendors, but would really feel uncomfortable being "THE" preferred photographer. In a lot of ways, I think it is the facility wedding planner being lazy, and not wanting to juggle several vendors. I was more kicking around only using people that I've worked with in the past, and not really using "seconds." Very good point though. I would be upset if I hired someone for my daughter's wedding, then have someone I've never met be the one that shows up.

xxredbeardxx Loc: San Clemente CA.

Interesting topic. I hope you don't mind me asking questions that are slightly off the topic.

Question: Insurance:
I have heard that good photographers have insurance.
What companies offer that kind of insurance?
Before my first job should I get this?

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Yes, and "good photographers" has nothing to do with it. SOME (not all) halls require it.

There are a few ways to go about it.
1. Talk to your home insurance agent, and let him know that you need BUSINESS liability insurance. Your home insurance, and even an umbrealla policy will not cover you if you are shooting for money.

2. (probably the best, but not the least expensive) Join PPA, which has a lot of educational benefits, as well as some insurance, including property insurance included, but you will have to pay for Liabilty extra.

3. There are a few that specialize in just event insurance, you just get liability insurance for each event, but don't carry it year round. If you do one wedding or very little shooting, it may make sense, but it can quickly add up to more than just an annual policy.

4. I used RVNA pro photographers insurance before rejoining PPA. You can find it by using Google, or you can type in "professional photographer and DJ liability insurance" At the time, they were the most reasonable. That could have changed by now.

I would shop around, but also check out reviews. I do trust PPA, and also take advantage of their learning programs. It is really up to you to decide. Unfortunately, everything costs money. At the time I think my policy through RVNA was about $300 which included $1million/$2million in liability, and $15000 in equipment insurance. That covered me, and my 3 "employees" when shooting a job for a year. I think the event coverage was about $119 per wedding....same coverage, except for equipment.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

I'm a real estate broker so I just asked my representative to write me a policy for photo/video coverage.

A bit higher in California, everything is more ........

About $450 per year

Out here about half the locations require it

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Probably not even 1/2 "require" it here, but to not have it and need it, isn't something I would want to run into.

On top of that, can you imagine showing up to shoot a wedding/reception, and being turned away? I always call the venue in advance to find out what they need, and get it to them shortly after I get the signed contract and deposit. That way, I know I'm good. (also helps to get in good with the hall, they really do hand out business cards for people that they like to work with.)

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Another good idea to gain relationship with venues ;)

I always carry a copy to give to a location in my equipment bag

fotodon Loc: Oberlin, OH

In my mind, insurance is not a good thing to have, it is a MUST thing to have. I highly recommend PPA in that you get a lot for your investment and you can now pay your dues on a monthly basis. Lots of educational stuff, recognition as belonging to a well known national trade organization, and of course, insurance. The rates are very competitive but even more important is the expertise behind the insurance coverage.

The most frustrating legal dilemma a wedding photog can get into is when the bride says you did a bad job and threatens to sue you. PPA can nip this in the bud where other insurance companies will simply say "see you in court" or worse yet "how much will you settle for". Then watch your rates go sky high or you get dropped.

fotodon Loc: Oberlin, OH

We don't subcontract other photographers but we do subcontract work for other photographers. In other words, if a B&G come to us and asks us to do a wedding on a day we are already booked we have a few other photographers that do work similar to ours that we refer them to. The B&G almost always book with them. We do not take anything for this because we all feel we are just watching each others back. It is nice to know that when Mr. Murphy strikes there is some one that you can call for help.

We do subcontract for a couple of other businesses. I say businesses because they are all "one stop" wedding and event businesses. DJ, video, photographer, photo booth, etc. They both require that we have insurance and of course they have their own. I hate doing this work but right now it is a good way of bringing in a few extra $$. They pay us a fixed amount depending on the shoot requirements.

Too bad we don't live a little closer to each other Bob. I would offer to watch your back at the drop of the hat. Heh...what the heck does "at the drop of hat" mean anyway.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

at the drop of a hat http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/at_the_drop_of_a_hat

xxredbeardxx Loc: San Clemente CA.

I have learned a lot from this thread. Thank you all so
very much for your advise.