AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Just what I'd always ask when hiring a pro!


Andy

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I use "P" as a starting point. If I don't like what the camera has selected, I change it.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I see people saying things like this, and then I see people saying that a great photographer would take great pictures with an instamatic.

I believe we think too much about the technical side of things, and not nearly enough about composition.

drklrd Loc: Cincinnati Ohio

Todays pros seem to be all about how many shots they made. Just look into the swim suit issues and you can find them bragging about taking quite a few to get one for the magazine. If they aren't the magazine is bragging or a reporter is talking about it. If I shoot 500 to give the studio that hire me it means I have a lot of computer work to do before I turn in my shots. I prefer to get it right without all the extra time in front of a video screen. I just finished my grandson's graduation album. I feel I over shot it. I shot 240 shots edited to 120 for the album. I used every shot I made outside of family stuff but edited down the event shots to keep the album all about the grandson. I shoot professionally and that gives me an edge. All of the shots were good but for an album of the event I did not know which shots not to use until I put it together. So I overshot on purpose. This was an event so yes a lot of shots were made but had it been one model remember you pay for the models time and the assistants time and the studio time. So putting a camera on auto and motor drive should be unheard of. The more time it takes the greater the billing will be. So I keep it short and to the point with all shots counting. As should all the pro's out there. if I were hiring a wedding pro I think I would ask to shadow him/her for just one wedding to see how he/she works rather than just assessing an album of his/her work. I shot for a studio that used to change my name every other wedding or so. Why? Because he lost the photographer and the album the bride chose the photographer from was the no longer working for him photographer. I was given the job because I was better than the guy he lost but he did not want to upset the bride by telling her she was not able to have the photographer she wanted. The studio still had not put out an album that had my name on it yet. The bride was happy when she saw the pics and she never knew the whole story. I eventually changed studios because of these dishonest policies.

BebuLamar

I am not sure if a pro wedding photographer will allow you to shadow him or her. I actually would love to shadow a pro wedding photographer and make a video of how she/she is working.

drklrd Loc: Cincinnati Ohio

Without a camera and in the background at a wedding would be the only way a pro would let you just to get your wedding business. As an un-hired assistant (prospective photographer for the pro's company) I have shadowed several. I applied for the job and told them i would go out as an assistant to help for a Saturday free of charge to learn how he would want me to handle and shoot a wedding. I would win the job every time because I would be exactly at the right place and right time he needed me. While learning what he wanted from me in the way of shooting his weddings. Carried his gear and all he needed from a pro assistant. That meant to him that I was what I claimed to be. A very good wedding photographer. Yes you can shadow under certain circumstances.

BebuLamar

I am not interested in the wedding photography business I am only interested in documenting pro wedding photographers at work.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I am fairly certain they would not mind you shooting them over the wedding. Although I they might not take you up on the offer, you could offer them a photo of them plying their trade.