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Dress Code for photo shoots
Aug 1, 2012 08:17:07 #
cjkorb wrote:
I think the only occation where a tie would be appropate is probibly a funeral.
And there's not a big market for that kind of photography.
Aug 1, 2012 08:26:36 #
There are no rules. The person to ask is the bride, or if you're a contractor with a company, ask them if they care. The wedding photographer is working primarily in summer temps and is working hard, or should be. Coats and ties are a hindrance for me and one can dress well and fashionably without them. How would I know? I've photographed weddings for 30 years, over 700 times.
Aug 1, 2012 08:34:17 #
todd gieg wrote:
There are no rules. The person to ask is the bride, or if you're a contractor with a company, ask them if they care. The wedding photographer is working primarily in summer temps and is working hard, or should be. Coats and ties are a hindrance for me and one can dress well and fashionably without them. How would I know? I've photographed weddings for 30 years, over 700 times.
But just think how many more weddings you would have gotten if you had been wearing a tux. :D
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Aug 1, 2012 08:44:13 #
Aug 1, 2012 08:54:58 #
todd gieg wrote:
You mean when they hired me?
I mean you were very successful at what you did - 700 weddings! Evidentally, you got the dress code down right. When the people look at the beautiful photos, they will not be thinking about the photographer's wardrobe.
Aug 1, 2012 08:58:11 #
Photobuff96
Loc: Connecticut
If you're being hired as their professional photographer, you should always look the part! Be Professional = Look professional. :D
Aug 1, 2012 08:58:29 #
They would remember your dress code if you showed up in a thong speedo, black socks and sandles.
Unless you were on a beach in Florida. I can joke about it, because I lived there a few years. My eyes still have some images burned in them.
Unless you were on a beach in Florida. I can joke about it, because I lived there a few years. My eyes still have some images burned in them.
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Aug 1, 2012 09:31:16 #
When I began I was employed as an assistant at a photographic studio which worked in advertising. We would receive calls asking if we shot weddings. Such work for them was considered demeaning so I began to do them. It suited my personality much better than did advertising. I never had to market myself before the digital age. Word of mouth would keep one booked. I've never been comfortable selling myself. Today with the plethora of photographers competing for those jobs, if one doesn't reach out, one remains obscure. On the other hand, my wrist and forearm no longer permit me to work as often as I like or need to. I do many types of photography now but I will miss weddings when I no longer can shoot them.
Aug 1, 2012 09:35:48 #
I agree with most of the replies above. Look professional, act professional. I always wear a suit or sports coat, the inside pockets hide the extra batteries, flash cards, et al.
Aug 1, 2012 10:05:15 #
Seems as the years go on, the idea of a dress code seem to take the back seat. My rule of thumb is to dress the way I believe most of the people in attendance will dress. If not sure, I dress up a notch or two, not the other way. Common sense also takes a part in this. I will not wear a bathing suit at a beach party, but I'd wear shorts and a golf shirt and sandals. Yesterday, wearing slacks, jacket, shirt with or without a tie and clean shoes was almost my uniform when I was working. If you are clean and organized in your personal appearance/dress and camera gear, you present better to your clients and they feel comfortable that you are a professional. Went to see a lawyer to do up a real estate offer a few years ago...had an appointment. when I got there the lawyer was in shorts, bare feel and a T shirt with stains on it. He may have been good, but the first impression was NO, and I left the meeting before it started.
Aug 1, 2012 10:18:01 #
georgeretired wrote:
Seems as the years go on, the idea of a dress code... (show quote)
Years ago, many restaurants required men to wear a tie. If you arrived without one, they had some available.
Aug 1, 2012 10:37:43 #
I shoot many weddings and wear a white golf shirt, black dress pants, black shoes and socks and also have on a photo vest (just an expensive fishing vest with lots of pockets) with my name and phone embroidered on the back. I also use a camera harness so the weight is not on my neck where I might have a second camera with a different lens. Once in a great while I'll wear a jacket but then it comes off as soon as possible.
www.willcad.org/harness This is without a doubt the best designed and made at home camera harness and very inexpensive and has absolutely no metal.
www.willcad.org/harness This is without a doubt the best designed and made at home camera harness and very inexpensive and has absolutely no metal.
Aug 1, 2012 10:44:26 #
RichieC
Loc: Adirondacks
Attire should match/compliment the occasion, not contrast. You should melt into the setting, not draw undue attention to yourself. I'm not sure a matching tux is in order, unless they wish it and are prepared to include the cost in your bill.
This goes for quests as well as professional staff, which is what a hired photographer is.
If you want to be impotent- you need to look impotent.
This goes for quests as well as professional staff, which is what a hired photographer is.
If you want to be impotent- you need to look impotent.
Aug 1, 2012 11:02:32 #
MCHUGH
Loc: Jacksonville, Texas
In the 30 years that I shot wedding I did around 1000. At first I dressed semi casual both for the wedding work and studio work. I shot a wedding in the early 80's that an old friend's dad was at that was a very successful businessman and the next day he saw me and proceeded to give me a lecture on proper dress. He said you are a professional and should look like one. Since I had always looked up to this man and knew that if he took time to give advise it was very important. I should a least give it a try. The response was very surprising that I got from my regular customers and overwhelmingly positive. They told me directly that they really liked the new look. Never dressed casual again doing photography. Always a tie, dress shirt, and sport coat or suit and tie. The only time I dressed differently was when I did a child's portrait and then it was totally outlandish. Very colorful and different but when the child was gone I changed back into my professional clothes
Aug 1, 2012 11:25:32 #
Dress in the style of your customer. Formal wedding calls for at least a sport coat to suit & tie, beach party is casual, etc. You want to fit in, not stand out.
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