Thats for sharing. Thats the type of experiences we all need more of!
I look at it this way, How fortunate they were to have you there! Talk about easy going and taking it in stride! You've got me beat!
And again...how lucky that lady was that you were there also!

Hi spiritsong,
All great advise by the others, I'€™ll throw my two cents in for you to chew on....

As you can see, there is really no simple... '€˜quick and dirty'€™ setting that you can rely on. This is a difficult lighting situation, (Mixing Flash with Ambient). But the results are worth the effort.
I'€™ll throw an example up, showing the difference between exposing just for the subjects, beside one exposed for sunset and subjects using a single flash.
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Here's how I approach it; You are making two exposures;So think of it that way; Set up your BG (background exposure first) then set up your flash exposure.
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Things to remember.....
- Your ISO will affect both exposures, so try to set it first
- Your Shutter will affect Ambient Light (sunset/background light) & you€™r highest speed is limited to your cameras sync speed.(yours is 1/200th sec)
- Your Aperture will affect flash(exposure or light) & Depth of field (whats in focus)
- Shooting RAW will help save you - esp with exposure and color temperture
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1) Ok, expose for the sunset first, (I usually go a day or two before, and practice at the time of the wedding, 5-6pm).
Camera on manual, ISO 100- 200, Ss(shutter)@1/200th,
-Get your exposure set properly with your Aperture, I then drop exposure
1 to 1 2/3 stops(underexpose). This helps to richen the BG colors and make your subjects stand out.
..Don'€™t use your shutter speed to do this, if you raise it anymore, the flash won't fire. Use your Aperture.
.....Once your happy with how that looks....
2) Now set your Flash exposure; you'€™ll need a test subject.
(This is where a light meter comes in handy). Without a light meter, this will be trial and error...
To set your Flash exposure, your adjustments will be... the -Power on the flash, the -Distance the flash is from your subjects, and the Aperture on your camera.
Once you find the exposure you like, just make sure the flash stays at the same distance... wherever you go, and it will never change!

----Tips:
I try to keep my Flash 6'€™ or closer to the subjects. I usually shoot thru an umbrella outdoors, & my flash is usually on a stick held by someone else or on a stand.
I try to keep my flash power low, like 1/4 or less...so it will recycle faster and the batteries last longer.
- fine tune exposure with aperture on camera

Once you figure out the exposure you like,write it down€™.
Example: Aperture @f’/8 - Flash at 1/4power, 4' from subject.
This will give you a starting point on the wedding day.
.....think my math is off on my example, more like 2 ⅓ stops difference......

Thanks for all really good info and suggestions!
I like how all this could be universally used in many applications.

Haha, Too late!
But I was one of those who couldn't afford pictures :) or a reception!

Thanks Bkyser,
Thats really neat! I like how you go the extra mile, that would set you apart in my book!

I like the way you think and do business. I hate high pressure sales, and bait and switch. I have worked with people like that in other business dealings for years, and I never accepted it.

A question: You have your standard contract, But how do you 'tailor' it for each client?
I'm wondering, do you have blank lines at the end, and just pencil in specifics before you sign? Or maybe, have the client come back later to sign the final - after you have typed those changes in?

Thanks, that's a good attitude to have. Come to think of it...that's the people I gravitate towards :)

Tim, don't know if this would help... but what if you took a digital picture first, you could even use your cell phone. Then when you put the digital pics on your computer, you could verify the order or sequence was right when you reviewed your prints?

Did a family reception once, about 300 people. Had to do individuals & each family. We took a dry erase board and had each family write their names- hold it in front - that was our first shot... sure helped in the sorting. But, we used digital.
Best of Luck, sounds like a fun project!

Thanks for pointing that out. evertime I start to join PPA - I think I just can't afford another site right now. But now that I'm shopping insurance, thats sounds like a need-not a want! :)
I talked to a business lawyer in calif once, he wanted $3000 ... And explained how 'cheap' that was if I ever needed it for protection.
But, I didn't like the spirit or language in his examples, very one sided as ED referred to. & extremely hard reading. I would have felt bad trying to explain it.
So I copied a free one online - very rudimentary.
I have learned to size up my customers, no matter what the job, photography or not.... If the customer seems sketchy - I politely refuse the job (sometimes repeatably)... because I can't afford to get burned. And I have had several friends, who thought they couldn't afford to turn down 'any' job... & got burned REALLY bad.
I'm a sucker for a hard luck story, And just turned down a job - that I spent 3 days bidding, that I cut to the tooth (trying hard to help them). I was willing to go less than half of what I wanted. ...then the games started..."what if you give us the files and we print them"..."how much will you cut if..."
I really needed the work, but wasn't going to make much anyways, and this was going sideways quick. So I'd rather drop the job and whine about losing it...than do the job and whine about how much it cost me and they didn't pay!
P.s.s.s...I'm not claiming I haven't been burned...I have, several times - But it's been years since they got me good.
Thanks again for your contract and insurance suggestions.

Thanks bkyser! Thats really encouraging.
I found they(town a couple hours from me) are having a large 'Raft race' down the river, with ajoining festival during the day & extending into the night. I might try to do something there. Bought a cheap 10x10 pop up on sale...boy was it cheap. Took it back the next day.
Thanks again!

... Don't have any marketing tips that are tried and true, but have been thinking of maybe setting up a booth at a local farmers market, Maybe give away some popcorn to draw people in and gander at the pics. Or maybe have an area set up to do pics on the spot? or both?
Not sure how well portraits or wedding appts would do, So thinking maybe have some pics of local landmarks for sale, a few sizes, a few framed?
Just a thought.

What great tips! Posing is really my weakest area, A lot of times I lose expressions when I try to pose, and if I get the expressions, the poses suffer.... and I hate it when people don't look their best.
Ed, I learned real quick with heavy set people to get the weight on that rear leg, & to put a bend in the forward leg-or it tends to look really huge! Thanks for the explanation.
I've always started at the shoulders, then head...Starting at the feet makes so much more sense.
Bkyser... Thanks for sharing the marketing tips, I'm needing ideas to branch out, weddings are few and far between right now. The area I moved to is rural, fairly low population & low income. My town has 600 people- but I'm within a couple hours of a couple larger towns.
The story of the 14 yr old was awesome! Great job!
My last difficult guy-I finally gave up & said.. 'ok, then just look down at her - bring your nose in real close-Now Sniff her Eyebrow!'
He snapped up-smiled and laughed, they both looked at each other and couldn't quit giggling... Got some good pics.

Perfect timing!
I was just looking for a guide for making a contract, and came here first. what luck!
I've been debating on just getting bonded, but think instead I'll go with Liability insurance.
Thanks again for sharing Ed, I try to avoid all the 'hard knocks' I can :)

..stop?? Not without professional help :)
Just a suggestion, drive over to Coronado, take a pic across the Bay of the San Diego cityscape, at sunset.
Unless the marine layer comes in, I've never been disappointed.

Personally I think it is just insecurity. I try to remember I'm just paid help trying to do the best I can. They don't really care what problems I have or why, this is their event and their family. I try not to bother them as much as possible, and try to get all expectations ironed out before the event. I do warn that them that other flashes going off -can affect my photos, so most will ask their guests to hold off on the flashes during the ceremony-and I always tell them I don't mind posing formals, and letting family and friends shoot away as soon as I finish. Most people understand, and some are just jerks-thats their nature :)
I like your philosophy, ...'easy going and enjoy people'.. I'll have to remember that.
'Till the next Uncle Bubba outshoots me!