Finding a photographer for Sandals October Wedding

[KLPhoto]

I too bundle deep for my packages, either with complimentary travel or the services! whichever it ends up. But I do not charge my full price package with travel since I like the change of scenery. That being said, it is definitely NOT a vacation. It is very hot and you are dealing with so many other elements like water and sand in every crack and crevice of your equipment, hikes all over the resort, usually 3 days of work at the resort (shooting details, wedding day, and day after) not to mention countless hours of editing and production and all those things you understand. A lot of people think it's a vacation, but I usually am working the entire time and I give myself one afternoon to sleep

[TATrisha]

I'm just going to second that... it is NOT a vacation!

 

Our equipment doesn't fit in the safe, and even if it does, it's not necessarily SAFE depending on where you are.  So you have to lug all the equipment everywhere you go (In January we weighed my bag and my assistant's bag.  Mine was 36 pounds and hers was 27).  Then you have to keep an eye on the equipment at all times.  It's not relaxing. 

 

I require three nights stay with my destination wedding packages.  Here is the schedule of events.

First night - meet with the couple.  Plan the day.  Take a few engagement type photos

Second night - wedding night

Third night - trash the dress early in the morning, backing up images in three locations for hours during the day

 

There really is no vacation.  Not to mention, it's taking me away from my normal business hours here at home and my family doesn't come with me.  What good is a vacation without the family?

 

With that said, I absolutely love destination weddings and I deeply discount my services because of that fact alone.  But it is certainly not a vacation.  I am working hard for my clients.

[KLPhoto]

Trisha couldn't agree more!

[Damon Nash]

Ok people I think I get the point. Like I said, I am a seasoned photographer and understand the nature of destination photography. But as I put my consumer hat on I now feel the same way many of the other consumers feel about getting these services abroad. Its expensive and confusing, hence the fact that many of us post via these forums. And to make a point, when selling people on your services it would be a good idea to highlight the quality and commitment rather than harp on how tedious and demanding destination weddings can be. I want my photographer to relax and enjoy his time at my wedding. I don't want him stressed and suffering from sleep deprivation. You all make it seem like an all inclusive photography labor camp... that pays a few grand of course. I pray for that kind of stress and pay at my day job. Sign me up!

[TATrisha]

LOL Damon!  You're funny. 

 

Like I said, I photograph destination weddings because I love them.  I was a destination wedding bride myself (why I'm part of the forum to begin with) and I will always hold a special place in my heart for them.  I do relax, and I do have a good time... but it's just not a vacation.

 

And it sounds glamorous and like we're making bank, but when you consider 8 hours of travel, 15-20 hours of work for the wedding at the wedding location, 8 hours of travel, 4 hours of editing and correspondence and album design for each hour of photography.  So 60 hours of that.  So we're talking 91 hours (on the short end) for a destination wedding (if you count the fun and relaxing time as not paid).  Which leaves me making $10 or less an hour when you consider expenses and taxes.

 

But again, to me, it's worth it.  There is a special kind of love and happiness that is present during a destination wedding and I absolutely adore capturing that and being a part of the big day.  It's what I love.

[Damon Nash]

I hate to sound like a jerk but your comments were rather unprofessional. How would you like it if the chef at your favorite restaurant came out from the back and told you how tiring and demanding it was preparing your meal? You'd probably lose your appetite and remind him that choosing to be a chef is a career choice that he signed up for and hard work comes with the pay.

[Damon Nash]

I feel so helpless at this point. I told my fiance that I was thinking about handing the butler the camera, setting the iSO to 100, f stop at 16, and have him take as many photos as he could fit on two 32gb cards. Then Id sort through them once we got home...she didn't laugh. lol

[KLPhoto]

wow Damon as a professional photographer you sure are being rude to others in your field, I'm hoping you are not trying to come off that way but it's the only way I can read it The only reason we were saying it was a lot of work was because you said it was a vacation, merely to defend our field. Of course we love what we do! But since you are a seasoned pro, you should also know how much work goes into it. I also don't know who you've been talking to that is making this so frustrating for you and making you feel helpless. it should be enjoyable to plan the wedding! And if you don't want to pay additional for flying out a photographer, there are other photographers on every island, and at every resort

 

many of your comments I found very rude and would never speak that way to someone else in "our" field. 

 

I am passionate about what I do, I eat sleep and breathe it. I do not want to put down my camera and party and relax at a destination wedding. at all times you should be professional with your personable -and- business face on. That being said, I enjoy what I do and hence enjoy shooting and working the weddings. that's where enjoyment is found. 

 

I also had a destination wedding. I knew about all things my clients go through, But I also never wanted to disrespect the work of my vendors. I am always able to wear both the "businessperson" and "consumer" hat. We're not here to make an easy buck. We're here to help others planning destination weddings like we did. And you get what you pay for. 

 

don't mean to rant, but I am an honest person and felt very offended. best of luck to you with planning

[TATrisha]

I think it's okay if you think I'm unprofessional.  This is not a thread where I'm trying to sell myself.  This is a thread where I'm trying to educate.  A LOT of brides on this forum have sticker shock when they hear the price of flying out a photographer.  They don't understand why someone wouldn't want a "free vacation" and why they'd have to pay above that amount.  You (shockingly, given your profession) made the same comment. 

So all of my comments were trying to HELP brides (and grooms).  I'm honest and trying to steer everyone in the right direction of getting fabulous photos that they'll love on their wedding day.  HECK YES I want them to hire me and I'll do a fantastic job and enjoy every single minute of it and deliver an amazing product, but this wasn't a "should I hire Trisha to document my day" thread...

 

(ps, for everyone else reading this thread... hire me, I'm awesome!  )

[Damon Nash]

Wait a minute, I was never rude, or wasn't trying to be rude in any of my msgs. I never disrespected or meant to disrespect anyone. Not once did I call names or talk down on any of your work. I'm just being a realist in a time of crisis. The services you all provide are exceptional. The only thing I didn't like was how I was "reprimanded" for using the word VACATION. And then I got tag teamed by Tlseege. And finally got back-doored by you again with the "I second that" comment.

 

I used to get offended when I presented my totally-competitive prices and people said, "But all you are doing is snapping photos with your fancy cameras". Instead of coming down on them for their ignorance, I educated them on the quality and creativity of my work as compared to the other photographers below and above my price point. I didn't go into a whole sermon about how much the cameras cost or the amount of work-flow that goes into processing images and the headache of creating photo books. I booked the wedding but I certainly would have upset them if I made them feel like doing their wedding was such an overly tedious job for the pay. Remember, I'm speaking as a frustrated and confused "groom to be"... not a photographer. Look at some of the things that were said starting after the word "Vacation". I didn't mean that you would come down to Jamaica, get wasted every night, and sleep until 3pm everyday. I meant a vacation from the states to a tropical paradise where you can do something that you love, and you are good at, while producing beautiful, memorable, artistic stills that keep your clients in awe. Jeesh... Did no one read the thread when I clearly said, 

 

"BTW, and that's not to talk down on destination photographers. You truly get what you pay for and if you want quality photos you hire from the outside.They have found an awesome niche. "