The Showing

[Wineman]

So I had the my first wedding 2 weeks ago and the showing was on Friday, straight after a wedding (pic coming soon).

Will they like them, will they not. It was the one time I got a little nervous but thought there was no need as I was very happy with the pictures considering it rained most of the day and was before the clocks went back.

Instead of showing the prints (they had their own album) I chose to show them a slide show via digital projection. I bought the machine on-line on Wednesday and received it on Thursday. A quick trip to Jessops resulted in a 5 foot square projection screen.

First off the were totally impressed when I got the machine out. Good start!

I then played the slide show via my laptop and the reaction was amazing. Them seeing themselves at 2/3rds life size really gave impact and they couldn't stop saying how good they were and how the pictures were exactly as they had wanted... RELIEF!!!!

Their package included 300 prints which was the main part of the slide show. I had also asked if they would like me to add in the "out-takes" which they did.

Naturally I had trashed all the out of focus and really bad expressions, but was still left with 260 pictures which I put on the menu as the out-takes.

The result - they are spending a day going through the out-takes to order prints of them!

I have to say that doing via digital projection was totally superb and 100% worth the investment. First impressions really count and this certainly had the desired effect.

[David Worthington]

That sounds like a really good move you have made there. I would be interested in hearing how it progresses. Do you have a studio; as i work from home and that sorta set-up would be difficult/impossible to implement here. I currently do similar to you but it's of the laptop screen, it seems to have the same effect though. I have different figures to you re shots taken and shown but that is just the difference between us.

When the show is put together i find the choice of music is important too; i tend to go for the more upbeat rather than the slushy as i think they can "see through" that; Orbital and Chicane have been good to me but over the years Steve Harley and Ryan Adams have a part too.

Hope you make loadsa ££££££

[Wineman]

Hi David

I work from home so can do it from here or at their house, but preferably with their parents in attendance as well.

I set the DVD to their own choice of music so cannot muck up on choice...

I will be doing my second showing to this weekends wedding later on in the week so will keep you updated.

I am not charging a great deal for the reprints as I do not wish it to appear that I have taken extra photographs soley to sell to them. To me it is not about the instant financial rewards but gaining recomendation etc.

Still hope to make a whole load of cash though!

[BarryM]

Great stuff pal, sounds like it went really well.

[David Worthington]

Hi David

I am not charging a great deal for the reprints as I do not wish it to appear that I have taken extra photographs soley to sell to them. To me it is not about the instant financial rewards but gaining recomendation etc.

Still hope to make a whole load of cash though!

I was staggered to see that ASDA offer 150 6x4 prints in 24hr turnround for £7.50 so i might start throwing a set of them in too - yep i know its the end of reprints, more than is likely, but its the £££ in the future that intersts me too .

[David Worthington]

Hi David

I set the DVD to their own choice of music so cannot muck up on choice...


Ya know what; i am really funny about my photos ( a bit prima-donna i suppose !) and i do not let anyone tell me how to present them; I am meaning clients here, not forum members ! and with music i am the same !!

Prob cos i was rockin away with the groove down in the Cavern waaaaay back in '63/64 and was well into the blues way before that ( yep I really am that old !!) so when it comes to the music then its my choice too , and to date no-one has ever questioned this. I guess i tend to present/sell myself as the "creative one" and they just seem to go along with that. often saying "thats what we hired you for "

[Wineman]

I know what you mean David, but my Music taste is non mainstream. Bands like Architecture in Helsinki, Clap your Hands Say Yeah, Death Cab for Cutie, Postal Service, New Model Army, Talking Heads, Waterboys, Fiona Apple, Sufjan Stevens and a whole load more that no one has heard of!

I like to think that the client commissions me to take their photographs and has some control over it. It is their money after all so providing them with their own choice of music is the least I can do. I view them as the Director and I tailor my photography to their wishes in terms of proportions of formal/non formal or colour/B&W etc etc.

No right or wrong, just preferences :-)