It has been a while since my last job with my photography boss, 3 months I think. Anyway, last week I got a call from him about a job and I happily accepted. And yeah, this time it’s another wedding. It was another long day of 14 hours of photography, but it was worth it. I got $220 AUD out of it, and I got to use different equipment this time around. Hit the jump to check out more photos.
Although there was only one thing about this job though. The meetup point was WAY down in the south west near Campbelltown. From there we traveled all the way into the city, do some more photos there, and then come all the way back to Cabramatta. For those who live in Sydney can tell how much traveling that is, but for those who don’t, lets just say I used a good 1/2 a tank of fuel. The wedding this time was also a Laos wedding. Though with most traditional weddings, they can go on for a long time. The groom however told me that it’s going to be a simplified ceremony and it’ll take an hour at most. One thing I like about this job, and living in Australia, I can see the different types of culture that have made Australia what it is, and to meet various types of people. So seeing a Laos ceremony, even if it was a very simplified version, is pretty awesome.
As per usual, there is always time before the actual ceremony and it gives me the time to test out the equipment, and see what kind of photos I could take. Luckily the place where the reception was, there were plenty of things to take photos of.
In the last two jobs, I used a EF 17-40mm f/4L USM lens, which I found to be pretty awesome. This time I was given a different lens, a EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. All I can say about this lens is that it was brilliant, and that Image Stabilizer is pure awesome. Kind of makes me wish i had this lens when I went to Animania. Also I used my own flash, the 580 EXII which worked out alright for the first half of the day, but once it got to parts of the ceremony and reception, I suffered the same problem as I did at Animania where the flash sometimes did not fire, or it wasn’t strong enough. But like all pro photographers, you always have a backup. Luckily the boss lent me his 580 EX and a spare Canon 400D in case anything happened.
The job this time was also different in where my boss had two weddings to attend to that day. So for this wedding, it was just me and the boss’s son. At first I was a little worried, but I had to put what I learnt over the months to the test. It was pretty easy and I took heed of what my boss mention once that I have to direct people and make sure they are in the photo correctly in terms of standing position and the way they are facing. One thing for sure, my throat was parched after two hours.
A surprise also occurred after the ceremony as well. One of the guests actually approached me and asked if I was interested in doing a job for him and that he wanted me specifically since he thought I was good. Well I’m not sure about being good, but I couldn’t accept the offer. Reason is that I’m only an assistant photographer, and that the person had to talk to my boss, and that this job my boss got off someone else. So we can’t steal his clients away. And really, I’m still only a learner, so I can’t really start taking on jobs like that, though it would be kind of cool. Although there is one thing I’m always unsure of, and this question is directed to the photographers out there, how much do you normally charge for a photography job? I’ve had this question directed to me before but I’m never sure.
But yes, a very tiring weekend. Because of this job, I missed out an entire weekend of catching up on anime. Sunday I literally passed out and that my legs were killing me. So now I’m playing catchup with the new season.
Did you pass out your business cards? Maybe you could build up a client list if you ever wanted to go solo or gather more business for your boss.
See Adun… what did I tell you about the flash not firing… *further stomps on his EXII*
Glad you’re enjoying all the different kinds of weddings down there.
Were you in P mode again for those shots you posted here?
Those roses look too perfect to be real. Nice shooting.
Man, I need to get to know more photographers. I want to do a photography job!
I don’t really like the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM, probably because it doesn’t give me enough focal range.. The EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is a really great lens. Have heard good reviews about it and it’s focal range is real sweet. I’m saving up add it into my Lens list. Don’t know how long that would take though LOL.
Think you could have taken the chandelier from a different angle. The air-con duct spoils the picture. Really love the last picture.
Now, will you hire me to do a photography job? ^^;
Very nice shots.
14 hours?! … O_o I wouldn’t be able to last that long…
Too bad the EXII died on you…
AS: Nah, the Moe Moe Rabu business cards are mainly for otaku related stuff, but of course if someone is interested in my photography, I can always give them a card as I carry some with me everywhere I go.
AOforever1: If I ever have a few hundred to spare, I might look into getting a 2nd hand 580 EX, lol. Most of these are shot in P mode, but there were at times when I switched to manual mode. I just forget which ones were in manual mode.
Sleet: Indeed they are fake roses. Not many people would buy real roses just for display purposes.
Windbell: That you do! You also need to expose some of your work a bit more as well but as well as know the right people. Though for me, I got lucky. Personally I think both lenses do wonderful jobs, it really depends on how you use it. For the wedding shoot, which is mainly portrait and group shots, either lens does the job well.
I wasn’t thinking of where I was taking the photos from, it was all on random whims with the photos I took here.
Bubby: 14 hours isn’t that long since I’m used to it now. But still, this month is like photography month!
Yeah, I’m quite surprised with the results you got with P mode. Very nice work. Keep it up Adun.
Wah…. such beautiful photography *.*
Don’t know the camera terms and stuff well, but they seem like top of the line stuff!
“Although there is one thing I’m always unsure of, and this question is directed to the photographers out there, how much do you normally charge for a photography job?”
Depends entirely on the type of job, how far away it is, and how much I want the client. How’s that for a useful answer?
That’s the short answer.
Long answer is, I’m not a huge fan of doing weddings, or really anything for non-business entities, because ordinary people usually don’t really understand or appreciate the costs and the work involved with professional photography, whereas businesses do, and are prepared to pay accordingly.
Generally I won’t do a wedding for anything under $2500 US, and I don’t normally provide full on snazzy photo albums, only selected prints and full rights to the digitals.
For other stuff like modeling headshots and architectural photo shoots, rates can vary much more widely, mainly because many times those are much more low key and don’t require nearly as much post-processing work, which means I can affordably sell myself cheaper. My usual centerpoint that I keep in mind when giving ballpark figures is $100 per hour of onsite shooting, and then extra if they want me to provide prints.
Two things to keep in mind: One, everything I talked about is based on the California market. Be sure you know what other photographers in your region are charging so that you know what the local market prices are.
Second, keep in mind that you shouldn’t undersell yourself too much. People who are really looking for quality might become worried or suspicious if your prices seem too good to be true, and you’ll also attract lots of stingy customers, who aren’t very fun to work with.
Oh yeah, also very nice shots, although obviously the most interesting ones (the people) are kind of missing.
One comment I’d make is don’t forget to take into account the background when composing your shots.
As for lenses, I know a lot of wedding photographers who absolutely love the 24-105mm f/4L; it’s very quality and highly versatile. Personally I prefer the 24-70mm f/2.8L for that extra stop of light, but that’s just me.
The 17-40mm f/4L I’m not so keen on. I much prefer the 16-35mm f/2.8L, partly for the extra stop, but also because in my experience it has much better sharpness and contrast, and also just feels a lot nicer to use. Nice tight focusing.
Wow…that was a lot longer than I intended it to be. Whew.
*/wishes i has money to buy lens like yours*