Lauren + Patrick = Lebanon Engagement Session
We spent the day taking photos at Lauren's family farm out in Lebanon. It was such a beautiful place. Lauren and Patrick spend as much time as possible on the Lake so we made sure to get some photos on the boat docks. They also had 6 professionally trained German Sheppards in the garage so I was in a constant state of fear thinking that they were smart enough to reach up and press the button to open the garage door. Luckily, that didn't happen and instead we had a blast taking photos. Can't wait for the wedding!
Nigerian Money Scam...for Wedding Photographers?
I receive several emails from brides a year asking about wedding photography. I like to think I've become pretty good about spotting the kind of couples I enjoy working with through the tone of their email. I love working with couples that are totally in love, love photography, and appreciate the art of wedding photography. I received an email yesterday that immediately stood out from everything else.
I would usually never show an email from a client, but I wanted to put this out there in case other photographers are receiving similar emails. I haven't followed through with "the bride" so I cannot validate that this is a scam...but it has Nigerian Money Scam written all over it. Just wanted to see if anyone else has been receiving emails like this and knows how they would even get money from wedding photographers.
Here is the first email I recieved:
Hi! I'm Kelly Brown. Mike and I will be getting married soon. We will be needing some one ASAP to photograph our wedding occasion scheduled for , 05.12.2012 starting from 10;00 AM - 04;00 PM . So what I am asking is -;
A package which includes six hours of shooting time plus a 20 page custom designed album .
THIS PACKAGE INCLUDES:
* 6 hours of photography; Mix of color and black and white, creative effects.
* 350+ professionally processed wedding photos, some in print and on CD or USB)
* 20 page custom wedding album - all prints on archival quality .
Album in top quality, elegant and built to last a lifetime for the memory of our kids and families.
* 11x14 Portrait Print - We'll choose any image from the wedding photos .
So some questions I have are ;-
- What is your base price fee for what I am asking? Is that negotiable?
- Your availability/ schedule for the 12th of MAY? You available?
- willing to travel ? considering both the lodging and the travels will be taken care of.
Please email back confirming your availability. Thank you
Here is the second email I received after not responding to the first:
Hi, Good morning . This is Kelly . Still havent heard back from you ... Just checking in to see if you got my previous email . PLEASE READ BELOW... I will want you to get back to me with your package price list . Thank you . I was just going to be sure you got this right. Ps: Wedding is May 12th,2012 . And in Gainesville, Fl. Like I said, Full travel (airfare, ground transportation and hotel) will be taken care of . We already have a booking agent set aside to handle that . You see, you probably wont understand how hard it is finding some one locally for the shooting of our wedding . They are either booked up or not good enough so we decided to check online a few websites including pdnonline, ppa, etc. So we'd definitely hate for this to be a waste of time. I will let you know an exact address in the coming week(s) . I have a friend working on that right now. I will let you know asap when something has been booked. So the address will virtually be The Paramount Plaza. 2900 Sw 13th St, Gainesville, FL 32608. Nothing on file yet . We are expecting about 100-150 guests over . Both indoor and outdoor shooting right from the wedding ceremony,reception etc...
It has been hard finding the perfect photographer for the shooting. But following your response to my introductory email . I'm optimistic about this arrangement working . So I put it you're willing to travel . We are currently in Manchester, UK for an important visit ahead of my seminar. So I hope to work out an arrangement ahead of my arrival back to the states. You see, I am physically impaired (Hearing). So e-mail works fine for now . We can work out all of the details ( via email) .A quick question though, Will you be emailing us something like a standard contract agreement knowing for sure you will be available for the 12th?
E-mail your package price list and let us know if you will be available for the 12th.
Thank you .
And here is an email I received several months ago...
(also hearing impaired and from Gainesville, just worst english)
Hello, Thanks for the mail,we hear about you via Google search ,Here is a little about the
wedding.The wedding is taking place in
Gaines Ville, Florida.(10th of March,2012) It is an 6 hours event starting from 10am till 4pm. It is
an indoor event which consist of100 guest at most, I will like you to cover the reception as well
which will start from 2 Pm till 4 pm on that day. I will like the picture to be on a CD,and I don't
have a wedding planner, I plan it by myself.So the Venue will virtually be in paramount Plaza, 2900
sw 13th st, Gaines Ville FL 32608. Please reply me by e-mail cos I am physically impaired
(Hearing).You may think about the flight and hotel accommodation,there is provision for that , my
flight agent will make arrangement for that. I think with all the details have given to you
now,Calculate your fee alone, you should be able to calculate and let me know how much it will cost. Please get back
to me as soon as possible.
thanks. Robert
Rebecca + Andrew = Memphis Wedding
I had so much fun shooting this wedding. Rebecca has been a very dear friend since freshman year of college so the weekend was somewhat of a reunion for everyone. Many of us studied abroad in Vienna, Austria together or sophomore year and share memories of sleeping in train stations and gaining weight from eating too much gelato. Rebecca was also the first person in which I saw Christ have an impact on the way she lived her life and loved others. Her life is what inspired me to truly pursue God. So, as you may imagine I am forever grateful for her. Rebecca met Andrew at a foot washing clinic here in Nashville. He said, "It is the perfect place to meet girls." Or at least the kind of girl he was looking for. The wedding was really laid back, and full of love and joy. I felt the wedding was a perfection reflection of Andrew + Rebecca. I should probably explain the giant silver bullet in the photos below. Andrew and his brother restored an original Airstream and it is now the new home for the newlyweds.
I love you guys and I am so very happy you found each other.
Molly + Austin = Memphis Engagement Session
Molly + Austin are so much fun to be around. I think we were all laughing the entire time we spent together. They are getting married in Nashville later this year but are in Memphis right now for Medical/Grad school. As you may imagine it is difficult to find time off from Med School so we schedule the shoot in Memphis while I was there to shoot a wedding. We started in Overton Park, then we headed to the Peabody Hotel, and finished down by the Mighty Mississippi. I'm so happy for you guys and can't wait to shoot the wedding!
