Low budget wedding photography post production - Q & A

Client: I'm looking for a service that can create a wedding album and more importantly, edit the photos and be creative with them as well. The pictures were taken by myself for a low budget wedding ceremony for a family member. I'm not a photographer as you will see in my pictures. I'm hoping that my pictures can be reborn in a beautiful exhibit for the bride and groom. I'm am attaching a sample picture for you to edit as you stated in your article on Wedding Wire online.

Rosie: Thank you for contacting me. Kindly click on the following link to see what I did, so far (with the sample photo she sent me): http://lmgstudio.xxx... Password: xxx
The best way to send me the images is via mail in a CD... Depending on that (images qty) I can give you a quote for the whole batch. Also, I'll provide you a basic contract which will state what I'll be doing, turnaround, etc. once we get into those details.
It will take me approx. xx days to accomplish your project and send back to you original CD and edited images...

Client: Thanks for responding so quickly... I like what you did especially that twighlight effect. I have approx. 150 photos, maybe less not quite sure, a lot of the photos are multiples so I have to narrow them down to the best ones to submit to you. What I want to do is be able to have the photos printed at the best quality possible so I can put in a nice wedding album. Will your edits be printable or are they for digital purposes?

Rosie: I did the best I could but the quality of this sample image is not optimal.
If you visit your private gallery again you will notice I added the "buy prints" options, the quality is stunning, Kodak Endura Premium paper... I can do $xxxx per image...
I'll need your contact info (name, address, etc) and exact amount of images to edit so I can put together the contract, nothing fancy but necessary.
One we both sign it I will issue a Paypal invoice (you will get it via email) for the total amount of the charges and it needs to be paid prior starting the project.

Client: I forgot to ask you if I will be able to review them before you send them back and will have an opportunity for some input.

Rosie: Sure, due to I'll be working on a small amount of images, I'll be able to upload them into your private gallery so you can review them before I copy them into a disc.

Client: I will have a total number for you later tonight and you can email me tomorrow the contract and I will ship the cd tomorrow... thanks sooo much. - NA from New Jersey, USA

Portrait photographers are outsourcing post-production too!

90% of my post-production jobs are wedding photography related.
Today I received 2 new inquiries about portrait photography post-production.
As always, no names attached... but I've found a pattern that identify ME as well... does it sound familiar to you too? :) too many clients, not enough time...

- Photographer #1: "It was so nice talking to you today. Sorry I was rushed off the phone - twice! I totally forgot I had a client coming... not for a shoot but I was rushing to get ready for her. I am done now but promised another client I would have a draft of a composite for her this afternoon... I can't believe you are doing it all on the side. Girl... quit that job and go full time. you can! I'm supposed to be working. I'll email you later..." - SG from NJ, Usa

- Photographer #2: "I have been wondering if there was a 'you' that existed out there! haha I edit my own photos, am particular and want the to pop! I have 3 small girls and am doing about 2 to 4 clients a week right now. you can do the math and see what wee hours I am editing! :) Do you swap heads between pics? Are you able to edit fly away hair? These are just a few individual requests I have had... I have a feeling you are going to blow me away, but this is a first for me. After learning about PS and being proud of my own edits, it feels odd to turn them over. However, I need the help and from a professional like yourself...not someone who wants to swap pics and 'learn' about PS. I get that all the time! Please!! :)" - JP from TX, Usa

My response: "My job is not to turn your photos into mine but to imitate your style and use all the available tools I have to enhance your own GOOD images, specially for portrait projects. Each photographer has a very specific way to present their work, I'm just a ghost-editor..." - Rosie

I'm just a click away...

That's the magic of working pretty much "virtual" mode. I'm attached to my laptop, making it happens :) and... I love it!
This week I have the pleasure to work on some images for KWP from New York, USA who happens to be one of my fav photogs in the whole wide world LOL (not kidding). It's kinda intimidated but I'm up for the challenge :)
I'm editing 1 of the 2 new weddings for a current photog/client MBP from Florida, USA as I type.
Also, I'll start editing some originals for a Miss (secret State) Pageant competitor :), she's gorgeous but her images need some PS.
These are the latest news about my post-production projects...
Feel free to visit http://letmegrowstudio.blogspot.com to find out what photographic sessions I have coming up.
Ta-ta for now,
Rosie :)

Album Design

A fellow photographer asked me not long ago how many hours per day I spend in front of the computer... my answer was, as many as I can: brainstorming, working for others, educating myself... I 'never know enough' is my mentality :)
I love taking pictures but graphic design and editing are my passion.
As per customers request I'm starting to offer album design for pros and regulars.



These are some Q&A related to my new service:

- What kind of album designs do you offer?
I can design pages for an album for any occasion: maternity, newborn, family reunion, graduation, engagement, wedding, you name it.
I DO NOT use templates. Each album is created from scratch.

- Can you explain the process from the beginning to complexion?
Sure! Get in touch with me and let me know what kind of event you've covered and want to put together in an album.
We will go over theme, style, colors and all the necessary details (# of images, pages size, # of pages, timeframe, etc.) so I understand exactly what you would like to get accomplished, designwise.
After we agree on all the specs mentioned above I will put together a simple contract stating what I will be doing for you to make sure we both are on the same page.
You will be able to send me your images on a CD along with payment (check) by mail and as soon as I get them I will draft a couple of pages and at this stage, your input will be more than necessary for me to make any adjustments, or not.
Once the album is completed I will upload the entire project into a private gallery for you to review every single page. Files will be mailed in a CD via mail and delivered as Jpg.

- How many images can you fit in an album?
Well, after designing many of them I created a simple chart that will help you to have a better idea of how many images I can arrange in an album to make it look ideal.
40 sides/pages = 20 spreads: approx. 90 images
20 sides/pages = 10 spreads: approx. 45 images
*10 sides/pages = 5 spreads: approx. 15 images

- How much do you charge per album?
Photographers
I charge $8.50 per side/page. Min. 20 sides/pages = 10 spreads.
CD with your album design will be shipped to you FREE of charge (US territory only).

Regular customers
Complete printed albums start at $125.00* (5x5 book) with US first class shipping charges included (US territory only).

- I have too many images and not sure which ones to use. Can you help me with that?
You can pick the ones you "must have" in the album and leave the rest of the selection up to me or I can do the entire sorting based on my taste, your choice.

- What kind of files do you work with?
Please send Jpg 300 ppi (standard requirements).
Color profile can be Adobe RGB or sRGB. I recommend to check with the lab that will be printing your album.
Your images should be sent to me fully edited, color-corrected and organized in event order sequence.
If you need me to do any work on them, please contact me for more details or refer to my post-production services.
Currently, I work with many of the well-known album companies available in the market. As long as you provide me with a link to their layout specs and I don't have to use their software, I can do it :)
If you don't have a printing lab I'd be happy to recommend you one of mine, based on your budget and preferences.

- How long will it take you to complete my album design?
I can start working on your project as soon as I get your images and check has cleared.
It will take me approx. 7 days to complete the album (review of the drafted pages included).

- I'm not a photographer and I've got married a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, I've forgot to order a wedding album right away but still have all the images on a CD. Can you put together a coffee table of my 'special day' for me?
Sure. I can design and order the perfect album for you.
At the time of sending me your photos, you will be confirming that you've got permission from the copyright party.


http://www.photographypostproduction.com > Album Design
letmegrowstudio@yahoo.com
Rosie :)

Pageant images requirements

I've just got an email from a regular photog client I have and he wants me to edit some images which will be presented as part of one of her customer's portfolio to compete for the Miss (secret State) Pageant 2009.
I completely love these kinda jobs! Yeah, pretty detailed but worth it.
I just wanted to share the pre-op process of it, after my client received the sample edited image from me:

Rosie,
As always, I can expect miracles!
Please give me an estimate...
She gave a list of pageant requirements . The note said,"an 8x10 digital headshot."
19 images color corrected
6 images in color and those same 6 in black and white, 12 images
6 CD's for the client. Each pair (1 color and 1 black and white in a separate CD)
Her instructions, not mine.
I will have to make a label for each of those 6 CD's with her specific name and title for her to give to the state.
Total of 31 images and 8 CD's

Yup, I guess gorgeous people need to be PSed too!
Ta-ta for now,
Rosie :)

What's new this week?

I needed to separate my photography biz from my post-production services, specially now that the 2nd one is taking over the 1st one :)
I can't complaint, editing is my true passion and doing it for others (let's be real) allows me to spend more time @ home with the kids while multi-tasking... that's priceless!

Ok, what's next this week?
I finally finished Ashley A wedding project and... I'm more than happy with the results.
It looks like she's happy too :)
"OMG I LOVE it!! Just in time for our anniversary on Sunday. Thank you for allowing us to relive the memory of our day in a whole new way!" - Ashley A from Florida, USA

Also, I'm done with MBP wedding assignments. Glad she loves them as much as I do.
"I've got on Saturday the CD with Miranda's pics they look very pretty. I love how you pop the colors in those and how you sharp them also. Very happy with the results!! Thank you very much for your help. I am looking forward to continuously working with you!!!" - MBP from Florida, USA