Starting in the Wedding Business...

Roger Van Duyn · July 30th, 2011, 07:24 AM

The only thing I have to add to this thread is maybe to consider other types of gigs besides just weddings. Most of my work is other than weddings, and most of the weddings I get come from contacts I make doing the other types of video work.

And of course, variety adds zest to life. I really enjoy shooting football games etc. I have also really benefited from some of the business seminars I've shot. It's better than free training. I got paid to shoot seminars I can't afford to attend. And doing the editing allowed the concepts expressed in the footage to sink in a little.

Business can be hard. It might pay to diversify.

Don Bloom · July 30th, 2011, 05:01 PM

Roger,
I agree 110%. During the slower times around here the seminars, training vides and talking heads have saving my financial butt more than once. Heck I even do regular old AV work when it's available to me. Frankly I don't care if I'm loading in and setting up an AV gig and then come back 2 days later to strike and load out. Money is money.
Also at weddings make sure you have lots of business cards cause who's at a wedding? Lots of people that are getting engaged or have just gotten engaged and you never know who needs a videographer.
Also you never what else can come out of a wedding. I had a corporate client for 16 years that pai me a lot of money during those years. where did I meet the head honcho? He was a guest at a wedding I did about 20 years ago. It turned out to be one of the best all time gigs I ever had in my life.

Chris Harding · July 30th, 2011, 07:29 PM

Hi Roger and Don

I think the expression is 'don't put all your eggs in one basket" !! 3 or 4 different income sources makes for less stress if things are quiet. Besides more often than not weddings are strictly weekends and I would say 90% of my booking are for Friday/Saturday which leaves 5 days free for other ventures.

I do rental condition shoots for two Realty Agents here and last tax year it made me the same as weddings did!! Ok, it isn't as much fun as a wedding but it certainly pays the bills. It just makes business sense to use your gear that cost you all that money to make you money!!!

Chris

Steven Bills · August 1st, 2011, 01:53 PM

Thanks for all the replies! I've definitely learned a lot about what to do, and what not to do. I will definitely have a second camera for B Roll stuff.

Also, I'm just curious: If you could only have one lens for your GH2, which one would it be and why?

Thanks for your replies!

Steven

Corey Graham · August 1st, 2011, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Bills

If you could only have one lens for your GH2, which one would it be and why?

I have a GH1, but I think it still applies. I'd have the Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95. I don't have this one, but it's been spoken of highly on this forum. The nice big aperture is what attracts me the most. Runner-up would be the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7.

Steven Bills · August 1st, 2011, 03:14 PM

I've heard a lot of good things about the 20mm as well.

Anyone else?

Greg Fiske · August 2nd, 2011, 12:23 PM

If you get the crazy idea to hand hold the gh2, do some test before the event and look at the footage. You want three points of contact for stabilization and with hand holding (depending on how massive your arms are) anything under 70mm is manageable.

Also, get a comfortable set of shoes.

July 30th, 2011, 07:24 AM	#16
Roger Van Duyn Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lakeland Florida Posts: 692	Re: Starting in the Wedding Business... The only thing I have to add to this thread is maybe to consider other types of gigs besides just weddings. Most of my work is other than weddings, and most of the weddings I get come from contacts I make doing the other types of video work. And of course, variety adds zest to life. I really enjoy shooting football games etc. I have also really benefited from some of the business seminars I've shot. It's better than free training. I got paid to shoot seminars I can't afford to attend. And doing the editing allowed the concepts expressed in the footage to sink in a little. Business can be hard. It might pay to diversify. __________________ Roger My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAp...2AHr_pHFID5LDA Last edited by Roger Van Duyn; July 30th, 2011 at 07:25 AM. Reason: typo

July 30th, 2011, 05:01 PM	#17
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Re: Starting in the Wedding Business... Roger, I agree 110%. During the slower times around here the seminars, training vides and talking heads have saving my financial butt more than once. Heck I even do regular old AV work when it's available to me. Frankly I don't care if I'm loading in and setting up an AV gig and then come back 2 days later to strike and load out. Money is money. Also at weddings make sure you have lots of business cards cause who's at a wedding? Lots of people that are getting engaged or have just gotten engaged and you never know who needs a videographer. Also you never what else can come out of a wedding. I had a corporate client for 16 years that pai me a lot of money during those years. where did I meet the head honcho? He was a guest at a wedding I did about 20 years ago. It turned out to be one of the best all time gigs I ever had in my life. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

July 30th, 2011, 07:29 PM	#18
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Starting in the Wedding Business... Hi Roger and Don I think the expression is 'don't put all your eggs in one basket" !! 3 or 4 different income sources makes for less stress if things are quiet. Besides more often than not weddings are strictly weekends and I would say 90% of my booking are for Friday/Saturday which leaves 5 days free for other ventures. I do rental condition shoots for two Realty Agents here and last tax year it made me the same as weddings did!! Ok, it isn't as much fun as a wedding but it certainly pays the bills. It just makes business sense to use your gear that cost you all that money to make you money!!! Chris

August 1st, 2011, 01:53 PM	#19
Steven Bills Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vineyard, Utah Posts: 192	Re: Starting in the Wedding Business... Thanks for all the replies! I've definitely learned a lot about what to do, and what not to do. I will definitely have a second camera for B Roll stuff. Also, I'm just curious: If you could only have one lens for your GH2, which one would it be and why? Thanks for your replies! Steven

August 1st, 2011, 03:14 PM	#21
Steven Bills Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vineyard, Utah Posts: 192	Re: Starting in the Wedding Business... I've heard a lot of good things about the 20mm as well. Anyone else?

August 2nd, 2011, 12:23 PM	#22
Greg Fiske Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Santa Ana, CA Posts: 499	Re: Starting in the Wedding Business... If you get the crazy idea to hand hold the gh2, do some test before the event and look at the footage. You want three points of contact for stabilization and with hand holding (depending on how massive your arms are) anything under 70mm is manageable. Also, get a comfortable set of shoes.