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You should call and talk to them. It does sound too good to be true, but sometimes people do this stuff I guess, to build up portfolios and such.
Hmmm. I wouldn't trust that, personally. I checked out the link - a lot of the photographs look a bit out of focus. Maybe it's an amateur photographer trying to build a portfolio? It's a pretty good strategy, but I guess you have to (a) do more research on them/contact them/etc. and (b) really think about whether it's worth it to go for the free photography that is probably of lesser quality than other photogs.
That definitely sounds too good to be true. Did them explain why they'd be willing to photograph for free? I'm so skeptical about this kinda stuff! I wouldn't want you to trust them only to get no photo's in the end. So, I'd say,do as much research as you possibly can on them before you agree to anything.
I would talk to Gabi (the girl who is the photographer.) What she's doing makes alot of sense to me, she's getting practice at her art and building her portfolio. If the photo's are extremely important to you, I would look in another direction, but if you're willing to sacrifice some quality for a free vendor this could be a great option for you.
Thats the thing i love the price but so nervous about something happening. They explain everything on their site about why it is cheap, what they are doing etc. I would I guess have to speak to one of their previous clients but I dont know about this uneasy feeling
wow. Interesting offer - I'd ask to see her portfolio and speak with some previous clients.
If you can't afford a photog, go for it!
There only seems to be two weddings photographed on the website, which could be why it is free, to build up their portfolio. I would talk to them and sit down with them and maybe work out a contract where the photographer agrees that they will for sure show up and take the photos. That way you know there will be ramifications if they back out?
As a photographer, we do build our portfolio but as a second shooter and doing engagement shoots for free. There website seems very random as in the images. You should meet them and ask for references and if they are doing it for free how long will they stay, when you will get your pictures, they dont ditch you at last moment and all.
I don't know that I would depend on them 100% for the wedding. Ask if maybe they would want to shoot along with your regular photographer. Maybe for a Trash the Dress Session.
I just typed you this whole long email and then my battery died! But the jist of it was this:
A: She only has two weddings on her site, so I think this offer is legit. She is looking to build her portfolio and your wedding is SOON.
B: I can't stress this enough!!!! ASK TO SEE AN ENTIRE WEDDING! Based on the number of photos from each of these weddings, she might not have even been the official photog for either of them, maybe just a guest, or even a second shooter. This will also give you a better idea of what you are going to get. Then from what you see you can decide if it's worth the risk that comes with being her first wedding.
C: If you dont have any budget or other options I'm sure this is better than nothing, but if you DO have money to spend on this, based on the quality of what she is posting as THE ABSOLUTE BEST of her work, I just don't see anything that strikes me.
D: Make sure she has backup equipment! Maybe find out about the cost of getting second shooter involved if you are thinking of going for it.
E. Make sure you get the images on a DVD after the wedding and the rights to print the images yourself ... there is always the possibility that's where she plans to make her money, but I doubt it.
Hope this helps and good luck!
Um - Just going to say, I highly doubt you'll get a single retouched or color corrected image and IMHO this is the worst way possible to build a business.
1) Each wedding a "pro" does requires about 60+ hrs of work. Doing 100 weddings in 12 months is obviously impossible.
2) Can we say burn out? Seriously, working on about 25 a year almost sent me over the top. There is only so much you can take of "single ladies." Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my job. I would probably shoot myself in the foot if I did 100 in 1 year. Actually, 50 in a year I would too....
3) You don't want a burned out person doing your wedding. Can we say, "no fun to be around?" And, dull and un-inspiring.
4) How can you truly get better at the art of the craft if you don't have time for personal rest and rejuvenation, mental rest, and time to edit and work on building your skill AND business. I guarentee they won't have time to answer emails and by doing it for free they won't have $ to pay anyone. Weddings are GRUELING! Ask any photog and they'll tell you they have to "recover" the next day. She is going to be doing at least 3 a weekend... no way.
5) By working themself to death like this how are they going to have a 2nd job to support their life? Housing? Medical insurance? The list goes on.
Basically, I wouldn't do it.
Didn't even notice the description of why she is doing it. Oh my gosh. I'd die if I tried to do 100 too! I think even one a week would get grueling with the amount of post processing involved. 100 to one she comes anywhere close to completing this project. I bet she gets no farther than 10 and starts charging.
When I first started out, I could totally see where this person's viewpoint comes from. I think she has good intentions, but not enough experience. Photography is expensive. Why pay so much? I feel for the couple. I want to build up experience. Win-win for both, let's do it for free. I don't think she seems shady, but I worry that what she's trying to do is neither helpful for her or for the couples who book her.
I understand how hard it is to start out with a tiny portfolio, everyone starts out with very little. I shot my first 2 weddings for friends and even then I charged a little. Clients deserve better, to have beautiful photos, and that comes with experience, better equipment, better products, presentation, education, networking, and time to myself to learn and practice and perfect my craft so that I am NOT practicing on a client, and all of that costs money. At the very least she should be charging.
100 weddings is crazy! This isn't ambitious, it's downright harmful to her own health and could jeopardize the quality of the photos she can deliver.
I think her idea is a good one, but 100 weddings in one year?? I would be a little concerned about burnout too. Also find out if she plans to retouch the photos, and what you get with this "free" cost. She seems legit, but perhaps she just hasn't thought it through in terms of how much work 100 weddings is going to be (and might not know where she is an amateur photographer).
@KLP2010 I couldn't have said it better. I shot 35 weddings in 2008 and the stress alone almost made me give up what I love. I decided that 25 was my max.
That said, I don't think this person realistically knows what goes into shooting a wedding,or spends very much time on editing the photos. It's more likely she just shoots then gives you what comes straight from the camera.
If you can't afford to hire anyone then I would say at least it's better then nothing just make sure you get a signed contract that spells everything out and covers your behind.
100 weddings? NO WAY 40 is a heavy load. I wouldn't pay them a dime before I received and looked at my files. Craig's list is known for scammers.
Hi Jizes318,
My name is Gabi and I run Project: One Hundred Weddings. I just wanted to confirm for you that I am not running any kind of a scam. Like a few people mentioned here, I am a new photographer who is trying to build up her portfolio. I also wanted to speak to some of the points noted above:
1. A lot of the photographs look a bit out of focus - That is true, but it isn't because I am an amateur. In order to get pictures to load quickly on the template I used, I needed to drop the resolution by about 95% of original file sizes. Rest assured I can hold a camera steady!.
2. Lesser quality photos - On my site, I link to some of the people I respect in South Florida. I have a great deal to learn. But having said that, there are any number of local photographers who charge and provide some pretty awful images. I believe that with wedding photography you don't always get what you pay for but with me you get a whole lot more.
3. Getting no photos in the end - On the website and in emails I note that much of the business my former boss received came from referrals. If I fail to deliver in terms of images or deliverables, I only stand to ruin my reputation. I understand this is a concern, and I will simply say that I realize that a wedding is a very special day and I would never do anything to disrespect that moment or my clients by not living up to my commitments.
4. Two weddings photographed on the website -I actually have three weddings (although I understand the confusion). I was able to secure the rights to use my photos from my last three weddings with my former employer.
5. Rights to print the images - I note on the website that this project is intended to be 100% free, no strings and that all clients will have the right to print/reproduce their own images. There is absolutely no obligation to buy anything from me and I will provide a digital video disc with high resolution images to my clients.
6. Get a single retouched or color corrected image - This is not correct. I will not allow ANY image to leave my hands without color correction and I foresee the selective use of photoshop as needed. I will have a lot of help with this job function (thanks, hubby!) but all retouching decisions are mine.
7. Gets no farther than 10 and starts charging - In the end, all that I have is the integrity to my word and this project. As I stated on the website, I am offering free weddings. The goal of 100 weddings matters to me because that is what I am committed to, but every single event is special and will be photographed with the utmost in professionalism.
8. Neither helpful for her or for the couples who book her - All I can say is that some of the best local photographers do shoot 100 weddings in a year. I know this is ambitious for one person, and I understood this when I started. I don't want to make small plans, and I will try my hardest to accomplish this goal.
9. Craigslist is known for scammers - This is true, but I don't have a marketing budget and CL also provides an important advertising platform for many legitimate businesses. What's more I am not charging for anything and I can assure everyone that my intentions are honest.
I hope that I answered some of the concerns raised above. If you, or anyone else, would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Gabi
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I got this via email through an ad i posted on craigslist. They will photograph for free? Just seems so weird to me.... Your thoughts?
www.onehundredweddings.com