Fusion Photography

www.fusionphotography.biz

This week our Seminar was by Ben Kopilow of Fusion Photography. Fusion is one of Canberra's leading wedding photography studio's.

Some statistics on the canberra wedding photography business -

130 wedding photographers

Less than 10% are full time

20K is the average income

Ben started photography in 2003, he is self taught. He won a floriade competition and then started selling stock images and prints and cards at markets. In 2004 he was asked to photograph a friends wedding. In 2005 he shot 50 weddings & 2006 he did 60 but made no profit.

He re-assessed his costs -

Marketing - $200

Camera Gear - $100

Consultation - $400

Miscellaneous Management time - $400

Electricity/storage/backup - $100

Insurance/tax/travel - $200

BOTTOM LINE - $1500 COST PER WEDDING

Once you work out this figure you need to decide what you are willing to sacrifice your weekend for?

2007 - 55 weddings @ $3600 - $198,000

2011 - 32 weddings @ $8000 - $256,000

Ben has a minimum charge of $5700, this is an 'artistic fee' and covers his time only.

Complete Packages -

Creates a mindset in client of no more to spend

Limits post wedding sales

Differentiate yourself -

What do you offer?

How are you different?

Branding is not enough - everything is a commodity

Own an attribute -

Price? There's always someone cheaper

Service

Quality

Product

Creativity

Leader

Woman

Tech Head

Romantic

Team

Artist

Expert

Outgoing or Shy

Fun or Uptight

Optimist or Pessimist

Emotional or Logical

Your best Attribute is You -

Your personality is what books the client, not your work. Show your personality in everything you do-website, emails, phone calls, studio, be consistent and keep it real.

Simplify -

People are easily confused, more buying decisions make more confusion. Minimise your product line.

How can you charge THIS much?

Go the extra mile

Let the client see the value, show them post-production etc

Look like you're worth it from start to finish

Educate them on priorities

Price is perception

Value is not in physical products, eg-Alex Perry or other high end designers sell because of the name not the product.

http://www.proweddingphotography.org.au/uploads/gallery/2010/10/29/j606CnIZ463k4TKli0qe-m.jpg

Peter Coulson

http://www.my-fashionbank.com/upload/blogs/b/70_99168101.jpg

So wednesday 11 May in the pre dawn hours we set off for Sun Studios to spend the day with Peter Coulson.

It's been so fascinating to get to know the "celebrities" of Australian Photography. Both Peter & Alexia were so generous with their information & time.

I was encouraged to hear that Peter's technique is mostly to "keep it simple" - more lights = more problems. Use what you have, you do not need the most expensive latest greatest lights to create good lighting.

It was interesting to know that Peter's favourite light is full sun in the middle of the day. You can break the rules as long as you do it well.

Some tips from the day -

* Get it right in camera

* Skin - light it straight on slightly higher than the subject & slightly over expose it for the least imperfections

* To bring out texture in fabric light from the side.

* To bring out the colour in the eyes light from the side of the face.

* For Portraits-shoot landscape & For Landscape-shoot portrait = more options later on

* Shoot for yourself aswell as the client - most times client will love what you have done & forget what they initially wanted.

* Train models with ugly clothes-if they can make them look good they know what they are doing.

* Don't forget about subtractive lighting, can be useful in certain circumstances.

* Play & be creative, forget about what is supposed to be the "right" way & experiment.

Possible Background Ideas for the Pearls

http://thumb18.shutterstock.com/thumb_large/74146/74146,1209835641,1/stock-photo-rippling-water-blue-background-12175159.jpg

http://www.myblackpridela.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Sand.jpg

http://www.webdesign.org/img_articles/2800/16.jpg

http://www.wallpaperweb.org/wallpaper/development/1600x1200/T_Sandstone_0691200.jpg

http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/348985/348985,1284888057,26/stock-photo-sand-beach-and-sea-foam-macro-with-narrow-focus-background-61253506.jpg

Pearls

Last watch advert - Raymond Weil

http://sanu5i.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/3952608_roger-federer-rolex.jpg

This is the look I will be aiming for with the final watch ad.

Final Watches

http://www.danodayphotoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Dan-ODay-Perfect-2009-Moran-Prize.jpg

Dan O'Day

It was great to have Dan come and talk to us about Fine Art & Wedding Photography. He is so passionate about what he does and is so open to sharing everything he has experienced in the Industry, both good & bad.

He talked alot about the advantage of competitions & exhibitions and the opportunites that can come of these. It is best to keep a detailed list of these for your website/folio.

There are both advantages & disadvantages of being represented by a gallery and you need to decide the best option for yourself & your work.

Some Advantages - your work is exposed to clientele you would not reach if you were not represented by a gallery.

Your work is purchased by prominent collectors which can increase the value of your future work.

Some Disadvantages - The Gallery has an opinion on the work you may exhibit, can be restrictive creatively.

The Gallery is entitled to 5% of any prizemoney from any competitions you win with work they have exhibited.

It is important to read the contract and negotiate any points of concern.

Some galleries Dan recommends -

Stills Gallery (sydney)

Monster Children (sydney) Gallery & Magazine

United Galleries

Catherine Asquith (melbourne)

Online Magazines -

Blanket Magazine

www.watim.com

Melbourne Pixel

Light Journeys

www.visualarts.net.au

Some competitions to enter -

Avant Card

ACMP Projections

Moran Prize

Head On

National Photographic Portrait Prize

Weddings -

Dan gets alot of inspiration for his weddings outside of weddings. Movies & Music film clips are a big inspiration - Baraka (movie) & Sigur Ros (music)

Look at magazines as well as blogs for ideas, do not limit yourself to just looking at other wedding photography, find a point of difference.

Todd Hunter McGaw -

Todd spoke about the recent re-branding of his business and the success of it.

www.toddhuntermcgaw.com.au

The website and the branding being built around the robot characters is much more personal than his previous one and would appeal to clients as it is a bit quirky & cute and looks completely different to anything else out there, it also seems to reflect Tim himself so gives the client an impression of the person behind the lens which is important for wedding clients.

Both Dan & Tim spoke about the importance of being aware of whats going on around you, other than just the bride & groom, the guest are a big part of the day so don't forget about them.

Lastly Dan spoke about Personal Projects. Its important to pursue your ideas despite how busy you may be. Set aside time to get out there and do something just for you and the passion & inspiration that comes from it will flow on to your other work.

Amber Jewellery

So my idea for the Amber Jewellery was to use the Autumn colours and to keep the colour theme throughout the styling.

Amber is a natural resin made from tree sap so this works well with the outdoor "natural" theme.

My location was at Diddams Close at Lake Ginninderra. I used 2 speedlights off camera for my lighting, it was a dull overcast day so I didn't need to worry about any bright sunlight as I was shooting in the middle of the day.

The Narrative -

A narrative is a story that is created in a constructive format that describes a sequence of fictional or non-fictional events.

Tina is a high end fashion model in her Chanel couture gown. The first 2 images have very strong defiant poses. Whilst in a break from shooting Tina relaxes and has a moment to herself, closing her eyes, so the next 3 images are softer poses showing Tina enjoying the natural relaxed environment.

My intention with the jewellery is to show it can be accessorised with high end fashion yet still remain natural & organic.

Gavin Blue

Unfortunately I missed the Gavin Blue workshop, my Pop took a turn for the worst and I had to go to sydney to visit him, which I am glad I did as he passed away a few weeks later:(

I did have a look at the images that were taken at the workshop though and it inspired me to have a go myself, which I did with the shoot for the amber jewellery, I did only have 2 speedlights to play with though but I was pretty happy with the results.