10.22.08
business socks
Richard and James ask,
"What is your gear bag? What is in it and why do you choose to have those lenses in it?"
I'm schlepping my gear around in a Tamrac Big Wheels Rolling StrongBox-LP2 Camera Case. It houses two Canon 5D bodies, 4-5 lenses, pocket wizards, a couple 580 EX flash units, a 17" MacBook Pro and various knick-knacks. Great for flying.
I use my Canon 35mm f/1.4 and my 50mm f/1.2 the most. They give me a close enough feel to my subject while producing good bokeh. By shooting close to my subjects, the viewer becomes the extra element in the photos often times...as if you were there.
Marina:
Ok, seriously how did you get the pooch to pose like that?! He's a sweet pea! Great shots, C U N LA
(10.28.08 12:52 PM)
Christoph:
Interesting post Fred.. Would be nice to hear how you use your cameras and lenses during a wedding. Is there enough time to change between the prime lenses? Or do you use a prime on one camera and a zoom on the other? Greetings from Germany : )
(10.26.08 04:15 PM)
Richard:
Thanks for the answer Fred. I completely agree. I love the close up feel you can find in the images.
(10.25.08 01:12 PM)
FRED EGAN:
Hadi <<< Thanks for reading...I'll look into the double posting issue. Is it EVERY post or just thins one?
(10.24.08 12:52 AM)
FRED EGAN:
Amy <<< I am not sure if I am interested in buying the 5D MK II...I have my eye on the Mark III 1Ds because of certain features like 40+ AF points, more frames/second and other features that cater to my shooting style.
(10.24.08 12:49 AM)
Amy:
Will you be getting the 5D mk II? How could you resist??
(10.23.08 08:08 PM)
Ryan Cohen:
Way cool Fred. I too really dig your blog and website. I'm a big stalker. Thanks for all your posts!
(10.23.08 06:59 PM)
Hadi:
Love your blog Fred but why does your rss feed keep double posting?
(10.23.08 01:36 PM)
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10.16.08
swells and lulls
The wedding photography business is cyclical...made up of swells and lulls...up time and down time. This can be challenging artistically and financially; which is why it's important to be shooting your own projects during the lulls in your year. I just wrapped a personal shoot (Backwoods Getaway) up in the Carolinas that I collaborated on with my friend/producer Jeff Holt. Your projects don't have to be big budget if you have a network to work within...but you will have to spend some money. It may mean you purchase a nice wedding dress to shoot an ideal bridal session, bring a hair/makeup artist on location, hire a model or all of the above. We produced this shoot on a shoestring budget and got great results.
Jeff, models, me and models right after wrap.
Chimping so the models can see what I like and what I don't like when shooting our action scenes.
Shawna Allen:
Wha? You were in the Carolinas and didn't even stop by to say hi? I'm crushed :) Can't wait to see the pics!
(10.17.08 06:53 PM)
Jamie:
Can't wait to see the photos! Sheesh, some people in this world were just born to be models--holy hotness. Hah!
(10.17.08 03:57 PM)
Mabyn:
Your nuggets of wisdom taste great with a little ranch dressing! ;o)
This is so true, not only do I recharge my creative juices on shoots like this but I learn more about my craft as well. It's the time I get to experement, and who cares if it doesn't work.
I look forward to the results of your shoe string shoot.
(10.17.08 03:14 PM)
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10.15.08
business socks
"It's business, it's business TIME! That's what you're tryin' to say let's get down to biz---"
Uhhhh...hello everyone. Before we get started, I should ask something really important. Are we still feelin' the turtleneck???
Amy asks,
"How do you get your graduate clients to loosen up in front of the camera? Or is it natural for them?"
I'm assuming by "loosen up" in front of the camera you're referring to their jumping on beds, rockin' out to their iPods and laughin' hysterically...? One, you really need to have a handle on pop culture. What are kids listening to? Where do they spend their time on the web? What movies are they watching and what are they doing in their spare time? If you are older than 30, you are going to have a harder time establishing a foundation of relatability with the graduate market so you'll have to work harder. Subscribe to Teen Vogue, Cosmo Girl and Nylon to get started on your teen pop culture education. The next time The Black Kids rolls through your city, pony up for the cover.
Second, play music during the shoot as often and loud as possible...their music. And yell, "Yeah Baby!" in your best British accent after every 7th shot.
Third, demonstrate what you want.
Lastly, loosening up comes natural to my graduate clients. They exhibit cultured taste, read interesting books, listen to indie bands and take up diverse hobbies...but most importantly, they don't take themselves too seriously.
Jamie Delaine:
Ok, so one of my friends just showed me the Flight of the Concords youtube video about Business Time. Now, I see that you quoted it. That is the most hilarious video ever. I think I almost cried.
(11.15.08 01:47 PM)
Jamie Delaine:
Ah, great post! Even though I graduated last year, I am going to hire you to take my "grad" pictures someday! Even if it takes four years or so. I LOVE your graduate work; helpful post! Thanks again.
(10.16.08 04:21 PM)
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10.13.08
817.966.9990
See that number up there? If you call it you will not get an Indian tech support representative...you won't receive a solicitation from your credit card company for an awards program...and you won't get a male escort service (...for now).
For the first time I'm--OK, maybe second time...for the second time I'm willing to candidly share whatever I know via iChat video/phone consultation. If you are just starting your wedding/portrait photography biz, now is the time to pick my brain about branding, Look Books (ever wanted to see the whole thing???), the complete story of how I got started [unrated and uncut version], developing your eye, why I don't use Photoshop, what really happens on the Mammoth Men trips [again, unrated and uncut version] and other tales of how to be...well...interesting. Anything is game.
If you're even thinking about dialing digits, do it fast. I'm only accepting 5 more phone consultations at $250/hour. Email me at fred@fredegan.com with the subject line "We Need to Talk" and tell me when you want to pow-wow. If you ever thought it would be nice to have me in your back pocket as a friend, this is a good start in getting to know each other...just sayin'. Also, I'll dish out my iChat screen name so you can hit me up in the future with little nuggets of curiosity.
carl Reid:
Great idea...we all can use help trying to grow our business especially during these hard times. If you don't mind I linked your blog to my blog for our Canadian photogs to participate as well. http://attachedphotography.blogspot.com/
Carl
(10.18.08 08:39 PM)
Kim:
I am dying to take a peek at a Look Book. the consult is so worth it on the otherhand, knowing myself, I would spend just an entire hour yappin' about the weather. And the conversation would end with Fred just telling me to get a life!
(10.14.08 02:53 PM)
FRED EGAN:
Brandon <<< What can I do? I can offer consulting via phone where I'll divulge whatever knowledge you want dropped ;-)
(10.14.08 10:17 AM)
frombrandon:
You definitely need to do a post now on your post processing. You can't just leave all of us poor photographers out to dry. :o) What do you do, Fred?
(10.13.08 11:40 PM)
Sharron:
I'm with the others. Sounds like an awesome chat, but money is an issue. No Photoshop? What do you use? Capture One? Aperture?
(10.13.08 10:59 PM)
Hannah Suh:
Would love to chat it up with you on iChat, but it isn't the cards for me right now. But what a great opportunity for the people who CAN take advantage of this right now. Everyone should have a Fred Egan in their pockets. :)
(10.13.08 10:09 PM)
Pat Sullivan:
Glad to hear the photoshop bit, gives me that much more respect for your work. I think it takes too long anyway, I am a recovering user myself.
(10.13.08 09:45 PM)
Thomas Wilson:
Man I wish! Sounds like a great opportunity but Money is a big issue right now. What stuck me is that you do not use Photoshop! What do you use? Also over the last 2 years of reading your blog I always wanted to ask about your equipment, Nikon or Canon?
(10.13.08 09:41 AM)
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10.11.08
success...
I was listening to the Chicago based interior designer Nate Berkus on XM radio the other day. He was interviewing Alessandra Branca, an Itlalian-born interior designer, on creating your own signature style. There were several great take-aways; however, one thing popped out at me regarding success as Alessandra shared her story.
As Alessandra's reputation became more prominent and the demand for her talent greater, her mother mentioned that success isn't achieved when the projects/clients are picking you...but when you are picking the projects/clients. I thought that was extremely insightful.
How do you define success?
poser:
The word 'success' in Hebrew is translated: "the ability to make wise decisions". i think that is extremely wise
(10.12.08 05:55 PM)
kimberlee West:
that's an awesome way to view success! i also love this perspective... "Success is not the key to happiness; happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." -Albert Schweitzer
(10.11.08 08:40 PM)
Heather Thorne:
Great post! And our chat the other night has really forced me to reevaluate how I do define success for myself. Thanks, Fred!
(10.11.08 10:00 AM)
Lynn Michelle:
Talk does not cook rice. - Chinese Proverb
Success is doing something, your way and making it your own.
(10.11.08 08:25 AM)
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10.10.08
business socks
You know when I'm down to just my socks it's time for business, that's why call it business socks. Now, for our first order of business. Business Socks is moving to Wednesday...cause Tuesdays are for visiting mothers and such. Now, on to your questions.
*[Disclosure] studies show said activities will make you absolutely no money but they may, or may not, start you on your rise to B-list celeb status within the wedding photography micro-cosm. Fred Egan will not be held responsible if you do/don't become "that guy."
Jeremy D. asks,
"Who does your branding and look books?"
You've probably heard it said, "Your network is your net worth." I've been blessed with some talented friends. My good friend Nick Onken, who previously spent 5 years as a graphic designer, had as much a hand in my branding and look books as I did. I'm extremely thankful for his friendship and input into my work. He's taught me a thing or two about design so I keep those things in mind when developing pieces such as my look books.
Christina & Krista ask,
"Who do you use to print your look books and can we see the inside?"
In my last post, Presenting Your Rates, I mentioned the importance of getting information into prospect's hands as soon as you possibly can. With that being said, that's why I encourage you make this type of information available online. My look books would look spectacular rolling off a print press but it would be expensive and slow. Presenting them online is inexpensive yet instant. The look book is a means to an end. Siphon your funds to other aspects of your brands such as your paperie/business cards.
I've provided a sample of what's inside my wedding and graduate look books to get your gears cranking in presenting your own products and services.
Jeremy G. asks,
"Forget making money. I want to be popular within wedding photography industry. How do you do it? Is it your amazing array of polos? I've been searching for the answer to how to be cool since Jr. High and you just may have the answer."
Here's a few how-to's I pulled from my Too Cool for School book:
#3 Join more wedding/portrait photography forums than you have time for. Then spend more time on the forums than you do shooting. Post anything just to move up in rank.
#4 On said forum, ensure that your avatar is a pic of you making a crazy face with your tongue out.
#17 Attend all the big wedding photography annual events...WPPI, DFW, PhotoPlus, etc. But skip the classes and head straight for the parties.
#18 At those said parties, jam yourself into the photobooth as often as possible. The crazier the face, the more memorable and "cool" you become. Tongues are icing on the cake.
#25 Always post images on your blog encased in some variation of a watermark border. If you don't wear a name tag at a mixer, how will people remember your name?
brandy:
this may be a silly question, but well, I don't know the answer LOL
how to make a look book? I get that it is a horizontal scrolling PDF, is this something I can find in photoshop or do I need a specific program to make them? again, I said it was silly.
(02.17.09 12:44 AM)
Jeremy Lawson:
your forgot about twittering yourself every second of everyday and developing a camera bag or a set of actions to sell.
(11.10.08 10:25 AM)
Vinicius Matos:
Congratulations for you great work!
I`m a fan of yours. I`d appreciate if you stop by my blog to know a little about Brazilian Wedding Photography. Please feel free to comment!
Thank you!
(10.16.08 12:42 PM)
Christina:
Dude....I'm so going to stalk your blog every day now that I found it. Advice is always great, but oh, how I love ENTERTAINING advice! ;-)
(10.14.08 05:32 PM)
Jeremy Gilliam:
That's it, now that I have the honor of my question being answered I'm putting my gear in storage and going full-time forum poster.
(10.14.08 04:26 PM)
kimberlee West:
i love lookbooks... i've been printing mine for a while now, but i'm thinking i might switch over to only-pdf's soon, what with the whole save-the-trees thing and all. :)
(10.11.08 08:48 PM)
FRED EGAN:
Serena <<< #17 is quite hilarious...not that I have personal experience or anything ;-)
(10.11.08 12:03 AM)
FRED EGAN:
Jackie <<< Yeah, it's a horizontal scrolling PDF so it reads like a booklet.
(10.11.08 12:00 AM)
Eddie Bojorquez (Studio 512):
I'm still laughing. And I love that movie!
-E
"Will you mentor me from afar?"
I'm very important. I have many leather bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany. So, no.
(10.10.08 11:57 PM)
jackie wonders:
wow. this is invaluable information...especially the end ;) is the look book a long scrolling pdf? thanks for sharing fred egan.
(10.10.08 10:39 PM)
Kayla of Spink Studio:
Thank you so much for sharing the pages inside your Look Books! I LOVE this idea! Oh, and if you ever want to get them printed, check out this place, I use them a lot. It's reasonable and they do a good job:
http://gotprint.net/g/uploadCatalog.do
(10.10.08 05:15 PM)
ricki ford:
Dude I come to your blog but I don't come enuff, I love this last Q/A it was to funny but how true it is.
Just becaues you are popular in the photography world don't mean anyone out side of it is going to know you.
You Rock Man!
(10.10.08 08:28 AM)
serena:
haha....hilarious. love #17.
(10.10.08 01:22 AM)
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10.08.08
presenting your rates
In a visual driven industry like photography, it makes sense to plaster your imagery over every corner of your brand, not just your website and blog. The communication of your rates to prospective wedding and portrait clients should be no exception. I strongly feel that it's important to engulf the information conveying your photography's value with, well, your photography. The absolute worst way to do this is with numbers and letters on a blank Word document. I decided to use a visual piece that not only conveyed information about my rates, but also took the opportunity to share about my approach to my subjects while diving into some product details.
My looks books are inspired by the booklets I've flipped through from my favorite fashion retailers, catalogs I subscribe to and ads of lifestyle brands placed in publications such as Teen Vogue. All the while, reinforcing my brand through these marketing pieces. It shouldn't just be a price list...but another branch of your "brand" tree in which you are consistently conveying the feeling, thoughts and ideas you want your brand to conjure up in the minds of consumers.
In this day and age, information travels at the speed of thought. When prospects "think" they want more information about you, get that information to them as quickly as possible...I'd encourage you to make them available online. Below are my Look Book covers for my graduate and wedding photography.
FRED EGAN:
Sharron <<< I find a balance between conveying the information I need to and presenting my photography in an engaging medium.
(10.14.08 10:19 AM)
Sharron:
How big are your look books (pages)? I struggle with how much is too much.
(10.13.08 11:05 PM)
FRED EGAN:
Shawn <<< Keep focusing on your branding and then when it comes to pieces like this, they almost make themselves when your branding is nice and tight.
(10.11.08 12:04 AM)
Nicole:
Fred egan you make my week.......every week :)
(10.10.08 03:42 PM)
SHAWN Walker:
I've actually had the same idea. I got it from fashion look books and was like that would be such a good idea. Then I see you with it! haha I'm working on branding though. I haven't totally figures out what to do
(10.09.08 07:43 PM)
Jeremy:
Fred, who is doing your branding and look book design? I'm looking to hire someone to change my overall look and feel.
(10.09.08 04:17 PM)
Kelly Ley:
So creative!! I love your work so much!! I agree - I'd love to see samples of the inside as well :)
(10.09.08 12:19 PM)
Krista Photography:
I love this idea! Would love to see the inside, and to know where you have them printed :)
(10.09.08 11:04 AM)
Poser:
good stuff here man. seriously, i wasnt a big fan of that second image by itself, but seeing it in this platform, really makes it shine. i guess that ought to tell you all you need to know about my marketing savvy :)
(10.09.08 09:46 AM)
Kayla of Spink Studio:
Um, WOW! What a freakin' awesome idea! I love the covers! Will you show us some examples of the inside!?! As a graphic desiger, I can totally appreciate this unique idea and the clean style.
(10.09.08 09:28 AM)
fromBrandon:
I was wondering who you use to print those books?
Covers look great!
(10.09.08 07:39 AM)
jonathan canlas:
everything about your branding is so strong. seriously. i have the image seared in my brain of the back cover of pacific rim weddings of the bride with the lime. honestly, some of the best branding in the wedding biz. kudos to you. your work is so fresh and so clean and not like the song.
(10.09.08 12:52 AM)
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