The ad in question has been taken down. Here’s what it said:

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WHY is finding an amazing wedding photographer so difficult? :/

I am a Bride who is getting married this summer and have yet to find a decently priced, exceptional, amazingly talented, fun photographer.

WHY because the word “WEDDING” is involved photographers think they can change you $ 3,000.00 for wedding photos? Oh, because no bride is going to go without so they are going to pay it, because they HAVE to. They are ripping people off for all they have! Why when you want to get married it costs you AT LEAST 15 grand after all is said-and-done? Its such CRAP!! I love all you $ 3,000.00 photographers out there but i think your prices are WACK. All your doing is hanging out at a wedding taking tons of photos and editing them.. and thats owrth 3 GRAND!!! You’re making so much money its crazy. I just wish people would be more realistic. I mean the “average” persons salary for 1 freaking month is somewhere around 3 grand. (Thats making 19$ an hour) So you’re going to take someones WHOLE MONTH paycheck for one flippen day of photos? Just because you CAN!!?????? So that maybe they will not be able to feed themselves or pay any other bills they have, right? It makes me SICK!

I know im speaking for more than just myself right now. Alot of brides out there think the same thing. & I bet all you fancy photographers wont even read this. oh-well.
Maybe there are cheaper photographers that will read this and LOVE to take my photos
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To start, I sympathize. I really do. Weddings are expensive. Always have been. Likely always will be.

(Quick point: be thankful the practices of the dowry, dower, or brideprice are no longer common!)

But the above contains a whole load of misconceptions. Let’s tackle some. Not necessarily in order.

1. “All your [sic] doing is hanging out at a wedding and taking tons of photos and editing them.”

Sounds easy, right? Just hanging out? It’s like a vacation and a party all at once!  WOOHOO!

My wedding coverage ranges from 8 hours to all day. Regardless, my day starts early and ends late.

At the wedding, I’m on my feet almost the whole time. More than that, I’m working. Organizing people, posing people, figuring out shots, staying out of the way, rushing to where I need to be, setting up equipment, taking down equipment, lugging equipment around, and so on. If I’m lucky, I get a minute to sit down and inhale some food.

By the end of even a short wedding, I need a shower. Bad.

Think about it. Your wedding photographer sticks with you the entire day. Make up artist? Pre-wedding. DJ? Reception. Baker? Not even there after delivering the cake. Florist? Sets up and leaves. Limo driver? Now that’s a guy that spends a lot of time hanging out.  Sure, most of these people have prep work before the wedding, but we’re talking about the “just hanging out all day” notion.

I love this work, but no lies: it’s exhausting.

And then editing and retouching the photos. Sounds simple.

When I go on vacation or shoot for fun, maybe I take a few dozen or even a few hundred photos. I’ll pick a handful, do something with them, and maybe post ‘em to Flickr or Facebook. Easy peezy. That’s the frame of reference most people have.

A wedding is a different animal. A WAAAY different animal.

I take a lot of photos. No, you don’t understand. A LOT of photos.

From those, I cull out the bad stuff. You know: eyes closed, extremely unflattering expressions, or where some guest’s flash blew out my shot, or any other technical problems.

What remains is still a lot. I put my “touch” on those. Every one of them. I have my trade secret shortcuts, but it still takes time. And unlike personal photos, I can’t do them whenever I feel like it. Maybe get to them in a year, or maybe not at all. My clients are excited and want their wedding photos NOW. I don’t want them waiting any longer than absolutely necessary.

And don’t forget the engagement session, the meetings and all that other stuff. Which brings us to the second point…

2. “You’re making so much money its[sic] crazy. I just wish people would be more realistic. I mean the “average” persons[sic] salary for 1 freaking month is somewhere around 3 grand. (Thats making 19$ an hour) So you’re going to take someones[sic] WHOLE MONTH paycheck for one flippen[sic] day of photos?”

I get where this one comes from. It does seem like a lot of money.

Thing is, we aren’t just talking about “one day” of photos. Not even close.

Let’s break down a typical wedding:

• Initial e-mail contact. I respond and set up a meeting.
• Meet with the bride and groom.
• More e-mails or phone calls to set up engagement session (included in all packages).
• Engagement shoot.
• Editing, retouching, and delivering disc of engagement photos.
• Pre-wedding meeting to go over final details.
• Wedding day.
• Editing, retouching, and delivering a disc of wedding photos.
• Most of my packages include an album and prints, so there’s set-up/design work there.

I’m not listing the exact hours. It varies anyway. But it’s safe to say that it’s a bit more than a day’s worth of work.

3. “I am a Bride who is getting married this summer and have yet to find a decently priced, exceptional, amazingly talented, fun photographer.”

It’s hard to address this one without sounding like a jerk.

It’s the qualifiers here that trip it up. The bride wants premium work – “exceptional” and “amazingly talented.” But she doesn’t feel those qualities should cost much.

That’s kind of like saying you want the quality and prestige of a Rolls Royce, but at the cost of a Kia.

A Rolls is hand made to exacting standards. A Kia is mass produced on an assembly line by machines. You’re not going to get the quality of one at the price of the other.

Not everyone can afford thousands for their wedding photography. That’s cool. But it’s not fair to get pissed at the photog charging $3000, especially if you agree that the photos fit your criteria of exceptional and amazingly talented. Nor should someone expect an established photographer to match the prices of someone trying to break into the business by portfolio building.

Some responses I’ve seen to this try to break down all of the photographer’s expenses to every last dollar. This is ridiculous. My expenses are different from the guy down the street. Whether our prices are wildly different or virtually the same, what’s the point in justifying that? Clients don’t care about business expenses. They don’t care about how much I work.

And they shouldn’t.

They should care about the photos.

And this is the part where I have to be careful to not sound like a jerk. People who don’t see the value in photography aren’t my customers. I’m not interested in people like this Craigslist person, who thinks wedding photography is a rip off. I want couples who come to me because of the work.

When it comes right down to it, nothing said about what it costs to run a business is going to sway someone who views wedding photography the way this Craigslist ad does.

and Charles” src=”http://www.thestudioorange.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Megan-Charles_1.jpg” alt=”Studio Orange | Photography – Megan and Charles engagement session in Lincoln, Nebraska” width=”800″ height=”371″ />

It’s not every day that I book a wedding without ever meeting the couple.

But these things happen. Especially when the couple in question live in Texas.

The tricky thing about couples that don’t live around here is that they don’t live around here. So how do you work out an engagement session? It’s pretty simple when the couple are football fans.

Megan and Charles flew into town to catch a Husker game and squeeze in a little photography. No sleeping in for us as we arrive at UNL campus first thing in the morning to catch a few shots before a billion and 10 red and white fanatics invade the land.

And then we’re off to wander downtown.  All the while, Megan and Charles question my sanity as I ask them to do increasingly strange things, promising them that the photos will be amazing.

Oh, and while Megan and Charles were off changing outfits, I got into a fight.

Before we get to the pics, a shout out to Elayne Woods for tagging along and lending a hand.

So here it is. A “year in review” post. It had to happen.

2011 was an interesting year, photographically speaking. Not counting client work, I probably took fewer photos than I have in years. And yet, I experimented more. That means not everything worked. Believe me! Not everything worked.

But I had a lot of fun. And learned some things.

Enough rambling. Well, a little more rambling. There’s that whole ground rules thing.

Last year I chose 10 photos and put up 10 posts. That’s too much work. This year I just picked. No set number. There are photos that jumped out at me. Photos I think are good. Photos I just wanted to say something about.

The only “rule” I followed: No Client Work!

I could fill post after post with photos from every client I photographed in 2011, and I’d still leave out great shots. Besides, most of the posts here are about and for my clients. This one is about me.

Ok. Now I’m done rambling. On with the photos. Here they are, more or less chronologically, photo first and then a few words…

Sam’s Henna.

My girlfriend, Sam, does henna. That’s nothing new. But I feel like this year she really blossomed. She figured out what kind of a henna business she wanted to run. She did henna parties, bridal henna, pregnant belly henna, event henna.

This was from one of her first henna parties of the year and still one of my favorite henna photos.

Snow.

Unlike this winter (so far), last winter was all about the snow.

The top image was all about bravery. The bottom, all about luck.

The night I took the top image, it was 10 degrees out. Zero wind. Giant snowflakes had been falling all day and there was a good 8 inches of it on the deck table. Because I am insane, I hauled my giant flash out and set it up under the (glass) table, shooting up. Then I proceeded to freeze to death while taking macro shots of snowflakes.

The second image was a frosted over window. I had about 5 minutes to set up and get a shot before it all melted off.

Double Sam.

Weird accidents are the best. There we are sitting in the cigar lounge. Me and my friend Ben are smoking, while Sam and Ben’s wife Liz are doing henna. I reach over for something and see the image above. I wonder if it’s possible to actually capture it. Out comes the macro and a little bit of playing later…

Love on the Run.

For two years in a row (and again this year), Studio Orange has donated photography services to Porridge Paper’s Love on the Run Valentine’s Day event. This was one of my favorite images.

Winston.

The neighbor dog. Sweet, but very lonely. As I feel this image shows.

Train.

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of HDR. But I like to push the images a little more. This is one of the last shots I managed to get of this area before it was all torn up for the new arena.

The Party.

Sam and I both had birthdays in 2011. I know, right? Both of us having birthdays in the SAME year? Almost too coincidental to believe. This year we decided to have one party for both of us.

A steampunk/gypsy party.

So, here’s the problem: How do you get 70+ people to show up for a party at the end of April and all dress in costume?

Simple. You just have to be us.

The left image is a self portrait showcasing my costume for the party. The right image is Ben and Liz.

Strawberries.

One of the things Sam has to put up with is being in front of the camera. We spent an afternoon playing with flashes and strawberries.

On the road.

Pop quiz: What do you do when you’re riding in a car between Pueblo, Colorado and Albuquerque, New Mexico? If you’re me, you hang out the window of the car going 75mph with your $3000 camera and snap photos. Are these technically great photos? Not for me to decide. But they were fun to take.

Morgan.

A friend of mine said she was putting on a burlesque show. She asked if I wanted to take photos. Because I am not an idiot, I did not refuse the opportunity to photograph some beautiful ladies…

The Song that Made Sam Cry…

Sam and I went up to Omaha to see Blind Pilot. This was one of the last songs they performed, off the stage, in the middle of the crowd. Sam cried.

The Garage.

I called this “The Garage.” It’s really my living room. I’m tricky like that.

Obligatory New Gear Shot.

All new gear gets tested on my pets. I don’t know why. That’s just how it is. Pixel was the victim in this case. The new gear in question is the Canon 35mm f/1.4L.

First (and only) real snow this winter.

My dogs love snow. No. They are ridiculous for snow. So when we got a decent snow fall (and so far the only one) at the beginning of December, I took them out to the park.

First stop was the lake. It wasn’t quite frozen and the slushy mess had this weird green tint.

Next up was letting the dogs be dogs. And documenting it as much as possible.

And finally, a white-out shot.

And that’s that. Thanks for joining me on a trip back through 2011.

When last we left our intrepid couple, they were stuck in the mud and playing with chickens.

Now it’s the big day. And with the mud cleaned up and the chickens put away, it’s up to me and my assistant, Elayne, to rock it.

How do I describe this one? Refreshingly unconventional. That’ll do. And that pretty well describes Will and Jessica, too.

They didn’t have bridesmaids and or a best man. They didn’t even make The Big Entrance to the reception, preferring to sort of sneak into the party. Aside from their ceremony, the day was more like a picnic in the park.

Except the girl playing badminton is wearing a wedding dress.

No big deal.

I think it’s important.

I can’t always control what’s going on around me, but I can c

ontrol how I react to it. This is especially true when you encounter rudeness or when a situation is just entirely out of line.

Ignore it and move on.  Generally the best policy.

I’m not hired by my clients to settle scores, or be macho, or try to out-tough some jerk.  I’m hired to take photos.

But sometimes…

Sometimes… you just can’t walk away.  There’s that jerk that gets under your skin. It gnaws at you. Eats away. You just HAVE to do something.

I knew when we walked by the first time that there was going to be trouble. I mean, really?  Picking a fight with me when I’m obviously with clients? Come ON!

I brushed it off and did my best to ignore it. Took a few more shots with the clients.  Good shots. I didn’t let the incident influence the job I had to do. But then it was time for the clients to step out for a few minutes to change outfits.  And I just couldn’t let this go.  With the clients gone, it was time for the gloves to come off.

I went back around the corner and of course he was still there.  Still mouthing off.

It’s on, pal!  On like Donkey Kong!

And of course, I photographed it…

I’m pretty sure it was my flash that really made him mad. So he decided to just attack it directly…

Mud?

Photos?

We can totes play in the mud.  Fo’ sho!

But first, Will and Jessica.  The stars of the show.

I first met Jessica when she worked as a barista at my home away from home.  To this day, she remains one of the few and the proud who knows how to make my caramel and irish cream latte properly (hint: it should taste more like coffee than sugar).

Will works at an organic grocery store that my girlfriend and I have been known to haunt.

Both are tall.  I mean really tall.  At 6′ 1″ I feel like I’m barely keeping up with these two.

At first, they weren’t sure they wanted an engagement session.  Even though it was included in the package, they flip-flopped a bit about maybe crediting the session to products or other services.

In the end, they decided on the session.

Then they asked if we could shoot it at a farm their friend owns.

Who am I to say no to that?

There’s only one problem when you want to shoot on a farm in Nebraska in June.  There’s still a good chance you’re getting a lot of rain.  We hadn’t just gotten a lot of rain.  We had been getting rain like someone turned on the spigot and then left for vacation.

We got to the farm and it didn’t seem like it was going to be too bad.  A little humid, to be sure.  Mosquitoes the size of attack helicopters. You know, typical Nebraska stuff. Manageable.

Then we decided to walk across the field to get some shots on top of a hill.

Ever detasseled? Then you knows the recipe: a well-watered field, a lot of rain.  Let’s just say, if your shoes aren’t stapled and duct taped to your feet, there’s a good chance you’re losing them.

Jessica did the smart thing and took hers off.  She only sank half way up her shins in the mud.  Will had sandals that didn’t seem like they were going anywhere.  I hoped the lacing job I did on my Merrills was up to the task.

In the end, we slogged through the mud, braved the heat and humidity, did battle with a few ticks, annoyed some chickens, survived an impromptu thumb war, and got some great, fun shots.

It was a pretty awesome day.  Playing in the mud. And no shoes were lost.

Engagement sessions have an amazing dichotomy of always being a little bit the same and a

little bit different.

You always begin with a couple a whole lot in love and a little bit camera shy. The camera shy part is understandable. I’d be a bit nervous in their shoes, too.  And I know what to expect. It’s ok, though. Couples always loosen up and have fun. (And you will, too. Trust me).

But that’s usually where the similarities end.  Sometimes you get couples willing to play dress-up. Sometimes you get lost in the woods.

And then sometimes you wind up going a little bit of everywhere.

When Ryan and Ann joined me for their engagement session, I don’t think any of us really expected to hit almost every photogenic spot in Lincoln.  It just kind of happened.  And it was a ton of fun. From the Sunken Gardens, to the Capitol Building, to Downtown and the Haymarket, and finally Pioneers Park, I think we got this city covered.

Oh sure.  There are a couple of places we didn’t hit.  Maybe we’ll save those for the formals.

That’s what happens when you get crazy busy. It’s a blessing and a curse. I’m more than a little annoyed that we live in the “future” and I can’t yet clone myself.

Oh well.

What got my fingers fired up today was an excellent article over at the Offbeat Bride. It’s about the disturbing abundance of cameras at wedding ceremonies these days.  You should go read the article yourself. It’s ok.  I’ll wait.

Done?  Good. If not, I’m carrying on as if you did. I don’t want to rehash what was already said so well. Instead, I want to relay my own experience.

I spend a lot of time behind a lens. I know. It’s a shock. Take a deep breath or two.

But I love taking photos. It’s true.

If I’m not shooting a wedding, or portraits, or some other paid gig, I’m finding some other excuse to drag out my camera. Bugs. Zombies. Amazing skies. You name it.

Last year I was invited to the wedding of a couple of friends. I shot some Save the Date photos for them. I was not, however, their wedding photographer.  They’d hired someone before they met me.

I looked at it as an opportunity.

I couldn’t remember the last wedding I had been to as a guest. I decided to fully play the part. I wasn’t going to be “that guy.” You know. The one who brings his pro gear. I’m certainly savvy enough to stay out of the hired photographers’ way, but I wanted to embrace the chance to have zero obligation (self-imposed or not) to hide my face behind the camera.

I won’t lie. I won’t try to pretend that I didn’t feel naked most of the night. I won’t hide that I couldn’t help but look for shots. And I certainly won’t deny that I might have spent a minute or two comparing what the hired pro’s were doing to what I would do.

Part of my passion for photography is to always jones for a camera when I see a great opportunity. This is why I love shooting weddings. Many great opportunities, many great moments. My trigger finger was a bit twitchy all night.

Even so. Even without my mechanical security blanket, the night was fantastic.

I felt like I was a part of the event. I wasn’t living it through a viewfinder, or experiencing an LCD instead of a wedding.

I was engaged in the evening.

And it was refreshing.

If you’re a bride and groom reading this, I encourage you to urge your guests, not their cameras, to be present at your wedding. If you’re going to be a guest, I’d remind you that the couple getting married want to see “you” and not “you staring at a screen.”

Getting the photos is what people like me are for.

So step away from the camera. Enjoy the moment.

Doors opened at 5.  Closed at 9.  They practically had to turn people away at the end of the night.

They had a guitarist.  A harpist.  A photo booth.  And yours truly, wandering around sticking my lenses in peoples’ faces. I had an opportunity to get to know The Leekers a little bit more.  They are also wedding photographers in Lincoln, and from what I can see, very talented.  Friendly, too.  I’ll happily refer anyone to them if I’m not available.

By the end of the night, over 60 bottles of love notes were created.  The significance?  I hear that’s more than the entire first year of the the Love on the Run Event.  And as I write this, there are still 2 more days to come in and make love notes!  (Please see the update at the end of this post…)

I’m about to head out the door for more Love on the Run photos, but here’s some of the fun from last night:

Update:  Love on the run is now officially over!  Over 360 love notes were written!  Studio Orange spent all day Monday helping to deliver!  And now there are a ton more photos to go through!

But first…

A bed.

So, are you the cynical type that thinks Valentine’s Day is just a trumped up hoax perpetuated by candy makers and florists?

Porridge Papers wants to change your mind. It’s time for their annual Love on the Run Valentine’s day event.

It’s the 4th year and the biggest event yet.

The concept is simple.  You go in.  You type a note.  Roll it up and put it in a bottle.  Porridge Papers (and volunteers) deliver your note on Valentine’s Day.  The typewriters you use to create your notes are antiques.  That’s a fancy way of saying that there’s no backspace, no Ctrl-Z, and heck, the letters might not even line up.  In other words, your note will be quirky and unique.

Best of all, this is 100%, absolutely, totally, positively FREE!

Yep.  Free.  Porridge Papers and everyone who helps support or sponsor it (including Studio Orange) donates to make this possible.

This year you’ll have three days to stop in.  They’ll be some events going on all weekend long.  Details can be found in the links above, but you can expect to find live music, food, and even photos.  The Leekers will be setting a photo booth for you to get silly and/or romantic in and yours truly will be wandering around taking photojournalist shots.

So stop on by.  Join in the fun.  Help us take back Valentine’s day back from clutches of commercialization!

Below are some of the irreverent, goofy and fun decorations and cards Porridge Papers has set the mood with: