tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post8394627538009016908..comments2024-03-27T22:02:52.479-04:00Comments on Digital ProTalk: Business Day Thursday: Looking the Part At The WeddingDavid Ziserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02674227631785266632noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-28078456547331252502012-10-26T09:54:13.767-04:002012-10-26T09:54:13.767-04:00I agree with you David. I am old school. What abo...I agree with you David. I am old school. What about wearing a photographer's vest with a tie, dress pants, dress shoes? Some times the jacket over this is hot. I can get along way from our supplies and I like all of the pockets for all of our CF cards, batteries, grey cloth, business cards, etc. The belt holds extra lens and you may be carrying more than one camera. I also carry a large battery pack under the vest. Similar to the Quantum but it takes 2x times the flashes. When I meet with potential customers I always were a jacket and dress pants like we see you do. We haven't shot black tie tuxedo yet, but if that was needed, we would not hesitate to rent one.Kirk Mastershttp://kwmastersphoto.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-15722439148276789182008-11-21T21:54:00.000-05:002008-11-21T21:54:00.000-05:00aka skippyIf someone is charging $25K for a weddin...aka skippy<BR/><BR/>If someone is charging $25K for a wedding, it means they've done it before and clients are happy. If that photographer did so by wearing Khaki's, who the heck is anyone to question that person?<BR/><BR/>I can't believe any photographer would ever show up to an event in a tuxedo, it's an old school approach that is dying. I'd go as far as to say I'd fire a photographer that showed up in a tuxedo. What a fake gesture.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-29961025927167213912008-11-20T19:05:00.000-05:002008-11-20T19:05:00.000-05:00If one pretends to offer a professional presentati...If one pretends to offer a professional presentation in their photography efforts this must reflect itself in a dress code.<BR/>Shabby jeans and T-shirt might give the overall impression of " I don't give a **** ", lack of interest will be the prevailing thought.<BR/>In a top class restaurant have you ever seen a waiter/waitress in torn jeans with stains and sandals?<BR/>Would you trust a doctor without a white coat? A salesman in bermuda shorts? What makes Santa Clause?<BR/><BR/>A real professional in any business will know that a proper dress code is essential if one wants the respect one claims to earn.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-79632475287276749792008-11-20T16:48:00.000-05:002008-11-20T16:48:00.000-05:00I am just curious as to the necessity for dressing...I am just curious as to the necessity for dressing like a "guest" when wedding photographers are not guests at all. We are working staff.<BR/><BR/>We dress neatly and in all black, short sleeves in the summer, long sleeves in the winter (here in Florida). But we are in polo shirts and slacks with leather shoes (no flip-flops or sneakers) and feel we are not taking anything away from the event by being in 'working clothes'... we're working. <BR/><BR/>We shoot a lot of different angles and setups that our clients want... and I am not going to be rolling around on the ground in a Tux... but whatever floats your boat.<BR/><BR/>Also, because of rampant theft of equipment at some Florida venues, we wear our gear. I am carrying two cameras and lenses/cards/batteries in a Think Tank belt system with harness. Everything I need is on my person instead of packed away in a bag somewhere I can't get to in a second. And that would look pretty silly worn over a tuxedo. And yes, we shoot black tie events that way.<BR/><BR/>Sweeping dress code statements are most often not suitable for everyone and everyone's style of working. "Artiste" or not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-57625110074458337292008-11-20T16:09:00.000-05:002008-11-20T16:09:00.000-05:00couldn't agree more. I was perusing one very well...couldn't agree more. I was perusing one very well known wedding photographer's portfolio. People pay 20k+ to have this particular photographer at their weddings. I was appalled when I saw a picture of the photographer at one of these weddings in casual wear. "Artiste" or not, have respect for your clients. I would be appalled if I spent 25 thousand dollars to come to my huge, formal wedding and they showed up in khakis.skiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05826223707370967127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-73872326675266408672008-11-20T15:48:00.000-05:002008-11-20T15:48:00.000-05:00David,Presentation is key. For everything. From ...David,<BR/>Presentation is key. For everything. From advertising, to on site work to final product. I don't have a ton of experience shooting weddings (yet) but have taken your advice (not the first time I have heard it either, thank goodness) to heart. Being able to blend in is key. Not the best dressed, but certainly not the worst. <BR/>There is a level of respect given to people who are dressed just a tiny bit better than most of the other folks in the room. <BR/>There is also the occasion (like I had this summer) where flip flops, and a polo was almost overdressed. I think knowing what the dress code is, and what the "theme" of the party will be is key. Know your customer.<BR/>Adam<BR/>http://www.adamstevensphotography.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-63879490132403323482008-11-20T13:19:00.000-05:002008-11-20T13:19:00.000-05:00I always wear nice dress slacks and a black button...I always wear nice dress slacks and a black button up shirt. I want to look nice but not stand out. If it is a tuxedo event then a tuxedo is appropriate. When the couple says its flip-flops, dockers, and Hawaiian shirts, then thats what it is, other wise you may draw too much attention when the day is not about you.KerryGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10838238264032304761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-83473971012936361632008-11-20T12:22:00.000-05:002008-11-20T12:22:00.000-05:00It's interesting to me that in 16-years of employm...It's interesting to me that in 16-years of employment in software development I have yet to work for a company that had a dress code for the office. There was one for customer visits, of course; but not the day-to-day environment. Like all blanket statements, exceptions abound.<BR/><BR/>But I wanted to raise a different aspect of dressing to match the guests. One of my goals in covering an event is to obtain my images with a minimum of disturbance. If possible, the wedding participants and guests should never know I was there. Dressing to blend in is an important part of achieving that goal. I would wear camouflage to hide in the undergrowth if I was hunting wild turkeys, likewise I wear appropriate formal wear when "hunting" images.Charleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10492303313418423866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-81592244748008527672008-11-20T11:14:00.000-05:002008-11-20T11:14:00.000-05:00Another aspect of "dress for success"When I was in...Another aspect of "dress for success"<BR/><BR/>When I was in sales, an old-timer gave me some advice which has served me well. <BR/><BR/>"When you take off your jacket, you take off your authority."<BR/><BR/>While I never try to "boss" people around, I find folks take direction much better if I'm in a suit and tie...or maybe it's just because I'm a gray-haired old man ;)Earlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02811559737139926042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-24936742847572611592008-11-20T11:11:00.000-05:002008-11-20T11:11:00.000-05:00Not only do you honor your clients by dressing the...Not only do you honor your clients by dressing the part of a professional, you would be surprised who else is watching how you dress, relate to the client, and generally conduct your business.<BR/> Some people never see your "art"<BR/>just you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-80017543722621530992008-11-20T10:29:00.000-05:002008-11-20T10:29:00.000-05:00Not to be a fight starter, but...Molliet: Women ha...Not to be a fight starter, but...<BR/><BR/>Molliet: Women have it way EASIER than men at weddings. Most weddings we are wearing suits (not black tie events) and it is hot and humid. You can wear much thinner or less clothing and fit the part while we are sweating through everything! :-) My female second shooters always brag about that. <BR/><BR/>Scotty: Sucks to have an assistant screw things up. But you should have explicitly told the assistant what you expect. Yes, he "should" have known better but it is ultimately your business that you have to look out for. Whenever we have high school or college job shadows come along, the dress code is the FIRST thing out of my mouth because I have seen what they will do without direction.<BR/><BR/>I definitely agree about dressing the part.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-6653264285944407862008-11-20T10:22:00.000-05:002008-11-20T10:22:00.000-05:00I did a small affair wedding over the summer that ...I did a small affair wedding over the summer that called for a "business casual" dress code. I hired a young student as an assistant who showed up in torn jeans, t-shirt and flip flops. Between that and the total lack of attention paid to the job at hand cost that person any future work from me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-34696118549233884632008-11-20T10:02:00.000-05:002008-11-20T10:02:00.000-05:00I totally agree about dressing the part and never ...I totally agree about dressing the part and never under-dressing for an event, but men have it so much easier than women in this area! Black tie for women means a long dress and high heels - not the easiest thing to get around in...crouching, lugging gear, climbing ladders...If you show up in a nice suit you look like the misplaced diva from the board room. Do you have any advice for what you think that women shooters should wear?Mollie Tobiashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15664757333689073522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-80972058528832942832008-11-20T08:15:00.000-05:002008-11-20T08:15:00.000-05:00I agree about being professional and dressing the ...I agree about being professional and dressing the part. But I wonder if a suit might be too hot on a warm summer's day? Would a neat collared shirt also give the appearance of a more vibrant younger feel?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com