Happy 2014
My Thoughts on Working TF*
The PAID/TF* relationship.
I am about to expound on this relationship. There are many photographers and models out there who have never paid for a shoot. And that is great! Do what works for you. But my belief in a TF* shoot is this, as the photographer, who has invested thousands of dollars into my craft, the first thing I will ask myself is, "how does this person improve my portfolio?" Which I think a model should also ask his or herself as well before shooting a TF*. But I feel, and I preach, that the TF* shoot is for the benefit of the Photographer and the Model is using "sweat equity" to work off the cost of a shoot. Therefore a photographer or model should never shortchange a shoot.
The paid relationship goes back to WHO is doing the paying. IF you pay me, then I work for YOU. It is my job to give you the best possible shoot that I can for your money. IF I pay you, then you work for ME. Which means that I should get the best possible shoot that you can give. Also, I hate to say this, but if you hire me, you expect me to be ready to shoot with all my equipment, likewise if you are hired, YOU should be ready to shoot at the agreed time.
Even though, during a TF*, no money is being exchanged, it can actually cost a photographer or model more than a paid shoot. Everything from reputation to location/transportation and opportunity costs from doing other shoots. One of the most TACKIEST things I think models and photographers do is to believe that a "paid" shoot takes priority over a TF*. If I have an open dated and decide to do a TF* on that date, that TF* now has priority over everything. If a paid shoot comes up for the same time, then I should contact the other principles and see if its possible to reschedule for another time or date, but ONLY if both can agree to it. I often travel and when I schedule a shoot, it might be JUST for that weekend and time. I think we do not take those aspects into consideration when we schedule. The paid shoots often do, but those who have not invested hard currency sometimes fail to understand because it comes so easy.
Models and Photographers, if someone approaches you for a TF shoot, take it as a compliment. But don't forget that there is no such thing as a free lunch, nor a free shoot!
5 Things To Remember in Your Wedding Budget
As many couples start their wedding planning this time of year, I want to add a few tips on things to remember when planning your budget. Hope it helps, and feel free to add any tips in the comments section.
1. SALES TAX. Ranging anywhere from 5-8% on average, sales tax can become a quick way to break the boundaries of the budget. Remember almost every vendor that you will hire will charge some kind of sales or use tax.
2. VENDOR MEALS. Most, but not all, caterers actually will count vendor meals in the overall count of an estimate. You will have a photographer and assistant(s), DJ, Planner, and other on site vendors that will be there all day, it is customary (but not a requirement) for them to be offered a meal.
The extra night in a hotel room can add several hundred dollars in unexpected costs to your wedding budget.
3. HOTEL ROOM. While sometimes, many larger and upscale hotels can offer you a special rate for early check in/late checkout, not all hotels will do this. So keep in mind that the hotel room that you need for 9am on Saturday morning, may have to be checked into on Friday afternoon with a Sunday morning checkout.
4. COUNSELING. Pre-marriage counseling is a requirement in some states these days to getting a quick marriage license. This can be done for a offering to a church or through several services. While in the grand scheme, not a large expense, it is one of those expenses that may catch a bride and groom off guard, especially when they most need it. That Tuesday afternoon before they fly to Vegas for the wedding that weekend.
5. MARRIAGE LICENSE. In most jurisdictions, the license runs as much as a couple of hundred dollars, but is often one of the last parts of the wedding that many couples apply for. If applying for a license in a different state, make sure you know what their policies are when it comes to getting a license. Especially as listed above with counselling.
The average wedding is around $25,000 right now. If you take in consideration just THESE 5 costs, on average you will run into about $2,000-3000 in costs that often are not realized until the last minute. There are many more such as the gifts for bride/groom, parents, groomsmen/bridesmaids; the parties/rehearsal dinners, even the alterations of gowns and tuxedos. The more you know when planning, the better you can plan.
Increase value when trying to save money on your wedding.
Simple Saturdays: The simple things: PIZZA!!!!
PIZZA!!!! Hold it, Fold it, EAT IT!!!!
So shoot me! I just finally watched the Fight Club after all these years, and while I WONT talk about Fight Club, I will talk about something that has really been near and dear to me. Being Simple. Life is so complex these days, that sometimes we forget how good it is to be simple. That bike ride around the block. Sleeping in until 10am on a Saturday. Going on a Friday night with the family to just get a few cones of ice cream. The simple things.
Well those who know me knows that there is one food that I LOVE almost all the time. That is PIZZA!!!! The perfect simple food. I mean, it has all the food groups, and unlike a cheeseburger, you still look super cool eating a huge slice of pizza...not so much with a 4 pound burger... lol. UNLESS its a Hardee's/Carl's Jr. commercial. lol
Being overseas, you often get great food from some of the top chefs in the world. And not to sound like Jon Stewart of the Daily Show, but frankly, I am partial to NY/NJ Pizza.... it's all about the fold in my opinion. If you have to eat it with a fork, then to me it isn't "REAL" Pizza. So how happy was I when Thursday, while being on travel, I stopped by a little pizza shop and they had 18" PIES!!!!!! As well as PIZZA BY THE SLICE! 2 Pepperoni Slices PLEASE! (Tip, when in NYC, don't say a slice of pizza, people will look at you funny, and it's redundant. Just say a Slice). Those two slices made my whole week!
Nicole Stoddart and Betty Blake
Styled Bridal and Beach boudoir session in Amelia Island and Jacksonville.
Models:
- Nicole Stoddart, Montego Bay, Jamaica W.I.
- Betty Blake, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Makeup Artist:
- Timothy Cabell, Savannah, Georgia
Studio Beau Monde
On Facebook
Hair Stylists:
- Darlene Smith, Jacksonville, Fl
Anthony's et al/Beauty By Darlene
www.beautybydarlene.com - Keisha Melendez, Saint Marys, GA
Dimensions Hair Studio
www.dimensionshairstudio.org
Wardrobe Stylist:
- Beth Sullivan, Jacksonville, FL
Sei Bella Image Consulting
www.seibellaimageconsulting.com
Assistants:
- James Burney, Photographer/Assistant to Mr. DaCosta
- Nicholas Fletcher, Photographer/Assistant to Mr. DaCosta
- Tiffany DaCosta, Assistant to Mr. Dacosta
- Brei Morgan, Assistant to Mrs. Sullivan
Special thanks to:
- Arlington Toyota Rental
- AA Twins Luxury Limousine Jacksonville.
- Love. A bridal boutique
- Beatrice Couture Designs
#ShopSmall Special for my wedding clients. Save $2000
If you are a bride that has spoken to me in the past, then you know I am absolutely ADAMANT about having your wedding printed. Don't get me wrong, I love the ability to send images to friends and family around the world in the blink of an eye; but I grew up in a time where we had photos in albums and on the wall. I guess that around this time of year especially, it really hits home when friends and family are over. I know when I was growing up, THIS was the occasion that we would pull out all the old photos and tell the same stories that we told last year. Often with never the same details, but still entertaining none the less. Which is one of the reasons why I am such a big proponent of a wedding album.
an example of one of the fine hand crafted albums that I suggest to all of my brides.
A 12x12 wedding album opened up gives 2 feet of viewing area to have an almost larger than life memory.
These are just a couple of quick examples of what a wedding album looks like. Designed to be a family heirloom that can be passed from generation to generation, they can be as simple, or as customized as your mind can imagine.
The Offer
Between now, and December 31, 2013, ANY wedding collection booked and fully paid by January 31, 2014 will receive a $2000 album print credit. Whether it is the most inclusive Milverton Signature Collection or the super efficient Negril Collection the offer still applies, guaranteeing you the ability of having a printed wedding album for your wedding. In the cases of the collections that already include a wedding album, the print credit can be used towards upgrades, parent albums, or even gift albums as well.
The Catch
The only catch is that the weddings must be booked by the end of this year and paid in full by January 31, 2014. That's all... oh and of course, booking an available date.
What Next?
Feel free to check out the different offerings on collections under the 'Admissions' tab or email me direct for more information. Leighton@LeightonD.com. Or simply Click below.