meganbeth.com

This post is for photographers, mostly because when I was starting out, there was no one to answer my questions. I was a big deep dark black hole of a million questions, with no guidance. So I’m hoping that while answering these readers’ questions, people that are in the position I once was in can get some questions answered.

Do you bargain with people? And would you be afraid to turn someone down if they offered you something lower?
Great question! When you are first starting your business and building your client base, yes there very well may be some bargaining going on. Are you worth more, yes, most definitely, but you have to start somewhere and then you can slowly raise your prices. After you have established yourself, your style, and your target clientele, your willingness for the bargaining process decreases. By making your business unique to you, building a brand and a style that is exclusive to you, that sometimes means referring a possible client to someone else if they truly cannot afford you. Only you know your budget, bills, and all the hard work and effort you put into your business. And besides your work is probably worth way more than you are charging in the first place.

I’m looking for clothes that are stylish yet functional for weddings. You always seem to be dressed so cute, what do you wear to weddings?
Gah…me, dressed cute?! Clearly you haven’t seen my hoodie and jeans that I sit in front of the computer for hours upon hours. But, to weddings I try to be as comfortable as possible, and most importantly with wearing flats. I’m not a flats kinda girl, in fact I hate them. So finding a pair that was comfortable, stylish, and that I was actually willing to wear was definitely a challenge. I finally settled on a pair of Tory Burch patent black flats and in the summertime I wear t-strap black patent sandals. And depending on the weather and the venue, I have a black and white sleeveless dress, which is key for the hot and humid Maryland summers, or black dress capris. And for the cooler months I wear black dress pants with a nice shirt and jacket, or a sweater dress with black stockings and boots.

How do you get your bride and groom to see each other before the ceremony for a ‘first sight?’
I would say that about ninety percent of my couples opt to see each other before the ceremony, and in all honesty, all I do is give my opinion for why I love it and why I think it’s important. By suggesting a first look, it is a quiet moment to share in their wedding day before hustle and bustle starts. My couples have commented how they really enjoyed being able to share this moment with just the two of them and being able to share hugs and undoubtedly some tears. It is also a guarantee for some amazing relaxed portraits by themselves on the most important day of their lives. After I give them my personal opinion they decide if it’s for them or not, and most are for it, which I love!

Feel free to leave your comments below, I would love to hear from you! Or if you have a question you’d like to see answered in the next FAQ, email me, Megan Beth at megan@meganbeth.com.

Even your camera needs a check up once and a while. I felt like I was watching one of my children go away to their first day of kindergarten, one whom I had never parted with since it’s arrival. But I knew I had to. So when I found out that I would be shooting a wedding this Saturday with Kate, I was worried about having my baby back in time. Where does one go to get a camera or lens really fast?? A friend had suggested a camera rental company in California called Borrow Lenses. And it was love at first rental.

I have been renting from this company for a long time now, and they always impress. Their customer service is superb (Michelle is a rockstar!), with a wide selection of gear to rent, and speedy shipping. If you are looking to rent, or to test a camera/lens out before you buy this is definitely the place to go! The are the best, evah!

And wouldn’t you know it, my camera and rental showed up on my doorstep on the same day. One can never have enough cameras.