Attention Groupon Students! To anyone wondering why they have not yet been scheduled:

We were only given a list of names by Groupon and those who filled out the form have been contacted in the order that the form was received. We call in large chunks of people, and today I called 16 people and only got 3 on the phone.

I can assure you we’re doing our best to schedule everyone but my assistant doing most of the scheduling generally only has a 10% success rate reaching people and most SCHEDULE with him then. Please, please be patient and i can assure you we’ll get you all taken care of!! We’ve already had 44 lessons this summer and many people have asked to do a 2nd and 3rd lesson based on how happy they were with the first one! Additionally, many people have requested to wait until fall when the weather was more predicable and slightly cooler!

We sold over 130 Lessons this weekend and now it’s time to start scheduling!! My phone has been ringing off the hook all morning and I have just been informed that GROUPON does not release your EMAIL Addresses to me but they CAN send you an email with this LINK!! Yay!!

Why do I need this information?? So I can do my best to customize your class based on your needs!! If you want to learn NIGHT photography, my scheduling team needs to know that so we can schedule your lesson, wait for it . .. . . AT NIGHT!!!  Before your lesson, please read and re-read MY FIRST PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE so you’ll know or at least BE FAMILIAR with some of the terms I’ll be using.

Please fill out the form below in order for me to begin scheduling appointments . . . . which will be scheduled in the order received.  Thanks so much and I look forward to working with all of you!!!

[contact-form 1 "Contact form 1"]

• Get plenty of SLEEP- you want to look refreshed and alert, so make sure you have at least two night’s worth of decent shut-eye.
• HAIR- if you want to cut your hair, do so two weeks prior to the shoot. This way the cut will look more natural. To shave or not to shave: it’s up to you. Feel free to come with a full beard/mustache/ gotee. You can shave them off for different looks
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Email today to register for the May 2010 Photography One-on-One with Don Wright!

BEGINNER CLASS:  Basic Camera Features (easier than reading giant manual), Lens Choice and Selection based on Subject Matter, Exposure (pictures too dark? too bright?), How and when you use your flash, basic photo composition and what makes interesting pictures.  This class is high-demand and must be scheduled at least 2 weeks ahead of time – $250 for ONE 2 Hr Session including Take-home notes (pre-printed)

INTERMEDIATE CLASS: Covers Low Light, Fast Action, Night/Long Exposure and how to shoot in  *cue dramatic drums* MANUAL MODE ($400 for ONE 3 hour lesson + Take Home Notes)

Interested in 2nd follow up lesson?? Anyone who has registered and attended a prior lesson gets 60% off each additional lesson (also applies to Beginner > Intermediate) So if you’ve taken the beginner class, you get to sign up for the intermediate class for only $240

Post Production Classes: Want to learn how to enhance your images using your computer?  Having trouble keeping up with all your images, finding the ones your looking for, and printing them the way you want?  Don Wright is currently offering IN HOME lessons utilizing ADOBE LIGHTROOM and your own personal computer.  He’ll assess your current workflow and help you find your way in the can-be-hectic world of digital imaging.  More information about Adobe Lightroom here

EXPERT CLASS: offered Fall 2010 (will cover off camera lighting, advanced post production, RAW format workflow)

I’ve decided that while most people can’t afford to hire a photographer to accompany them on vacation (my rates are reasonable!! )  Almost EVERYONE takes lots of pictures with their favorite digital camera . . .

So what? you ask . . . . Well I’ve decided that I’m going to start offering photo-processing as a service to anyone who would like me to enhance/tweak/maximize the beauty of their favorite photos they have taken themselves . . .

Any thoughts guys?? Where would be the best place to advertise such services??

This is a great article published by the BBC which does an EXCELLENT job of demonstrating why wedding photography is a daunting task, and a worthy investment for your once-in-a-lifetime occasion!! To read the article click here for an excerpt, read below:

“But how hard can it be to get great shots at a happy occasion, where everyone is dressed up in picturesque locations? Most guests bring along their own cameras, after all.  Harder than it looks, says Paul Cudmore, a past winner of Wedding Photographer of the Year, who has been in the business for 18 years. “It’s all about emotions and capturing emotions. And obviously you’ve got to look out for vans driving past in the background.”  Most tricky of all is the group shot most couples want, if not for themselves, then for Mum and Dad, Auntie Mabel, and their grandparents.  To get that many people to stand in the right place, to look in the right direction – and to smile at the right time – can be like herding cats.”

Don Wright shooting Groomsmen in Murfreesboro TN

It really isn’t as easy as picking up your new canon 100000D with your shiny new lens, and switching it to “AUTO” mode and snapping away. Wedding photography takes planning, preparation, experience, and teamwork – let alone a careful eye and well trained shooter! I’ve heard HORROR stories about brides in the Southeast region who decide that they’ll have their “good friend from college” or “uncle who knows photography” document their special day for only a couple hundred dollars, and end up with nothing afterwards but a couple snapshots and dead flowers!

Groomsmen in Murfreesboro TN

Please, I beg you to research your next wedding photographers’ portfolio and talk to them about their experience. I’ve even posted a quick guide to questions your should ask your photographer!  For more tips on how to get the most out of your hard-earned dollars for photos that reflect artistry, magic, and professionalism, please check out my post about 10 Tips for Engagement Photos.

Questions to Ask a Wedding Photographer

Will he/she be taking the photos at your wedding?
Absolutely. I shoot all weddings and bring only my BEST photographers along!

Are they are a member of any associations or groups specific to the industy?
Only the National Photography Association – I try to spend more time shooting, and learning than attending social functions related to my work

What styles do they specialize in? Do they do any creative shoots?
I’m comfortable shooting any style you’d like, but I prefer to stray away from Olan Mills – style work. See my website for a variety of my shooting styles.

What type of camera will the photographer use?
Equipment list is as follows (updated regularly)
Nikon D200 Camera Body x 3
Nikon D90 Body
Nikon D80 Camera Body
Nikon D40 Camera Body

Nikkor 70-200 2.8 VR ED IS Lens
Nikkor 17-55mm 2.8 ED Lens
Nikkor 50mm 1.4 ED Lens
Nikkor 18-55 3.5 G Lens
Tamron 17-50 2.8 Lens
Nikkor 35mm 2.8 Lens

Multiple Flashes x 7
3 Pocket-Wizard Wireless Triggers
4 Alien Bee 1600 Watt Studio Strobes
3 Alien Bee 800 Watt Studio Strobes

Software I use:
Adobe Photoshop CS4, Adobe Illustrator CS4, Adobe Lightroom 2, DXO Optics Pro

Does the photographer use an assistant? Is there an extra charge for this?
Depending on what you choose for your Custom Wedding Package, I will use multiple assistants, however – I will always have at least one.

Will there be backup equipment available? And what happens if the photographer is ill?
We have more equipment than necessary and I have 4 Photographers who I trust unequivocally to cover for me if I’m in the hospital.

Can other people take photos while you are taking photos?
Only AFTER I’ve gotten the group shots I need . . . they can shoot all the candids they want, but you have HIRED me to do the best job I can possibly do documenting your wedding, and I need 100% participation from your wedding party, which means not distracting you with other cameras flashing at you while I’m trying to create a well crafted, beautiful image.

Has he/she worked at your event locations before? How did it work out?
Lighting issues and restrictions on using flashes may come up as a surprise once you are at your event location. If your photographer checks out the location beforehand, he will be prepared for these surprises.

Should your event last longer than scheduled, will they stay? Extra charge?
Depends on what we have agreed upon prior, but make sure and ask this question when you sit down with a prospective shooter!!!

What types of photos will be taken (B/W, Color, Antiques, etc..)?
You should know what type you want and if the photographer is willing to take more of what you want.

Will they accept of list from you, for specific photos to be taken?
Make sure the photographer is willing to accept a list of your must haves!

What attire will they and their assistants wear?
We wear Dark Colored clothing and stay professionally dressed – blend in with your attire

How long after the event will the proofs be ready?
Proofs will be ready GUARANTEED WITHIN THREE WEEKS, sometimes as soon as 3 Days

Will they give you the negatives or what is the charge?
For me, it depends on what we have agreed upon price-wise for your particular wedding, but PLEASE make sure and ask this question so there are no necessary surprises!

If you’d like, here’s a copy of this document “Questions You Should Ask Your Wedding Photographer” in ADOBE PDF format

1. Wear clothing that makes you look and feel like yourself, don’t pull out that shirt that looks nice, but you NEVER wear.

2. Avoid patterns or really bold stripes as it distracts from your wonderful face

3. Don’t wear matching clothes. Please. It looks cheesy and doesn’t provide separation between you two unique individuals.

4. Bring a change of clothes if you want a different look. Maybe several depending on timeframe.

5. Don’t camouflage yourself!! If we’re outside in spring, don’t wear green – if were in a concrete alley doing some grunge shots, don’t wear grey!

6. Men or women can wear jackets or other accessories to vary the look.

7. For ladies, I recommend getting hair and makeup professionally done for any session. Some photographers provide one, I have several who help with my sessions if you’re interested!

8. Mineral makeup is wonderful in photos. Regardless of mineral or not, bring some extra to touchup mid-shoot.

9. I ask everyone I shoot to meet with me several days before-hand for drinks/coffee – it sounds strange, but its the best way to get good photos as we skip the whole “getting to know eachother” 1/2 hour -

10. My photos are about YOU so don’t you dare act like anyone but yourself – and let me know some of your FAVORITE PLACES before hand – I’d like to shoot there!