GO Photography is officially launched, and my first paid wedding

Well, I'd always imagined a greater ...oh, I don't know..."fanfare" with the launch of my photography company, but I'm ultimately a man of practicality (and a huge package!) and discussions with an accountant friend convinced me that sooner was better than later. Sooner than the April 30th tax deadline in fact. After many weeks of hand-wringing over the name of my new sole-proprietorship (having once been incorporated as an engineering consultant) I was both elated and somewhat disappointed that the decision was made somewhat easier by virtue of Canada's taxation laws. Seems as though I have somewhat unlimited rights to use my name or initials for the purposes of establishing a small business (Within certain revenue limitations). So, though its hardly catchy or memorable, the lack of need to register the name (Free is always good, particularly as I'd have to register it again in Nova Scotia in 4-months time)makes it very convenient to just settle on "GO Photography" for the time being. And so, today I officially announce to my friends the launch of GO Photography as a commercial entity. Unfortunately, you've all missed the launch party by 1 year and 115 days, as from an accounting standpoint, it officially launched January 1st, 2006. Yep, its time I got some back of that RETARDED amount of money I spent on studio gear and photography capital for specifically that reason, and the time is NOW as I need the cash for school and I'll be doing this part time while in school to help pay for it. Also, as I just had my first commercial shoot on the weekend, I'm now generating revenue and having to claim the income and associated expenses on next years' return.

Which brings me to the other issue of note, my first commercial shoot last Saturday! Granted, I have shot two weddings prior for family and friends whom either didn't have the money for a photographer (I was already MC), had a wedding day change of heart (I also Best Man), or just plain had a photographer that wasn't up to the task (ok, I might be taking liberties there). It was both better than and worse than I expected, despite all of my preparations and the fact that I had a photographer's assistant at my disposal. Kudos to my long-time friend and ex Masha for doing such an admirable job with only two hours' training. But really, it was both a proverbial zoo and an awesome learning experience. A zoo because it is really, really difficult to try and manage a picture involving cameras, flashes, and reflectors while at the same time dumping memory cards, swapping batteries and trying to keep track of a 12-person wedding party that, while cooperative, was somewhat distracted throughout the whole process. Contact lens irritation, runny noses, somewhat-inebriated groomsmen, a couple of kids and, of all things, a public protest in the park nearby led by a mega-phone wielding Marijuana fanatic who kept calling up to us for some reason. And, on the other side, there was also the "learning" part of the experience. What I learned was that handling the people is 70% of the challenge, and that challenge is best accomplished via good communication with the minister and delegation of wedding party management to the MC or maid of honour (the best man recruited to carry gear, of course!). I also learned the value of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) in the art of wedding photography. Case in point, though a man can have an artistic vision of the wedding and a 10-page sketch book of poses to go by, ultimately I'm merely a photographer at the behest of a bride and groom that would rather have shots of them getting down to "Rasputin" than posing for shots that are perhaps more suited to a bridal magazine. That is, there is something to be said for just giving up on the artistic vision with a multi-flash setup when running from shot to shot, just putting the camera on "Auto ISO" and "Aperture Priority" and throwing the flash onto the hotshoe in fully auto mode.When there isn't a lot of time between shots, one simply cannot treat it like a studio shoot. Ultimately, some shots came out far better than I expected and a few a little worse; strangely, two of the best came in the last 10 minutes before the reception in a stroke of inspiration. Once I get through them and have a chance to review with Bride and Groom, I'll post a few here and the rest to my Flickr site for everyone to see. Anyway, it all happened about as well as could be expected for a first time out, and I know I'm a bigger critic of my own skill than will by my client, but I'll know how I'll do a few things differently next time. Next up, a studio shoot with a belly dancer and a portrait session with an industry friend. Ciao!