OMG I don't freaking believe this!

[An Exception]

Italian Fashion designer (works in New York) wants me to photograph her wedding in Milan next year.
I tell her with a heavy heart that I'm booked for a wedding the day before. Seriously
She asks the following...
"Oh no! I guess that would be too tight. It would be horrible if you missed your plane or something.
Well that's a shame! I know this might sound weird, but would you recommend somebody else that works in Europe?
Living in New York I have no contacts with European photographers Somebody with a great sense of story telling, a unique eye, and a fascination for nostalgia. If you don't, I understand.
Thanks!"
I reply..
"I don’t really follow/know many other photographers.
I don’t know what your budget is, but if I was going to book a photographer it would be Ross Harvey, although there may be a good chance he’s already booked as he’s AMAZING."
I get back..
"Hey Rhys,

I just checked his website and as much as his photography is quite incredible, the colors are too loud and it's just too digital and bright

I have been photographing since I was a kid, and I still use film, and I like grain (or the idea of it), softer tones and a discrete eye that will capture the intimacy of that special day, I need somebody that will notice the same details than I would, That's why I like your photos so much and I feel like an idiot for not emailing you earlier.

I will investigate about back ups and other people, but I would be very very happy to have you, as long as you promise not to miss your flight! The wedding will be at 5pm, and I will need you to start documenting things around noon-1pm. Which gives you a bit of time if you get in the night before.

Let me know!"


Now I know 999 in 1000 would easily choose RH to shoot their wedding over me, but still.. that put a smile on my face.

 

[An Exception]

That's a shame, would be cool to shoot in Italy, destination weddings are great!

And that's not true that you don't follow or know many other photographers



hehe

Yes, I remember some weird things.

p.s. Jonas Peterson. Even someone RH looks up to.

http://jonaspeterson.com/

I guess you could make it, depending on where the wedding is, what time is the flight, it would be a very close shave. Even if you don't sleep, there is the thing about need another set of cards and battery since you won't be able to go back home to back up or time to recharge.

Had to turn down many weddings because of double booking, they are never good ! I want to shoot them all

You are right, that wasn't true. I guess I felt better losing a wedding to someone I considered to be the best. I guess your memory isn't so bad either!

Having looked at Jonas, I still think RH has the edge in terms of creative composition. Jonas however seems to be a master of emotion (of course with great composition also), and his pictures have a certain 'feeling'.

I'll plan it all out tomorrow and skype her. What I'll do is buy double the batteries and memory cards. I shoot SD + CF and have the images saved to both cards. I might get my brother or something to drive me so he can take a set of cards back with him for safe keeping.
Luckily the wedding is only around 19 miles from Birmingham airport.

Been waiting a while for some destination weddings, nearly had one for south of France not long ago as well.

 

[An Exception]

That's awesome mate! Bet your glad you never paid any attention to the posts about the grain

It did make me lol, then I read that.

Did you find out how she found you?

Pinterest of all places. I guess someone else must have posted one of my pictures as I don't post anything there.

Can't even imagine how good you must feel! I feel a price increase coming on....haha

I won't be increasing my prices yet until I reach my quota of weddings for 2015.
Unfortunately this year I haven't been featured on the main wedding blogs as the B&G's preferred not to. Have some weddings I really like still to process though, and B&G's are particularly keen to be published on RMW, LMD, Boho etc.

It really does make a big difference to the No. of people trying to book you. It's also a good way to visit a variety of venues.

 

[An Exception]

There are lots of things you need to find out before you speak to her.

i.e. there is only so far ahead you can book flights, the latest you leave the wedding the night before (you can't be leaving that earlier than you normally do), allow time for customs, check in, the flight time has to timed almost perfectly to allow enough time for sleeping, the travel from airport to hotel where you will be staying, the travel from the hotel you are staying to the bride in the morning. The cost of buying new set of cards and batteries (less of a concern personally speaking, it would be worth it). Rest will be really important, you want to be at the top of your game. One shot at it !

There are lots to consider and plan, and good luck !

Yes, lot's to consider. I'll think about it in more detail tomorrow, but so far I'm scheduled to finish the wedding the day before at 8.30pm.
Birmingham Airport is 30 minutes away. Flight time 2:10hrs. (not sure about checkin checkout times, perhaps you have an idea of these?). Wedding is in Milan, so will try to fly into Milan airport. I'll book a Hotel/B&B as close to Venue as possible. Will take a sleeping tablet on the plane to ensure some sleep when I get to hotel. Don't have to start work until 1pm, so can have a lay in until 11am or so.

I don't have any weddings in March so I may take a Holiday in Milan as a test run. Then I can check out the venue, and learn the lay of the land.
It wasn't long ago I didn't know how to get to and around London Lol.

 

[An Exception]

p.s. give yourself time to spare, you say you will leave at 8:30pm (not sure how you do it, I've never left before 12am!) but say if their speeches run late and first dance don't start until 10pm then are you going to leave for your flight and miss their first dance?

Thank for the rest of the info.

Regarding 8:30. I'm contracted for 10hrs, and B&G have asked me to stay until 8:30.
When I stay late at a wedding, it's just my own choice.
I have just got in touch with a school friend who asked me a while ago if he could tag along at one of my weddings (he's a keen amateur with a 5d3 and decent glass). I might pay him to second shoot with me, in order for me to make sure I can leave on time if the wedding runs behind. He could always stay a while after I leave.

Now to check out flight times...

 

[An Exception]

Hmm no flights in the evening it seems. The only thing that might be a possibility is an early flight in the morning of the wedding. It seems there are not any options to book that far out though (at least not without stops). but there seems to be allot of flights at the weekends from 6:45am from Birmingham, to land at 10'ish in Milan.

I might reluctantly just have to turn this down.