Bride wants to sing her entrance

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I would not give it a second thought. What's important here is that she wants to sing - not what you prefer the image to be.
Photograph people as they are, not as artificially contrived perfection. The goal is a perfect moment not a perfect image.
These are people, not dolls. Photograph the bride singing mic and all. This is what they want to remember, what she really wants, and what that moment really is.

If we get in the habit of focusing on perfect imagery instead of perfect moments we end up in a very cruel place. For example, if the bride had a gap in her teeth would you fix her smile with Photoshop? That would be insulting. Extreme example but, when we start staging life to please the image, instead of making images from a pleasing life - this is the direction we are heading.
 
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Proformance said:
I would not give it a second thought. What's important here is that she wants to sing - not what you prefer the image to be.
Photograph people as they are, not as artificially contrived perfection. The goal is a perfect moment not a perfect image.
These are people, not dolls. Photograph the bride singing mic and all. This is what they want to remember, what she really wants, and what that moment really is.

If we get in the habit of focusing on perfect imagery instead of perfect moments we end up in a very cruel place. For example, if the bride had a gap in her teeth would you fix her smile with Photoshop? That would be insulting. Extreme example but, when we start staging life to please the image, instead of making images from a pleasing life - this is the direction we are heading.
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Agree to a point .. given that she will have a tough time altering that "look" until the end of ceremony, she should at least be informed of it .. she may not have given it a minute of thought. Her decision, but that doesn't mean one can't point out the potential issues (sound drop out, wind noise, etc.) and have a plan B.
 
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Recording it would be the best bet. I remember so many weddings with the wind so bad that the mic is basically off.
 
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Proformance said:
I would not give it a second thought. What's important here is that she wants to sing - not what you prefer the image to be.
Photograph people as they are, not as artificially contrived perfection. The goal is a perfect moment not a perfect image.
These are people, not dolls. Photograph the bride singing mic and all. This is what they want to remember, what she really wants, and what that moment really is.

If we get in the habit of focusing on perfect imagery instead of perfect moments we end up in a very cruel place. For example, if the bride had a gap in her teeth would you fix her smile with Photoshop? That would be insulting. Extreme example but, when we start staging life to please the image, instead of making images from a pleasing life - this is the direction we are heading.
Click to expand...

While your DJ advice is usually on point your photography advice is ignorant. These brides do not want "reality photos", as I heard it phrased by a prospect recently. They want processing, they want (and demand) perfection. We had one in April where the guy had two lazy eyes and, during the meetings, his main concern was that we could photoshop his eyes to fix them. I just recently lost one because the bride was our portfolio shots were "reality photography". This girl might want a microphone in front of her face, but I'd be really surprised.
 
steve149 said:
Agree to a point .. given that she will have a tough time altering that "look" until the end of ceremony, she should at least be informed of it .. she may not have given it a minute of thought. Her decision, but that doesn't mean one can't point out the potential issues (sound drop out, wind noise, etc.) and have a plan B.
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Nonsense. The bride removing the microphone need be no more disruptive to the wedding than waiting for the ring bearer to step forward, or the officiant to find a page in his/her book. There are prescribed methods for doing this and it is done on stages and sets all the time.

Singing into the bouquet? Lip syncing? How cheap can you get? To get paid well for customer service you have to stop cutting corners and faking it. Provide a service that enables people to realize their intentions.
 
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rickryan.com said:
While your DJ advice is usually on point your photography advice is ignorant. These brides do not want "reality photos", as I heard it phrased by a prospect recently. They want processing, they want (and demand) perfection. We had one in April where the guy had two lazy eyes and, during the meetings, his main concern was that we could photoshop his eyes to fix them. I just recently lost one because the bride was our portfolio shots were "reality photography". This girl might want a microphone in front of her face, but I'd be really surprised.
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I would not correct someone's lazy eyes in Photoshop. The enhanced photo (fraud) will forever be an uncomfortable experience for anyone it is shown too, and a constant reminder to the subject of their own insecurity, or sense of inadequacy. Sad commentary on the bride too, if she was okay with this idea. This is way beyond removing some temporary acne, blemish, or unwanted background artifact like a beer bottle.

There are some compassionate things that can be done with Photoshop, but what you are describing diminishes rather than enhances the person's humanity.
 
Proformance said:
I would not correct someone's lazy eyes in Photoshop. The enhanced photo (fraud) will forever be an uncomfortable experience for anyone it is shown too, and a constant reminder to the subject of their own insecurity, or sense of inadequacy. Sad commentary on the bride too, if she was okay with this idea. This is way beyond removing some temporary acne, blemish, or unwanted background artifact like a beer bottle.

There are some compassionate things that can be done with Photoshop, but what you are describing diminishes rather than enhances the person's humanity.
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Singing into the bouquet? Lip syncing? How cheap can you get? To get paid well for customer service you have to stop cutting corners and faking it. Provide a service that enables people to realize their intentions.
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I see your multiple-personalities are showing. You fuss at Steve, scolding him about "customer service" then, you tell me "I would not correct". You're really a piece of work.

As for my client, you're completely wrong. This guy had some pretty serious physical disabilities and made a simple request regarding something that troubled him, which we made provision for. Yes, it's above and beyond the call, and took a lot of hours to make it happen, but we provided superior CUSTOMER SERVICE to our clients and they were thrilled. There's no sad commentary here, except for your forked tongue.
 
B-Sharp said:
That's the groom's job. :)
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Years ago, my brother was providing sound for Barbara Bush. He was trying to figure out, discreetly, how to put a bodypack on the First Lady. He said she realized his situation, then just yanked her skirt straight out. Problem solved.
 
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rickryan.com said:
Years ago, my brother was providing sound for Barbara Bush. He was trying to figure out, discreetly, how to put a bodypack on the First Lady. He said she realized his situation, then just yanked her skirt straight out. Problem solved.
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Florence Henderson is the same way. A reporter was having trouble clipping a mic on her shirt so she said here just run up the inside of my shirt as she pulled her shirt out. She said "Don't worry, you won't be the first....or last guy up there!!!!!"
 
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Proformance said:
Nonsense. The bride removing the microphone need be no more disruptive to the wedding than waiting for the ring bearer to step forward, or the officiant to find a page in his/her book. There are prescribed methods for doing this and it is done on stages and sets all the time.

Singing into the bouquet? Lip syncing? How cheap can you get? To get paid well for customer service you have to stop cutting corners and faking it. Provide a service that enables people to realize their intentions.
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Tell me how easy it is if it is wired under the dress and you have nervous and anxious attendants .. tucking it in temporarily may or may not be an option depending on the dress/veil .. and on stage or set, they rehearse .. and rehearse .. doesn't seem to be an option here. But you can instruct us on the proper technique to get it done if you'd like.

A handheld mic can be made more idiotproof .. if you don't like the flowers, she can swap one for the other with the MoH .. just offering options And I didn't mention lip-syncing .. a pre-recorded song played would be just as nice for most people. I've done too many live events to know the issues that can arise, and if you don't have a knowledgeable user and little time to practice .. it COULD go sour quick.

One of the things that separates the "professional" is the ability to consult with the client while helping them realize their vision .. taking into account everything else they didn't think of. Every vision isn't readily or cheaply realized.
 
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steve149 said:
One of the things that separates the "professional" is the ability to consult with the client while helping them realize their vision .. taking into account everything else they didn't think of. Every vision isn't readily or cheaply realized.
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You are simply describing expediency for the sake of the vendor; ready and cheap. Steering the client away from something the vendor is unwilling or unable to do, is not professionalism.

The client has not expressed any issue - this complaint is coming solely from the vendor.
 
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Proformance said:
You are simply describing expediency for the sake of the vendor; ready and cheap. Steering the client away from something the vendor is unwilling or unable to do, is not professionalism.

The client has not expressed any issue - this complaint is coming solely from the vendor.
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Steve is correct, you are wrong in this case. The bride only know she wants to sing her entrance to her husband. A headset seems the right choice to her, but she's not really grasped the problems with it. I (gently) tried to persuade her to use a hand-held and stopped pushing when it didn't seem to suit her wants. Knowing the problems, I'll make another attempt to convince her, as we get a bit closer to the date. A true professional takes into account the clients wishes and balances them against the best option to accomplish the task, then educates the client. In the end, the pro says "Yes ma'am" and goes the route they want. Only a coward is afraid to help educate their client. I don't call it professional when you're willing to let the client step on themselves. THAT is taking the easy way out.
 
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Proformance said:
You are simply describing expediency for the sake of the vendor; ready and cheap. Steering the client away from something the vendor is unwilling or unable to do, is not professionalism.

The client has not expressed any issue - this complaint is coming solely from the vendor.
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The client may not know better enough to describe any issue. I'm describing reality .. not expediency.
 
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rickryan.com said:
Steve is correct, you are wrong in this case. The bride only know she wants to sing her entrance to her husband. A headset seems the right choice to her, but she's not really grasped the problems with it. I (gently) tried to persuade her to use a hand-held and stopped pushing when it didn't seem to suit her wants. Knowing the problems, I'll make another attempt to convince her, as we get a bit closer to the date. A true professional takes into account the clients wishes and balances them against the best option to accomplish the task, then educates the client. In the end, the pro says "Yes ma'am" and goes the route they want. Only a coward is afraid to help educate their client. I don't call it professional when you're willing to let the client step on themselves. THAT is taking the easy way out.
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As I said, this all about you getting your way. Instead of educating yourself about how to do this, your singular focus is to "educate" (cajole) her into doing what is easy for you. There's nothing wrong with this clinet's footing. She's being stepped on by her vendor.
 
steve149 said:
The client may not know better enough to describe any issue. I'm describing reality .. not expediency.
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Bingo! This is simply an argument about "who knows better" because the reality is that this type of thing is done by professionals on live sets every day. There is no indication that the bride cannot afford, or is unwilling to do this; no indication that it will not work, or cannot meet the aesthetic requirements - only resistance on the part of the vendor to make an effort. That's expediency not reality.
 
Proformance said:
Bingo! This is simply an argument about "who knows better" because the reality is that this type of thing is done by professionals on live sets every day. There is no indication that the bride cannot afford, or is unwilling to do this; no indication that it will not work, or cannot meet the aesthetic requirements - only resistance on the part of the vendor to make an effort.
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Yes .. live sets .. with all the attendant pieces. There is also no indication that the bride has mentioned a large budget to do that 1 song, so you either need to explain to her all that is needed to make it happen .. or .. what it would cost to make it happen .. or take the pragmatic approach that she simply wants to sing a song and give her some easy options INCLUDING ones that take the other factors into consideration .. like a true professional would.

I don't know better .. but I do know more .. might as well use some of that.
 
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Bob .. still waiting for some actual suggestions to make this happen short of bringing in a stage manager .. maybe you have something the collective hasn't thought of and could actually be useful information.
 
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