Howdy.
Been self employed for 15+ years and the past 11 as a photographer - mostly weddings, HS seniors and sports leagues with a bit of whatever comes in the door (reunions, babies, families, pets, etc).
Added my take on a photobooth about 4 or 5 years ago...this year I saw a big price cut at the bridal show..what $1500 4 years go is now $600.
Antoher thing is I saw 2 DJ only folks there and only 1 photographer only (out of 9 offering photography). Some mix of dj/booth/video/photo has become very popular.
I added DJ quietly about 18 months ago, buying a system from a photographer friend that did DJ on the side before jumping inot wedding photography full time when his company laid him off. He figured higher average sale and less weight to heft about.
it's a passive setup, with two amps, mackie i1400/mackie S500 (15") speakers with an upgraded peavey 18" sub, with BBE maximizer. I added LED lighting (2 pars, chauvet 4play, mini kinta), a pair of PR12 peavey speakers and last week a galaxian laser and 12" EV active sub (new in box for $300. sounds great but of course won't rattle the walls).
My 'smaller' system is the PR12s and now the EV sub, all fits in my car. I can stuff the peavey 18" sub in there but at 85 lbs it's not fun (I'm 54).
I use VDJ8 and a peavey USB6 mixer, shure wireless mic and a few odds and ends.
this year i've started marketing, got a website finally even if it is very rough, its a start. Working on pics and video to add to it.
Plan now is to up my MC game, be more an entertainer, and be able to up my price by 50% for next year.
I'm doing about 2 gigs a month which is way up from last year, but still not where I want to be.
Been self employed for 15+ years and the past 11 as a photographer - mostly weddings, HS seniors and sports leagues with a bit of whatever comes in the door (reunions, babies, families, pets, etc).
Added my take on a photobooth about 4 or 5 years ago...this year I saw a big price cut at the bridal show..what $1500 4 years go is now $600.
Antoher thing is I saw 2 DJ only folks there and only 1 photographer only (out of 9 offering photography). Some mix of dj/booth/video/photo has become very popular.
I added DJ quietly about 18 months ago, buying a system from a photographer friend that did DJ on the side before jumping inot wedding photography full time when his company laid him off. He figured higher average sale and less weight to heft about.
it's a passive setup, with two amps, mackie i1400/mackie S500 (15") speakers with an upgraded peavey 18" sub, with BBE maximizer. I added LED lighting (2 pars, chauvet 4play, mini kinta), a pair of PR12 peavey speakers and last week a galaxian laser and 12" EV active sub (new in box for $300. sounds great but of course won't rattle the walls).
My 'smaller' system is the PR12s and now the EV sub, all fits in my car. I can stuff the peavey 18" sub in there but at 85 lbs it's not fun (I'm 54).
I use VDJ8 and a peavey USB6 mixer, shure wireless mic and a few odds and ends.
this year i've started marketing, got a website finally even if it is very rough, its a start. Working on pics and video to add to it.
Plan now is to up my MC game, be more an entertainer, and be able to up my price by 50% for next year.
I'm doing about 2 gigs a month which is way up from last year, but still not where I want to be.
