Archive for November, 2008

How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost

Sunday, November 23rd, 2008
wedding
Robert Reno asked:

Most people will say that wedding photography is both an art and a science. You need to capture the right emotions during key times that can not be recreated. So how much does a wedding photographer cost? I will tell you this much, you will usually get what you pay for. This includes the creativity and time spent to create something unique. A professional wedding photographer in Michigan works very hard for the fee they request.

 

You want your wedding to be perfect, and nothing is more important than the images from your once in a lifetime special event. You will look back on these photos ten or twenty years from now reflecting on these precious memories. What do you expect from your wedding photographer? Do you want something simple, or something truly customized to your needs? This is a question you will have to ask yourself before finding out how much a wedding photographer will cost.

 

How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost

 

Well have you decided on what you’re looking for yet? Before you do, you will need to understand the difference between cheap and good. I am sure you heard the slogan, ‘Cheap is not good and good is not cheap’. You will usually get what you pay for. As mentioned earlier this will be reflected in the time and energy put into your wedding day.

 

Knowing that your memories are on the line, you will have to feel comfortable with the wedding photographer you hire for your special occasion. Do you get the vibe that they will be able to deliver on your wedding day? Can they handle the expectations you have set for them? The best advice is to look over their portfolio and see if you notice any trends. If you do, then you are probably dealing with a cookie cutter service that does not step outside the sphere of influence often. Another Biggie is recent references from brides within the last six months. These people will be able to tell you how they felt about their decision and the wedding photographer you are considering.

 

Cheap Wedding Photographers in Michigan

 

Buyer beware, there are many part time hobbyist out there that claim the title as a full time devoted wedding specialist. When looking over their portfolios do you notice color and emotion? Do their pictures tell a story about the day as it unfolds? Some different poses and indoor outdoor shots will give you an idea of the imagination of the vendor you are working with. This has to be one of the most important aspects of the choice you make. For example, many cheap wedding photographers in Michigan might not carry this trait. If they do, then their prices may be set low to acquire business because of a lack of referrals. You will have to do the investigating to figure out how their prices compare and what is the reasoning behind their pricing structure.

 

Average Wedding Photographer Prices

 

It never ceases to amaze me that most brides make decisions based on pricing alone. This is a big no no when it comes to hiring the company that can make or break the entire evening let alone day. Going back to what we said earlier price should be the least important factor. Now I would like you to think really hard for one moment.

 

Do you want your wedding reception and wedding ceremony pictures to be average

 

Honestly, no bride does. Your wedding is different from all the others being planned. So how does your photographer set him/herself apart from the competition? Do they bring additional assistants to get more than one perspective? What is the turn around time on the proofs? To help you distinguish between the average and the exceptional, I have laid out a couple of helpful tips on how to choose a wedding photographer below.

 

Why hire a professional wedding photographer

 

First of all you will have piece of mind knowing that you are in good hands. The last thing you need to be is stressed on your wedding day wondering if the photographer is going to show up. Now you many save hundreds by cutting corners and going with a lower priced service, but it may cost you thousands later down the road. Looking back on those precious images will they hold up to the standards and quality that you were expecting? Also a professional wedding photographer has to be able to finesse themselves into intimate situations to get the shot. This means having the courtesy not to compromise that special moment just to get the shot.

 

How do I search for a professional wedding photographer

 

If you stumbled upon this article, then you are searching over the web. This is a good place to start to get a general idea of what is expected. From there I would setup up several consultations to see their work and discuss their packages. Something to pay close attention to is the way they handle their consultation. Are you just another bride, or do they work extra hard to make sure you completely understand the options and how they will personalize your day? If you are hung up on the pricing, then you may ignore their reasoning and justifications until you get a price and that can cloud your decision.

 

Another good place to start the hunt for the photographer is through friends and family. They will also be able to tell you of their experiences and results. Make sure to get references and check with at least three of them. Most wedding photographers in Michigan will travel. Find out what their coverage area is if you are planning a destination wedding.

 

Narrow down the list of photographers for your wedding

 

Now that you are a pro at interviewing and knowing what to expect, you may be on the fence with several companies. Do not get me wrong, price is important but going back to the main question you will have to find out what you want. Not all photographers are created equally so you will have to find the one that suits your particular style. Several different styles are traditional, classic, and casual candid. You may also what to check with the cinematic or photojournalistic approaches. A professional wedding photographer will be able to distinguish and explain the different approaches better.

 

When do I speak with my wedding photographer company

 

Everyone is different on this issue. Personally a reputable company will want to maintain a close relation and constant communication with their client to ensure a mutual understanding. However, some may have a few conversations over the phone or in their studio to finalize the details. Either way, it is important that you express exactly what you want so that the two of you are on the same page.

 

The photographer you are speaking with, will they be the one shooting on your big day? Make sure to see the portfolio shots of the actual photographer that will be shooting on your wedding day.

 

How much does a wedding photographer cost

 

The real question to ask, is how much will I be getting in value. This price range can vary between $1,000 to $10,000. You can expect to pay a minimum of $1,500 for a small Sunday wedding and a minimum of $2,500 for a small Saturday wedding. If you are offered a package for less than $1,000 then you are probably dealing with a cheap wedding photographer that does not have the experience. Most couples under estimate the cost of their photographer by as much as 50%! A good rule of thumb is to expect to pay twice as much as you are considering. A typical wedding photographer is usually 15-25% of the total wedding cost.

 

How Much Time Does a Professional Wedding Photographer require in order to give me what I need

 

The time your photographer spends on your wedding, will depend on what type of events you will have. No two weddings are the same, and your options vary. This includes:

 

Rehearsal dinners and services

Brides preparation

Formal bride and bridesmaid photography prior to the wedding

Formal bride and groom photography prior to the wedding

Wedding ceremony

Leaving the church (post ceremony)

Formal group photographs

Reception photography, including grand entrance, speeches, toasts, first dance, father daughter dance, mother son dance, bridal party dance, cake cutting, bouquet and garter, and final departure from the reception

 

How many wedding photographs should I get

 

Many professional wedding photographers include the cost of proofs in their packages. These proofs are typically 4×6″ prints. The amount of proofs will depend on how much film is shooting. The minimum is roughly 120-150 shots. This is a typical number to work from, because from there you can select the best shots for your album or to be enlarged.

 

About those wedding photography negatives, who keeps them

 

Some Michigan wedding photographers will keep the negatives and have their brides order reprints after the wedding reception. These photographers make a portion of their income from these orders and enlargements. These photographers will usually keep the negatives on file for 2 years giving you the option to order if necessary. Other wedding photographers in Michigan will give back the negatives for you to use. Keep in mind that this option may be more costly since you will only have to use their services once. Make sure to ask this question to find out what exactly happens to the negatives after the wedding.

 

Wedding Photography packages in Michigan

 

Many photographers in Michigan offer packages with their services that cover a variety of options. This way you can select the one that best fits with what you are looking for. It is sometimes more effective to have the wedding photographer arrange the album (if it is included in your package), because they will have the creativity of arranging the images in a way that tells a story. Not only will this save you time, but this cost is usually a small percentage of the total price. However the cost will depend on a couple of different things:

 

Time allowed to photograph the wedding ceremony and reception

The amount of wedding proofs/photos

The number of enlargements requested

The overall layout and type of photo albums. You can have them for your parents or just different themes. As mentioned earlier the cost is usually not that significant however the more expensive albums will have a better quality and longer life span.

 

Is black and white wedding photography still in style

 

A more traditional approach to wedding photos is black and white instead of color. This will give a timeless feel with a touch of elegance. Your wedding photographer should offer B&W along with color photos. You can always change a color picture into B&W, but a pro will shoot the negative in black and white. The impression that black and white photos will give is amazing, and usually these pictures are more costly. Any reputable wedding photographer should have a printer dedicated solely to printing these images.

 

Final considerations for a Wedding Photographer in Michigan

 

So we laid out 10 points above on how to narrow down the gap between the wedding photographers you are looking at. A couple of final considerations are the type of lighting your photographer will be using, the equipment/filters, how many assistants, and photo copyrights. Now that you have been given some great advice on how to choose a wedding photographer, it is up to you to make the final decision.

 

 

The Impact of the Committee System on University Management in Benue State of Nigeria

Monday, November 3rd, 2008
university
ebi asked:

Introduction

The Senate is the highest academic body in the university system with the Vice-Chancellor as its chairman. Its authority covers all academic matters although some, such as appointments, are shared with council. It is Senate that has the formal authority under the university’s charter and status to make academic policy. Therefore, for it to take meaningful decisions it has to create certain committees. Council is the governing body of the University and is the formal employer of all university staff. It is charged with the general control and superintendent of the Policy, Finance and Property of the University. University employees are required under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor to carry out Councils policies. To that extent the Vice-Chancellor may be seen as “Chief Executive”. He is supported by the Registrar who is responsible for the university’s academic and administrative supportive services.

The use of committees was entrenched in the Laws/Acts establishing Nigerian Universities as indicated in the University of Ibadan Act of 1962 which states that: “Anybody or persons established by the Act shall without prejudice of the generality, shall have power to appoint committees consisting of members of that body and subject to the provisions of sub-section(7) of section four of this Act to authorize committee established by it to exercise, on its behalf, such of its functions as it may determine”. In the management of higher institutions, committees play very important roles in the decision making process. This is because as democratic establishments, universities’ decisions on governance must reflect the opinion of a cross section of the staff if such decisions are to be accepted. This explains why many institutions in the country have established many committees to assist management in arriving at useful and meaningful decisions that can facilitate the proper management and growth of the university system of education.

Ede (2000), describes universities as international communities engaged in the daily business of the search for knowledge and truth. Ogunmodede (1981), states that authority of governance of Nigerian Universities is derived from an external source – The Visitor, who invariably is the president in the case of a Federal University and the Governor in the case of a State University. According to Daudu (1986), the management of such complex organization requires participation through the committee system because of the bureaucratic, collegial and political models that are applicable in them.

Nwachukwu {1988}, describes a committee as a device for achieving coordination of activities and sharing information among various departments and divisions of an organizations. He further states that committee decisions help to promote better coordination in an organization. Ikenwe (1998), highlighting the work of Foxworthy (1971), wrote that the primary motive of instituting the committee system in institutional governance has grown out of the motive concern for democratizing decision making in those institutions and a recognition of the need for more broadly based decision making as universities become more complex. This explains why many institutions in the country established many committees to assist its management in arriving at useful and meaningful decisions that can facilitate the proper management and growth of the university system of education.

In view of the importance of the committee system in university management, it is therefore necessary to investigate its impact on the effective and efficient management of the university system in Benue State of Nigeria.

Statement of the Problem

There have been frequent cries by some members of the university community that the committee system may not necessarily be the best method of effectively managing a university system. These staff members argue that the disadvantages of the committee system on university management appear to out weigh the advantages. Various segments of the staff have severally expressed their grievances, some violently and others peacefully over non implementation of committee decisions. These crises negate effective management of higher institutions. There is therefore the need to investigate this problem

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to investigate how effectively committees affect university management in Benue State of Nigeria. Specifically, the study is concerned with the level of staff participation in the various committees and their confidence and trust in these committees and their importance in the management of the university system.

Research Questions

The following questions were answered by the study:-

(i) Does the committee system improve decision making process in the universities?

(ii) Does the committee system lead to greater participation of members of staff in the university community?

(iii) Do decisions made by committees instill greater confidence in the university community?

(iv) Do committees provide effective advisory services to Vice- Chancellors?

(v) Do committees’ recommendations influence opinion of the university council and senate towards proper management of the institutions?

Hypotheses

The following hypotheses were formulated:-

(i) The committee system will not significantly lead to the participation of a higher number of staff in university management.

(ii) The committee system will not significantly improve decision making process in university management.

(iii) The committee system will not significantly instill greater confidence in the university.

(iv) The committee system will not significantly influence university management.

Methodology

The population of the study was made up of the staff members of the two universities in Benue State of Nigeria. The stratified random sampling technique was adopted for this study because of the large population involved. The population was therefore arranged into five sub-groups or strata. This helped to ease data collection and analyses. In effect, the study samples consist of 203 members of senior staff, 109 members bringing the total to 312 drawn from the study sample. The study used one structured questionnaire for the 312 respondents. The adopted Likert Four Point rating scale of 4, 3, 2, and 1, was used to analyze responses in the questionnaire.

Method of Data Analysis

The mean, standard deviation and t-test were used to verify results and arrive at certain conclusions. A mean of 2.50 was used as cut-off point of decision making for each item on the instrument. Any item with a mean of 2.50 and above was considered adequate and hence enhances the level of respondents on the use of committees in university governance. Any item with a mean of 2.50 and above was considered adequate and hence enhances the level of respondents on the use of committees in university governance. Any item with a mean of less than 2.50 was considered inadequate. The four hypotheses formulated for this study were tested at 0.05 level of significance using student t-test for each. Where the calculated value is greater than the table value of t at 0.05 level of significance, the null was not accepted. On the other hand, if the calculated value is less than the table value of t at 0.05 level of significance, the null hypotheses was accepted. After subjecting the responses to the above statistical methods and analyses, three out of the four null hypotheses were not accepted, while the fourth was accepted.

Hypotheses One

The committee system will not significantly lead to the participation of a large number of staff in university management.

Assumptions

N1 5

X1 15.25

S1 4.35

N2 6

X2 5.99

S2 2.80

df 6 Cal-t

cal.t Value 2.85 Table

table Value 2.45

Decision

Do not accept.

The result of the first hypothesis as shown above clearly indicates that the committee system encourages participation of a large number staff. Tahir (1991), agrees with this finding as he states that leadership must evolve styles that can ensure effective staff and student participation in decision making that affect them. Gwary (1993), also maintained that full participation is a process where each individual member of a decision making body has equal power to determine the outcome of the decision. This means that the use of participatory system of governance in the university system cannot be overemphasized. There must be full participation of individuals who are effective and efficient so as to help the growth of the committee system in university governance. It is then therefore worthy to mention that staff participation in the decision that affects their working lives is essential for effective management.

Hypotheses Two

The committee system will not significantly improve decision making process in university governance

Assumptions

N1 8

X1 24.62

S1 6.82

N2 7

X2 14.90

S2 6.20

df 13

Cal-tValue2.674

TableValue2.15

DecisionDo not accept.