I usually don't go above 2000 unless I'm doing something more artistic with minimal lighting

I like to be really mobile so I rarely use off camera lighting at receptions. We've had a lot of clients use killer up-lighting which is gorgeous for our shots. If there's no extra lighting, we'll use one Litepanel on a lightstand to shoot into.

105mm 2.8 Macro

It's all a game of lighting. I didn't use any flash or reflectors (we had to travel super light), so it was about utilizing the sunlight and setting our speed and aperture to achieve the most accurate exposure.

I always shoot on Manual and adjust my settings to the 3-d Tracking 51 points and selectively focus for each frame.

Thanks!! I use a 105mm 2.8 Nikor macro

Usually defined as a wedding with a budget of $100,000 or above

YES! I use and LOVE ShootQ. It seriously saved my business and my sanity!

Not always. It never hurts to stick yourself out there and ask. I took on interns last year when I wasn't looking for one (I've actually learned that I prefer to pay someone and have consistency in my business)

Depends on how busy I am, but my contract says somewhere between 6-8 weeks to view proofs, and then discs come following client approval - possibly up to 12 weeks. And yes, weddings have a longer timeline.

Are we talking bridal or fashion? It's different for both. But for bridal/weddings, I use and love TwoBrightLights. They're pretty awesome and definitely affordable!

Sucky.

Wow - there are so many variables here... like how you're positioning the people, sunlight, settings - I wish I could tell you some magic recipe, but I would say to try shoooting on Program if Manual isn't working for you. You should be on a higher aperture (program will adjust given the conditions) and maybe bump up your iso slightly

um, I guess I'd go for the 24-70? I don't shoot Canon or zooms - so I'm a little out of my area here....

My second shooters are in-house shooters - meaning they're hired by me. They do sign a non-compete for both starting their own business as well as second shooting for other photographers in a competing market. I'm not strict with assistants, however. Both of my employed second shooters have been trained by me personally and are not aspiring to own their own business.

Yes! If you can upgrade to the D700 - DO IT! Full frame made a huge difference and the D700 was the single most important business purchase I made in 2010.

I'm a big fan of prime lenses. Generally speaking they're a bit more expensive, but a good business investment either way.

Finao! (and thanks!!)

I have a little list of people I highly recommend and highly recommend my clients contact them. It makes a huge difference. I'm fortunate enough that my clients trust my opinion enough to go for it :) I don't charge - I just put them in touch.

Sadly, I don't follow too many anymore. But, my favorites are Elizabeth Messina and Jose Villa... and I have a little girl-crush on Jessica Claire. I feel like one of those "I'm a Yankees fan because they always win" kind of people - I wish I had some not-as-popular faves... but I'm so out of the loop sometimes! I'm always really impressed by photographers I stumble across randomly.