This post/guide is great. I wish I would have stumbled across something like this when I was just starting out. Thanks for sharing your time and experience with us all!
As a noob, in the throws of preparing a business plan and feasibility study, this was an awesome post to stumble upon. I feel certain FM will be my most referenced resource as I move forward.
Props to Evan for laying it all out there in witty style (it is well written, have you missed your calling?). Equal props to unblinkable for recommending FM.
Excellent stuff. I wonder if a cautionary tale about not "uncle Bobbing" pros at weddings should be told? i.e., taking pictures nowhere near the pro is fine (and can make for some great portfolio shots), while kneeling in front during posed shots not-so-much...
I am newer to photography as only doing it for a hobby for the last 10 years or so (wildlife and landscape) I have done a number of events for charity and family and never a wedding while always leaving my camera at home when attending weddings. I will admit I have learned a lot just from watching the photographers do their art but this thread was very insightful. Thank you to all the men and women that truly love their art and willing to share this with us that take photo after photo watching our photos getting better with each and every insight shared. Maybe someday I will find the photographer that is willing to let me shoot second or just even let me assist for free so I can be introduced to the wedding photography world.
Thank you all that post positive information and share your knowledge.
Evan Baines: Not a wedding photographer or a second shooter, but have shot two weddings in the status of attendee while learning digital photography. Some of my photos turned out okay. Your commonsense remarks here hit home. The wise will take heed.
Sometimes this bunch isn't the most helpful to new people. Read the links contributed by Tim Miller and Evan Baines. Excellent advice and worth reading and re-reading. These are the first two sticky's in the wedding forum.
For your equipment, you need two bodies minimum (two is one, one is non, Mr. Baine's advice). Fast lenses that will handle low light conditions in dark churches or reception areas. Zooms need to be 2.8 fixed aperture and probably two basic primes 1.8 or lower.
Read this information over (several times) and then you'll be ready for more questions.
The suggestion about second shooting should be your next priority.
