p.4 #1 · Being asked to shoot a wedding when you aren't a wedding photographer
I think many of the posters on this thread care way more about the photography of this wedding than the Bride and the OP. For most of the second (and a third but he was remarrying his first wife ) weddings that I have been to its 10% "most important day of their life" and 90% party and reception with old friend and famiily. A few went to city hall with a couple witnesses and their photog and met us all at the "reception" much more of a party than anything else.
Everybody learns differently, and the OP will probably do ok just as most of us have done when doing something out of our comfort zones.
p.4 #2 · Being asked to shoot a wedding when you aren't a wedding photographer
I think many of us started shooting weddings under very similar situations, and clients and photographers alike survived. But luckily for me I had no idea this forum existed and was spared what you're going through, haha. In my case, my good buddy's widowed Mom asked me to shoot her wedding and - gasp, wait for it - I couldn't say no, haha. I'd been shooting a while and was fairly competent - knew my way around my Canon 40D (like you, I did have backup equipment, but I had no insurance or anything else so you'll be ahead of me in that respect. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.). She insisted on paying me so I quoted her $800, which felt right for the situation. I started researching what was being done in the world of wedding photography and was blown away. Started making a mental checklist of all the amazing shots I was going to capture. In the end it was everything I could do to just make sure I caught the "must-have" moments. I was blown away by how fast-moving everything was. And that had everything to do with it being my first wedding and not having knowledge of the day's flow. After you photograph a number of weddings (I'm still somewhat of a newb in this forum with maybe 40 or 50 weddings under my belt now) the flow and sequence becomes somewhat second nature, which allows you to concentrate on other things... like making nice pictures.
As far as renting equipment - rent the same body you're already familiar with so it's intuitive, but maybe experiment and have fun with whatever lenses you rent. Maybe rent some lenses you've had on your wish list so you can decide whether you actually like them or not.
If you decide to shoot the wedding I'm pretty sure you'll be fine. I look at the photos from that first wedding I shot and it was safe, a bit boring, but fine. The client loved them.
p.4 #3 · Being asked to shoot a wedding when you aren't a wedding photographer
Micky and Mitch, I thank both of you for your open minded replies.
I look at this situation like this: If photography was a priority of their's they wouldn't be looking for a hobbyist who has a few pictures on a website to shoot their wedding. I can't see them having these ultra high expectations especially after I show them what could go wrong. I promise though, I won't be using direct flash unless it's to fill lol.
It's one of those "Well since you put it that way" situations for me. I made it extremely clear that my hobbyist photography as good as they think or don't think it is, is very different from event photography. Especially as something as important as a wedding. The response was that it's not a big deal, and the wedding is very small < 50 people, and they just want some pictures from the day. They made it seem like the event wasn't that special and that if the pictures don't come out great that it wouldn't be a big deal. That's why I am considering it, because of the NBD picture they painted.
If there was any hint of, "I want the best pictures money can buy" this wouldn't even be a thread. But once they establish specifically what they are looking for and what they expect to get from me, I can't say yes or no to the request. I want to have my ducks in a row to make an educated decision.
If the place is well lit, I may just borrow a second D7000 and the lenses I have from a friend.
p.4 #4 · Being asked to shoot a wedding when you aren't a wedding photographer
Hi Ballistics,
I do think you've been spoken to rather harshly in response to your original post and the actual content of your post seems to have been misrepresented too. Well done for staying as diplomatic as you have.
I know you don't have any interest at this point in shooting weddings but if the bride is aware of the risks then I think it can be good experience for you. If you don't do it she'll likely go with some Craigslist hack anyway as it doesn't seem she's willing to spend decent money on a pro wedding photographer. (after that she'll hate her photographs and resent you for not doing it!)
If you have time ahead of the wedding I would offer to assist a local wedding photographer first, just to get an idea of running order/positioning of the photographer at certain moments throughout the day .
With regards to the photography, just keep it as simple as you can to concentrate on what's going on around you rather than the cameras. Either a 24-70 on one body and 50mm 1.4/8 on the other or a 35mm/85mm combination would be good. Try and act like a PJ if you can rather than directing events and you'll get some nice interactions/expressions.
p.4 #5 · Being asked to shoot a wedding when you aren't a wedding photographer
Guillaume de B wrote:
Hi Ballistics,
I do think you've been spoken to rather harshly in response to your original post and the actual content of your post seems to have been misrepresented too. Well done for staying as diplomatic as you have.
I know you don't have any interest at this point in shooting weddings but if the bride is aware of the risks then I think it can be good experience for you. If you don't do it she'll likely go with some Craigslist hack anyway as it doesn't seem she's willing to spend decent money on a pro wedding photographer. (after that she'll hate her photographs and resent you for not doing it!)
If you have time ahead of the wedding I would offer to assist a local wedding photographer first, just to get an idea of running order/positioning of the photographer at certain moments throughout the day .
With regards to the photography, just keep it as simple as you can to concentrate on what's going on around you rather than the cameras. Either a 24-70 on one body and 50mm 1.4/8 on the other or a 35mm/85mm combination would be good. Try and act like a PJ if you can rather than directing events and you'll get some nice interactions/expressions.
Those are actually some good ideas you have. There's a few months to the wedding, so maybe just for the experience I'll check to see if any photographers are in need of a second shooter. The network at my school for that sort of thing is pretty strong and I'm glad you brought up the idea. I'll see what's available. I'll get to make a quick buck, learn something, and maybe find out that I enjoy it.
p.4 #6 · Being asked to shoot a wedding when you aren't a wedding photographer
^^ This, FM has got very hostile of late, I guess peeps are feeling the pinch. They ALL had there first wedding at some point. Bizarrely falling over themselves to help newbies outside their continent
Just do one thing, Draft a contract that sets out expectations and deliverables clearly and have it signed by all Parties. Put this line in
"You have requested my services in the knowledge that I .... have never shot a wedding and have no experience of wedding photography" Sign here .................................
This couple MEET IN PERSON and sign contract in person. NB
Do a venue rec with your camera and take some shots in various lighting scenarios, inside and outside, pre plan and have all equipment clean and ready, formatted cards, spare batteries. Leave nothing to chance in equipment division.
If you sign up for another one in the future, you better have dots on the i's, If not there could be a lawsuit in your future
Have a blast, weddings are hard work, this you will come to appreciate, they also can be a lot of fun.
p.4 #7 · Being asked to shoot a wedding when you aren't a wedding photographer
jofoto photo wrote:
^^ This, FM has got very hostile of late, I guess peeps are feeling the pinch. They ALL had there first wedding at some point. Bizarrely falling over themselves to help newbies outside their continent
Just do one thing, Draft a contract that sets out expectations and deliverables clearly and have it signed by all Parties. Put this line in
"You have requested my services in the knowledge that I .... have never shot a wedding and have no experience of wedding photography" Sign here .................................
This couple MEET IN PERSON and sign contract in person. NB
Do a venue rec with your camera and take some shots in various lighting scenarios, inside and outside, pre plan and have all equipment clean and ready, formatted cards, spare batteries. Leave nothing to chance in equipment division.
If you sign up for another one in the future, you better have dots on the i's, If not there could be a lawsuit in your future
Have a blast, weddings are hard work, this you will come to appreciate, they also can be a lot of fun.
Well thank you for this. I guess the day time members are a lot more understanding than the night ones lol.
I'll be sure to be very specific with my contract. I'll even use that line word for word.
p.4 #9 · Being asked to shoot a wedding when you aren't a wedding photographer
lol morby, if you only knew Shot a full week of NCAA sports including a 3 day swimming meet, softball, baseball, mens and women's basketball, equestrian, 2 bridal shoots and 1 engagement shoot - so a Saturday off was more than welcomed.
p.4 #10 · Being asked to shoot a wedding when you aren't a wedding photographer
Worst thing that happened was I shot a wedding for 1400 - and that was a favor for church friends. Delivered images 2 weeks after wedding and client was happy and satisfied. 1 year after that, I get served for a lawsuit claiming that the images were not satisfactory for 3x the cost of the fees ( 4,200 ) which was the maximum they could sue for here in TX. This was when I was starting off, so I unfortunately did not have E&O insurance and had to pay for a lawyer out of pocket to fight the suit. Carried on for 6 months, multiple court visits, bitter and angry feelings towards the clients, lots of time and money and eventually settled for 600 ( even though I was in the right ). Total nightmare with what I thought was going to be a breeze in the park and satisfied clients. I switched churches because I got sick to my stomach and angry if I ever saw the couple at church and it was just bad. THATS why I say you never know. Because you just don't.... Found out later that the couple was going through a divorce and I suspect this played a part in the lawsuit.
Probably not going to happen to you. Most likely not going to happen. But when it does, it's awful and I don't know if I would wish that type of situation on even my enemies....so when I warn you, it's from experience and because honestly, some things are worth walking away from.
Ballistics wrote:
So then fill me in here. What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you by shooting a wedding.
p.4 #11 · Being asked to shoot a wedding when you aren't a wedding photographer
I don't have a ton to add to this that others haven't already said. Everyone starts somewhere, and I certainly didn't have any clue on contracts, insurance, or backup equipment. Nothing ever terrible happened to me, but looking back I could have really gotten into some major legal problems if anything had. I've talked to enough photographers and heard so many different stories that I know with weddings - anything is possible. You seem like you're going into it with way more knowledge and forethought than I did. The main thing I'd offer to consider is the fact that the potential clients themselves don't seem like they even care that much about how the photography turns out from your description. Shooting a wedding is a lot of hard work, and there is really zero reward to it if the people you're shooting for have a blase attitude towards photography.
p.4 #12 · Being asked to shoot a wedding when you aren't a wedding photographer
Daboyle wrote:
lol morby, if you only knew Shot a full week of NCAA sports including a 3 day swimming meet, softball, baseball, mens and women's basketball, equestrian, 2 bridal shoots and 1 engagement shoot - so a Saturday off was more than welcomed.
p.4 #13 · Being asked to shoot a wedding when you aren't a wedding photographer
Ballistics wrote:
"Gracious to what exactly? I didn't start getting usable advice up until a few posts ago."
You are funny, really. I gave you constructive advice within the first few posts. But you ignored it, instead you are acting offensive here as a first time visitor. Man, you are sooo cool.
p.4 #14 · Being asked to shoot a wedding when you aren't a wedding photographer
You seem like you're going into it with way more knowledge and forethought than I did. The main thing I'd offer to consider is the fact that the potential clients themselves don't seem like they even care that much about how the photography turns out from your description. Shooting a wedding is a lot of hard work, and there is really zero reward to it if the people you're shooting for have a blase attitude towards photography.
I agree, however the reward for me is just the experience. I'm a very hard critic of my own photos and I've rarely produced anything that I was proud to show. I figure, if I could come up with something in that situation, I'd be very happy.
p.4 #15 · Being asked to shoot a wedding when you aren't a wedding photographer
heikoM wrote:
Ballistics wrote:
"Gracious to what exactly? I didn't start getting usable advice up until a few posts ago."
You are funny, really. I gave you constructive advice within the first few posts. But you ignored it, instead you are acting offensive here as a first time visitor. Man, you are sooo cool.
I canīt help myself, I do not like you (0:
heiko
Yeah, I obviously missed that post Heiko, otherwise I would have acknowledged the only light post in the sea of dark ones. I made a mistake, being human and all. Notice how I thanked everyone else that gave me constructive advice? I was busy being attacked from multiple angles, and now I have you to add to that all because I missed your post. Thanks for your first post, but this is silly.
) weddings that I have been to its 10% "most important day of their life" and 90% party and reception with old friend and famiily. A few went to city hall with a couple witnesses and their photog and met us all at the "reception" much more of a party than anything else.
