HELP! I was invited to be a wedding photographer.

[JohnTF]

Not necessarily. In many cases like this one, it's Uncle Joe doing it for free or the couple goes without a photographer at all. So it isn't taking food off of anyone's table.

However, one wedding I did, the couple plead extreme poverty. They lived in a mobile home in the country, we knew they didn't have much, so we really lowered the price and did it for next to nothing. Then we went to the reception, and they had flown in a band from outside the USA to play, at nearly 10,000 dollars for the evening. I felt like a right chump for falling for their pleas.

Maybe they told the band they got a great photographer for a low price. ;-)

Gotta stick in the craw, but you know it says more about them than you. Ultimately you do a good job for your pride, however, you might want to cut the shot of them dancing with you standing on a chair, the way things are going, you can count on a fall. (seriously, though we used to do it, I would never recommend it now)

Am sure you will get valuable referrals as well.

If single, hit on the brides maids. ;-)

Regards, John

 

[Ranchu]

Kind of late on this, but I wanted to make a contribution for my first post!

I've only shot a few weddings, and you've recieved a lot of good advice from previous posters. I wouldn't charge, look at your costs as payment for the education you'll get from the experience. Money will raise expectations, and sometimes when money's tight people lool for reasons to be unhappy. Unfortunate.

Technically, back up everything, especially the flashes, have two and know them backwards and forwards, and a brick of batteries. I carried one flash (Metz 45cl!) once, it died 20 minutes before I was going to start packing up, that was enough of that, never again. You will need the flashes, or everything indoors at 1600, in my experience.

Don't lose your cool, know the schedule, know where you'll need to be shooting from when, but stay adaptable. It's not easy.

And remember, it's all about the bride!

PS: Don't use nimh in older flashes, the higher current available will fry them. Alkaline only 😉.

 

[pakeha]

lota talk about money here, quess ya awl went to school in a big yellow bus, do it and don`t stress,i have seen some crap from pros, you know those black and whites with a bright red rose imposed - gawd! , beach shots where the couple fill about 15% of the frame etc, etc, use your confidence and all the positve stuff posted above, regards