How to Say, "No."

[RanceEric]

Hopefully someone can help me with this.. :bang:

My cousin is getting married in the near future and just this morning asked me if I could shoot at the wedding.. I was planning on bringing a camera and taking some shots for fun, but I do not want to work at my cousin's wedding. I want to relax and enjoy myself.. How do I say, "No"?

I feel like if I explain why I don't want to do it, she'll be offended.. Can't I just say, "I love you to death, but hell no!" lol (jk)

 

[Neare]

Explain that you're not a wedding photographer by trade and that he/she would be far better off having a professional wedding photographer who knows exactly what moments to catch and how to do it take on the job.

 

[LeicaFan]

Just tell her that you're not confident enough to shoot a wedding and that you'd hate to not get good shots.

 

[Roger Hicks]

How close are you?

From

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps weddings.html

This is not a guide to shooting weddings commercially. We have never done this, and we never want to. Rather, it's about shooting weddings for friends. This may either be because they're too young and broke to afford anything else (which accounted for the first two that Roger shot), or because they're very old friends and really, really want you to shoot their weddings: you would offend them more by refusing than you would by doing it on your terms.

(I added the bold type).

Cheers,

R.

 

[Beemermark]

This falls into the same category as "never loan money to a friend". Tell her you'll take some B&W for fun because photography is just a fun hobby for you. Make sure you tell her what a big compliment it is that she asked you.

On the flip side (having 3 daughters) weddings are incredibly expensive, even for the smallest affairs. Maybe she really can't afford a real photographer. But still with I'll take some for fun but I promise nothing.

Either that or come up with an excuse to miss it all together.

 

[RanceEric]

Thanks guys for the advice. Very helpful. I don't think it's a problem with money, she's having a fairly large affair. I think it's just me being the photographer in the family and being fairly close that she would ask me (and also she mentioned my grandmother, so she probably planted that seed in her head.. making it that much harder to declined, knowing her) I'm breaking the news to her momentarily.. I'll be sure to let her know I'm flattered by the request though. I'll let you all know how it goes.. Thanks again 😱

 

[Phil Holland]

Easy...say

"I'm afraid I can't. It's not my profession and I'd hate to experiment with your wedding memories. I'm so flattered that you asked, though."

 

[Haigh]

Wedding shots are too important to just snap off a few. I tell people who ask me to get a pro and I'll do the odd shot or two. I'm strict about saying no.

 

[RanceEric]

Well, I broke the news to her.. Apparently wasn't a problem. Guess I worry to much 🙄