JayGannon
Well-known
I'm sorry but that statement singles you out, no assisting in a real world senario is in no possible way the same as watching a video or reading about it.
Shooting first wedding in June
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I'm sorry but that statement singles you out, no assisting in a real world senario is in no possible way the same as watching a video or reading about it.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Even worse idea to rent a lens you're not familiar with!
I agree I'd NEVER use one body, but for the last 30 years, all (six or so) of the weddings I've shot have been working with Frances. We each use two bodies and two lenses. It used to be that I used Leica and she used Nikon/Nikkormat, but for the last couple of weddings we've both used M-mount.
Cheers,
R.
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Roger Hicks
Veteran
I could not agree more.
"Anything that can go wrong, will, and anything that can't, is just waiting for an opportunity."
Assisting teaches you to spot (some of) this in advance and head it off at the pass, or to work around it. Sorry to be negative, but I think you're asking for trouble by offering a cut-price package. By all means work for expenses, with your labour as a wedding present, or (better still) do the whole thing as a gift. I'm not sure how many weddings I've shot -- under 10 -- but even now I'd never do it for money, and I'd CERTAINLY never have shot my first wedding (in my early 20s) as a commercial sole shooter.
Cheers,
R.
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Thardy
Veteran
No one has said anything about backup gear. Having only one of anything is surely a setup for trouble.
Ask for advice on the wedding subforum at photo.net.
Ask specifically about contracts and if you should even be contemplating this gig.
Ask for advice on the wedding subforum at photo.net.
Ask specifically about contracts and if you should even be contemplating this gig.
tlitody
Well-known
Last friends wedding I did some images of (I wasn't main photographer) I took a shot of bride and groom in the roller as they left the church. I accidentally let rip with a full blast of a flash from close up right in the brides face. Every shot after that you can see her turning her head away from the camera even when I wasn't too near. Be warned, flash can ruin your images in more ways than the just exposure.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Richard G
Veteran
You'll need to steel yourself before asking advice on the photo.net wedding forum, but every now and then they are remarkably nurturing and tolerant. Lots of expert advice though. A wedding thread is nearly always one at least of the long featured threads there on the site's opening page. I did a friend's wedding with two Ms years ago before I knew any better. I still shudder to think of it. At the time I thought the results were quite good. I can't remember now for sure their reaction. Years later I don't see them much and I would be too scared to ask. I wouldn't do it again, which means that maybe I am a little closer to being capable.
tlitody
Well-known
you gotta start somewhere and where better than doing it for someone you know and will have plenty time to discuss beforehand. Maybe too much time. You may get nagged about it for the next six months at work and live to regret doing it for friend. 😀
user237428934
User deletion pending
@Dan wagner: I first did a comment on your post but then thought about it and just reuse your first sentence.
"So many unintelligent statements made in one post, that a reply is fruitless. "
"So many unintelligent statements made in one post, that a reply is fruitless. "
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user237428934
User deletion pending
It's the same everywhere. A discussion starts and someone asks questions about his first wedding assignment. Every time some wedding pro will jump in and will tell the newbie that this is a stupid idea and that he needs so much experience, and he could make a couple very unhappy etc. etc.
Of course this could happen but I assume that this is just strict protectionism. The market is limited and no one of the pros wants some amateurs around that spoil the prices.
Of course this could happen but I assume that this is just strict protectionism. The market is limited and no one of the pros wants some amateurs around that spoil the prices.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
No. A wedding NON-pro can give advice as well -- which is hardly protectionism. This is all the more true when the wedding non-pro has shot several weddings.
Weddings are frightening. Think of your own. Then think of blowing at least $1000 on someone who doesn't actually know what he or she is doing. I've been married twice. Both weddings were shot by friends as a present. I knew what I was getting: I knew them as photographers. Also, I wasn't about to waste money on photographers who were even worse at weddngs than I, and I couldn't afford to spend money on wedding photographers who were significantly more competent than my chums.
Sure, 9 times out of 10, a paid-for wedding go fine. So will free weddings. The 10th time... well, I'd rather not be pretending to be a 'wedding professional' and charging someone for it.
Cheers,
R.
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user237428934
User deletion pending
You are absolutely right with this point. Paying 1000$ for a service without having a reference is a risk for the couple. But we already were at that point that we said this is too expensive for a first wedding.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I say let the OP rip into this wedding as he chooses and if he f***s it up it will be a valuable lesson in where not to dangle his toes in future.
He obviously has confidence in his abilities ... but all the ability in the world won't save your arse if the people having the wedding aren't happy with the end result. And having the chutzpah to ask someone for $1200.00 to do something you've never done before gets my vote for pure 'front!' 😀
He obviously has confidence in his abilities ... but all the ability in the world won't save your arse if the people having the wedding aren't happy with the end result. And having the chutzpah to ask someone for $1200.00 to do something you've never done before gets my vote for pure 'front!' 😀
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
A zoom on a DSLR ... you have to be kidding Roger.
What's to get familiar with when the camera can shoot comfortably at high ISOs and with multi pattern metering and selective auto focus all you have to do is aim the damned thing and press the button.
And work the zoom of course ... I forgot about that tricky part! 😀
tlitody
Well-known
I disagree. Assuming you can produce good quality people shots then what is $1000.
If you were doing it full time and given that there is a wedding season which is quite short, say 20 weeks, and doing one a week, you wouldn't make much money out of charging $1000 after costs which include equipment renewal, printing, travel, insurance etc. So a $1000 is pretty cheap if you ask me. It is an occasional rate. So is $1200.
easyrider
Photo addict
There is a lot of good advice here. The main thing is to tell the story of the wedding -- bride getting dressed +made up, the arrival, the ceremony and the party. You should make sure you get a shot of everyone there, either at their table or dancing. Get all the speakers and especially the members of both families. And, of course, the groups.
It will be wise to have a second camera for backup but don't overburden yourself with a variety of lenses and a mix of film and digital cameras.
Scouting the locations ahead of time is a must. Maybe attend the rehearsal and meet the person officiating.
I have shot a number of weddings over the years and did extensive reading about it before I started shooting. In film days I used to have anxiety attacks until I saw the processed pix. It is much easier with digital. (You can view a small, very informal wedding in my flickr link.)
If she likes your style and you, you are half-way there.
Good luck.
BTW: How big is the wedding? If it is a huge crowd and assistant maybe one who can shoot might come in handy.
It will be wise to have a second camera for backup but don't overburden yourself with a variety of lenses and a mix of film and digital cameras.
Scouting the locations ahead of time is a must. Maybe attend the rehearsal and meet the person officiating.
I have shot a number of weddings over the years and did extensive reading about it before I started shooting. In film days I used to have anxiety attacks until I saw the processed pix. It is much easier with digital. (You can view a small, very informal wedding in my flickr link.)
If she likes your style and you, you are half-way there.
Good luck.
BTW: How big is the wedding? If it is a huge crowd and assistant maybe one who can shoot might come in handy.
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user237428934
User deletion pending
We are talking about a one time job as the TO has another Job. I agree that $1000 is not much for someone who has to live from it. But even if you start as a pro you can't charge what you want to charge in two years with lots of experience. If you start a business you normally open it with some special discounts.
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
In business they say never work for family or friends, or co-workers for that matter. My professional advise is to steer clear of this gig.
Leigh Youdale
Well-known
Since you have time on your side you might like to browse some of the articles on wedding photography that are archived at this site <http://www.digital-photography-school.com/tips> - dig around and you'll find quite a bit of stuff including a list of the "must have" shots handling the crowd etc etc.
My thoughts are to go digital, use an appropriate zoom (or two) and have two bodies to cover a camera failure or having two different focal lengths already set up. If you want to use film/B&W/candids I'd suggest you get a second shooter along to do just that and each of you concentrate on one style you're trying to capture. The mindshift between formats and mediums when the pressure is on can all get a bit much.
And don't assume you can learn everything you'll need from watching YouTube. It's about the same as learning to fly a plane using a simulation program on your computer. Real time, first time, it feels a bit different!
My thoughts are to go digital, use an appropriate zoom (or two) and have two bodies to cover a camera failure or having two different focal lengths already set up. If you want to use film/B&W/candids I'd suggest you get a second shooter along to do just that and each of you concentrate on one style you're trying to capture. The mindshift between formats and mediums when the pressure is on can all get a bit much.
And don't assume you can learn everything you'll need from watching YouTube. It's about the same as learning to fly a plane using a simulation program on your computer. Real time, first time, it feels a bit different!
DennisPT
Well-known
I've shot a church wedding 2 weeks ago as a gift. Can't use words to describe how much I enjoyed during shooting and after the film was developed. I guess there's something money can't buy...
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