cochese

My stepdaughter asked me to do the bery same thing last September. I reluctantly agreed aafter she nearly begged me to do it. Like you I am an avid hobbiest, I get some good shots occasionally. When the contracted pro arrived I promply introduced myself and alerted them to the situation. We struck up a conversatio about gear and style etc. It was a short talk really. I assured her that I was just taking family photos and I would try to stay out of her way and to let me know if I was in any way obstructing her from doing her job. Later at the reception sbe found me shooting the dance floor and even gave me some tips on shooting in the constantly changing lights. My suggestion would be to do the same, let them know you are not their competition and work together. I did get some shots that the pro did not, only because her job was to concentrate mostly on the bride and groom...I was free to float for many great candids of everyone at the event.

ajpag

Been there, done that... when my oldest son got married, they hired a pro who came with an assistant. Similar setting, outdoors, later of course the party moved inside. I've been shooting since a youngster, so here's how it went... first off met with the hired camera and she and her assistant became best of friends.
I would of course take my own shots and when she say an opportunity she would wave her hand over the crowd motioning me over to her position for an even better shot. We worked in symmetry the whole wedding. All our shots were excellent with both of us capturing unique moments. Leave us say the bride and groom and the respective families got more than they ever imagined, so jump at the chance to do your daughter's wedding, it'll be a blast and leave the door open to learn some... gear is as follows: her, 3 canons, 1 with a tele, 1 with a strobe (bounce up) and the other with a short lense.. me, Nikon 7000 with a 16-85 and a 700 strobe. Anthony

hightor Loc: Portland, Maine

I see that this subject has attracted a LOT of response, so I'll keep it short. Take the 610, short zoom and nothing else, communicate with the hired people before hand so you don't blind-side them, BUT tell your daughter you may not be able to shoot much because it's YOUR DAUGHTER'S WEDDING AND A BIG DAY FOR YOU TOO!
Enjoy it.

appealnow Loc: Dallas, Texas

I have been drafted to be the sole photographer at two family weddings, my brother's about fifty years ago and my niece's about nine years ago. Fraught with anxiety if they don't come out. As father of the bride, I am not sure you want to be worrying about taking photos. I know I wouldn't. Often there are plenty of folks with cameras. If you take anything, take just your Nikon, the flash and the 35-70, which should be fine for just about everything. Don't bog yourself down with a bunch of stuff, and changing lenses is a complete pain. Besides, you will miss shots that you wish you had gotten because you had to react really fast to shoot it.

toxdoc42

You know what they about a doctor who takes care of himself or family and the same for an attorney!

I.A.Teacher

Every suggestion are great. Now, it will be up to you to use the power of persuasion to convince your daughter to follow them. Good Luck doing that.

stu352 Loc: MA/RI Border

Great suggestions above, especially ones that say DON'T. I mess around with photography a little, and my daughter suggested that I make a little business out of doing weddings. I said NO, because I'd have to deal with BRIDES. She was going to be a bridesmaid in a few weeks and understood perfectly.

I've shot photos a a few family weddings, cousin's kids and whatnot. I concentrate on the stuff the pros don't cover. Nieces and nephews crawling under the tables, the chaos as the pros try to herd all the groom's mother's cousins into a group photo, significant groups of family members, etc. Give them a CD full of photos, no charge.

My son gets married this fall. My full Canon kit will stay home. But my G9x just might be in my pocket for before and after...

Stu

paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah

A FEW THINGS to consider. You daughter wants more coverage than the pro can do which is fine. She will not like your pictures as well as the pro no matter how good they are. It will take you away from the ceremony. Do not interfere with the pro, Many people let the pro set up the picture and then before he can shoot move in and take the photograph stealing his thunder and ruining his picture. Some pros will let you take the photo after they have shot theirs but let them shoot first. BTW second shots are never as good as the first. A pro cannot think of all situations and will have a certain agenda to follow and that will be it. Their imagination will be gone and with that goes their creativity. So you get standard shots. I have seen some pro do excellent work, good work and lousy work. Know what you are doing because it is easy to screw it up and it is a one time situation. Double check your equipment and especially check your settings. Do not forget the memory card. Be considerate of peoples ages.
People that take pictures for family and always second rate not matter how good you are, then they will always want to tell you what to do. It is a once in a lifetime situation. Your work will probably not be appreciated.
Or you can go and have a good time and leave the driving to someone else.

sxrich

I shoot weddings now occasionally and I would NOT do it. My daughter hired a pro to handle her actual wedding. I volunteered to do some getting ready shots of the groom and groomsmen, his mom and dad. So, I was very amateurish at the time when it came to weddings. First thing that happens, my Phottix Mistros Flash dies (should have gotten the sb700). Thank God I had a 50mm 1.8 with me. Everything was indoors and lower light. So, I actually got some good shots but realized then, no way am I going to miss the fun that I deserve on my daughters wedding day. Nor did I realize how much work and potential aggravation a wedding can be. People jumping in front of you with their cell phones, drunks at the reception, etc. Not to bring up negatives but there was a lot more to it that I thought.

Besperus Loc: Oregon

While a “Pro” may have the equipment and technical experience he will not know who is who and the trelationship and social politics each represents. As such, I have had my share of miss steps. As the Dad of the outfit you have greater inside knowledge in this regard. You have an important roll to play aside from photographer. Much of the advice laid out here is quite good. Bring the Fuji for an occasional grab shot of a special moment a pro might not recognize.Help the pro if willing to cooperate in this regard, while understanding the “pro” may have a program to follow which works to get the most of the occasion.Good Luck and enjoy the moment as a proud papa!

dds48

Get a photographer to do the main shots and if you have a 200mm lens stand in the background and take unposed pictures of people being natural. I did this at a friends wedding and got some great pictures. There was no pressure to get them right, if they did not work it did not matter. this would be great learning experience for you without the worry.

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

I agree 100%. Your job at the wedding is NOT to be a photographer.......your job is to be the "father of the bride". Everyone has a role and yours is NOT a photographer on that very special day for your daughter and your family.

Nancysc

60 years ago my dad took up photography for his work (PR for Southern Bell) and organized a home darkroom. He was artistic to start with, so his success in photography came quickly. He used a twin reflex camera, no tripod, one lens, and took excellent pictures. Several times he took pix at friends' weddings, including two I was in as a bridesmaid. He did not attempt to shoot inside the church during the wedding, let the pro do the line-ups, and circulated at the reception. His wedding gift to the couple was a packet of 8x10 b/ws which everyone treasured. Years later I did the same thing at a friend's reception and she and her husband loved my shots more than the pro's staged (but necessary) portraits. The reception was outdoors on a sunny day and with my Olympus OM-2s and a 35-105 lens I was able to get head shots of the key players. I presented prints to the couple and they loved them. So I say to Dad, take a simple camera with your best portrait lens and fire away at the events before and after the actual service/ritual and enjoy yourself as well. You won't be in the way of the pro. My dad never had a complaint from the pros, as he did not shoot in the church/hall and did not set up a tripod or use flash.

Nancysc

I should note that my dad was not the father of the bride, but the bride in this thread wants her dad to take some candids, and what does the father of the bride do at the reception anyway? He's mostly writing checks and may make a toast at the rehearsal dinner and the reception. Dancing with the bride also and the pro can take shots during these events.

Mr palmer Loc: Currently: Colorado, USA, Terra, Sol

You are the FOB (Father of the Bride); don't mess up your historic emotional role for your daughter. If you don't grab a P&S and stick it in a pocket, then just throw the Fuji over your shoulder and focus on getting close and personal. Keep your arms as free as possible as you can hold her hand, hug her lots, and wipe away tears. The P&S is perfect because you can hold her hand while you pull it out and get a close up of your hands entwined. THOSE are the photos you can contribute to her memories. The contracted guy will get the rest. Yours will be the most important.