joseph premanandan

my suggestion is to do the best you can. Explain to your friend that you are not a professional wedding photographer and that this wedding is most likely is a one time special event. Explain to them that Some or many of your photos may not be to the wedding party's liking. But if they still insist that you should be their photographer no matter what, then go for it. Good luck.

Gatorcoach Loc: New Jersey

Sure, but I would greatly lower my expectations and cross my fingers!

traderjohn Loc: New York City

We did something similar. There were 15 tables and my wife placed two disposable cameras on each table with the request to return the camera to the wedding coordinator/MC. We got back 27. The photographer supplied Bride and Groom album and two smaller albums for both parents. Very nice, she and her assistants did a great job. However, the pictures we enjoy the most are those taken with disposable cameras. There was, of course, a few pictures of my nephew and his friends in the bathroom. Think mirrors...Jerome. I informed my sister. That will not happen again

chfrus

Don't. They will be disappointed and will not take into consideration that you are a novice. Their expectations will be high not knowing anything about photography.

ELNikkor

If you do take the job, the 18-150 should cover everything. Study the type of shots wedding photographers take, & GO TO THE REHEARSAL! Talk to the bride & groom during the rehearsal about events of the wedding, people they want to be sure are in photos, expectations of must-have shots. Write it down, memorize it, take it with you. Decide on where to stand and when, AT THE REHEARSAL. At the reception, be a photo-journalist, get shots of each guest table, & candids of the B&G talking with guests.
Going from landscape to people photographer is a jump not everyone can make, especially for a never-to-be-repeated and crucial event like a wedding. They are taking a risk by asking you, you are taking a risk by accepting, but, it can be done. I've done many similar weddings, and can not stress enough how much easier it was if I first WENT TO THE REHEARSAL!
At the REHEARSAL you can decide with the B&G at what point they want to do the group photos with family, themselves, guests. You will end up being the director, calling for the next group, and arranging them on how/where to stand, how to pose, being sure no one's head is blocking other's faces etc. Bring extra batteries & SD cards. DO NOT TAKE THE 18-400! You do not need anything over 150.

Pistnbroke Loc: UK

Most of the advice you get here is not from wedding photographers because they will not tell you how to do it ..I have retired after 40 years so this is what to do.
Just use the 18-400. set at F8 , Aperture mode ,auto iso and tape up any dials that could get knocked. Change to P mode for the disco .You dont want to bother about the equipment just use the camera as a point and shoot.
If you have a flash in the shoe then when the flash is ON only shoot landscape or you will get side shadows ..crop later.
On the day you should remember you take photos with your mouth not the camera..you are in charge and say what to do , Dress like a professional. Have a list of who is there or write as shot list . You always build up groups around the B and G ..do brides family first ,then grooms family , then friends so they can go to the bar . Then do the arty stuff with the B /g and bridesmaids etc . For the service stand at the front on the right as you look down the aisle. you can look at my website www.1and1photography.co.uk you can use biden@hotmail.com to get into the client area and look at Rob and Joe on the top line for guidance.

agillot

PIXEL , i am with you on that one , 18/400 will cover anything , a practice shot in the or a church would be good .i have done in the past a few weddings , it can be fun .also use a second pocket camera as a backup in case .

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I did professional wedding photography for over 30 years. My advice, DO NOT DO IT.
But, I know your going to, so have them sign a contract to the effect that, 1. you are not a professional 2. The bride and groom will not hold you responsible for any bad images. Or any language you want to that effect. Have there name printed below the signature line and date the contract.
Personally I think your getting into something you may regret in the near future. Especially during a pandemic.

colt4x5 Loc: Central Connecticut

Danger, Will Robinson!

vpeek1947 Loc: Louisville, Ky

I have over 200 weddings under my belt - too old and don't do them anymore.

Suggestion 1 - review youtube videos and look at what other photographers have shot.

Suggestion 2 - Scout the Church and attend the rehearsal (real time practice) - no surprises.

Suggestion 3 - Talk to the couple/family and see what their expectations are.

Suggestion 4 - Relax and have fun with it - you will do fine.

Tstplt Loc: Northwest Arkansas

I am a school trained (Brooks) commercial and medical photographer. I don't do weddings! I was once asked by one of our lab techs in a hospital I was working at to shoot her wedding. I said no. She would not take no for an answer. Finally, I said yes and was asked how much I would charge (1977). I quoted my day rate and said I would give them two black and white 5x7s for the paper, and an album of 12 8x10s of the wedding. She said, "that's too much. I talked to a professional downtown and he didn't ask that much." I said, "there's your answer."

joseph premanandan

As long you tell them that you are an amateur photographer and make them aware that the photos you took may or may not come out right. His friend’s family can not afford a professional wedding photographer and Otherwise , They would have a wedding without the photos and nothing to look back on. So I would oblige to their request and then hope and pray that the photos come out reasonably well.

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

Well don't wan't to jinx you but--my best friend years ago asked for a photographer for his wedding
I wouldnt do it. So being in advertising I got a shooter and he bought a new flash. Flash didnt synch
no photos. Well they got divorced years later.

I would explain that your are going to shoot like a documentary or news event. No setup group shots.
Just whatever you can capture on the fly. If they understand this then OK. If they want what a pro
wedding guy would do say I can't do that.
Notes: I like the 24mm. I am a producer and videographer now. I was asked by the local chamber
to shoot a few events like news stories. I found the best setup was my Sony 6300 crop sensor with
my a 16 to 70 was just wide enough for group shots at the local high school dinner for honor students.
I have a Sony a7s II reputed to be one of the best full frame low light camera's my pro camera's are too complicated for a first time shoot of a wedding.
I hope this helps. Or doesnt confuse you. Tell them them the most honored wedding shooters
now shoot like stories and without big setups. You will need a good difused flash. Good luck.
PS one thought if you have a good smart phone to get a hand stabilizer to hold it and use that.
The problem is you will find wide angle really works and the newest phones have wide angle.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

That lens is an f6.3.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Don’t do it.

If you decide to anyway, search for any of the dozen threads on UHH on the same subject. It’s just too hard to distill all the hard earned (some gained from making irreparable mistakes) knowledge of successful wedding photography into a single post.