Dear Fellow Hogs,

As in the past, you’re my first “go-to” advisors on photography matters. This one relates to my daughter asking that I be her wedding photographer. I’m an average amateur plus if things go afoul, the last one you want to complain that her wedding pictures are junk is your daughter.

The wedding takes place at the Coco Cay beach (Caribbean) during a cruise with family and friends. She contracted a photographer from the cruise line. However, she still insists that I take pictures of the wedding. She thinks my shots will be better and more candid. I’m not keen about getting in photographer’s way. That’s a no-no. However, I can take some shots before, during and after the wedding. I’ve never done weddings as a “job”. I’ve taken fashion shots of a granddaughter for a contest. So, whatever advice I get from you folks will be appreciated. Advice requested encompasses, pre-event prep, equipment, use of flash, settings, cameras, poses, and whatever else you believe to be important if I want to make every shot a “keeper”. (Not likely, but good to think positive.)

I have two months to practice.

I have 3 go-to cameras: Nikon D610, Sony a7R, and a Fujifilm X100F. Lenses are somewhat scarce.

My preference is for the Nikon D610 with a Nikon 35mm-70mm 2.8D and Nikon SB-700 Speedlight (image quality, long-lasting battery, versatile lens). As a backup, I would have the Fujifilm X100F (fixed 23mm lens). And that’s it.

I’m not considering the Sony a7R. Nice camera but all I have is a 28-70mm 3.5-5.6 kit lens, and a Samyang 85mm 1.4 all-manual lens. Plus, battery life is shorter than that of a fruit fly. Have no speedlight for this camera.

Due to reduced travel gear, I haven’t considered a tripod nor light reflectors. But I will if your advice is to do so.

The wedding is a day event; before noon. So, light may be ok. Hopefully, no rain.

I’m one of those that’s intimidated by speedlights and TTL or manual adjustments, so I better get some practice in before the wedding.

Well, seems like a lot. Sorry. But would greatly appreciate your insights.

Best to all. Val

Dear Fellow Hogs,

As in the past, you’re my first “go-to” advisors on photography matters. This one relates to my daughter asking that I be her wedding photographer. I’m an average amateur plus if things go afoul, the last one you want to complain that her wedding pictures are junk is your daughter.

The wedding takes place at the Coco Cay beach (Caribbean) during a cruise with family and friends. She contracted a photographer from the cruise line. However, she still insists that I take pictures of the wedding. She thinks my shots will be better and more candid. I’m not keen about getting in photographer’s way. That’s a no-no. However, I can take some shots before, during and after the wedding. I’ve never done weddings as a “job”. I’ve taken fashion shots of a granddaughter for a contest. So, whatever advice I get from you folks will be appreciated. Advice requested encompasses, pre-event prep, equipment, use of flash, settings, cameras, poses, and whatever else you believe to be important if I want to make every shot a “keeper”. (Not likely, but good to think positive.)

I have two months to practice.

I have 3 go-to cameras: Nikon D610, Sony a7R, and a Fujifilm X100F. Lenses are somewhat scarce.

My preference is for the Nikon D610 with a Nikon 35mm-70mm 2.8D and Nikon SB-700 Speedlight (image quality, long-lasting battery, versatile lens). As a backup, I would have the Fujifilm X100F (fixed 23mm lens). And that’s it.

I’m not considering the Sony a7R. Nice camera but all I have is a 28-70mm 3.5-5.6 kit lens, and a Samyang 85mm 1.4 all-manual lens. Plus, battery life is shorter than that of a fruit fly. Have no speedlight for this camera.

Due to reduced travel gear, I haven’t considered a tripod nor light reflectors. But I will if your advice is to do so.

The wedding is a day event; before noon. So, light may be ok. Hopefully, no rain.

I’m one of those that’s intimidated by speedlights and TTL or manual adjustments, so I better get some practice in before the wedding.

Well, seems like a lot. Sorry. But would greatly appreciate your insights.

Best to all. Val

My wife and I had a very informal wedding, and neither of us had any desire for the nice artsy stuff professionals produce ... then some friends of ours - fellow poor grad students - offered to take snapshots in lieu of {costly} gifts, so that is what we did. We're approaching our 39th anniversary, and we've never regretted that decision.

But once you've hired a pro, the whole narrative is different. S/he needs to work unhindered - and from the most recent wedding I attended, an army of smart phone toting guests will make that hard enough. If you're just taking candid's, any camera {preferably small} will do - the "FF only" rule will be irrelevant - so take a small one if you wish, but do try to enjoy yourself!!

What a lovely request!! But I would say no if I were you! And it's not what you think.

I would scout around for a photographer that takes a journalistic approach to weddings and decline to take more than a few pictures, but not because of your ability. The process of taking photos will take you away from the ceremony and other goings-on of the day, and you don't want that. It's a great honor to be nominated and very sweet that she has confidence in you -- and prefers the vibe she sees in your photos. But you will miss a lot in the process of catching (or trying to catch) everything.