stuart416

They will most likely not be happy with the result. Flash on camera is death on indoor pictures (red eye). Will you be giving them a thumb drive or providing the prints as well? The proper posing of family pictures requires experience (pointing toes, standing on angles, etc.) If they are too cheap to hire a professional I doubt they will be grateful for your efforts. A few good pictures of family pets is not a wedding. If you must go ahead due to your altruism, at least rent an off-camera flash. Amazon has many flash attachments that are quite inexpensive. A stroboframe and flash could cost less than $50 and give you excellent results. Practice first and good luck. I photographed weddings professionally for over 15 years and I am still embarrassed by my first one.

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

I see there are at least seven pages of responses, and from just this first page, what I'm about to say has already been said. Ready? NO!!! If the pros are too expensive, perhaps they shouldn't be hosting a wedding. That said, I've seen the work from one wedding photographer, actually a camera store salesman in Indiana. His work is amazing. I could get boastful and say that my multi-decades of photography ""should make me a great wedding photographer"", but that kind of photography is also a MINDSET. The Indiana photographer does amazing work because his -mind- works that way.

Just say "sorry, but no".

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

This is the best answer so far and I agree with it completely. If they can't afford a professional they can't afford a professional. Andy's most important advice is do not charge them anything or accept money as that will change the nature of expectations all around. As a family member with some photographic skills you can help fill in the void but you must talk to them about expectations and maybe get them to have another family member with some authority help you herd this flock of cats for the pictures. Find out what kind of shots they really want and talk to them about how you can get them. If possible go to the site of the wedding (and reception) before hand and take a bunch of pictures at the time of day of the wedding--that will help a lot when you get there for the action.

I shot some of my niece's wedding not too long ago and it's difficult but not impossible. My biggest challenge was lighting as I had to push my camera and lens pretty far and I lost some shots because it was dark--specially at the reception. Just expect that and let them know. The good news is that if you stage the formal shots right you can control the lighting somewhat and probably get good shots with the equipment you have.

I would advocate one more thing that was recently mentioned on this forum. If they can afford it at all have them buy a bunch of one-time disposable cameras and hand them out and tell the people to take candid shots but not to shoot the formal shots. If I remember correctly that turned out pretty well.

The last thing is to keep it light and keep expectations reasonable. Remind them you're not professional but you're applying the skills you have as well as you can. If you can keep it light you may even have some fun at the wedding.

Good luck and good shooting!

PhotoFem

Agree...being asked by a family member...in my case for my son and daughter-in-law...was a no brainer for me.
Perhaps not recommend for all photographers, especially if you don't routinely shoot weddings. This was a project lovingly done for them, my son and his bride. They already knew of my photographic capabilities before they even asked me. I am a professional fine arts photographer. They had looked at the professional, commercial photographers and decided that what they wanted something more that just the typical wedding photoshoot...but one that showed the photographer actually cared about what and whom they were photographing. (I will probably receive a barrage of negative comments for this.) It was to be a casual wedding/reception situation. Yes...money would have been an issue for them. But...at the same time they wanted someone who already knew many of the wedding guests and would have some idea of how to capture the emotion of the day....and even some quirkiness of the guests.

This is not a project I would recommend someone take on if your heart would not be in it...especially if you are not a wedding photographer. Yes...I made some mistakes...but...those mistakes turned into some pretty laughable moments later. I gave my son and his new wife all of the files that were in color. The book I produced for them was in black and white. It became their Christmas gift and then their 1st anniversary gift. For me it was a fun project.

And...I'm still a fine art photographer...and not a wedding photographer. Its' way too much work and probably not all that much fun most of the time.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

Sorry, but one final comment from me. Be sure to shoot in RAW. Even though it will take a lot of post processing time you will be able to save shots that may otherwise have been useless.

erickter Loc: Dallas,TX

Say no. Weddings are not an event to learn a new gig. Too much can and will go wrong. Your family members are looking for a cheap way out. You have zero experience shooting weddings. They will blame you for any shot that doesn't meet their unrealistic expectations. It's a recipe for disaster.

WayneL Loc: Baltimore Md

You need a good flash. Don't take any money but offer the photos as a wedding present, that will help soften the blow if the pics are not perfect.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Thanks for the kind words.

The OP has said that he is not going to do it. I think it’s a wise choice.

I shot several as a pro back in film days. It is an incredibly difficult job, requiring an assistant to organize, change batteries, and set up shots. We went to an outdoor wedding yesterday and it struck me again how difficult this all is.

Andy

Dannj

On target!
Manage the expectation! Not every wedding is the same nor does every couple want the same results. If this is a large, formal wedding with a top shelf reception, and the bride is looking for albums and lots of enlarged farmable shots, don’t touch it. If it’s on a small scale with a few friends and family you can probably manage it with the gear you have. The usual formal group shots won’t be a problem and if you keep everyone relaxed you’ll do a good job. You can ask the bride what kind of “candidates” they’d like and most of your shots will be fine. And with a DSLR you get an immediate opportunity for re-takes.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

More answers than I care to read through all.
If you do the wedding look at the web and see what photos are presented by others etc. That will give you good ideas as to what is desired today.
You should not accept any money at all. Do it for free as a wedding gift. No liability then as it had no value. Make sure they know you have never done this before and will be learning as you go. So the final product will be possibly less professional looking than if they hired a person who does it for a living. Of course you could do better than many I have seen.
But be very firm that it is a free gift and there can be no expectation of quality or value beyond something that is free.
Then if they think about the risk they might hire someone and let you off the hook or you do it and have fun.
Just do research of what others have done on the internet.
https://www.herworld.com/weddings/ideas-we-love/diy-wedding-photos-13-tips-learn-if-youre-looking-take-your-own

Joe 88

You LEARN BY DOING, do the job the best you can. And take lots of shots. And the best to learn is youtube any thing. Now flash, ebay take your pick and your pocket and camera can handle.

I just have two take two cameras look the part, Len for close up 50mm and 75-250mm for long shuts. I charge $300. up front then $150. an hour from the time I leave my house till I get back. Touch up work is my fun time free to me.

Now you have the tools JUST DO IT, wish you good luck. You learn by doing. I'm 79 years and have no bucket list and the word NO is not my way out. I've been with out a job and seen the US on the road for 10 years and not and one time have a $100. in my pocket.

wer224 Loc: Bergen county NewJersey

i also agree with everyone don't. but if they can't afford a pro and push comes to shove, make sure they know you might not have anything and they understand that. if you do decide to do it def shoot raw then they can have pro editor take the files and bring back something that is lost in jpeg. just take a "LOT" you prob will get some decent memories. remember pros don't sit during any kind of jobs. good luck

Glenn Harve

Dont accept "the job". But show up with your gear and see how you do at it. No downside, many possible upsides. If they like your pics, great. If they dont, bullet dodged. If they cant afford a photographer, pictures will be the least of their wedded worries.

Joe 88

A great one to live from, zero money.

survivaldealer Loc: NE Utah

People value that which they pay a high price for. And refer to it accordingly. "I got a family member to do it but they're not that bad" or "My Uncle Charlie is such a great photographer! Aren't these just wonderful?"

Ten years down the road you will be remembered for selling yourself cheap.

Better free than cheap.