Newbie
Dec 19, 2014 18:23:01 #
Thanks for creating this forum. I want to get started in this business. Well, let's say thinking about it. I have an opportunity to do a distant cousin's wedding. Their budget is tight and it's a small wedding, so they will be able to afford me and it will be a good job to "cut my teeth on". It's not untill June, so hopefully I will have time aquire the equipment I need. Currently I have a Nikon D700 with Nikkor 50 f1/8G and a 28 to 300 zoom. From the other posters it looks like I'll need 2 flashes and another body. Probably an either 70 or 80 to 200 f/2.8. Anything else? Thanks
Dec 19, 2014 22:16:48 #
Hi,
Wedding photography can be lots of fun but can be quite challenging. Have you ever shot one before? I am not being snarky at all, but havering some experience is a big plus. I spent almost two years assisting another photographer before going out on my own. The experience gave me the knowledge and confidence to do a good job. Photographers are always looking for good assistants (at least I was!); perhaps you can find some in your area that would be willing to have you come along. They may even let you do some shooting. I always pay my assistants.
If you don't want to assist, you still have 6 months to gain some experience. I might suggest you could find some couples that have no money for photography and volunteer to shoot for free or very little money; the experience is invaluable and you learn from your mistakes without the pressure. Your cousin sounds like the people I would be looking for.
As to your equipment question, a second body is nice, especially if your primary one goes down. I would try to get a lens that goes wider, at least 18 mm. Nikon has a 12-24 that is great on the dance floor.
Oh, and lots of battery power!
You also might see if there are any PPA affiliates in your area; they are usually wedding and portrait oriented.
Good luck!
Wedding photography can be lots of fun but can be quite challenging. Have you ever shot one before? I am not being snarky at all, but havering some experience is a big plus. I spent almost two years assisting another photographer before going out on my own. The experience gave me the knowledge and confidence to do a good job. Photographers are always looking for good assistants (at least I was!); perhaps you can find some in your area that would be willing to have you come along. They may even let you do some shooting. I always pay my assistants.
If you don't want to assist, you still have 6 months to gain some experience. I might suggest you could find some couples that have no money for photography and volunteer to shoot for free or very little money; the experience is invaluable and you learn from your mistakes without the pressure. Your cousin sounds like the people I would be looking for.
As to your equipment question, a second body is nice, especially if your primary one goes down. I would try to get a lens that goes wider, at least 18 mm. Nikon has a 12-24 that is great on the dance floor.
Oh, and lots of battery power!
You also might see if there are any PPA affiliates in your area; they are usually wedding and portrait oriented.
Good luck!
Dec 20, 2014 12:58:56 #
Thanks for the advice. I did one wedding for friends years ago during the film era. Things have changed to say the least. I have alot to think about.
Dec 22, 2014 08:50:21 #
OK, some may disagree with what I'm going to say here, but I'll say it anyway.
Yes, if you want to "get into" wedding photography, rent what you don't have and build it into the price. If you are shooting for family, then use what you have to the best of your ability (with maybe the exception of getting a good quality flash, and get it off the camera using a bracket or light stand, nothing will look worse than on camera flash) OK, for back up equipment, see if you can get a really nice quality P&S or even borrow a bridge camera. I was a guest at a wedding a while back, and the photographer was new, had no back up equipment, got flustered about something, and claimed "I can't do this" I shot the wedding for my friend, using my wife's point and shoot. They were thrilled with the results. Would I EVER want to do that again? Nope, but it is possible. They just can't expect to get superb enlargements with such a small sensor, but small prints in an album looked just fine. I'm saying this is your BACK UP, not your main camera.
As far as other things to remember, bring at least double the batteries you think you would ever need.
There isn't much you can do to avoid needing faster glass. You do need some 2.8 lenses, but don't be afraid to look at sigma (focus faster) , tokina, or Tamron. I've built my stable around Nikon glass, but my back up lenses are all 3rd party now, and they work fine when I do break them out.
I shoot with a 24-70 and 70-200 2.8, one on each body. I also carry a1 18-55 2.8 (sigma) for the wide angle shots. If I could justify it, I'd love to go wider (not fisheye) but so far these focal lengths have pretty much nailed everything I've needed over the years. I carry 4 flashes with me to the wedding. I have an assistant with my flash heads in a 24x24 lightbox, to move the flash where I need it, and also to hold onto the stand to make sure my strobes don't have an accident with gravity.
As others have said on other posts, the more you charge, the less hassle you have with people, and the more help (like assistants) you can have along to make everything go smoothly.
Enjoy.
Yes, if you want to "get into" wedding photography, rent what you don't have and build it into the price. If you are shooting for family, then use what you have to the best of your ability (with maybe the exception of getting a good quality flash, and get it off the camera using a bracket or light stand, nothing will look worse than on camera flash) OK, for back up equipment, see if you can get a really nice quality P&S or even borrow a bridge camera. I was a guest at a wedding a while back, and the photographer was new, had no back up equipment, got flustered about something, and claimed "I can't do this" I shot the wedding for my friend, using my wife's point and shoot. They were thrilled with the results. Would I EVER want to do that again? Nope, but it is possible. They just can't expect to get superb enlargements with such a small sensor, but small prints in an album looked just fine. I'm saying this is your BACK UP, not your main camera.
As far as other things to remember, bring at least double the batteries you think you would ever need.
There isn't much you can do to avoid needing faster glass. You do need some 2.8 lenses, but don't be afraid to look at sigma (focus faster) , tokina, or Tamron. I've built my stable around Nikon glass, but my back up lenses are all 3rd party now, and they work fine when I do break them out.
I shoot with a 24-70 and 70-200 2.8, one on each body. I also carry a1 18-55 2.8 (sigma) for the wide angle shots. If I could justify it, I'd love to go wider (not fisheye) but so far these focal lengths have pretty much nailed everything I've needed over the years. I carry 4 flashes with me to the wedding. I have an assistant with my flash heads in a 24x24 lightbox, to move the flash where I need it, and also to hold onto the stand to make sure my strobes don't have an accident with gravity.
As others have said on other posts, the more you charge, the less hassle you have with people, and the more help (like assistants) you can have along to make everything go smoothly.
Enjoy.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.