Photographing Friends
Sep 30, 2016 20:22:24 #
So at what point do you actually photograph weddings for friends?
Several years ago I chose to quit photographing weddings for friends. Some of you will understand when I say the dynamic just isn't there. I have had a couple of friends get married recently and the pictures they received were not very good. Lighting, composition, angles, etc. They paid professional prices for amateur results.
About six months ago a couple we are friends with asked me to photograph their wedding. I kept putting them off hoping they would hire someone else. My wife had lunch with the bride the other day and when she came home she told me the brides budget for pictures, it is a professional budget, and all I can think about is the quality of the last two weddings my other friends received.
So I talked with the groom today and I said I would photograph it, we agreed on the price, which was actually higher than my wife told me it was going to be.
Bride and groom and bridal party pictures will be at a bed and breakfast the day prior. I think this is going to be fun.
I don't know why everyone complains about photographing weddings. I kind of enjoy them.
Several years ago I chose to quit photographing weddings for friends. Some of you will understand when I say the dynamic just isn't there. I have had a couple of friends get married recently and the pictures they received were not very good. Lighting, composition, angles, etc. They paid professional prices for amateur results.
About six months ago a couple we are friends with asked me to photograph their wedding. I kept putting them off hoping they would hire someone else. My wife had lunch with the bride the other day and when she came home she told me the brides budget for pictures, it is a professional budget, and all I can think about is the quality of the last two weddings my other friends received.
So I talked with the groom today and I said I would photograph it, we agreed on the price, which was actually higher than my wife told me it was going to be.
Bride and groom and bridal party pictures will be at a bed and breakfast the day prior. I think this is going to be fun.
I don't know why everyone complains about photographing weddings. I kind of enjoy them.
Sep 30, 2016 20:34:39 #
Let's just hope the reds come out better than the hair in your avatar. Perfuntory smiley :)
Sep 30, 2016 20:39:07 #
Sep 30, 2016 20:41:13 #
So, basically, for the right price you will shoot something you will never do again* (shoot friend's weddings) and then dare to ask us why 'we' hate shooting weddings?
First, your price is what had to be met, nothing about friendship here.
Second, you assume we 'hate' shooting weddings. You are quite wrong here too. 'We' do not 'hate' shooting weddings. We just do not WANT to shoot weddings for family or friends (ForF). Quite different.
Why do 'we' not want to shoot ForF weddings? Same as a doctor who is ForF will be reluctant to treat you.
That you 'enjoy' them is beside the point. Personally I had fun in some weddings and others made me look at my watch. It does not matter. What matters is the final product, NOT 'our' appreciation of it.
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* Several years ago I chose to quit photographing weddings for friends. Some of you will understand when I say the dynamic just isn't there.
First, your price is what had to be met, nothing about friendship here.
Second, you assume we 'hate' shooting weddings. You are quite wrong here too. 'We' do not 'hate' shooting weddings. We just do not WANT to shoot weddings for family or friends (ForF). Quite different.
Why do 'we' not want to shoot ForF weddings? Same as a doctor who is ForF will be reluctant to treat you.
That you 'enjoy' them is beside the point. Personally I had fun in some weddings and others made me look at my watch. It does not matter. What matters is the final product, NOT 'our' appreciation of it.
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* Several years ago I chose to quit photographing weddings for friends. Some of you will understand when I say the dynamic just isn't there.
Sep 30, 2016 20:43:57 #
One reason is they are a lot of work, especially for one photographer. When I shoot a wedding, it is much easier if there is a second photographer that I trust, I usually have the second photographer use a telephoto and I use a shorter lens. It all depends on the amount of hours you plan to spend shooting. Just remember you are doing a job, and results are expected, otherwise you might lose a friend.
Sep 30, 2016 21:03:03 #
[quote=Rongnongno]
First, your price is what had to be met, nothing about friendship here.[quote]
I guess you missed the part about him saying all he could remember was the last two friends' photos turning out badly.
First, your price is what had to be met, nothing about friendship here.[quote]
I guess you missed the part about him saying all he could remember was the last two friends' photos turning out badly.
Sep 30, 2016 21:06:53 #
Smudgey wrote:
Just remember you are doing a job, and results are expected, otherwise you might lose a friend.
Just remember you are doing a job, and results are expected, otherwise you might lose a friend.
If you are a GOOD photographer, the results WILL be there!
If you are a crappy photographer, you probably WILL lose your friend!!! Just don't confuse the two.
A good, experienced photographer that understands and knows how to use light will produce good results no matter WHAT they take on in any genre.
I'm talking guys with experience in Product, Portraiture, Sports, Weddings etc.
No need to be afraid of weddings, if you know your SH*T......, either for friends or strangers!!! Sheeesh!
SS
Sep 30, 2016 21:28:06 #
I would not do weddings for friends or family or anyone else. I am not a professional, nor do I think I can do justice to the bride and groom. I did pictures for our nephew's daughter and it was a hassle. Being family, others treated me that way and stepped in front of me when I was taking shots, whereas if I were a hired professional they probably would have been more curtious. While they were satisfied with my work, I was not. Decided that the hassle and stress was not worth it.
Sep 30, 2016 21:28:35 #
Sep 30, 2016 21:33:33 #
SteveR wrote:
Usual non sense from you, I am getting used to it..../...
How many times one mention cost in the initial post for you to realize that this is the only factor that changes his mind?
Low quality for a bad price
Wife speaks with bride (mention 'good' price)
Op speak with groom come to a bigger 'pot of gold' 'more than 'expected' from the wife's report...
Op changes his mind...
Yeah, absolutely not about $$$, really, I swear it. The dough is never in consideration.
Sep 30, 2016 21:44:44 #
sorry Rongnongno
The price is not why I chose to photograph the wedding. And even if it was...so what.
I am friends with my mechanic, he charges me full price.
I am friends with the guy that runs the body shop across the street, he charges me full price.
My wife is friends with the dentist, he charges her full price.
I run a business, friend or not, you pay full price. What the bride told my wife is less than my fees. The groom agreed to my normal fees.
You can run your business however you want
And I'm sure your comments say more about you than they do about me.
The price is not why I chose to photograph the wedding. And even if it was...so what.
I am friends with my mechanic, he charges me full price.
I am friends with the guy that runs the body shop across the street, he charges me full price.
My wife is friends with the dentist, he charges her full price.
I run a business, friend or not, you pay full price. What the bride told my wife is less than my fees. The groom agreed to my normal fees.
You can run your business however you want
And I'm sure your comments say more about you than they do about me.
Sep 30, 2016 23:31:37 #
As a non-professional the best I can offer is at least make your expenses.
Of the three weddings I have photographed, I have mixed feelings about
my experiences.
in two of them I was the sole photographer, one I was just there as a friend.
Of the three weddings I have photographed, I have mixed feelings about
my experiences.
in two of them I was the sole photographer, one I was just there as a friend.
Sep 30, 2016 23:38:55 #
jim quist wrote:
..../...And I'm sure your comments say more about you than they do about me.
Read your initial post.
1) you dice the 'competition' (I assume you are right).
2) you state that years ago you made the decision NOT to shoot ForF.
3) Your decision to 'change' is about $$$, a business decision, fine. One problem: See #2
4) you assume 'we' do not like weddings.
Solve #3 by sending ForF to someone you trust that way you respect your #2 decision
Solve #4 by avoiding assuming what 'we' think.
You have the right to change #2, I will not argue against that. Just do not promote the idea that it is 'because you felt sorry' for other friend taken for a ride. It just does not wash.
Sep 30, 2016 23:46:57 #
Rongnongno wrote:
Read your initial post. br br 1) you dice the 'co... (show quote)
You're projecting your own disingenuity onto another, which, really, is sad.
Oct 1, 2016 01:25:27 #
Of all the weddings my ex-wife roped me into, the two biggest compliments I ever received were:
1. "Well, it makes me look better than my mug shots," and
2. "Damn, that's a good looking shotgun."
The best reception I ever shot was at a Grange Hall, where, with a 28mm, I got a shot of every drunk in the county.
1. "Well, it makes me look better than my mug shots," and
2. "Damn, that's a good looking shotgun."
The best reception I ever shot was at a Grange Hall, where, with a 28mm, I got a shot of every drunk in the county.
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