Asked by old college friend to shoot her Wedding...
Jun 4, 2018 06:06:45 #
Where is Dear Abby?
Seriously though, stay out of it. No good favor goes unpunished. You can lead a horse to water, but
Seriously though, stay out of it. No good favor goes unpunished. You can lead a horse to water, but
Jun 4, 2018 06:06:49 #
Well she wanted you to take the pictures not because she thought you were good but because she thought you were cheap. If I were you I wouldn't do it. I would do it for free for a friend but I don't want to do nothing for someone who thinks I am cheap.
Jun 4, 2018 06:34:51 #
Don W-37
Loc: Bangkok, Thailand
It sounds like you are trying to talk yourself into shooting it for free. Don't do that!! She is willing to pay for everything else, but not a photographer. Fine.
Go as a guest and don't take a camera. Better to keep out of it as her boyfriend probably wants his friend to shoot it for free. So any price you quote will be too much.
Relax and don't be upset. Remember photography isn't everybody's top priority,
which is OK. Good luck.
Go as a guest and don't take a camera. Better to keep out of it as her boyfriend probably wants his friend to shoot it for free. So any price you quote will be too much.
Relax and don't be upset. Remember photography isn't everybody's top priority,
which is OK. Good luck.
Jun 4, 2018 06:43:03 #
Stay away from it! I have a wedding photographer friend of mine, now retired, who was very well trained by the late Monte Zucker in the 80's. He told his clients his price and if that price was not accepted or a discount was requested his answer was "I am not the photographer you need." End of the story.
I would not do anything to take pictures during that wedding. If as you said you have done some weddings in the past and you have the expertise as a wedding professional the least that you can expect is the respect of others toward your work. No free lunch.
I would not do anything to take pictures during that wedding. If as you said you have done some weddings in the past and you have the expertise as a wedding professional the least that you can expect is the respect of others toward your work. No free lunch.
Jun 4, 2018 06:47:26 #
I stopped doing weddings, except for an occasional free one, years ago. Weddings are tricky and brides are fickle, even if friends. I also shoot video and would prefer doing that. However, the videographer doesn’t get the control to redo shots, like the photographer does. The problem is that brides expect Titanic level video. My experience as a director makes me want to control the wedding. For your friend, I like one person’s advice, go and enjoy the wedding, remain friends and give her a few snaps that will make her wish she had hired you. Shoot the guests ar the reception. Photographers usually skimp on that.
Jun 4, 2018 06:50:46 #
Don’t think twice about this. You have avoided a problem. Be thankful. Go as a guest and friend and be happy for her and enjoy the event. I once shot a friend’s wedding with a borrowed camera and none of the pictures turned out due to a bad motor drive and shutter. Disaster, until they divorced a year later when the bride left her husband for a woman.
Jun 4, 2018 06:53:47 #
By all means go and have a blast as a guest and friend! Either take a PS, or just your iPhone for some personal memories.
Jun 4, 2018 06:58:15 #
My advice is this: Don't give advice. If someone asks your opinion, do a lot of thinking, and then give a good opinion - not necessarily an honest opinion. Very few people like to be told what to do, and they often ask someone for an opinion only to confirm what they already believe.
As I have read here many times, people like to save money on the wedding photographer. All the other expenses are part of The Show, but the photos come weeks later, and few people see them. At my own wedding over fifty years ago, our friends and relatives took pictures, and they were great.
You made your pitch, she declined your offer, so move on and enjoy the wedding.
As I have read here many times, people like to save money on the wedding photographer. All the other expenses are part of The Show, but the photos come weeks later, and few people see them. At my own wedding over fifty years ago, our friends and relatives took pictures, and they were great.
You made your pitch, she declined your offer, so move on and enjoy the wedding.
Jun 4, 2018 07:03:27 #
PatM
Loc: Rocky Mount Mo.
Good Day,
Obviously this person was looking for a deal. Would you have been invited were you not a photographer?
Given your damaged equipment it seems you are not in a position to do this anyway and should have incorporated this into your explanation of why you cannot do this shoot. It is not her fault that your equipment is damaged. Would you have charged you friend less if it was not? If so then I would reiterate my recommendation. You will get many friend photography requests as a full or semi professional and you must be prepared with an answer when the inevitable occurs.
Obviously this person was looking for a deal. Would you have been invited were you not a photographer?
Given your damaged equipment it seems you are not in a position to do this anyway and should have incorporated this into your explanation of why you cannot do this shoot. It is not her fault that your equipment is damaged. Would you have charged you friend less if it was not? If so then I would reiterate my recommendation. You will get many friend photography requests as a full or semi professional and you must be prepared with an answer when the inevitable occurs.
Jun 4, 2018 07:13:19 #
If you were invited as a guest, well then, be a guest. Less pressure with logistics, equipment costs, money, etc. You may still be friends after the wedding.
Jun 4, 2018 07:19:14 #
Lovelight wrote:
Hi. First time posting! br br I'm a 'sometimes' P... (show quote)
Why cause yourself all this stress. Say, no. and have a good time as a guest. If you want to take your camera and A lens take some pictures. Get the best two or three framed and give them to your friend at a later date.
Jun 4, 2018 07:19:28 #
Jun 4, 2018 07:33:37 #
I agree with dparenton, otherwise, you are just making her problem your problem. You have already given your response and to revisit it will just make you look confused.
Jun 4, 2018 07:35:06 #
You hit it and you missed it.
First, you are a talented provider and as such you have a basic need and pricing.
Many years ago, (I am an international speaker, and author) and I was selling myself short ( trying to get into the business) a good friend was working an assignment with me and we got to chatting.
We discussed what we were charging. He was pretty much double my fee. He explained that (in his words) I was a lot better than he was, I was basically prostituting my self.
I re-figured my fees and never lost a gig because of fees.
You have a fee structure and it sounds very fair so pass on this one and enjoy the cake and moments.
First, you are a talented provider and as such you have a basic need and pricing.
Many years ago, (I am an international speaker, and author) and I was selling myself short ( trying to get into the business) a good friend was working an assignment with me and we got to chatting.
We discussed what we were charging. He was pretty much double my fee. He explained that (in his words) I was a lot better than he was, I was basically prostituting my self.
I re-figured my fees and never lost a gig because of fees.
You have a fee structure and it sounds very fair so pass on this one and enjoy the cake and moments.
Jun 4, 2018 07:38:15 #
boberic wrote:
Tell her the truth. Your gear won't work properly anymore and what she plans to pay won't even pay for 1/2 of what new gear would cost since the cost of quality cameras has risen so much lately. Show her the cost of a Canon1dx2 or a Nikon D5, or a Nikon d850 as anything less would be inadequate.
More very good advice. remember that french woman who said" Let them eat cake" follow her advice and take some bubbly too.
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