Shooting a wedding with zero experience
Sep 8, 2018 09:30:01 #
One of my family members asked me to shoot their wedding after firing 2 photographers due to price. I told them I was unsure due to the fact I’m not even close to a professional and I basically shoot in auto most of the time (I know, I’m working on it). I took a few pictures of their dogs playing before and based on those pictures they decided I was a great photographer (see pics below). Anyway, I told them if they really needed me I would do my best but I could not promise anything and they said that was fine and they’d pay me a little too. So I’m asking those with experience for tips and tricks. I only have a canon t6, an 18-55 mm lens, a 75-300 mm lens, 0.43x wide angle lens 55mm and 2.2 x telephoto lens 52 mm. I wanted to buy an off camera flash but that is not an option for me right now due to money. I know I’m very limited on equipment but what lenses would be best for the ceremoney, reception, group shots, etc. Also, what settings should I have my camera on? I read on a few sites that aperture priority is best for weddings. Opinions? Thank you!!
Sep 8, 2018 09:31:57 #
Sep 8, 2018 09:36:15 #
aly1235 wrote:
One of my family members asked me to shoot their w... (show quote)
If they fired 2 photographers due to price then you should price your price higher than those two combined. They asked you why? You say you're inexperienced and need extra money to compensate for that.
Sep 8, 2018 09:45:35 #
Run, Very far and very fast. A good photographer has invested a lot of time and money in the art, and if they are not willing to pay for that experience and investment, suggest that the buy a bunch of point and shoot disposable cameras to spread around the venue(s). Ask the guests to shoot freely with them. They will get lots of photos taken by people without the experience and investment in equipment, and since they seem to be OK with that, they should be quite happy!
Sep 8, 2018 09:48:07 #
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
You are a brave soul..... There have been other post's about this predicament, look them up and read the replies!!
Sep 8, 2018 09:49:23 #
I’ve had two weddings in my family and paying professional photographers to do the work was worth every cent. There is a lot more to it than just aiming your camera and snapping an image. Think before you say yes.
Sep 8, 2018 09:57:02 #
I didn't read your initial post carefully. I am sorry. I missed the part that they pay you a little too. Don't accept that. They must be willing to pay you more than the 2 photographers they fired. You're family member, your present at the wedding is important and if they want you not to do that and take the pictures then your pictures must be worth more than what they can hire a pro to do.
Don't accept it especially for a little money. It's better if you do it for free but it's best not to do it.
Don't accept it especially for a little money. It's better if you do it for free but it's best not to do it.
Sep 8, 2018 09:57:18 #
Sep 8, 2018 09:59:10 #
Sep 8, 2018 09:59:26 #
I wish you the very best of luck if you ignore the advice here and do it. I remember that I was a nervous wreck before, during, and after my first wedding shoot.
Sep 8, 2018 10:00:30 #
No off camera flash + lack of experience + lack of clear understanding of the techniques by the photographer + lack of understanding of the limits of the equipment by the couple = recipe for total disaster.
Don’t do it. Family feuds have developed over this. Take photos if you want, but don’t take a dime for doing it. The moment you do, the expectations change, and you just aren’t in a position yet to fulfill them at this point.
Shooting weddings is one of the most difficult assignments for a fully equipped pro, let alone for a rookie.
Andy.
Don’t do it. Family feuds have developed over this. Take photos if you want, but don’t take a dime for doing it. The moment you do, the expectations change, and you just aren’t in a position yet to fulfill them at this point.
Shooting weddings is one of the most difficult assignments for a fully equipped pro, let alone for a rookie.
Andy.
Sep 8, 2018 10:00:57 #
Please don’t do this. This is a one-time event and it deserves the very best images. You cannot re-shoot it later. Offer to take photos to supplement those take by a professional photographer, but stay well out of his/her way.
Sep 8, 2018 10:07:12 #
Sep 8, 2018 10:08:16 #
I think the appropriate setting is to place your camera back in the bag and decline. Sorry to sound negative, but you have neither the appropriate equipment nor the experience to do this, and the odds are heavily in favor of a disappointing result. If you decide to go ahead despite the advice you’ll receive here, at least do a search under “weddings”, and read the threads thoroughly to get some idea of the many challenges inherent in this very difficult specialty.
Sep 8, 2018 10:12:17 #
Turn tail and run. Or, put the camera in Auto and shoot away. Use any lens you like and just simply move up close to the subjects. The closer the better.
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