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Shooting a wedding with zero experience
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Sep 8, 2018 10:17:04   #
AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
 
One more point: if you do decide to take pictures, paid or unpaid, keep the tele and wide angle converters IN YOUR BAG. They will not produce images with those lenses that are good enough for enlargement.

Best of luck, whatever you decide.

Andy

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Sep 8, 2018 10:23:48   #
newvy
 
I have done some pro work years ago. I’ve done lots of pro sports stuff. That said... I say set the expectations ( sounds like you have) and DO YOUR BEST! You don’t have to have thousands of dollars of gear to take some valued images. Some people will complain, but they will do that w pro work anyway. GO FOR IT! Reset expectations twice!!

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Sep 8, 2018 10:28:38   #
olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
 
AndyH wrote:
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.
No off camera flash + lack of experience + lack of... (show quote)


Good words!!

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Sep 8, 2018 10:31:01   #
PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago
 
aly1235 wrote:
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!!
One of my family members asked me to shoot their w... (show quote)
Welcome to the forum. I would put a contract so you do not get sued from them for terrible or missing images they expect. Shooting a wedding is a "Job" you ned experience and understanding of technique and what images to take. You need back up equipment,etc in the event of failure. Good luck with whatever you do. As a professional wedding photographer in my other life, my clients signed a contract so I could not be sued.

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Sep 8, 2018 10:52:32   #
Designdweeb Loc: Metro NYC & East Stroudsburg, PA
 
If you are their only hope-maybe you can get some first -hand experience tagging along or as an assistant with a wedding photographer beforehand to see the reality of what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ of the photography assignment. It’s more than you can imagine. They, and you, don’t know what you don’t know.

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Sep 8, 2018 11:23:46   #
aly1235
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. I just texted her and told her I won’t be doing it. Just waiting for a reply...

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Sep 8, 2018 11:28:28   #
AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
 
aly1235 wrote:
Thanks for the replies everyone. I just texted her and told her I won’t be doing it. Just waiting for a reply...


Good decision. The family relationship is more important. Bring your camera if you like, but I really don’t think you want to be the official photographer. Have fun enjoying the wedding.

Andy

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Sep 8, 2018 11:35:32   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
aly1235 wrote:
Thanks for the replies everyone. I just texted her and told her I won’t be doing it. Just waiting for a reply...


Congats on an excellent decision and right answer!

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Sep 8, 2018 15:10:00   #
Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.
 
aly1235 wrote:
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!!
One of my family members asked me to shoot their w... (show quote)


It amazes me that people will spend money on a wedding, venue, dress, cake, caterer, DJ, etc. but want to go cheap on the photographer. When the wedding is over what does the happy couple share with others? The photos. They don't pull out the dress, or the menu, or the play list. The pull out the wedding album that they want to go cheap on.

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Sep 8, 2018 15:21:58   #
AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
 
Mac wrote:
It amazes me that people will spend money on a wedding, venue, dress, cake, caterer, DJ, etc. but want to go cheap on the photographer. When the wedding is over what does the happy couple share with others? The photos. They don't pull out the dress, or the menu, or the play list. The pull out the wedding album that they want to go cheap on.


Yes to this. And the difference between cheap and good is usually enormous.

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Sep 8, 2018 15:41:41   #
rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA
 
If you feel you absolutely must do it:
Purchase a good book on wedding photography and read it thoroughly from cover to cover.
Hire an assistant who has at least some experience with wedding photography. There are plenty of assistants out there looking for work.

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Sep 8, 2018 16:20:32   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
aly1235 wrote:
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!!
One of my family members asked me to shoot their w... (show quote)


I'd rather be tarred and feathered than to accept a job like that. The best tip and trick I can offer is to tell them to hire one of the fired photographers. These family members are looking to pay nothing and will complain forever when you give them your images. You can also suggest that they fire the caterer, and find someone that will do the food for nothing while your at it. Same for the florist, limo, catering hall, etc etc etc.

This is a disaster waiting to happen.

If you feel you absolutely must do it. You are wrong. As Nancy Reagan used to say - "Just say no!"

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Sep 8, 2018 16:28:27   #
Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal
 
jeweler53 wrote:
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!


I do that anyway. *I* buy the cameras, get them back, and process them. make sure you get table numbers and people's names.Lots of candids I didn't get, and most of the photos make mine look waay better.
Be a bit obtrusive. In five years all they'll remember is the photos you took and the captions you wrote. It's digital- take a LOT of photos. I do RenFaire weddings- over 600 shots each and the couple may only see the best 120.
Some folk just like to "lowball" you. Some just like to argue and negotiate. Some just like to see what they can get away with. Some will offer "free advertising" for cheap/free work.
If you're not blood related, (and especially if you are!) be ready to walk away. "But you're family! *SOB!* Can't you do this anyway, as a present?!?!" No- one slight = a world of petty grudges. Have you ever been to a wedding with more than 1, competing, photogs? Don't do/be that.
There's a couple of shed loads of decent wedding advice on UHH- read them first. Fail to plan = plan to fail.

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Sep 8, 2018 16:44:47   #
SharpShooter Loc: NorCal
 
aly1235 wrote:
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!!
One of my family members asked me to shoot their w... (show quote)


Aly, welcome to the Hog!!!
Yep....., dogs and brides...., pretty much the same thing!! Good luck! LoL
SS

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Sep 8, 2018 16:54:51   #
Photocraig
 
BebuLamar wrote:
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.


Babu, That's the BEST answer.

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