Shooting a wedding with zero experience
Sep 8, 2018 17:02:44 #
Because of the one time thing, and the immense emotions all around a wedding, perhaps a joint gift by a group of relatives could be enough to hire a pro. Call the Matriarch (every family has one) and relate what this forum has been saying for years about this. The gift will last WAY longer than a toaster. Then, shoot the candid poses staying out of the pro's way. Give them the jpegs and a release so they can print them and call it a good turn. We still look at out album of B&W's 52 years later.
Sep 8, 2018 17:27:44 #
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.
When my wedding is over I have my wife. Nothing is more important. I don't even know where the pictures are.
Sep 8, 2018 18:14:14 #
For those who don’t read past the first post::::: FROM THE OP:::::
(But then again, if you only read the first posit you won’t be reading this)
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...
(But then again, if you only read the first posit you won’t be reading this)
Sep 8, 2018 18:41:10 #
aly1235 wrote:
One of my family members asked me to shoot their w... (show quote)
You have my condolences on the death of you brother-in-law's great aunt; I'm sure she lived a good life in her 106+ years. It's too bad that her funeral has been scheduled at the same time of the wedding, but paying you last respect to the deceased is the right thing to do. Oh, why weren't others invited to the funeral. Well, it was an obscure, but close relationship; if nobody else in the family didn't know about her, how could they get an invitation? So it's said that they'll have to hire a professional photographer. You could offer to defer part of the cost as a wedding gift and in memory of the dear departed.
Sep 8, 2018 19:29:38 #
`
To get the general feel of doing something for which
you lack experience, practice on some non-photo task
for which you also have no experience. The concept of
"winging it" is really pretty much the same regardless
of the field of endeavor.
Since your ultimate goal is to photograph a wedding
for your family, I suggest for practice at "winging it"
something like alligator wrestling or shark jumping.
When you can manage either of those, you're ready
to shoot your family wedding.
To get the general feel of doing something for which
you lack experience, practice on some non-photo task
for which you also have no experience. The concept of
"winging it" is really pretty much the same regardless
of the field of endeavor.
Since your ultimate goal is to photograph a wedding
for your family, I suggest for practice at "winging it"
something like alligator wrestling or shark jumping.
When you can manage either of those, you're ready
to shoot your family wedding.
Sep 8, 2018 19:46:21 #
Racmanaz
Loc: Sunny Tucson!
aly1235 wrote:
One of my family members asked me to shoot their w... (show quote)
Just say no! Tell them that your camera can't shoot weddings because it does not have a "Wedding" mode function.
Sep 8, 2018 19:52:34 #
GoofyNewfie wrote:
For those who don’t read past the first post::::: FROM THE OP:::::
(But then again, if you only read the first posit you won’t be reading this)
(But then again, if you only read the first posit you won’t be reading this)
As he said, he’s still waiting for the reply!
He’s STILL the photographer!!! LoL
SS
Sep 8, 2018 20:07:37 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
aly1235 wrote:
One of my family members asked me to shoot their w... (show quote)
You don't have the right equipment or the skills to shoot a wedding. It will likely be a disaster. Don't do it.
Sep 8, 2018 20:14:52 #
aly1235 wrote:
One of my family members asked me to shoot their w... (show quote)
Don’t do it. Been there. You run a risk of long term bitterness and falling out. Suggest instead that they request all the guests bring their mobile devices and take photos like crazy then post them to the happy couples Facebook time line or Instagram or whatever. I’ve seen this done and some folks find the interaction with family and friends more meaningful than perfect professional images. (And some don’t like this at all. But if they value professional quality they just have to expect to pay for it)
Sep 8, 2018 20:42:16 #
Sep 8, 2018 23:22:18 #
`
Nuther perspective on family .....
I shot my cousin's wedding. No risk, just another
job. But doing it for free, I told them I'd print it
and make the albums when I could get around to
it. I was in a busy period and had the book ready
about 2 months later ... or maybe 3. I wound up
keeping both books for my bidniz samples becuz
my cuz was already divorced !
`
Nuther perspective on family .....
I shot my cousin's wedding. No risk, just another
job. But doing it for free, I told them I'd print it
and make the albums when I could get around to
it. I was in a busy period and had the book ready
about 2 months later ... or maybe 3. I wound up
keeping both books for my bidniz samples becuz
my cuz was already divorced !
`
Sep 9, 2018 05:07:52 #
aly1235 wrote:
One of my family members asked me to shoot their w... (show quote)
All you have to do is take pictures, right? You're not building a rocket to send a man to the moon. Show your family the pictures you've taken and let them decide. I shot a wedding for relatives years ago - no big deal. For my own wedding, we relied on pictures from the people attending. They turned out great. Not everyone wants a Hollywood production for a wedding. Leaving the camera on Auto will avoid the need to make constant adjustments. If you use Aperture priority, will you be ready to keep checking the aperture and deciding how to set it?
http://www.slrlounge.com/school/6-must-have-lenses-for-wedding-photography/
https://fstoppers.com/education/bare-bones-minimum-gear-needed-photograph-wedding-96180
https://fstoppers.com/education/how-i-have-my-camera-set-shoot-weddings-73441
Sep 9, 2018 05:25:32 #
Oh, that is a great start, pet pictures that got lost (your dog pix are not displayed)!
Just run, run, run...
Or tell them to "kiss my ..."
Just run, run, run...
Or tell them to "kiss my ..."
(Not My Image - Web Image)
Sep 9, 2018 05:58:59 #
I was in the same position as you a few days ago for my sons wedding and like you I was not experienced. I mounted a flash and shot in full auto. Surprisingly I was able to take some nice candid photos. My stress level even days before the event was extremely high. My advise would be to gracefully tell them you don’t feel comfortable with the responsibility and just say no. I would never agree to do it again.
Sep 9, 2018 06:25:53 #
jeryh
Loc: Oxfordshire UK
Oh,brother, you are stepping into a minefield there. Don't even try, you can really mess up your friendship there !
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.