dspoon2 Loc: Rockwall TX

I currently have 2 lenses that I use for my upclose portraits (Canon 85mm/f1.8) and a Sigma 17-70 f2.8 for wider angle group shots. David's Bridal is expanding their wedding photo division into my area and I am considering applying to do contract work for them and I want to make sure I have the right tools to do the job well. What lenses would you recommend to shoot weddings in a photojournalistic style? I shoot a T2si with a nikon P100 for emergency backup. Im thinking the camera body would suffice for the time being and I am fortunate to have 3 reputable camera stores with good rental departments.

thanks for your input

robert-photos Loc: Chicago

I would add a 70-200 f/2.8 to give you a more range.

Good luck :thumbup:

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

1st of all as has been said many time, what experience do you have OF wedding photography.

Do you have

1. 2 bodies or are you happy to say, sorry cant shoot any more my camera has packed up on the day. You can't run to a good shop to hire a replacement as they walk down the aisle

2. Public liability insurance.

3. Insurance in case a shoot fails.

4. Adequate and DECENT flash, and everything that goes with it, Stofen, diffusers, battery packs, softbox for all lighting eventualities.

5. If you need to ask about lenses you have no idea and less experience than is needed.

6. You really need two bodies with dual card capability one as backup

7. I assume you WILL be backing up to a laptop throughout the day

These are just a few things to think about. Oh and please don't consider a consumer compact as a backup camera for probably THE most important day in two peoples life, the T2i is really just a consumer DSLR as well.

This sounds harsh but if it were your family member paying a small fortune for a wedding how would you feel if you turned up, ask yourself that question. IF you can honestly say I would be 100% totally confident then ok.

robert-photos Loc: Chicago

The above and then some :thumbup:
A couple of excerpts from David's Bridal:

"In order to be considered as an independent photographer for Timeless Images, you must have and maintain your own equipment which includes a minimum of 2-3 strobes, two professional digital SLR cameras of 12mp or higher, multiple compact flash cards, extra batteries, on camera flashes, multiple SLR lenses. Our requirements include completing a Questionnaire about your experience, sending us a DVD of recent unedited images, and completing a test shoot."

"Our independent contractor photographers are NOT responsible for ANY marketing, pre or post event sales, editing or production costs. We have departments in-house that handle all that, including customer service. Many of our photographers and videographers use us as supplemental income to their own business, to fill in non booked or canceled dates for their own studio or other studios they are working with. When our independent contractor photographers/videographers are contacted with event dates, they have the option of refusing or picking and choosing , their call 100%

Independent contractors are responsible for their own insurance to cover their primary and backup equipment and liability. The client purchases their photography from us, Photography at David’s Bridal and typically they purchase the copyright to their wedding images in their packages. Contractors indicate their day rate without any pre or post event sales, marketing,editing or production costs on the Questionnaire under financial arrangements."

"Photography by David’s Bridal offers a range of photography packages ranging from $895 to under $2,000 dollars."

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

In my experience, the first thing you need to decide is whether or not you are a professional. That will be apparent in your body of work. Some people will suggest that your T2i isn't good enough for professional shoots. I disagree. Of course, if you are serious about selling your work, you'll probably want to upgrade. However, I have now shot 5 or 6 weddings. The two most recent ones were shot with a T3i and only one lens, an 18-135mm. I had great results. I think the most important thing in shooting weddings is having the confidence in yourself and your ability. What I would do to begin is find someone who already shoots weddings and ask if you can tag along as a second stringer. That way, you can get the practice without running the risk of doing a less than acceptable job. Good luck!

dspoon2 Loc: Rockwall TX

Deb...thanks for the input...I shot a wedding this past September andf it was a LOT of work but so rewarding when the bride and groom were very happy with the results. I believe I can deliver a good product but the other side of the coin is the fact that I would have to invest in more equipment and I also am not really sure I want to do weddings exclusively...I would really like to be a second shooter but most of the wedding photographers I've spoken with here in the Dallas area either already second shooters or aren't willing to let a "newbie" tag along...some of them I guess came out of the womb with thousands of dollars worth of hi tech equipment and years of professional experience....

dspoon2 Loc: Rockwall TX

reading
digital Wedding Photography by Glen Johnson and he goes into some detail breaking down "traditional" style shooters and "photojournalistic" shooters indicating the journalistic style is more sought after these days. He also indicates this style doesn't necessarily require quite as much equipment as the traditional. Comments????

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Well, maybe not the breadth, but just as much depth. You still need two of everything. As was mentioned, your cameras should all have two card slots so you can shoot in backup mode.
I think two cards is virtually in all the professional-level cameras by now.

Of course if you are a second shooter, any failures will not be as critical.

dspoon2 Loc: Rockwall TX

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Yep - I understand. With everyone now having a decent camera, nobody want to train his or her competition. This is why I say it can be advantageous to join local professional organizations if they exist in your area. Most do not require any pro credentials and they have regular events that allow you to learn and ask questions. If you join an pay dues, you earn the right to participate.

Every area is different - here in Colorado, the PPA affiliate did get tired of having learning events open to the public in hopes of getting new members. Too many showed up for the open events but did not want to pay the annual dues to support the organization. So no more open events - we have decided to concentrate on ONLY dues-paying members and run programs at much above beginner level. We are no longer teaching people to shoot! It sounds like you would benefit from an organization like that.

The Dallas area has a HUGE PPA organization. In fact last October we had our SW Area convention in Dallas just a short way east of DFW. Las Colinas.

Trying to do this on your own is - quite frankly - silly. The help is out there, but you need to do your part to get to it.

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

Wedding photography is one of the most lucrative type of photography to be in. But very demanding. Experience is the main thing you will need. And you cant get this on the backs of the bride and groom. You have to hook up with an well expetienced wedding photographer. Work for free with him till you learn the ins and outs. Make sure you ask a lot of questions. The whys and why nots. All weddings are a little different. You must learn the differant ceremonys of the differant religons. You must be a people person. and as said before you must have good equeptment and at least two of everything. I did weddings for 39 years and loved every minite of it. Made a lot of money and a lot of good friends. All my jobs came by word of mouth after I went into my own busness. If your good at it they will come to you. I retired back in 93 and tried to find someone to train to take over the busness. No takers. Very sad. Ive been to a few weddings in the last few years and seen some good photograpers but a few should never be on the job. Didn't know what they were doing. Felt bad for the bride and groom. You must remember this is a day they will never forget and its your job to get it right. I dont want to drive you away from your endever but do it right and you too will enjoy it.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

This is what I did before shooting my most recent weddings:
I met with the couples to discuss their own vision for their wedding photography. Then I asked them to prepare a list of their "must have" shots. This is important because in this day of split families, you have to be sensitive to who should be in the various group pics and who doesn't want to be together. For instance, in the latest shoot, the brides parents were divorced and both were remarried. Same for the groom's parents. That makes 8 parents. Those parents each had their own children from the first marriages. This information helped me make a shooting plan.

Then I asked for a "runner" from each family who would help to get the family members together when it was time to shoot their group. The photographer wouldn't know who's who without this help. Worked like a charm.

As to equipment, I have two camera bodies but they don't take dual cards. This wasn't a problem since I could quickly change cards between setups. Quick and easy. My preferred lighting is two Speedlites and radio transmitters/receivers - and a helper to follow me around. I did borrow studio lights for one wedding in a cavernous old movie theatre. Worked fine but not so mobile as the Speedlites. I have several lenses but the one I usually use is a Canon 18-135mm. Works well in most situations.

dspoon2 Loc: Rockwall TX

Well Cliff, as always you come through with solid, sound advice and I am very grateful. As soon as I close this, I will go to PPA Dallas site and pay for a membership. I've also joined our local Chamber of Commerce and have found the more you put into an organization, the more you benefit.

thanks again..have a great week
dave

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

PPA Is a great outfit. I belonged when I was in the busness. I think back than I payed $52 a year and with that you got their mag a very good informative mag. I retired in 93 so things have changed a lot. Even when I was wedding photographer you had to keep up with the changes. I went to a lot of the semanars and photo expos. You have to keep on top of what is going on in the busness. Good luck.

dspoon2 Loc: Rockwall TX

thanks Hal....I'm glad that Cliff pointed me in that direction!!
Have a great day