Doing a Friend's Wedding
Apr 12, 2017 05:10:08 #
jmcgloth wrote:
I've been asked to be the official photographer for a friend's wedding
I've never done a wedding before. Need suggestions.
I've never done a wedding before. Need suggestions.
Back out now. Tell them to hire a pro. Just because someone has a DSLR, doesn't mean they are a pro wedding photographer. I would advise you to be a friend that just takes snaps of the wedding and give them to them as a gift. You may lose a friendship over this if you do not deliver. I've seen it happen. I wouldn't do my step daughters wedding. But I did take photos and gave them to her. They were quite nice, but I only took photos of them as they posed for the professional and stayed out of the way of the pro. I have to admit that my photos were quite nice, but I did have some problems with my flash and batteries. If I were the only one doing the wedding photos, this would have not been good and it certainly wouldn't have been very professional for me to have to walk back to my car to get more batteries in the middle of the shoot.
Apr 12, 2017 13:00:43 #
tinwhistle wrote:
I Didn't bother with reading all 5 pages of replies, but I'll bet there were several that said "don't do it". My sentiments exactly, especially if this is a first wedding (for the couple), and a full blown ceremony. To take on that type wedding is to tread on very thin ice. Let a professional wedding photog do it...
Depend partly on the couple's expectations. If all they're looking for is snapshots with on-camera flash, he might be OK, but he has to set their expectations in advance. >Alan
Apr 12, 2017 14:37:28 #
DO IT, DO IT, DO IT................ THERE A TONS OF PROFESSIONAL WEDDING PHOTOGS WHOSE WORK IS QUESTIONABLE. JUST DO IT AND DON'T LOOK BACK.
Apr 12, 2017 16:20:05 #
I am in the do it camp. I think you should be supported by this forum, not discouraged. You have received a lot of sage warnings by people that know of what they speak. You know what to do now. Make it absolutely clear the couple and the families that they are hiring a stone cold rookie and you will not be held liable. Hate to be paranoid but putting something casual in writing wouldn't hurt in case things go really south. If you pull it off halfway decent, you have one wedding to notch. Do the research, rent or buy the equipment, scout the site for light and shooting vantage points. Most of all, have fun, try to do a good job and good for you for helping this couple that probably can't afford a pro. Who knows? You may have a knack and crush it! How else will you find out?
Apr 12, 2017 16:43:13 #
Back in 1979 I did my friend wedding. Didn't lose the friend. Some how he use a number of my pictures as sample to work as wedding photographer. The priest that did the ceremony never let anyone uses flash but he let me. I knew him for many years and did a lot of stuff for him. The owner of the restaurant that they did the reception was also someone I knew for a long time.
Apr 12, 2017 17:30:14 #
Maik723 wrote:
DO IT, DO IT, DO IT................ THERE A TONS OF PROFESSIONAL WEDDING PHOTOGS WHOSE WORK IS QUESTIONABLE. JUST DO IT AND DON'T LOOK BACK.
I second the motion. Run, Forrest, Run
Apr 12, 2017 20:25:35 #
Decline unless you feel 100% comfortable with the equipment. You will also face unexpected problems that you're going to have to deal with on the Fly. You basically have to be prepared for everything. This is too important of an occasion to make mistakes at. It's tough enough for a professional photographer. You may face lighting that's different than when you went out to take the test photos. I am never had a wedding that went the way everybody told me it was going to go. You have to learn to be flexible. That's why I said you got feel a hundred percent comfortable here equipment. Everything really has to come second nature to you. Anyway good luck with whatever you decide.
Apr 13, 2017 11:07:41 #
Professional wedding photographers make it look easy, but in reality, aside from having the right equipment, it's a talent. At best you will luck out and get a few good shots.
Apr 13, 2017 13:17:33 #
canon Lee wrote:
Professional wedding photographers make it look easy, but in reality, aside from having the right equipment, it's a talent. At best you will luck out and get a few good shots.
FYI, I would never hire an assistant (second shooter) photographer that wasn't capable of being the lead photographer. People have asked me if they can be my second shooter/ assistant and I told him no because they need to have all the skills of the lead photographer. Weddings are too important of event to hire someone who still learning the basic mechanics.
Anyway for what it's worth that's my viewpoint.
Apr 13, 2017 19:19:16 #
Jer wrote:
FYI, I would never hire an assistant (second shooter) photographer that wasn't capable of being the lead photographer. People have asked me if they can be my second shooter/ assistant and I told him no because they need to have all the skills of the lead photographer. Weddings are too important of event to hire someone who still learning the basic mechanics.
Anyway for what it's worth that's my viewpoint.
Anyway for what it's worth that's my viewpoint.
I couldn't agree with you more.
Apr 13, 2017 19:38:23 #
I didnt read the whole thread, Im sure there a lot of good replys. Mine are a bit different. Get help, someone to take with you...
someone that u can put a camera in their hand and let them shoot Auto JPG images. They will get things you may miss, they are also a lot of help if you need it. A spouse can also be a great help.
Second make A bride emergency kit. Search it on this site. Things like pins, safety pins, duct tape, electrical tape ( great for his black suit )
white chalk and even an old lace tablecloth, scissors and a nail clipper etc etc.... Just using one little thing can really make you a hero.
someone that u can put a camera in their hand and let them shoot Auto JPG images. They will get things you may miss, they are also a lot of help if you need it. A spouse can also be a great help.
Second make A bride emergency kit. Search it on this site. Things like pins, safety pins, duct tape, electrical tape ( great for his black suit )
white chalk and even an old lace tablecloth, scissors and a nail clipper etc etc.... Just using one little thing can really make you a hero.
Apr 13, 2017 22:06:33 #
ppage wrote:
I am in the do it camp. I think you should be sup... (show quote)
Everyone has done the first one once.....may as well be this one :-)
Apr 13, 2017 22:29:42 #
The "do it" camp raises some good points. They are making me rethink my run-for-the-hills initial reaction. If you personally feel comfortable then, what the hell. Dive in
Apr 14, 2017 10:09:54 #
crazydaddio wrote:
Everyone has done the first one once.....may as well be this one :-)
A first wedding may have been done with a pro or after being a second shooter. Doing it with no experience could be a disaster .
Apr 14, 2017 11:10:45 #
jmcgloth wrote:
I've been asked to be the official photographer for a friend's wedding
I've never done a wedding before. Need suggestions.
I've never done a wedding before. Need suggestions.
Based on my one experience a few decades ago - DON'T. Chances of them remaining friends afterward is small.
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