Ahhh she wants me to do what???

[Kyen]

I just got an email from my uncles fiancée and she wants me to photograph their wedding
I am a little nervous about this because I haven't really done a wedding before, I mean I took pictures at my friends but I was just a "guest" with a camera.
Can anyone please give me any advice or suggestion for photos to take?

TIA


Here are some that I took at my friends wedding

The last one seems a bit fuzzy!

 

[YesDear]

More power to you!

The pressure to shoot a wedding is great. If you have never done it before, that pressure will be greater. Add a family member and you are a better person than I am.

If you want to then have at it. I would try going to any party or event you can and practice.

I am not trying to scare you, but that can be a tall order.

 

[wenrob]

Me personally, I'd tell her that you will give her copies of anything you take but you've never done a wedding before and are not comfortable being the main photographer. There are no do overs when it comes to a wedding and hell hath no fury like a disappointed bride.

 

[dmccarty]

Good wedding photographers are expensive. You get one chance to get the shot. There are no do overs for a weddings. Marriages maybe but not weddings. So you need or should have duplicate camera bodies and if not duplicate lenses enough to get the job done if one breaks. You could rent a second body or extra lenses for the day/weekend to provide backup.

I would explain in no uncertain terms the risk to your Uncles fiancee and set expectations. Not everyone can afford to spend alot on a wedding much less the photographer.

By the way your photos are better than what we got out of our wedding photographer. But good for you!

May The Light Be With You!
Dan

 

[Pooh_Girl]

If you DO end up taking the pictures, here is my one word of advice: SHOOT RAW!!!!!!!! I can't stress that enough. That will give you some area to bend a little bit if the exposure is off, etc. Only you can decide how comfortable you will be taking the photos, so if you're not up to it I do not think it is out of line to ask her to get a "main" photographer.

- RBennett

 

[manning]

You've got some good shots, but there is more to it than that. Also you were not under pressure. Do you know how to set up the 'MUST' portrait shots? Do you know the 'MUST' shots?Are you agile enough to get into position to take a shot? Can you anticipate a shot? You will be constantly on the go. By the end of the day you are ready to crash. How good are you at handling people??

I haven't done a job in over 20 years and glad of it. When I go to a family wedding I make a point not to take a camera.

I was lucky, when I started out I was studio trained. One thing I can remember the owner telling me was "get the pictures before they get drunk".

I would say pass. Go and enjoy the wedding.

What camera and equiptment are you using ??


And there is the possibility if you don't do a good job there could be hard feelings or disappointment.

If you do it make sure you let them know they are skating on thin ice and everything may not

 

[GrumpyOne]

I'd suggest that you talk about expectations, there's no point in getting stressed out and not enjoying the wedding and then them not being happy with the results.

 

[Chikabowa]

One of the biggest complaints I hear from brides who do not invest in a professional photographer is that they regret the photos they have from their wedding. In my experience, brides really do get what they pay for in terms of quality wedding photography. Those that pay more, in general, get a photographer with more skill, experience, professionalism, quality and more quality product offerings. That's because those people who are running legitimate, successful, professional wedding photography studios cost real money - the overhead, time, and cost of goods, even when shooting digital, is astoundingly high!

I totally get that not every bride has a $100K dollar budget and that choices have to be made. However, taking on a job like this is a massive undertaking and riddled with pitfalls - especially if you haven't done your research, don't have the equipment or the skill. Be very careful and tread lightly because many times the "Oh, we just want someone to capture the moment as it happens" attitude can turn into something MUCH different after the wedding is done and all that is left are the photographs.

Not to discourage you from trying - just be aware that it can be a real challenge and can quickly turn into a major headache after the wedding is over. Props to you if everything goes smoothly.

 

[Chikabowa]

I should mention...
Just because a professional has listed prices on their website does not necessarily mean that they are completely out of a brides budget. It's all about managing expectations. If you want some GREAT photos, find a photographer that is a professional and you like their style. Manage the expectations though. If you can't afford their $5K package, maybe there is something else that you can afford. Maybe you can afford 2 hours of their time to come out and shoot the ceremony and a few formal portraits of the family. Maybe you can afford a few prints. Just ask them.

But you aren't going to find all the edited digital files, 10 hours of coverage with 2 photographers, an engagement session, a 12x12 flush mount album and partridge and a pear tree for $200. But you may be able to afford 2 hours of time along with a few 8x10's and a proof book for $500-$750.

The wedding industry has been hit hard by this recession and a lot of really great photographers are really struggling. I know a whole bunch. Sometimes work is work and they are happy to have it. Just don't ask them to loose money on the job.