I've been asked the question I've been dreading...

[annnewjerz]

a co-worker wants to know if I can do the pictures for a family member's wedding....

This person is young and getting married last minute (in about a month) and can't really afford to true professional wedding photographer because they wedding is on such short notice. They just want pictures during the ceremony and some family photos afterwards, so about two hours of actually shooting. My co-worker recommended me based on the fact that as a wedding gift for her daughter, I volunteered to shoot her bridal shower and made her a photo book.

This is the question I've been dreading since I started taking small jobs here and there for friends/family/co-workers shooting birthday parties, photos for Christmas cards, etc.

If anyone understands that a wedding is special, a once in a lifetime event and something that if I screw up I'll never forgive myself for...IT'S ME! The photographer was such an important part of my wedding, so I can't understand the concept of wanting to hire a non-professional. I'm really nervous to say no, because I don't want to let my co-worker down and have her family member be without any "real" photos from her wedding, but I'm even more nervous to say yes because what if they think I totally suck and hate what I've done!

What should I do? Is it better to have nice photos from a serious hobbyist for your wedding than none at all?

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

I'm guessing it would be better for them to have some pictures rather than none at all.

Obviously you've been doing these little side jobs for a while, so you must be a pretty good photographer. Otherwise why would people recommend you for jobs like this in the first place.

Try it out. Every wedding photographer had a "first" job at some point. I'm sure a pro wedding photographer would recommend you "assist" on jobs before taking on a job as the primary photographer, but this family isn't in the situation to allow you to do that.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

You know, I popped over to your smugmug account and looked at the Brianne's Bridal Shower gallery.

You are worrying too much. The pix you took of the bridal shower are great. You have a lot of nice candid shots of the people there - like you were able to blend in and people didn't notice you were shooting.

Take the job. You'll do fine.

 

[Chikabowa]

Typically I would say run far far far away from these types of situations. It's a disaster waiting to happen.
Unfortunately no good dead goes un-complained about in terms of wedding photography.

If you do decide to go for it, make sure you are at least paid SOME money. You shouldn't do it for free. You'll feel totally taken advantage of at the end of the relationship. I would also have some terms, conditions and agreements written up and signed so that there are clear expectations on both sides. It's only fair to you AND to your potential client.

I would also decide how important the relationship with your co-worker is in terms of your career. If something were to go sideways (which I've seen this exact post at least once a day for years), which it typically does, will you be uncomfortable with this person at work? Will it interfere with your ability to do your day job? Will it create tension in the workplace? Those are serious questions.

I'm not trying to be Debbie Downer here, but you have to consider those aspects along with your skill level and ability to do the job.

 

[Raindown]

Typically I would say run far far far away from these types of situations. It's a disaster waiting to happen.
Unfortunately no good dead goes un-complained about in terms of wedding photography.

If you do decide to go for it, make sure you are at least paid SOME money. You shouldn't do it for free. You'll feel totally taken advantage of at the end of the relationship. I would also have some terms, conditions and agreements written up and signed so that there are clear expectations on both sides. It's only fair to you AND to your potential client.

I would also decide how important the relationship with your co-worker is in terms of your career. If something were to go sideways (which I've seen this exact post at least once a day for years), which it typically does, will you be uncomfortable with this person at work? Will it interfere with your ability to do your day job? Will it create tension in the workplace? Those are serious questions.

I'm not trying to be Debbie Downer here, but you have to consider those aspects along with your skill level and ability to do the job.

This is kinda what I though and Chikabowa brings up some great things to consider.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

I had not considered the workplace dynamic, which should be important.

 

[photo_chick]

If it were me, I'd say no.

 

[MICKEY88]

I would suggest that the coworker get other family members to contribute to hiring a pro, in lieu of gifts..

 

[annnewjerz]

Thanks for the thoughts so far, everyone! As far as my work relationship, no worries! I'm not getting pressured at all, my co-worker is just another secretary at my lawfirm and if I decide against doing it, there will be no bad blood. If I do it and don't do a stellar job, I have a feeling these people will still be happy because their only other option for photography is guests with P&S cameras.

Susan...a few comments. I would typically agree with you also. I'm not one of those weekend warriors who is trying to steal business away from a pro and to be honest I have little to no interest in shooting weddings because I know how time consuming it is and I love my time off of work too much. In terms of payment, this would most definitely not be free. I did the bridal shower for my co-worker as a gift, but I don't know this people and would be getting paid, probably somewhere in the few hundred dollar range just to make it worth my while. If it was a longer wedding and reception, probably more, but since it's just two hours of shooting...I'm not concerned with doing this for a sizable profit. As far as my skill level, I KNOW I am not at the level of a pro, but for the little events that I have done, I've been really satisfied with the outcome. This is an outdoor wedding in the late morning, so I think I'll be fine with natural light and my SB600. If it was indoors in a dark church, I'd say no in a heartbeat, I just don't feel confident enough in my off-camera flash skills and I know that even though the D90 is good at higher ISOs, it's no FX.

I know it's hard to judge if I should do it or not without looking at some sample pics and I haven't ever shot a wedding, so here is just a few pictures taken at various outings recently (sorry in advance that most are of the same child, she loves having her picture taken!). I have a firm grasp of photography basics and am reasonably well versed in editing software, although I hate to use it.

This is going to be a hard decision. I have a real problem saying no to people.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

Be honest with them. Let them know that you have never done a wedding before. Personally, I'd do the first few weddings for free, but that's just me. That way their is no pressure.

But here is what you have to figure out. If they can't afford a photographer, then they will end up with point and shoot pictures from friends. If they can afford a budget photographer, it could be just as bad. You can have some fun, enjoy the day and give them what would be an amazing wedding present! We are our worst critics, but this is what makes me keep going, some dude who charges an arm and a leg and can't even bother to bounce a flash! Ugh, I can take better pics on my worst days...

You will do a great job!

 

[Chikabowa]

Ann, if you decide to do it, would you drop me a personal e-mail? I'll help you navigate the potential landmine.

 

[YesDear]

Ok.

So I am going to take another position, just because I can!

Ann, I think I know you fairly well even though we have never met. I have seen you and your skill level progress over time. Given the criteria you have given as to who what and when I think you should do it. I actually think you need to do it. First to have done one wedding see if you can and I think you need to test yourself.

Susan was correct in all of her assessments but there comes a time when you need to push yourself. If you want to test yourself, and I think you do, this may be the perfect chance.

Make sure your friend knows you have never done a wedding before and do it and have fun!

That is my story and I am sticking to it!

 

[MarkBarbieri]

The things I dread hearing as a photographer:

1) We'd like you to shoot our wedding.
2) I'm really into photography and I'd love you to critique my photos.
3) I love your pictures. What camera/software should I use to get shots like that?


Have you considered sandbagging? Don't do a terrible job, but do bad enough so that no one will ever ask you to do a wedding again. If you agree to shoot it and do well, you'll never hear the end of it.

I have a friend that does weddings strictly on a word-of-mouth basis. He makes enough doing a few a year to feed his gear habits. Sadly, he couldn't shoot his own wedding and dragooned me into it.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I should also add that I've seen enough of your shots here to know that you are better than most of the flunkies I've seen shooting weddings. If you shoot to your usual standards, you're going to be in trouble. They will keep asking and begging and they'll wear you down. With each wedding, you'll slip deeper and deeper into the dark side. Eventually, your life will be filled with psycho brides, bride moms spawned from Satan, and no free Saturdays during June.

 

[annnewjerz]

Susan---If I decide to do it, I'll most definitely shoot you a message on FB to see if there are any pointers you can give me. I'd really appreciate any advice I can get especially from someone whose work I admire.

John---I think you are totally right about needing to push or test myself. I have kind of been slacking with the photography recently because I feel like I shoot the same things over and over and over, so this might break it up a little! My only apprehension is, I'm not sure someone else's wedding should be where I "test" myself, because failing miserably could end with two really upset newlyweds! I would hate to ruin someone's day.

Mark---Thank you for saying I'm better than the flunkies! Coming from someone who always seems to come up with interesting techniques and helpful advice (even if it does come from a DISboards alter-ego), I really appreciate it. That being said, I kind of agree about not doing too good if I don't want it to be a regular thing I get asked to do. Sort of like the laundry. Put one red shirt in with the whites and I find that my Husband volunteers to do the laundry much more often.

 

[disneyboy2003]

I, too, have peeked in on your work from time to time, and I've followed many of your threads on this board in the past. I know you'd do a great job on the wedding, if you do end up taking the job.

I'm no wedding photographer, and I've never shot a wedding. I do know that wedding photography is probably THE most challenging of all types of photography.

I've been lurking on other wedding photography messages boards, such as on POTN, photo.net, fredmiranda.com, dgrin (from SmugMug), etc. I always *cringe* whenever some newbie with a brand new dSLR starts a thread, "My First Wedding...Advice Please". Your skillz are far far far better than those newbies.

In fact, here's a recent thread from POTN, where you can find out if you're ready for wedding photography: link.

I'm not sure if you've already heard about David Ziser's book Captured by the Light: The Essential Guide to Creating Extraordinary Wedding Photography (link to Amazon). It just came out earlier this year, and it's getting TONS of RAVE reviews. I've heard him speak several times in the past and I follow his blog DigitalProTalk. He's an amazing and engaging wedding photographer who was taught by the great Monte Zucker (another great wedding photographer).

Of the 10 chapters in David's book, only the last 3 chapters are specifically on wedding photography. The first 7 chapters are applicable to all non-wedding photographers, including info on bouncing on-camera flash, using off-camera flash, composition, etc.

Anyway, just a few ideas for you.

 

[Frantasmic]

I don't think you have anything to be worried about, you are a great photographer.

Look at it this way: if you take the job, either way you'll be (in?)famous in that familly. Do your best work ever and they may name their first daughter for you. If it doesn't work out, your name will always be on their lips every time they view the pictures. It's almost win-win!

 

[Geoff_M]

In terms of payment, this would most definitely not be free. I did the bridal shower for my co-worker as a gift, but I don't know this people and would be getting paid, probably somewhere in the few hundred dollar range just to make it worth my while. If it was a longer wedding and reception, probably more, but since it's just two hours of shooting...I'm not concerned with doing this for a sizable profit. As far as my skill level, I KNOW I am not at the level of a pro, but for the little events that I have done, I've been really satisfied with the outcome. This is an outdoor wedding in the late morning, so I think I'll be fine with natural light and my SB600. If it was indoors in a dark church, I'd say no in a heartbeat, I just don't feel confident enough in my off-camera flash skills and I know that even though the D90 is good at higher ISOs, it's no FX.

As others have said, based on your posted work, I think you're "ready" from a "craftsmanship" standpoint.

As for compensation, it's perfectly OK to charge less than the local average since that would help acknowledge that you're just getting going with weddings. It helps manage expectations on both sides.

Speaking of "both sides" I second the idea of getting details in writing. Detailing the fees, how long you will shoot, what wedding activities (pre and post) you will shoot, WHO OWNS THE IMAGES, what you will physically provide (DVD, proof prints, etc.) afterward, etc. all needs to be understood. There have been a lot of friendships ruined over wedding photography due to "But, I thought...." stuff.

Wedding can be stressful. I shoot on average one or two a year. I don't advertise it, but I get the occasional job due to word of mouth. I did my last one two weekends ago. The biggest challenge is the mental preparation. You have to understand what's going to unfold, have a mental "battle plan" for the day (particularly the ceremony), and be prepared for the unexpected. This includes things like flash (or camera) batteries that die at the worst moment, an equipment malfunction, or a card that fulls up at a bad moment. The good news is all of this can be remediated with some forethought and planning.

The good news is that digital has taken a lot of the stress out of the job. Gone are the days of periodic butterflies in your stomach as you waited for the proof prints to get back from the lab when I shot film. With digital you get immediate feedback on lighting, composition, equipment function, etc.

So don't be afraid to do the wedding if you decide to... if it's a "go", go out and do some studying on wedding photography to learn the standards and pick up some styles that might work for you.

 

[WDWFigment]

I can't really add anything to what everyone else has said. Given your answers to all of the questions, I don't see a reason against doing it. Certainly you won't be ruining anything. It's this or P&S shots. Unless you outsource your work to a chimp, you're going to have a difficult time doing worse (hyperbole, but the point is that you could set your camera to auto and probably come up with pictures that would satisfy them--at least it sounds that way). Your shots of human beings are very good, so I doubt you'll have much of a problem beyond knowing how to manage folks for pictures (but I'm guessing that's a big part of the equation--might be worth creating a schedule in advance with them, etc.).

Reading things like this makes me glad that I suck at every photography related task I'm asked to accomplish for others. I just did our office photos, and I did a terrible job. Made me realize I am a bit of a flunkie, and maybe it's time to check out some books on lighting and protraiture.

 

[Marlton Mom]

I would just like to add my encouragement.

I think as long as you protect yourself "legally" as mentioned in the previous posts you should do great!

When I volunteered as a school photographer it really helped knowing how the 'event' was going to proceed in advance. I had a great working relationship with the teachers so we communicated with each other and I was aware of their plans step by step. Knowing this in advance allowed me to be in the right spot for the best photographs.

Each event is custom tailored to the bride and groom. I would recommend that you work closely with the wedding couple and spend the time at the rehearsals in the church etc so you know exactly where they are going with their wedding.

I'm sure all of the above is obvious to you but knowing really well what the plan is will help with any butterflies, and once you are free from your butterflies you will really be in your (wonderfully talented!) element.

Go get em!

Marlton Mom