Asked to do a wedding

PapaLazarou said:
I just don't get it why couples spend £250 on a limo that takes you ten mins down the road and that's it, and don't spend a penny on a pro who will shoot stunning pics that they will cherish for the rest of there lives.
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Because they know loads of people who own a camera but they don't know anyone who owns a limo.

There are clients out there who appreciate the work involved and are willing to spend the money so I set my prices at a level that interests them and discourages the rest.

I've got a booking for next August as a 2nd shooter, something I don't normally do but the couple explained that the main tog (a local pro) is a friend of the bride's parents and they were kind of forced into it. The tog has been around 30 odd years and has a very traditional approach, not what the couple wants at all. So they asked me to 2nd shoot to get the stuff they do want. I said my prices were a little more expensive (about 3x) than the other guy but they said it wasn't about the money but getting the photos that was important.
 
Firstly - Im assuming that the couple wouldnt have a pro even if you werent doing it?

A lot of the posts here are really negative - sorry, but they are *ducks* Whatever
happened to encouragement!

My opinion stems from my own experience. My closest friend recently asked me to shoot her wedding (which I posted about on TP and got a lot of encouragement and support about). I was unsure, but decided to go for it. It was a really small wedding and she wouldnt have had a photographer if I hadnt done it. She knows I love my camera and am currently studying photography.

I dont have a fantastic kit, but I was damn sure I would do my best for her. I sat down with her and worked out a shot list, discussed timings for the day & booked us all into a local council owned stately home and private gardens for the shoot.

As said above, if you are unsure at all - talk it through with them and be certain you want the responsibility on your shoulders. If you dont - dont do it because you might not put your all into it!

My friends wedding had a very small wedding party - but this didnt stop it being stressful, I felt like a schoolteacher herding small kids about at some points - the wedding party were SO disobedient!! ;-) I eventually relaxed and enjoyed it.

And of course, the most important thing....they were delighted with their pictures.


Also..a few people mentioned they dont understand why people dont get a professional for their wedding - simple, money. I get married next year and cant afford a professional. And thats coming from someone who loves her photography. Believe me, I am absolutely devastated that we cant have a professional - but thats the way it has to be.
 
Missdaisies shop around you might be in for a shock out some prices. But I bet you would spend up to £250 on a weding car, so save on the car and get a pro. Pictures will last forever a car ride will last 20 mins.
 
PapaLazarou said:
Missdaisies shop around you might be in for a shock out some prices. But I bet you would spend up to £250 on a weding car, so save on the car and get a pro. Pictures will last forever a car ride will last 20 mins.
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I would love to be able to afford a pro - I done a bit of research and it was just too much. We dont need cars or they would definitely be first to go! There isnt really anything we can cut out....maybe I could decide not to give everyone their free booze with their meal ;)

Ive no idea how I will feel about it next year. My family and friends are amazed that we arent having one, given my interest. Im sure I will end up with my camera around my neck at some point :lol:
 
I didn't have a tog at my wedding but then my wedding was a little unusual. No one knew about it until the night before and then only those that had to know, the rest found out after by postcard. We didn't want a big wedding or all the fuss, we spent all our money on a great honeymoon instead :thumbs:
 
Part of the problem is the number of people who dicribe themselves as professional photographers when in reality they have little more experience than the OP and only marginally better kit. The Explosion in cheap DSLR's and photoshop experts has caused a huge increase in the number of people advertising their services. I've been to quite a few weddings in the last couple of years (must be that time in life!) and I've seen everything from amazing photo's produced by real pro to absolute garbage produced by over payed under skilled rip off merchants. I've even been to a wedding where the brides father did all bar a couple of the photo's on a sony bridge camera with surprisingly good results. The poor performance of some of the new breed of pro photographers is devaluing the good ones as people look as their friends pictures and go 'that was a waste of £500, guess I'll get my mate to do it'

To the OP go for it if your sure and its the only way they are going to get photo's, like everything else in life push yourself outside the comfort zone but don't push yourself over the edge!
 
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