Oh, b****r...well at least I didn't say yes!

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posiview

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Just had a phone call from a work collegue saying that she's heard I had a new hobby.....I should have run a mile!

So she asks if I'd do the wedding and my initial responce was "Aint happening; it's a very important day for your daughter and I don't have the skills/experience/camera/lenses to do this and your daughter may get a load of rubbish".

She said "Don't worry, you'll do great".

So I cracked and gave a provisional yes...

Now I've seen a few similar posts and I'll read them.

But, should I choose to accept this assignment, what is the minimim camera gear I need or should I really decline the request?

Having started to breath again, I think I would like to do it, for the challange.

I was also asked how much I would charge...again should I choose to accept what ammount is reasonable (in the absence of numbers, size of venue, etc)?

Thanks and I need a drink!!
 
Just. Say. No.

Your gut reaction is almost always the best plan :P

offer to help her choose a local professional....
 
To be honest it's a bit daft that you've agreed to take this on without knoiwing anything about venue, numbers of guests etc and discussing a price. In fact has money even been mentioned - is she under the impression you're doing this as a freebie?

You need to find out a lot more about this wedding before committing to it. Do it if youi feel competent when you have all the info and do it because you want to do it - dont get yourself backed into a corner you can't get out of. ;)
 
Ask a ridiculous price. She'll go elsewhere! But if not make sure it is enough to hire in someone else just in case ;-)
 
Read the whole thread here.

Full of insights into Wedding photography.

Personally, I'd stay away or you could lose a friend AND spoil a special day.
 
rizla01 said:
Read the whole thread here.

Full of insights into Wedding photography.

Personally, I'd stay away or you could lose a friend AND spoil a special day.
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And end up as popular as a rattle snake in a lucky dip:lol:
 
Dave Stone said:
Two of everything, at least and some fast glass.
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+1 on that, plus the skills and experience to "Manage" the people on the day. if you are a shrinking violet best to steer well clear.
 
Right I have an answer for you.
Say to your friend that you will test out some photography skills on her first at work, then turn up with a Polaroid. She will then not mention it again.
SORTED.
 
Have you been to a lot of weddings? Have you studied the way the photographers work?

I had my own + 2 other weddings where I watched everything they did, then I worked as a second for a couple, then shot one on my own. Nothing prepares you for going solo, but its nice to at least have some idea of what is going to happen.

It's more than just taking photos. You need to know about weddings, the processes they follow, schedules, when you can and can't take photos or use flash. You need to know how to organise people, and the best way to do that. It's 70% knowledge + 30% photography.
 
Harvey_nikon said:
It's more than just taking photos. You need to know about weddings, the processes they follow, schedules, when you can and can't take photos or use flash. You need to know how to organise people, and the best way to do that. It's 70% knowledge + 30% photography.
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+1..;)
 
one of my family members done the same to me and I have said to both of them, "get yourself a pro, its an important day, I will be backup tog, but then the pressure is off me.
 
It depends on their expectations.
I did my Brother in Laws wedding with 1 body and an 18-55 kit lens as I only have 1 camera and changing lenses would have been awkward.
I visited the church a few weeks before but could not look inside and I did not see the reception venue until the day.
I did not get stressed out or very tired but I did not get all the shots I wanted, some of the shots were not that good in my opinion, others had minor faults etc. etc.
They however, were extremely pleased with the results, even some of the ones that I had tagged as rejects.
Then again I did not charge as it was family!!
 
Hi

I was in a similar position for a good freind of my wife. I haven't done Weddings and I explained this to her, I couldn't gaurentee success and quantity, they were really struggling with finances and just wanted some memories of the day, rather than a wedding album. I didn't charge her (reasons above) and I stressed this isn't a wedding album.

I agreed to go along and take shots for her, turned out well and she, husband and family were very happy with the photos, but she was aware this wasn't a wedding album etc and there were no gaurentees.

Might help ....
 
Go for it!!!

You'll be fine!

Why not do it? Have a chat, tll them exactly what you can deliver, that your not a pro but you will do your best. Ask for a reasonable sum of money, add on £100 to pay a second and respond to a couple of the "assistant wedding tog willing to work for buttons" and get a second to help out and you will be fine.
At least then you can say you have done a wedding, and you'll know for the future.
 
lawrie29 said:
Go for it!!!

You'll be fine!

Why not do it? Have a chat, tll them exactly what you can deliver, that your not a pro but you will do your best. Ask for a reasonable sum of money, add on £100 to pay a second and respond to a couple of the "assistant wedding tog willing to work for buttons" and get a second to help out and you will be fine.
At least then you can say you have done a wedding, and you'll know for the future.
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While it's nice to jump in with both feet, and I did, as I said it depends on the knowledge. I went from my wedding to doing one solo in 4 weddings. I at least knew what to expect and how weddings worked. :)

If you know nothing about weddings I would not say just go for it, and don't ask for money.

IF you were going to do a wedding under these circumstances, get them to cover costs of things, transport or hiring a lens. But don't ask for money as it really complicates things. You also need to take into account that some venues demand you have insurance which is more cost.

best bet, get them to hire a pro and have you as a second :)

It really depends on knowledge :)

A wedding is not something that can be repeated, if you fluff it, the chance has gone forever!
 
Two of everything. bodies, flash and batts fully charged etc.

Suz said 'Ask a ridiculous price. She'll go elsewhere! But if not make sure it is enough to hire in someone else just in case!'

We had weddiing enquiry on New yers eve. No thanks They wanted 2 togs the full monty all day and evening.....Joy.

So we trebled the price to **** them off..... 3 weeks nothing.... then Ok, we'll do it!

Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Does not always work, best to say no.
 
I know someone who isn't a pro but was asked to do a wedding, he took a chance a said yes. He's now did about 4 or 5 weddings so far with more on the horizon. ;)
 
lawrie29 said:
Go for it!!!

You'll be fine!

Why not do it? Have a chat, tll them exactly what you can deliver, that your not a pro but you will do your best. Ask for a reasonable sum of money, add on £100 to pay a second and respond to a couple of the "assistant wedding tog willing to work for buttons" and get a second to help out and you will be fine.
At least then you can say you have done a wedding, and you'll know for the future.
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Are you insane?

At least you can say you have done a wedding, and you'll know for the future?
So this one does not matter? You can just discount it if it all goes horribly wrong?

You'll be fine? Have you got some kind of crystal ball that can foretell what will happen. What if our OP is NOT fine?

A few things that I have seen happen on weddings recently:-
One photographer who got lost and was an hour late and only just got the ceremony. Photographers who have had cameras stolen and cars broken into and all their gear stolen. Corrupted cards, seconds images lost in the post...
Err 99's in the middle of a ceremony, batteries failing mid ceremony, flashes being dropped, brides crying..... I had three fires last year where candles set fire to various table decorations. Two divorced parents who wanted to start a fight in the church.....

Can you cope with any of that happening or plan for it if it does?

And I've not mentioned taking a single image yet!

Do you know how to light and shoot bridal prep shots? Can your equipment cope with ISO 1600 1/60 f2? Do you know how to use flash? Have you got backup equipment in case any of the above happens?

While I appreciate that people are on budgets I would advise them to save money elsewhere and hire a photographer with some experience, they don't have to cost the earth.

I'm shooting one this month where the bride is making her own place cards and favours, has sorted her own cake by buying a plain one and getting decorations for it herself. Nobody will remember that cake after a month but she will get photos she can look back on in 20 years.

By writing this I am honestly not calling into question your abilites as a photographer but you say you have a new hobby? Weddings are no place for a new photographer with new kit. It's like passing your driving test and expecting to take part in the RAC rally. I have not taken three years of training to get to a level of consistency for nothing.

I hope that does not put too much of a damper on it for you but it IS a reality check and someone saying "Oh just go and do it" sorry but they are not the one left holding the baby, no they sail off onto the next thread of someone saying......."should I shoot a wedding"
 
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Ali knows what she is talking about so take heed :)

And as someone who is just starting out with new kit etc, I can say you should really listen to everything she says :)
 
Not everything Harvey, I can talk Bo**ocks too you know but it's a risk, a big risk and I do get annoyed with people who advise people to dive in the deep end without pausing to check the depth of the water first. ;)
 
Cheers, all.

Seems like an 80/20 split.

I'm going to decline, fundamentally because I don't want to ruin the memory of their special day.

Thanks.
 
Wedding days are not the place to practice your hobby.

It doesn't matter how 'understanding' everyone promise to be..... they won't if it goes wrong.

Equipment can & will go wrong. Make sure your backup kit is good enough to shoot the entire wedding.

How anyone can say 'you'll be fine' without knowing the first thing about you or the details of the wedding, is beyond me :bang:
 
As someone said earlier if you want to have a go then try to arrange to work as an assistant for the regular pro tog. If your taking the work to him he sould at least allow you to help and learn something.
 
I try to keep out of wedding threads, but I think you've made the right decision. On how to get started at the wedding game - I'm somewhere between the two camps here. By the time I was in my late teens I'd done a handful of weddings - mostly friends and acquaintances and was gaining experience with every one. Long story cut short, but I got catapulted suddenly and against my better judgement, into a huge upper crust wedding at very short notice due the photographer being ill. When I arrived on the following morning to a sea of cars, guests, and the press in attendance, to say I was bricking it would be the under-statement of the century!

I somehow got through the day and in those days colour was rare for a wedding, so all the b&w proceessing and printing was down to me at home too. The couple were pleasd with the results, although I could have been happier with some of them, although I suppose that's always going to be the case.

I've lost counts of how many weddings I've done since over the years, a lot of them all just seem to blur into one, but you do learn and improve, and as someone said you pick up tips from observing other togs at overlapping weddings and some of those togs have picked up ideas from me and said so.

In short, I didn't say don't do it, what I am saying is be sure at least that you're competent enough to work under pressure, and know exactly what you're taking on - you need to know every last detail of the arrangements on the day and exactly what the couple are expecting from you. What they say before the wedding and what they say when they get the results for their unique day might be two very different things. Above all do it because you want to - don't get press-ganged!
 
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I was put in a similar situation a year or so ago, ohh you have a new "big" camera you can take the photos at our wedding. I declined but was pursued and they said they didn't have the money for a photographer and would just get guest photos. I thought OK well what do I have to loose? If mine a bad then they can go back to their original plan anyway. So I looked in to it and spent a chunk of cash (2 new lenses a 2nd camera, extra batteries and memory cards and an 2nd flash) and started looking in to whats involved and watching wedding photographers round at the local church which was the same one for the wedding (turning up at strangers weddings) I tried to find a pro to follow and watch but no one was interested which is understandable really. I intended on buying the lenses anyway just not within a few month of buying the camera.

Anyway I did the wedding, I didn't enjoy the day due to the pressure of everything but I think that was self induced. I wasn't really happy with the photos I produced, didn't really portray way I was aiming for but they were in focus, sharp, exposed correctly the technical said was fine. A few stray eyes in some photos but I shot 2 or 3 of each to try and combat that as was pretty much successful. A few things I should have noticed during the day the brides father always had 1 hand in his pocket, every flipping photo but the bride says thats her dad, if he had his hand out then it wouldn't be him.

The main thing is the bride and groom like the photos I took, would I do it again? probably not, I won't say never but it was an experience I wont forget for a long time and I learnt so much.

I wouldn't have done it if I thought they had the money to get another photographer but they hadn't, even the bridesmaids bought their dresses and all that goes with it. I just did it in the hope of getting them better images of their day than what they would have had, I was even allowed to shoot during the service which wasn't allowed for guests so they would have missed out on those.
 
I did my first wedding a few months back. It was for a friend (the groom). They were desperate, it was a week before the wedding and they didn't have a photographer. They of course had seen a lot of my work, and the bride in particular loves it.

I refused initially, usual reasons, no experience, didn't want to ruin their big day. They kept on pestering me and it got to the point where they said their only other option was the brides sister had offered to do it with a P&S :eek: At that point it became about helping out a friend in need and I reluctantly agreed to do it with them being clear that they might end up without a single decent photo.

We then had another argument because they were insistent on paying me and I wasn't having any of it if I couldn't be sure I'd be able to deliver. In the end we settled on them covering the rental of a couple of f/2.8 lenses that I needed. :thumbs:

In the end I really, really enjoyed the day. I had a good time and was absolutely chuffed with some of the results I came up with. There were of course areas I could have improved on, especially the shots that used flash and the group shots. However I ended up giving them 99 photos that I was very happy with. Would have liked to have ended up with more but, hey, not bad for a first time, and everyone absolutely loves them.

I think if you're going to go into something like that the key things are to ensure you have the right equipment (that includes a back-up body!), ensure you have a plan for what to do, and most importantly believe that you have the ability to deliver quality photos. Looking back I always knew I could do it, I just wasn't ready to take the step.
 
It's been my experience that amateurs are only asked by people to enable them to get their wedding photo's on the cheap. Even in the days of film and monochrome people expected to get their wedding pic done for a few quid as they knew how much it cost to have prints done at the chemists, and didn't consider the amount of time involved in attending the actual wedding and the developing and printing etc.
To ask £50 in those days was like asking for the moon, but they wouldn't blink at paying a plasterer or bricklayer that sum for the same amount of work, and that was with you providing the material, now it's digital it's even worse, they seem to think you can you can do it for nothing.
I read in the AP recently where a tog did a wedding for free and put all the photo's on a disc and gave it to them, the "customers" then took orders from their friends and sold them prints.
I helped a friend recently as a second, gave him my memory card and as yet I haven't even had that back.
Let the pros earn a living.
 
I got asked to do a friend's mum's wedding because they knew I had a "big camera" :bonk: I tried to say no but she was very persistent and eventually I agreed to it.
I made it very clear that I was in no way a good photographer, I had never done a wedding or anything like it before, my photos would be crap etc etc etc.
I used a 40D, 1000D, 55-250, nifty and 18-55.
IMHO my photos were all crap, I took over 800, rejected the majority of them and spent countless hours trying to make the non-rejects look acceptable in PP. However they were absolutely chuffed with them. They paid for me to stay at the hotel, I joined them for the reception dinner (obviously had to keep getting up and taking photos) and they gave me £100 and a bottle of champagne as a thankyou.

Despite it being a ''success'' I would say that you have made the right decision saying no, I know I certainly won't be saying yes again!
 
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