Beginner Recommendations

[Phil V]

I understand entirely what you're getting at Phil, as does the OP I'm sure. But turning up as a guest with a camera does not translate to being "the wedding photographer". Especially if expectations are managed and the happy couple understand you are just a guest with a camera.. Like all the others with mobile phones.

If people are that precious about the photo's, a pro will be hired.

As a guest, the photos I capture inevitably become less graceful through the day as the booze takes hold. This adds to the ambience, but probably not the quality. I've still only ever had positive feedback and overwhelming appreciation for making that bit of extra effort for the special day.

Turning up as a guest with a camera?

That's not the same as 'I've agreed to shoot 3 weddings next year '.

This isn't semantics, people saying one thing then pretending that they meant something else.

If you're 'taking bookings', whether you charge £0, £200 or £2000 you are 'the wedding photographer' and if you mess up you become a newspaper headline. From memory this has included several students charging little or nothing and at least one Facebook advertiser charging nowt whilst portfolio building.

I keep repeating, there's no 'vested interest' here; I have advised and helped dozens of photographers, this is the collective experience of lots of people advising planning and caution. Not 'don't do it' but 'make sure you've got plans and backups', how people can take offence at the advice to have a backup is beyond me, but I suppose it's all about a pig headed 'I refuse to be told what to do'. Baffling!

 

[LizTheKid]

Phil, the op has said countless times that he isn't the wedding photographer. He's been a guest at friends weddings and they've asked him to take his camera along.

Semantics.... If I'm invited to a party, or event, or have an appointment, I "book it the the calendar". The fact that the op has 3 weddings booked in next year is slightly ambiguous, but doesn't necessarily mean he's been booked in a professional capacity. In fact he has explicitly stated several times that he isn't. He has stated that these are friends or acquaintance's who have invited him to their weddings and asked if he'd mind taking along his camera. I.e a guest at a wedding who has a camera (like those with camera phones).

None of these situations are like the one you're describing.

We all come here for help and advice and appreciate it and the feedback we get. I've already commented and said I understand the advice you're giving, but to then call out people for being "pig-headed" when the advice given is not in context.. Well, I'm sorry but that's your ego clouding your judgement.

 

[Phil V]

Phil, the op has said countless times that he isn't the wedding photographer. He's been a guest at friends weddings and they've asked him to take his camera along.
.

We've been reading different threads then

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I've been doing photography for about 3 years now and still feel a beginner but have managed to get a few gigs with birthdays, Christenins and have a wedding next year.
(I don't charge as I do it for the love and sometimes they will donate something)

I'll keep repeating, there's a massive difference between taking your camera to a mates wedding and calling that wedding a gig that you might get paid for.

What you think I might possibly get out of trying to put a downer on someone's hobby is baffling.

There are dozens of members of this forum who will tell you how much help I've given with either their hobby or career, my only gripe is that the 2 are very different and it helps for people to understand that.

 

[LizTheKid]

I am attending these events as a guest who takes pictures.

Yes, it seems we are. There seems to be a bit of disparity between posts and it's open to interpretation.

For myself, I've only ever attended as a guest (a groomsman at my last wedding a few weeks ago) and as they've been friends they know about my hobby and have asked if I'd mind taking my camera. I'll always say yes to that.

It's funny because at that wedding I was talking to another guest who happened to be a professional wedding photographer (although not shooting that particular wedding) and I was saying to her, I don't think it's something I'd like to do professionally due to the pressure and all the things that could go wrong. Not least if the bride & groom dislike the work that I've done.

Thanks Phil and apologies for any offense caused.

 

[DerekL]

Hello all I'm new and wanted to say hello and seek advice.
I've been doing photography for about 3 years now and still feel a beginner but have managed to get a few gigs with birthdays, Christenins and have a wedding next year.
(I don't charge as I do it for the love and sometimes they will donate something)
Well I'm currently using a Canon 650D and have a few capable lenses but I would like some advice on moving up to full frame. In a perfect world I would like the 5D Mark iii, but life and kids prohibit this.

I don't have a massive budget but any ideas what would be an improvement on the 650D would be good.

Tl;dr... best cheap full frame camera

Many thanks

TBH that does not come across as "I am a guest"

Sorry Phil has made the same point

 

[LizTheKid]

TBH that does not come across as "I am a guest"

You're absolutely right Derek but the following kinda does, doesn't it?

I am attending these events as a guest who takes pictures.

And as we've already established:

There seems to be a bit of disparity between posts and it's open to interpretation.

...I'm unsure of your motives to keep plugging this?

 

[Phil V]

.
It's funny because at that wedding I was talking to another guest who happened to be a professional wedding photographer (although not shooting that particular wedding) and I was saying to her, I don't think it's something I'd like to do professionally due to the pressure and all the things that could go wrong. Not least if the bride & groom dislike the work that I've done.

Thanks Phil and apologies for any offense caused.

And the other thing I keep saying (doesn't fit with the image) is 'have a go, it's great fun', sure there's pressure (like in all work) there's risk, which we mitigate, and the rewards can be amazing.