Should I jump in?

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shelleyphoto

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Shelley
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Right here's the deal .... I have been asked to photograph a wedding and yes it will be my first! It's for an acquaintance so I am charging!

I have second shot a couple of weddings and I have a few more in the pipeline, but when is it going to be my turn at being first shooter if I don't jump in!

In a couple of months my website will be ready and then hopefully I will have a good wedding portfolio ..... And then I can really start to promote myself

I understand that other photographers are probably thinking "oh here we go another wannabe wedding photographer" but Im serious about this and I'm investing a lot of time and money into this very exciting venture

So what is stopping me going alone.....??? Nerves? I just can't seem to put my finger on it ....

I still do that thing of looking at other photographers work and think "mines not that good" but then when I look closer I realise it is ... But they have just got the Editing to a fine art!

Everyone has to start somewhere right?!? I can't keep on working my ass off for nothing!

Any advice from first timers? Or old timers??

Cheers guys :)
 
This thread WILL degenerate into the usual chaos but my vote is that if you're sure, go for it. You might want to set some expectations with the bride and groom so they know what they are getting in terms on experience - they may want someone to confidently stage manage the day like many photographers do, so be aware of that.

Other than that, enjoy it, work hard, be adaptable and aware and have a backup of everything!
 
Wedding photography just like other skills takes time to build. You need to be able to do 2 things, firstly have a plan and secondly know your equipment. You also need to know that it's very quick and you need to almost be able to capture things as they happen similar to a journalistic photographer. With anything you get better the more you do.

It is always daunting and I always get nervous because things going wrong are going round in your head. However this doesnt stop me as I refer to the plan I have and stick to it.

Take the plunge and make sure to take shots in bursts (not machine gunning and take everything possible). I'm sure others will pitch in with more advice.
 
Jump in but make sure you have adequate back ups for all your kit and that you have full insurance.

Do you know the venue and have you shot there before? If not it is worth going to scope out in advance and plan and see what the light will be like at the rough time of day the wedding will be there.
 
Hi suz,

Thanks for the advice .... I have already been to the venue and checked it out (that's one of the first things I do) I still have some time .... But at the end of the day they wouldn't of asked me if they didn't think I was capable .... Or would they ha!
 
"Nerves" are common amongst even experienced wedding photographers - a friend of mine would be sick before every wedding she did because she was so worked up. You have to take the plunge some time, so prepare it like you're going off to do some combat photography -
THE most important thing is to get results - to which end, carry a spare body, lens and flash, buckets of memory cards (all of which you've tested nearly to destruction before use "in anger"), and "KISS" (keep it simple) - shoot most of it using one camera with something like a Speedlight attached and a short zoom, if you try to keep swapping cameras, or lenses, you may well miss those important shots that you "catch" by being observant (those magic "gooey looks")

It's best to be "laid back" on the surface (however hard your feet are paddling under the surface!), and whatever happens, maintain a sense of humour - most of all, remember that most of the punters don't know you're a newbie - you're the professional, you're going to take the best photos on the day, and NEVER be intimidated by the plonker with "better" equipment than yours, he's probably a pixel-peeper, who couldn't take a decent picture to save his life, and keeps on upgrading in the perpetual useless quest for equipment that'll make him a good photographer..........

Good luck!;)
 
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Thank you so much Martin

Your advice has made me look at myself and think "come on shelley get your act together"

It makes so much more sense when you hear it coming from someone else .....

Thanks again .... Most appreciated ;)
 
Not a wedding toy, but some basics check list.
Batteries charged SD cards formatted lenses cleaned, camera setup. U1 & U2 if you have it or similar.
List the shots you want to get before and in roughly the correct order.

Get there early to get wb and exposure settings in ball park.
 
Jump in if you know you: -

Can get the shot under pressure
Can work with people well enough solo
Have adequate backup gear should you get equipment failure
Have suitable insurance
 
The answer is...

'If you think you an do it then do it.'

You will very easily find, people are quick to instill doubt and say you can't do something.

These people just don't like others succeeding and will throw a load of negativity your way (that's what I expect from this thread anyway).

If that happens, my advice is don't listen to others, you know if you are up for it or not. I believe you knew the answer before you even wrote your first word in this thread ;)
 
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Thanks Phil and yes I think you are right .... I'm going to do it!!

Just checked your FB page and I'm loving your derelict building shots ... Awesome!
 
Moos3h said:
This thread WILL degenerate into the usual chaos!
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That - but lets hope for a civilised debate at least (ooh look an airborne pig)

my view if you've got sufficient kit (including backups of all essential items), insurance etc, and you have the necessary skills (people management as well as photography) then yes go for it

if you don't have all of the above then you might be wiser to gracefully decline
 
Lesson I learned from my first wedding - remember to check your ISO setting when going from inside (darkish church, whatever) to outside. Took me a few shots before I realised but luckily the shots didn't come out to bad. Good luck
 
indiabravo said:
Lesson I learned from my first wedding - remember to check your ISO setting when going from inside (darkish church, whatever) to outside. Took me a few shots before I realised but luckily the shots didn't come out to bad. Good luck
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Oh, and vice versa!
 
indiabravo said:
Lesson I learned from my first wedding - remember to check your ISO setting when going from inside (darkish church, whatever) to outside. Took me a few shots before I realised but luckily the shots didn't come out to bad. Good luck
Click to expand...

Thanks .... The ISO is one of those things that I have to keep on checking ... I have my own theory (it involves bee's ;) )

Cheers the heads up though :)
 
my view if you've got sufficient kit (including backups of all essential items), insurance etc, and you have the necessary skills (people management as well as photography) then yes go for it

if you don't have all of the above then you might be wiser to gracefully decline[/QUOTE]

Thanks Peter

Kit - check
Skills - check
People person - check

Insurance is something that I have to sort before I go ahead and do anything
 
You seem quite sensible and to have it all sorted except this rang alarm bells...
shelleyphoto said:
...
I still do that thing of looking at other photographers work and think "mines not that good" but then when I look closer I realise it is ... But they have just got the Editing to a fine art!

Cheers guys :)
Click to expand...

Great PP is rarely part of a wedding photographers working method. So if you think that what you're seeing is a lot of complicated editing, either your PP or your photography could be a fair way out :thinking:.
 
If it floats your boat do it, but read the very true comment about back up equipment and insurance, I would even have an emergency mate up my sleve incase of illness etc.
But thats me I am not good and couldnt do a wedding to save my life!
If you feel up to it give it a go as if you have insurance what have you got to loose?
 
My top tips:

You must have a backup camera & lens. Ideally use a camera with twin memory card slots as your main camera so everything is automatically backed up.

Have a very clear step-by-step plan. List all the shots you need to take in order and write helpful reminders (like increasing ISO indoors, dropping it outdoors etc).

Make sure you have plenty of spare batteries for cameras and flashes.

Take a second shooter with you (could be a more experienced photographer to offer discrete advice, or a protege who will add some shots to the party).

Phil
 
I say go for it... life is to short. :thumbs:

My advice is to plan ahead... scout out the area so you have in your head were you will take your photos

Take someone with you to help, I don't mean a second shooter I mean someone to help move the people were you want them and check off the list of shots you need and maybe carry some stuff and of course moral support.

Write down all the group shots you need to take (once you have them from your client)

Be polite but be firm (group shots) and have a thick skin you will need it

Be good with people, I would say wedding photography is 80% dealing with people 20% photography.

Always be friendly with a smile and be professional. Remember you are a paid professional there and there could be future clients in the guests.

Enjoy yourself, don't get hung up on gear and technique just shoot, shoot right but shoot and capture :thumbs:
 
TheCrewDesigns said:
I say go for it... life is to short. :thumbs:

My advice is to plan ahead... scout out the area so you have in your head were you will take your photos

Take someone with you to help, I don't mean a second shooter I mean someone to help move the people were you want them and check off the list of shots you need and maybe carry some stuff and of course moral support.

Write down all the group shots you need to take (once you have them from your client)

Be polite but be firm (group shots) and have a thick skin you will need it

Be good with people, I would say wedding photography is 80% dealing with people 20% photography.

Always be friendly with a smile and be professional. Remember you are a paid professional there and there could be future clients in the guests.

Enjoy yourself, don't get hung up on gear and technique just shoot, shoot right but shoot and capture :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Too right John!

Great idea on the second shooter .... I do have a few friends that are wedding photographers but there probably booked up but would be worth asking as a favour!?!

Thank you for the advice :)
 
Phil V said:
You seem quite sensible and to have it all sorted except this rang alarm bells...


Great PP is rarely part of a wedding photographers working method. So if you think that what you're seeing is a lot of complicated editing, either your PP or your photography could be a fair way out :thinking:.
Click to expand...

Hey Phil,

I probably didn't explain myself properly .... Sorry

What I meant was, when I second shoot and I see the back of the first shooters camera the image the appears good but then mine is also good but a different angle / view then when I see the first shooters images on their websites / blogs etc the images looks great ..... The way they have added their flare / style through PP is awesome (not down to the fact that the image looks completely different) I'm talking sharper, fresher, cleaner

And yes you are right I am sensible .... Not a lot though!!:lol:
 
Haven't read all the posts, but if you can do it crack on and good luck :)
 
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