Wedding Query

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jamesb1239

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James
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Hi all,
Hopefully somebody can advise, I am currently being backed into a corner over shooting my sister-in-laws wedding (its a case of if I don't do it then there will be no tog).

Thankfully it is 2 years away and I was wondering if anyone could advise the lenses that would be beneficial (in the market for new kit anyway so I could steer my purchases towards whats needed)

Currently have a Sony a450 so its a crop sensor (will probably be the same in 2 years), a 50mm 1.8, 18-55 kit, 75-300 and a Jessops 360AFD flash.

Is there anything that anyone can suggest so that I manage to get something half decent?

Thanks for your help :)
 
Certainly a bit odd that the wedding is 2 years away and they've decided they can't afford anyone, plus it's your day as well surely? :shrug:

Anyway, since they want to pay nothing for anything, are they willing to help you with anything you need hardware-wise for doing their special day?

You're probably going to find your two current lenses (50mm excluded) slow - I'd recommend something like the Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 to give you a wide-ish constant aperture. If you're intending shooting it non-formal, reportage style, you'll also need something a bit faster like a 70-200mm F2.8, but then you do have the advantage of in body stabilisation I think, so the 70-300mm might do you at a push?

Lighting? Do you have a decent flashgun dedicated to your camera body? Are you intending using on camera flash or off camera flash? If off camera you'll need a lightstand and softbox/brolly and radio triggers.

The permutations are nigh on endless, and only you can decide what you have to spend and which way you want to do the wedding....

Edit: Actually, if they aren't willing to contribute, use what you have and be done with it - it doesn't sound like they'll be shelling out for prints or an album anyway, so what you have will do perfectly well quality-wise for shoving all their freebies on Facebook.... :shake:
 
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anyone not into photography will most likely think that the lenses you already have will cover all everything that you'll ever need. i'd gently explain that a fast lens would be very beneficial and try to get them to stump up the £300-400 for a tamron 17-50mm 2.8 like derek already mentioned. call it payment of sorts, or buy it yourself and call it their wedding present
 
the basic lenses i would recomend would be
17-70 2.8 - 4.5 sigma and the 70-200 2.8 sigma
also make sure you have a second camera body as backup

i would recomend they get a pro to do the photos.

Cheers Steve
 
Everyone has given good advice, if you are shooting with Sony the Sigma 2.8 range would be good. 17-50 would probably do you, but what about a back up should your camera/ gear fail.

I think you need to sit your sister in law down and discuss if their wedding photographs are high on their priority list. It sounds to me like they are not that interested in the wedding photos if it is in 2 years and are discounting a pro tog already, some couples are that way inclined. Another view could be that they would feel more relaxed in the photos with you doing them.

If you want to or are bullied into doing it I would suggest having a word with a local wedding tog and asking if you could shadow them for a couple weddings, just so you know what to expect. If you agree you will feel the pressure but it is so rewarding, when done right.

Good luck James.
 
Thanks all, sorry for the slow reply.

I don't think that it is a case of them not being able to afford a pro tog, more that they don't want to pay for one! I honestly have no desire to do it, but feel as though I have no choice in the matter as the mother-in-law also thinks it is a brilliant idea.

They said that they would 'pay' me for it, but when I started talking about the fact that I needed extra kit and rough prices the conversation was quickly shifted away to another topic.

I only have a Jessops 360AFD flashgun (not the best but better than nothing I suppose) which suits my current level of photography and I have no desire to change for their benefit.

Albums were mentioned when I was told that I am doing it, but their jaws dropped when I told them the costs of prints and a decent album!

Why do family do this! I just wish that people would recognise that not everybody with a DSLR is a pro tog, maybe I just like my pictures to be a little more than a P&S can provide. :bang:

As for a backup body... that isn't going to be likely as lenses will cost me enough, they will have to live with the fact that should something happen to my kit then so be it.

The Sigma range of lenses are something that I had never looked into, but after a quick glance I may have to start considering them as for the price of the lenses I was looking at from Sony could buy multiple Sigma's.

Once again thank you all :thumbs:
 
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Please dont spend any money for this James. I know you want to do the right thing but to me this whole thing rings alarm bells. They (the couple, mother inlaw) dont sound like they are being very decisive, dont go putting all the mental effort in it its gonna be in vain. Wait till their sort there s*** out and start worrying about what to do when they are ready to commit to something.
Seriously mate, families, you gotta watch 'em.


Ade
 
It's always hard when families who have no understanding of the technicalities do this to you and rather unfair of them to be pressuring you like this.

James, there is a link on the front page of my website on why you should hire a pro. It was published in the US but basically an amateur shadowed a pro wedding photographer and the results were not pretty.

http://www.alisonbaileyphotography.co.uk/
Scroll down to where it says "Why you should always hire a professional photographer"

Those daylight shots are capable of being shot on almost anything (DOF) apart but the indoor ones, first dance etc are really no place to be when you don't know what you are doing or have the kit to do it.

If you want me to talk to them about it I'm more than happy, just point them in my direction. That's not touting for business either as it's a bit too far for me but if I can help I will.
 
jamesb1239 said:
I don't think that it is a case of them not being able to afford a pro tog, more that they don't want to pay for one!

I honestly have no desire to do it, but feel as though I have no choice in the matter as the mother-in-law also thinks it is a brilliant idea.

They said that they would 'pay' me for it, but when I started talking about the fact that I needed extra kit and rough prices the conversation was quickly shifted away to another topic.

Albums were mentioned when I was told that I am doing it, but their jaws dropped when I told them the costs of prints and a decent album!

Why do family do this! .....
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because they are too cheap to pay for all your work.....:shake:

why bother - book a holiday to Greece at the same time as the wedding
 
I'd very politely decline saying that I wasn't confident enough to deliver good enough pictures for their special day.
 
mgdaviso said:
I'd very politely decline saying that I wasn't confident enough to deliver good enough pictures for their special day.
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I tried that one, the reply was that I dont give myself enough credit or have enough confidence im myself. And that I have 2 years to practice.

Thanks again all :lol:
 
FFS ......just say...... "NO SORRY BUT NO...!"

if they are unable to accept YOUR wishes, I'd be damned if I'd want them as MY in-laws anyway

sorry - just going through some crap with my family, so somewhat bitter ATM
 
John is right, just say NO, as it will totally ruin what is your day also........ stick to your guns, then watch a photographer magically appear on the day... :shrug:
 
I found myself in this position earlier in the year (Dad volunteered me for a colleague who'd been let down by what sounds like a "weekend warrior")

I did the whole wedding using my 400D, Sigma DC 18mm-200mm and a Jessops 330AFD flash gun.

I did meet the B&G to explain I'd never done this before, my kit wasn't much more than entry level and my only backup was a 5 year old Konica Minolta bridge.

They were OK with this and said that any pictures I could get would be great.

I also told them I wasn't interested in getting the prints for them and I wouldn't go mad with PP work unless they specifically picked images from the disc I was going to supply them, again they were happy with this arrangement.

As it turns out, I was happy with a few of the shots and they were very happy with the images I supplied.

I think the main thing in these circumstances is if you're backed into a corner and can't wriggle out of it, be very specific about what you can/can't/not prepared to do and present them with the "what if" scenarios.

Chances are you'll be fine and get plenty of images they be happy with but always best to manage expectations up front ;)
 
Russ77 said:
Chances are you'll be fine and get plenty of images they be happy with but always best to manage expectations up front ;)
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Good advice here if you decide to take it.
 
Let them know the limitations of the kit you have, eg. no spare body. If they still insist then snap some off on the day and bung them on a disc. It sounds that they aren't that bothered about the photos, they just feel that they ought to have something.
 
Thank you for your comments, it has made me slightly more optimistic about it all. I really cant get over how helpful, friendly and welcoming you all are here :wave:

I dont suppose any of you are pro in Carlisle and want an assistant? Worth a shot I suppose ;)
 
I think you should just say no, if you have a full time job, it will take you a while to edit and then design the album in spare evenings. If they still insist on you doing it, get them to purchase new gear for you or give them a cost of the gear you will require, they will then probably opt for a pro. On the other hand you could get some shinny new gear in the process.

I do shoot a few weddings a year and my sister in law is looking like going down the marriage route soon and has said that she would love me to do the photos but also wants me to be an important part of the day, don't know how that is possible to do both.

Answers on a postcard please.
 
I shot my first wedding as a favour to a mate - spent HOURs on here and other forums soaking up the "how to" of wedding togging. I was confident about taking pictures, its the other things like (in no order)

having a set of stepladders
sussing out the venue beforehand
making contingency for bad weather
finding out how many guests are expected
getting a list of "must have" group shots from the B&G
buying a white brolly for them if it rains
understanding the format and timings of the day
making sure the B&G understand I need at least 90 minutes to take the pictures
Buying and being able to use a flash properly indoors and out
Buying and practiving with a 50mm f1.8
learning about "detail" shots - the cake, the invites, the order of service, the rings, the place settings, the bridge jewellery, etc etc
having spare equipment (batteries, SDHC cards, etc)
taking an assistant along for moral and physical (carrying kit) support.
reasearching how to do unusual angles, depth of field shots, etc.
studying reportage style weddings.


that you need to get sorted - there is plenty of advice on here.... just go looking/searching for it - try not to ask for it (or you risk getting flamed by the pros)

I did it with a single EOS450d and a metz flash unit, my backup was a fuji s5000 bridge. So it is doable - as long as you set their expectations.... they cannot complain when you deliver.
 
mgdaviso said:
I shot my first wedding as a favour to a mate - spent HOURs on here and other forums soaking up the "how to" of wedding togging. I was confident about taking pictures, its the other things like (in no order)

having a set of stepladders
sussing out the venue beforehand
making contingency for bad weather
finding out how many guests are expected
getting a list of "must have" group shots from the B&G
buying a white brolly for them if it rains
understanding the format and timings of the day
making sure the B&G understand I need at least 90 minutes to take the pictures
Buying and being able to use a flash properly indoors and out
Buying and practiving with a 50mm f1.8
learning about "detail" shots - the cake, the invites, the order of service, the rings, the place settings, the bridge jewellery, etc etc
having spare equipment (batteries, SDHC cards, etc)
taking an assistant along for moral and physical (carrying kit) support.
reasearching how to do unusual angles, depth of field shots, etc.
studying reportage style weddings.


that you need to get sorted - there is plenty of advice on here.... just go looking/searching for it - try not to ask for it (or you risk getting flamed by the pros)

I did it with a single EOS450d and a metz flash unit, my backup was a fuji s5000 bridge. So it is doable - as long as you set their expectations.... they cannot complain when you deliver.
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Thank you, thats very helpful, I have been reading through a few things on here in my spare time, but was just asking for any tips and mainly what kit I would need. There are several things on that list that I hadnt considered :)
 
jamesb1239 said:
I am currently being backed into a corner over shooting my sister-in-laws wedding
(its a case of if I don't do it then there will be no tog)
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And why is that YOUR problem? :shrug:

Ohh.... and if you buy new equipment, buy 2 because you must have backup kit.

If you do this job, it will cost YOU money, I guarantee it :thumbsdown:
 
chip said:
And why is that YOUR problem? :shrug:

Ohh.... and if you buy new equipment, buy 2 because you must have backup kit.

If you do this job, it will cost YOU money, I guarantee it :thumbsdown:
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I acknowledge that it will cost me money, as for backup kit it is not a must, if my current kit dies the so be it unless they wish to fund more. I have already said that I do not wish to do the wedding for them but that was just dismissed and I was basically told that I am. Unfortunately I am not willing to cause a dispute with the OH's side of the family over it and have explained my reasons for not wanting to do it, to which I got the reply that 'it will be fine'.
 
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jamesb1239 said:
As for a backup body... that isn't going to be likely as lenses will cost me enough, they will have to live with the fact that should something happen to my kit then so be it.
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They might say they accept that risk now, but if you drop your camera on the way to the church and can't shoot any pictures of their big day, I sure they won't remember you ever mentioned you wouldn't be properly equipped (and they accepted it)!!

Seriously..... you need them to sign some kind of disclaimer, and you need a solicitor to verify its legality.... hmmm, more expense.
 
Just thought of a slightly underhanded plot....... x months/weeks before the wedding, what would happen if your camera/lens developed a fault?

You wouldn't possibly have the funds to replace it and a repair would take too long...... ;)

I'm clutching at straws here (as you can probably guess :lol: )

I feel your pain, it's very difficult to "just say no" when family are involved :bonk:
 
Max gave you a great list, just to expand on the list idea, sit down with the relatives and get them to list all the shots required, in what order and who will be in them, the list can then be handed to the best man to call the people out, one less job for you to worry about.

You don't have to spend vast amounts on equipment a good mid range zoom 17-50 f2.8 and a 50mm f1.8 would get you by, secondhand sigmas £300 for both. A second body would be handy.

I was never really interested in doing weddings, I was happy just doing family portraits until a friend asked me to do theirs, but I did have the equipment. It was at Leeds Castle, so had the added pressure of dealing with lots visitors all wanting to look. Since doing it a year ago I have caught the bug and love the special atmosphere that the wedding day brings. I have done a couple since, all recommendations and have a few for next year. It is a lot of pressure, but if you can handle it and plan in detail, it can be achieved. And you may enjoy it to boot.

Good luck
 
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