I have been asked to do a wedding, help please

ScarySquirrel

ScarySquirrel

ScarySquirrel

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Hello,

Someone at work has asked me to do their wedding reception for them. I have only been into photography seriously since June so this is a bit of a shock.

She has said she will pay me but I don't know how much to charge, or if I should just do it as a favour for her.

Also my main concern is whether I am ready for it or not. I don't think I even have the right equitment yet (for example no flash and my only flexible lens is the stock lens)

I REALLY want to say yes but I am just not sure as it would mean me spending money on a flash gun (would I need one though?) and probably something like a 17-70 lens.

I also don't want to end up with 300 useless pictures and pretty much ruin their wedding day.

What would you do in my situation?
 
I'm in the same situation so will look forward to any advice.

I'll be using my 350D, Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and 'Nifty 50' f1.8
 
I did a friends wedding last year, they were both on a really low income and could'nt really afford a professional to do the job.

I was nervous but agreed to do it as a favour to them and I have to say that the results surprised even me. They were more than happy with the shots I provided them and family and friends had loads of copies from them.

I just gave them the photo's on a CD and then let them sort their own prints and album out etc as I'm no good with Photoshop (yet..!!).

Before the event I referenced quite a lot of other peoples Wedding albums, made a list of the ones I liked and then just did a carbon copy of them on the day. I also visited the location 2 or 3 times prior to the day so that I knew exactly what to expect.

Also helps to talk to the bride and groom to see if they want any specific shots.

And I did it all with nothing more than a Panasonic FZ20 with standard flash.
 
Turns out I would only be doing the reception, so I take it a flash would be needed as I assume it would be like a disco or something. But would that not make it all too bright and stuff? I am scared :(
 
ScarySquirrel said:
Turns out I would only be doing the reception, so I take it a flash would be needed as I assume it would be like a disco or something. But would that not make it all too bright and stuff? I am scared :(
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Thats what I'll be doing. I've used my 50mm f1.8 at a low light gig before and the photo's have come out quite well without the flash. What lens do you have?
 
ScarySquirrel said:
Turns out I would only be doing the reception, so I take it a flash would be needed as I assume it would be like a disco or something. But would that not make it all too bright and stuff? I am scared :(
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If your having to use flash, then look at some kind of diffuser for the flash. Stop the flash being harsh.
Im playing around with a stoffen and a demb diffuser on my SB600. see which is the better.
 
I have a 50mm 1.8 as well, along with the stock 18-55, a 70-300 and a macro (won't be much use at the wedding :p)

The 50mm won't be too great for candid shots though will it?
I don't really want to spend £300 on a lens just for this.
 
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ScarySquirrel said:
What would you do in my situation?
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Turn it down.

They only have one wedding day and you don't want to mess up. After the day, all they have to show is a pair of rings, a piece of paper, a large debt and the photos. The photos are important!. Tell them to get a pro.

Now, you might want to work with them to get the practice and experience, who knows, you might land something good, but don't stuff up the record of their day unless you have confidence in your experience to pull it off.

Andrew
 
Gaffer said:
Turn it down.

They only have one wedding day and you don't want to mess up. After the day, all they have to show is a pair of rings, a piece of paper, a large debt and the photos. The photos are important!. Tell them to get a pro.

Now, you might want to work with them to get the practice and experience, who knows, you might land something good, but don't stuff up the record of their day unless you have confidence in your experience to pull it off.

Andrew
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They said they can't afford a pro and that they like my style. I think I might end up saying no and recommending another guy here who is into photography (plenty of them as I work for a web design agency :) lots of creative people)

It is something I would like to do but my main concerning is ruining their big day with rubbish shots.
 
Gaffer said:
Turn it down.

They only have one wedding day and you don't want to mess up. After the day, all they have to show is a pair of rings, a piece of paper, a large debt and the photos. The photos are important!. Tell them to get a pro.

Now, you might want to work with them to get the practice and experience, who knows, you might land something good, but don't stuff up the record of their day unless you have confidence in your experience to pull it off.

Andrew
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The photo's are not as important as you say, for most they fill a gap of emotional comedown when you get back from your honeymoon so you can relive the event. The ones of the actual service are important as are the group family shots, but the evening event are much less important. TBH, wedding photo's go in an album and sit at the bottom of a bookcase gathering dust. Ultimately, its all about getting one 'cracker' that gets framed and sits on the mantel piece. I should know I got married at the end of last year and its been the same for me and four sets of friends who have all got married.

EDIT: Sorry forgot to say, I have had a look at your other photos and tbh, you are more than capable. Its not like you will mess them all up anyway, just snap as many as you possibly can. Our photographer (who was a friend very much to your standard) done a grand job, he felt exactly the same as you do. He just snapped loads and loads, tbh there were so many that once we had filtered them down we have a nice album with some great shots.
 
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As long as you're not IN the wedding like I was at my dads, you'll have no problem :)

It was really hard for me being his witness as I had to be in the shots, but I had to take them as well. Figure that one out ;)
 
martinturner said:
The photo's are not as important as you say, for most they fill a gap of emotional comedown when you get back from your honeymoon so you can relive the event. The ones of the actual service are important as are the group family shots, but the evening event are much less important. TBH, wedding photo's go in an album and sit at the bottom of a bookcase gathering dust. Ultimately, its all about getting one 'cracker' that gets framed and sits on the mantel piece. I should know I got married at the end of last year and its been the same for me and four sets of friends who have all got married.

EDIT: Sorry forgot to say, I have had a look at your other photos and tbh, you are more than capable. Its not like you will mess them all up anyway, just snap as many as you possibly can. Our photographer (who was a friend very much to your standard) done a grand job, he felt exactly the same as you do. He just snapped loads and loads, tbh there were so many that once we had filtered them down we have a nice album with some great shots.
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Thanks mate that's really useful.

I need to read a bit more into low level lighting because I don't feel too confident with that at the moment. Can you get decent flash guns for sub £60?
 
When is the wedding? Ive been working with a wedding photographer doing candids mainly over Summer and have got work next Summer too (and the odd one over Winter), but a friends mate is getting married and I offered to do theirs...but it's not till next August so plenty of time to practise that bit more! If you're just doing the reception then don't worry too much..what can they really be expecting other than some nice spontaneous portraits/candids?

Best bet is to speak to them and ask what kind of photos they will want, in what style etc...then decide if you can do the job :)
 
Well I have more info now and they have told me I really do not need to worry. It isn't till May for a start and it isn't even the day of their wedding!!!

They are getting married in St Lucia and they are having a reception type meal/party back in England for the family that couldn't make it to St. Lucia.

So, loads of time to practice and less pressure.

I still feel I need a external flash and a lens to replace my kit lens. Any suggestions? I was looking at the Canon 430ex flash and something like a Canon 17-85mm
 
If you haven't already got it get the 50mm 1.8. When stopped down a little the sharpness is incredible and it should be perfect for portrait shots.
 
I think most people will be happy with what those with a critical eye, or a self-critical photographer, would call average shots. Usually it's just a memento of the day that's required, and as you say with it not being the main reception - that takes the pressure off. You should get some practice in low light situations to find out what works. And as has been said, if you take a fair few shots there are bound to be some decent ones.
 
get an external flash and the nifty 50 as has been suggested, and if you want to look really professional get a big reflector and an assistant

Most of all you should practice, and then have fun on the day!
 
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