Being asked to shoot a wedding when you aren't a wedding photographer

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The hiring the pro thing was a little peculiar. I don't think it's exactly black and white write or wrong, though. It's a bit ... on the edge.

Regardless, I wasn't speaking for every poster, but the OP got a lot of solid advice that, yes, tried to convince him to not do this. I'm telling you that that is good advice, and very common when coming from more experienced folks. Is every wedding an impossible disaster doomed to blow up in every new photographer's face? No. But on average, they're very challenging and many of them can lead to very significant problems very quickly and the average person with a camera is getting in way over their heads in trying it. Given we're all dealing with broad strokes of the brush and people we don't really know here, it makes a LOT of sense to provide cautious conservative advice, and where weddings are concerned that equates very clearly to... "DON'T DO IT."
 
The hiring the pro thing was a little peculiar. I don't think it's exactly black and white write or wrong, though. It's a bit ... on the edge.

Regardless, I wasn't speaking for every poster, but the OP got a lot of solid advice that, yes, tried to convince him to not do this. I'm telling you that that is good advice, and very common when coming from more experienced folks. Is every wedding an impossible disaster doomed to blow up in every new photographer's face? No. But on average, they're very challenging and many of them can lead to very significant problems very quickly and the average person with a camera is getting in way over their heads in trying it. Given we're all dealing with broad strokes of the brush and people we don't really know here, it makes a LOT of sense to provide cautious conservative advice, and where weddings are concerned that equates very clearly to... "DON'T DO IT."

But the difference here is that it's being made clear from the very beginning that the OP is not a wedding photographer. That, in and of itself, helps to mitigate a lot of the challenges a "pro" might be expected to navigate.

I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got an album shoot to do. I'm only wishing I was inexperienced at this so I could wing it instead of actually knowing what I'm doing...

;)
 
I'm not certain what the OP's purpose was in starting this thread.
Approximately the same question has been asked before multiple times and the same discussion happened.
He could have done a web search for 'must have wedding shots' and gotten the same list that someone her provided.

Maybe he wants to do and wants enough bum-pats to make him feel good about his decision?
But its surely a waste of time to give him input he doesn't want.
 
Reading title only I'd say do it if you want and refuse if you don't. Simple as that, as long as you explain your ability prior if you accept.
 
The hiring the pro thing was a little peculiar. I don't think it's exactly black and white write or wrong, though. It's a bit ... on the edge.

Regardless, I wasn't speaking for every poster, but the OP got a lot of solid advice that, yes, tried to convince him to not do this. I'm telling you that that is good advice, and very common when coming from more experienced folks. Is every wedding an impossible disaster doomed to blow up in every new photographer's face? No. But on average, they're very challenging and many of them can lead to very significant problems very quickly and the average person with a camera is getting in way over their heads in trying it. Given we're all dealing with broad strokes of the brush and people we don't really know here, it makes a LOT of sense to provide cautious conservative advice, and where weddings are concerned that equates very clearly to... "DON'T DO IT."

But the difference here is that it's being made clear from the very beginning that the OP is not a wedding photographer. That, in and of itself, helps to mitigate a lot of the challenges a "pro" might be expected to navigate.

I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got an album shoot to do. I'm only wishing I was inexperienced at this so I could wing it instead of actually knowing what I'm doing...

;)

I'm sorry, what? So his not being a pro somehow uniquely qualifies him to handle the wedding? I'm totally confused.
 
I'm not certain what the OP's purpose was in starting this thread.
Approximately the same question has been asked before multiple times and the same discussion happened.
He could have done a web search for 'must have wedding shots' and gotten the same list that someone her provided.

Maybe he wants to do and wants enough bum-pats to make him feel good about his decision?
But its surely a waste of time to give him input he doesn't want.

You didn't read the OP, nor the exchange throughout the thread if this is what you have come up with.
 
I'm sorry, what? So his not being a pro somehow uniquely qualifies him to handle the wedding? I'm totally confused.

Clearly.

I don't know where the Hell you came up with that little nugget, but it's not something I ever suggested...
 
I'm not certain what the OP's purpose was in starting this thread.
Approximately the same question has been asked before multiple times and the same discussion happened.
He could have done a web search for 'must have wedding shots' and gotten the same list that someone her provided.

Maybe he wants to do and wants enough bum-pats to make him feel good about his decision?
But its surely a waste of time to give him input he doesn't want.

You didn't read the OP, nor the exchange throughout the thread if this is what you have come up with.

Really?

You said this...

I'm not a wedding photographer. I'm not even a professional photographer.
There's a lot of homework ahead of me if I accept, so I guess I want to do my research and know what I am getting into, before I give her an answer.
I would imagine the given things I must do is:

- Scout out the venue, look at my options with light and angles.
- Rent better equipment, and use mine as a backup.
- Set up some a contract.
- Get ideas from other weddings.
- Maybe hire an assistant

But what am I missing? Where do I go from here? If I do this, I want to be as prepared as can besides lack experience.

What is original about that question that hasn't been asked and answered a hundred times already on this site?
Why is it that you 'like' every encouraging comment and ignore the cautioning ones?

You want assurance that you can and should do it.
Well go ahead.
I for one, don't give a crap.
 
I'm not certain what the OP's purpose was in starting this thread.
Approximately the same question has been asked before multiple times and the same discussion happened.
He could have done a web search for 'must have wedding shots' and gotten the same list that someone her provided.

Maybe he wants to do and wants enough bum-pats to make him feel good about his decision?
But its surely a waste of time to give him input he doesn't want.

You didn't read the OP, nor the exchange throughout the thread if this is what you have come up with.

Really?

You said this...

I'm not a wedding photographer. I'm not even a professional photographer.
There's a lot of homework ahead of me if I accept, so I guess I want to do my research and know what I am getting into, before I give her an answer.
I would imagine the given things I must do is:

- Scout out the venue, look at my options with light and angles.
- Rent better equipment, and use mine as a backup.
- Set up some a contract.
- Get ideas from other weddings.
- Maybe hire an assistant

But what am I missing? Where do I go from here? If I do this, I want to be as prepared as can besides lack experience.

What is original about that question that hasn't been asked and answered a hundred times already on this site?
Why is it that you 'like' every encouraging comment and ignore the cautioning ones?

You want assurance that you can and should do it.
Well go ahead.
I for one, don't give a crap.

You copied and pasted the OP - Now read it, and the rest of the read. And you will see where your assumptions fall flat on their face.
 
I'm not certain what the OP's purpose was in starting this thread.
Approximately the same question has been asked before multiple times and the same discussion happened.
He could have done a web search for 'must have wedding shots' and gotten the same list that someone her provided.

Maybe he wants to do and wants enough bum-pats to make him feel good about his decision?
But its surely a waste of time to give him input he doesn't want.

You didn't read the OP, nor the exchange throughout the thread if this is what you have come up with.

Really?

You said this...

I'm not a wedding photographer. I'm not even a professional photographer.
There's a lot of homework ahead of me if I accept, so I guess I want to do my research and know what I am getting into, before I give her an answer.
I would imagine the given things I must do is:

- Scout out the venue, look at my options with light and angles.
- Rent better equipment, and use mine as a backup.
- Set up some a contract.
- Get ideas from other weddings.
- Maybe hire an assistant

But what am I missing? Where do I go from here? If I do this, I want to be as prepared as can besides lack experience.

What is original about that question that hasn't been asked and answered a hundred times already on this site?
Why is it that you 'like' every encouraging comment and ignore the cautioning ones?

You want assurance that you can and should do it.
Well go ahead.
I for one, don't give a crap.

You copied and pasted a portion of the OP - Now go back and read all of it, and the rest of the thread. And you will see where your assumptions fall flat on their face.
 
Nope.
You're a student and therefore are much too subtle and deep for me.
I'm going to eat lunch.

More bad assumptions. Nice.

Ballistics said:
OP: ...so I guess I want to do my research and know what I am getting into, before I give her an answer.

I'm not asking if I should or shouldn't do it. That decision is mine to make.

I haven't decided to do it. I've decided to consider and in give it serious thought and look into what goes into it before I decide to or not to do it.

In all seriousness, I made this thread not because I've already decided to shoot it, but to see what goes into it.

The only reason I even remotely consider it, is because of the soft sell of the wedding. The "It's not really a big deal, we just
need pictures for the event. It's just a second wedding" So with all of that, I'm thinking if it's just something that I could
swing basic photojournalism, I can't see how things could go so horribly wrong without there being some sort of freak accident out of
my control.

But, like I said before - validation is not the intent of the thread.

If you read the thread, you would have read all of these lines that negate your pat on the bottom remark.
At almost 30 yrs old, I can honestly say that affirmation from anyone is the least of my worries.

I'm not basing my decision off of the positive and negative replies in this thread. The informative posts
are duly noted with out a doubt (both for and against me shooting this wedding), and I've even brought up points by some people in this thread in real life.

Manaheim and tirediron are some of the few that believe I shouldn't do it, but their inputs gave me perspective and food for thought. And I found them incredibly reasonable and informative.

If you think this thread was a waste of time for me, you either did not read the thread, or you came up with that conclusion before you even clicked to enter.
 
Thanks, Ballistics. Glad it was helpful.


Steve... So explain if you wouldn't mind. My question was genuine. I didn't follow your remarks and that was the best I got.
 
You will never go anywhere if you always refuse to do things you haven't done before...

There is always a 'first time' - I say go for it. This will let you know if weddings are something you want to get into, or something you want to avoid.

Yes, it could end badly - that's the chance you have to take. I think you'll do at least "OK" though.

It sounds like the perfect chance to get your feet wet - no real expectations that you can't deliver, and it's something new and challenging. A challenge is always good every now and then.


I like to jump right in and learn while I do, which has taught me quite a bit about being resourceful and clever, but it has gotten me in over my head more times than I can count.

I am a mechanic and have completely rebuilt my Jeep Wrangler from the ground up including gears, rebuilding transmission/transfer case, suspension and advanced frame fabrication and welding. If a friend of a friend asked me to rebuild the motor in his car, I would have to decline because it's simply not in my skill set and I don't have the resources to resolve a major issue without going to a specialist. I would love to learn how but when my mistakes are going to affect other people I cannot accept an offer like that because the customer is expecting a service I cannot guarantee.

It's important to venture outside your comfort zone but you need to be reasonably prepared. Most people will consider photo hobbyists' work very good relative to shots they are used to seeing (facebook, for example), so there is a good chance that, as a non wedding specialist, you will please the customer. However it's ignorant to run head on into a situation you cannot repeat and expect to fully amount to the customer's expectations.

You have informed the customer very explicitly that you are not a professional and have no experience shooting weddings. If you choose to shoot it, best of luck and I hope it helps your career out. You never know, if it turns out well it could open up a lot of opportunities.
 
Nope.
You're a student and therefore are much too subtle and deep for me.
I'm going to eat lunch.

More bad assumptions. Nice.

Ballistics said:
OP: ...so I guess I want to do my research and know what I am getting into, before I give her an answer.

I'm not asking if I should or shouldn't do it. That decision is mine to make.

I haven't decided to do it. I've decided to consider and in give it serious thought and look into what goes into it before I decide to or not to do it.

In all seriousness, I made this thread not because I've already decided to shoot it, but to see what goes into it.

The only reason I even remotely consider it, is because of the soft sell of the wedding. The "It's not really a big deal, we just
need pictures for the event. It's just a second wedding" So with all of that, I'm thinking if it's just something that I could
swing basic photojournalism, I can't see how things could go so horribly wrong without there being some sort of freak accident out of
my control.

But, like I said before - validation is not the intent of the thread.

If you read the thread, you would have read all of these lines that negate your pat on the bottom remark.
At almost 30 yrs old, I can honestly say that affirmation from anyone is the least of my worries.

I'm not basing my decision off of the positive and negative replies in this thread. The informative posts
are duly noted with out a doubt (both for and against me shooting this wedding), and I've even brought up points by some people in this thread in real life.

Manaheim and tirediron are some of the few that believe I shouldn't do it, but their inputs gave me perspective and food for thought. And I found them incredibly reasonable and informative.

If you think this thread was a waste of time for me, you either did not read the thread, or you came up with that conclusion before you even clicked to enter.
Seems like he's just talking **** while not providing any useful info, best to just ignore him.
 
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