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

[manaheim]

No the boss thing isn't the only one. It's just the one that stood out for me above and beyond the usual list of reasons why people shouldn't just run out and do weddings. (and all those reasons are still very good ones to avoid weddings if you're inexperienced).

If you're asked this often to do them it might be a good idea to make a point to go out and get some work as a second shooter. It's interesting at the very least and will give you some experience as well.

 

[Ballistics]

So what are the "core" shots?

 

[Ballistics]

So about the preparation of shooting a wedding?

 

[Josh66]

I would maybe do a portrait shoot of the couple now, and see how they react to those photos before making a final decision. Just a thought...

This is something that I honestly considered. Truthfully.

I would do it, as soon as possible. Hopefully they are honest when they tell you want they think, but in my experience, most people will tend to not want to 'hurt your feelings', so you may have to read between the lines to know what they really think.

Try to get a feel for how they feel about your work - if they don't seem to really like it (I doubt that will happen, lol), go no further.

Worst case scenario, consider it covering your bases. "Look, I told you I haven't done this before - and you said that you loved my portraits."

If they hate your portraits, it would obviously be a bad idea to shoot a wedding for them... I fully realize that portraits and a wedding are not the same thing, but I think if you can do one well, you have a chance at succeeding at the other.

It will be rough, no doubt - but sometimes you do your best work under pressure. Worst case scenario, you might do a mediocre job on the wedding. I doubt you'll butcher it. IMO, mediocre is OK for your first time out.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like there is no alternate photographer lined up. Mediocre is better than nothing... I'm not saying that you're just mediocre, but lets be realistic - this will be your first time, you will make mistakes. It think you'll be OK though.

 

[Ballistics]

I would maybe do a portrait shoot of the couple now, and see how they react to those photos before making a final decision. Just a thought...

This is something that I honestly considered. Truthfully.

I would do it, as soon as possible. Hopefully they are honest when they tell you want they think, but in my experience, most people will tend to not want to 'hurt your feelings', so you may have to read between the lines to know what they really think.

Try to get a feel for how they feel about your work - if they don't seem to really like it (I doubt that will happen, lol), go no further.

Worst case scenario, consider it covering your bases. "Look, I told you I haven't done this before - and you said that you loved my portraits."

If they hate your portraits, it would obviously be a bad idea to shoot a wedding for them... I fully realize that portraits and a wedding are not the same thing, but I think if you can do one well, you have a chance at succeeding at the other.

It will be rough, no doubt - but sometimes you do your best work under pressure. Worst case scenario, you might do a mediocre job on the wedding. I doubt you'll butcher it. IMO, mediocre is OK for your first time out.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like there is no alternate photographer lined up. Mediocre is better than nothing... I'm not saying that you're just mediocre, but lets be realistic - this will be your first time, you will make mistakes. It think you'll be OK though.

I agree with all of your points. Every one. I plan on being very mediocre at best and I've relayed this to the party involved. I'll mention a portrait shoot with them on the cheap and see how it goes.

 

[Awiserbud]

I say go for it, from all the info you've given about the situation it sounds like your very tempted, and if your ever going to break into wedding photography then this sounds like it could be the perfect scenario for you. just make sure your covered just in case.
I've only shot 3 weddings before, all low key affairs, none of them the fairytale wedding that young girls dream of, not that it makes them any less important, but certainly less pressure.
Obviously the best wedding photographers will have lots of experience behind them, that counts for a lot, but i also think it takes a certain type of person to be able to pull it off successfully, good organisational skills are always handy, heaps of confidence and people skills are also very important, and if your one of those types of people then all you need to concentrate on is getting the shots.

 

[manaheim]

So about the preparation of shooting a wedding?

IMO no one replied further probably on purpose. One, they probably don't want to give you any support to go off and do something they think you shouldn't do, and two... There's just way too much. Waaaaay too much.

 

[Ballistics]

So about the preparation of shooting a wedding?

they probably don't want to give you any support to go off and do something they think you shouldn't do.

The other one I could understand, but why this? Really, with all the information given, what difference does it make to anyone that I shoot the wedding?

 

[Ballistics]

I say go for it, from all the info you've given about the situation it sounds like your very tempted, and if your ever going to break into wedding photography then this sounds like it could be the perfect scenario for you. just make sure your covered just in case.
I've only shot 3 weddings before, all low key affairs, none of them the fairytale wedding that young girls dream of, not that it makes them any less important, but certainly less pressure.
Obviously the best wedding photographers will have lots of experience behind them, that counts for a lot, but i also think it takes a certain type of person to be able to pull it off successfully, good organisational skills are always handy, heaps of confidence and people skills are also very important, and if your one of those types of people then all you need to concentrate on is getting the shots.

I'm more tempted to shoot the wedding now more than ever since I've been met with such anguish haha.
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.

 

[manaheim]

The other one I could understand, but why this? Really, with all the information given, what difference does it make to anyone that I shoot the wedding?

-shrug- human nature. No one wants to feel responsible for someone else doing something they think is wrong or likely to cause problems.

(Mind you I'm speculating... I can't speak for others)

 

[Rob99]

Go search youtube for "that nikon guy wedding" and watch Matt Grangers series on shooting a wedding, it's some really good info and will give you a better idea if you and your gear are ready.

 

[Ballistics]

The other one I could understand, but why this? Really, with all the information given, what difference does it make to anyone that I shoot the wedding?

-shrug- human nature. No one wants to feel responsible for someone else doing something they think is wrong or likely to cause problems.

(Mind you I'm speculating... I can't speak for others)

I just think people (not you) are just bitter and like to hop on band wagons and could honestly care less what happens either way. Hell some of the people screaming don't do it probably have never shot a wedding before.

 

[weepete]

Well mate, since you don't seem to be getting the advice you asked for I'll chime in and say if it were me considering this for the first time I'd go with what a couple of the lads alluded to and do my best to find a way to be second shooter at another wedding with an experienced pro. Hopefully that'd be enough to get the answers to your questions and it may give you the experience to decide whither it's for you or not while having the saftey net there.

 

[Ballistics]

Go search youtube for "that nikon guy wedding" and watch Matt Grangers series on shooting a wedding, it's some really good info and will give you a better idea if you and your gear are ready.

Thanks for the resource. Appreciated!

 

[Josh66]

You obviously know what is at stake. If you fall on your ass, I won't feel responsible in any way. Yes, I am pushing you to do it, but I think you have an above average chance of doing at least "OK", and I think "OK" is not bad for your first time.
I think you're smart enough to make your own decision after considering everything that has been said in this thread.

You could do much worse than just 'OK'. After this, you may decide that you never want to shoot another wedding again. You may also decide that it is definitely what you want to do. There's only one way to find out...

Whatever you decide to do, good luck.