I was asked to shoot a wedding.

[Derrel]

And in all honesty, I need the money.

So, convey to these folks that you need to be payed for your photographic services. You need to be payed a set fee for a pre-determined number of hours, or a certain "level of coverage". I would talk to your parents about this issue, just to see what they have to tell you about shooting photos of weddings for pay,and to get a 2nd and 3rd opinion from people whom you know personally.

You can DO THIS event. It's a backyard wedding! It's all scheduled out....you know exactly what's gonna happen and in what order. It's a bunch of people playing dress-up, and knowing full well that they will be photographed.

 

[IByte]

No guts no glory.

Lol I can picture Robin with a suit, kevlar, and his two camera bodies strapped to his vest.

 

[IByte]

Another question: Do I need some form of contract with the couple? I.e a print release for the files or a binding document of some sort..? Errors & Omissions insurance?

Yes, yes, yes. At least get your CODB.

 

[vintagesnaps]

I wondered if the friend wants photos of her uncle's wedding more than the uncle cares about having the wedding photographed (or arrangements would have been made ahead of time).

I don't think I'd want to be what amounts to potentially coming across as 'a wedding photographer' for a day, having no experience doing an event much less a wedding; that could make for expectations that they'll be getting the type photos that would be expected from an established professional wedding photographer.

I would have declined, but at this point it might be best to offer to just 'take some pictures' for the friend, and leave it at that. (And if she wants to give you a tip that would be up to the you and the friend.) I'd offer to provide a certain number of pictures of the ceremony and maybe some of the reception and that would be about it (unless this were a best friend or immediate family member, or circumstances that gave me a good reason to do this).

edit - OK a lot changed since I got back on here to post... Now you're getting into making money and yes, there are a lot of things that you need to have covered - contract, insurance, etc. Are they going to pay a deposit up front? Are you going to set up equipment? if someone trips over it and gets injured are you covered? You can look at ASMP's site as well as others for info. about business aspects of photography but I think there's a lot to read thru to prepare for something that's happening in 3-4 days...

 

[tevo]

And in all honesty, I need the money.

So, convey to these folks that you need to be payed for your photographic services. You need to be payed a set fee for a pre-determined number of hours, or a certain "level of coverage". I would talk to your parents about this issue, just to see what they have to tell you about shooting photos of weddings for pay,and to get a 2nd and 3rd opinion from people whom you know personally.

You can DO THIS event. It's a backyard wedding! It's all scheduled out....you know exactly what's gonna happen and in what order. It's a bunch of people playing dress-up, and knowing full well that they will be photographed.

This is presently my issue. I have been unable to get in contact with the groom, and have no idea what the itinerary of the wedding is / what the location looks like / what they are expecting. If I can't meet with them before Thursday then I will have to decline this engagement.

From what I have gathered, weddings go like this. Please fix any errors!


Ushers hand out programs to people showing up.
Guest seated.
Groom walks to alter.
Bridesmaids and groomsmen walk in
Grandparents, mother, siblings and are seated after
Flower girls and Ring bearer walk down the aisle.
Bride walks down the aisle, escorted by father
Father is seated in front row by mother.
Maid of honor takes bride's bouquet.
Priest speaks, vows are said, priest speaks.
The Kiss
Maid of honor hands bouquet to bride.
Bride and groom walk back down the aisle.
People get up and leave
Family sticks around for pictures.
All other guests head to reception.
Reception:
Bride and Groom are announced
First Dance
Father/daughter dance
Mother/Groom dance
Dinner
Cutting of the cake
Toast
Serve cake
Toss bouquet
Dance
Everyone gets drunk and then leaves

This is based off of a few google search results. I have no recollection of the one wedding I went to when I was 4, so I really have no first hand experience with weddings.

 

[tevo]

Another question: Do I need some form of contract with the couple? I.e a print release for the files or a binding document of some sort..? Errors & Omissions insurance?

Yes, yes, yes. At least get your CODB.

Cost of doing business?

 

[ronlane]

I haven't read all of this post and have a head ache. I'm pretty sure that I made a GREAT decision to point people/friends in another direction for their wedding photos.

 

[Steve5D]

And you're not going to be paid why?

I would prefer to accept a tip rather than charge as it is my first time shooting an event like this. It takes off some of the professional pressure.

No, it doesn't.

Are you planning to do a half assed job because you're not being paid? I'll guess that you're not. You should approach it as professionally as possible, regardless if you're getting a "tip" of $20.00 (which, prepare yourself, could happen) or paid a fee of $5,000.00. If you're not going to do it as professionally as possible, in all aspects, regardless of the pay, walk away. Don't do it.

When I shot my first wedding, I was paid for it. I had exactly no experience shooting weddings. None. Nada. Zip. But I got paid for it, and so should you...

 

[tevo]

And you're not going to be paid why?

I would prefer to accept a tip rather than charge as it is my first time shooting an event like this. It takes off some of the professional pressure.

No, it doesn't.

Are you planning to do a half assed job because you're not being paid? I'll guess that you're not. You should approach it as professionally as possible, regardless if you're getting a "tip" of $20.00 (which, prepare yourself, could happen) or paid a fee of $5,000.00. If you're not going to do it as professionally as possible, in all aspects, regardless of the pay, walk away. Don't do it.

When I shot my first wedding, I was paid for it. I had exactly no experience shooting weddings. None. Nada. Zip. But I got paid for it, and so should you...

I never meant to imply that I was going to do a half assed job. I just feel that I am running the risk of screwing up something and charging money for that screwup. However, the more I look at the logistics of this, I think it would be reasonable to charge. I pride myself in dealing with any non-colloquial engagement in a professional manner, especially business relations.

 

[vintagesnaps]

Is this the uncle's first marriage? It's in someone's back yard, they may not be doing all the traditional steps of a wedding that you googled. Are you an invited guest that you can just take some pictures for your friend? I agree with Ron, this is turning into a headache already...

 

[Steve5D]

This is presently my issue. I have been unable to get in contact with the groom, and have no idea what the itinerary of the wedding is / what the location looks like / what they are expecting. If I can't meet with them before Thursday then I will have to decline this engagement.

I'd have declined already.

Obviously they're not all too worried about photos if they waited a week prior to the big day to find someone. Call whoever it is you have the phone number for and leave the following message:

"I'm really looking forward to shooting your wedding on Saturday. However, I need to see the location and meet with you prior to that day. Please contact me by 6:00pm Wednesday. If I don't hear from you, I'll assume you've made other arrangements. Thanks again, and congratulations!"

Then, at 6:01pm on Wednesday, move on...

 

[leeroix]

I used to think about not getting paid as I gain experience too. That changed quickly. It will take up an enormous amount of your time on that day. AND the subsequent days editing. A LOT OF TIME. (because you want to do a good job right?) I cant overstate that. The only thing I would shoot for free now is maybe my girlfriend or my dog or maybe something for charity. Im with everyone else here. Steve5D and Derrel nailed it.

 

[tevo]

Update:

Just got off the phone with the groom's sister who is planning the wedding. The ceremony starts at 10am, the reception is at 1pm. They expect 7-10 people to attend the ceremony, with 20-30 to attend the reception. I'm expecting a 6 hour gig including getting to the house early to photograph the bride/groom getting ready. Going to the location tomorrow to get a feel for the light, and to get a rough itinerary from the wedding planner. She told me that 50-75 digital pictures (with a print release) was a good return, including some posed shots and pictures of the decorations (which I had planned on)I told her ballpark I would charge around $400 for the whole event.

 

[Steve5D]

There ya' go.

It's not a ton of money, but it's respectable for what seems to be a lower-cost wedding.

Good on ya'.

Now, my only question is how long is the ceremony? Three hours between the start of the ceremony and the start of the reception seems like a long time.

Meh, no biggie. Go forth, shoot and make money...

 

[tevo]

There ya' go.

It's not a ton of money, but it's respectable for what seems to be a lower-cost wedding.

Good on ya'.

Now, my only question is how long is the ceremony? Three hours between the start of the ceremony and the start of the reception seems like a long time.

Meh, no biggie. Go forth, shoot and make money...

The ceremony and the reception are at two different locations, so I imagine there is an hour or so travel window maybe. I asked the planner to give me a rough itinerary of the events / proceedings tomorrow, so I will hopefully learn the answer to that question.