jwbryson1
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A friend emailed me with news that she will be shooting a wedding this June -- I'm not sure if this will be her first wedding. She used to work in a photography store / studio years ago and has general knowledge of photography. I have never seen her work. I believe she is currently shooting with a D5100 and has an SB700 flash and a few lenses (18-55 kit, 35 1.8, maybe a few others). She wants to talk about acquiring the right equipment needed to shoot the wedding. She mentioned the D7000 and D7100, but thinks she may need a "pro" level camera. My advice to her (which I have not sent to her yet) follows below...
Please let me know if I am on track or where you would change my response to her. Here is my draft response...
"I am not a wedding photographer and I do not hold myself out as having the skills needed to shoot a wedding. I have been a member of a professional photography forum long enough, and seen the first wedding help! questions come up often enough, that I know how many full-time photography and wedding pros would respond to your question. So, having said that, let me offer the following comments based on my experience and based on what I have read in that forum. (www.thephotoforum.com)
First:
1. Have you ever shot a wedding?
2. Do you have a written contract?
3. Do you have insurance and are you incorporated?
4. Have you spoken to the bride/groom and gotten a list of must have photos (Uncle Joe, etc.)?
5. Have you been to the wedding location and reception location and confirmed if flash photography is permitted? If not, what are your options? Can you go in advance and take some test shots a month or 2 ahead of time to get familiar with the location(s)?
6. Will you shoot RAW and do you have the software / computer knowledge to edit your images?
7. Do you have the necessary equipment (and backup equipment) to shoot an indoor wedding?
8. Do you have an assistant to help you with your gear and to keep you on track?
And on and on....
At a minimum, you will need an FX body (preferably 2 in the event you have a problem with the first) with exceptional high ISO performance for indoor shots. If you are shooting Nikon, Id suggest either the D600 ($2,000 for the body only at B&H), or the D800 ($2,800 body only). You will also likely need fast lenses (f/2.8), such as 24-70 ($1,900), and the 70-200 $2,400). You might also want a fast prime such as the Nikon 85mm (1.8) ($500). You can see that the cost of admission for the right equipment to correctly shoot a wedding is well over $10,000. You can certainly rent this equipment online for a LOT cheaper than buying it, but you will need time to get familiar with it so that you can use it properly.
Can you shoot a wedding with a D7000 or D7100? Sure. People do it all the time. They buy their first DSLR, take a few shots and get accolades on Facebook from family and friends and they think this is easy and they become a professional photographer overnight. These people generally lower the standards in the industry and generally get paid less than true pros because true pros know what their value is and will not take on a wedding from a bride who doesnt know any better. Would you rather pay $1,200 for a wedding photographer with a D7000 and a kit lens, or $5,200 for a true pro shooting with a D800 and the above lenses? Many people care more about the cost, and not the quality (until the quality SUCKS), and so they go with the cheaper person. I, personally, would rather be the pro getting paid big bucks to shoot a quality wedding than to be the poor brides photographer.
In terms of having a photography contract, you would be well served to have a written contract that lays out at a minimum, specifically: (1) how long you will shoot (hours); (2) how many photos you will provide; (3) what the rights/obligations are of the bride/groom (e.g., under NO circumstances will they be permitted to see your unedited images, deposits, final payment schedule, etc.); (4) what happens in the event of a disagreement, etc. You must have a written contract. Dont skimp on this.
I cannot stress enough that you must be insured and incorporated -- this is me wearing my attorney hat. Insurance is key for obvious reasons. Incorporating will protect your personal assets from the claims of a pissed off bride / plaintiff. I know, everybody says this is a close personal friend or Ive known Betsy for years...she would never sue me. Its amazing how fast people will turn on you, particularly for wedding photos which are a one and done event. There are no do overs. Word to the wise...
I know you may not want to hear this so please take this with a grain of salt and in the spirit of friendship with which it is offered -- and note that I have no clue about your photography skills or professional background, but if you have never photographed a wedding before and you are looking to acquire the right equipment a few months ahead of the wedding date, I would suggest that perhaps you are not ready to shoot a wedding as a first photographer. Many people shoot weddings as a second shooter for several years to learn what is needed to shoot the wedding correctly before they hang out their shingle and take on the job as the primary shooter."
Comments welcome and appreciated. Thanks for reading!!
Please let me know if I am on track or where you would change my response to her. Here is my draft response...
"I am not a wedding photographer and I do not hold myself out as having the skills needed to shoot a wedding. I have been a member of a professional photography forum long enough, and seen the first wedding help! questions come up often enough, that I know how many full-time photography and wedding pros would respond to your question. So, having said that, let me offer the following comments based on my experience and based on what I have read in that forum. (www.thephotoforum.com)
First:
1. Have you ever shot a wedding?
2. Do you have a written contract?
3. Do you have insurance and are you incorporated?
4. Have you spoken to the bride/groom and gotten a list of must have photos (Uncle Joe, etc.)?
5. Have you been to the wedding location and reception location and confirmed if flash photography is permitted? If not, what are your options? Can you go in advance and take some test shots a month or 2 ahead of time to get familiar with the location(s)?
6. Will you shoot RAW and do you have the software / computer knowledge to edit your images?
7. Do you have the necessary equipment (and backup equipment) to shoot an indoor wedding?
8. Do you have an assistant to help you with your gear and to keep you on track?
And on and on....
At a minimum, you will need an FX body (preferably 2 in the event you have a problem with the first) with exceptional high ISO performance for indoor shots. If you are shooting Nikon, Id suggest either the D600 ($2,000 for the body only at B&H), or the D800 ($2,800 body only). You will also likely need fast lenses (f/2.8), such as 24-70 ($1,900), and the 70-200 $2,400). You might also want a fast prime such as the Nikon 85mm (1.8) ($500). You can see that the cost of admission for the right equipment to correctly shoot a wedding is well over $10,000. You can certainly rent this equipment online for a LOT cheaper than buying it, but you will need time to get familiar with it so that you can use it properly.
Can you shoot a wedding with a D7000 or D7100? Sure. People do it all the time. They buy their first DSLR, take a few shots and get accolades on Facebook from family and friends and they think this is easy and they become a professional photographer overnight. These people generally lower the standards in the industry and generally get paid less than true pros because true pros know what their value is and will not take on a wedding from a bride who doesnt know any better. Would you rather pay $1,200 for a wedding photographer with a D7000 and a kit lens, or $5,200 for a true pro shooting with a D800 and the above lenses? Many people care more about the cost, and not the quality (until the quality SUCKS), and so they go with the cheaper person. I, personally, would rather be the pro getting paid big bucks to shoot a quality wedding than to be the poor brides photographer.
In terms of having a photography contract, you would be well served to have a written contract that lays out at a minimum, specifically: (1) how long you will shoot (hours); (2) how many photos you will provide; (3) what the rights/obligations are of the bride/groom (e.g., under NO circumstances will they be permitted to see your unedited images, deposits, final payment schedule, etc.); (4) what happens in the event of a disagreement, etc. You must have a written contract. Dont skimp on this.
I cannot stress enough that you must be insured and incorporated -- this is me wearing my attorney hat. Insurance is key for obvious reasons. Incorporating will protect your personal assets from the claims of a pissed off bride / plaintiff. I know, everybody says this is a close personal friend or Ive known Betsy for years...she would never sue me. Its amazing how fast people will turn on you, particularly for wedding photos which are a one and done event. There are no do overs. Word to the wise...
I know you may not want to hear this so please take this with a grain of salt and in the spirit of friendship with which it is offered -- and note that I have no clue about your photography skills or professional background, but if you have never photographed a wedding before and you are looking to acquire the right equipment a few months ahead of the wedding date, I would suggest that perhaps you are not ready to shoot a wedding as a first photographer. Many people shoot weddings as a second shooter for several years to learn what is needed to shoot the wedding correctly before they hang out their shingle and take on the job as the primary shooter."
Comments welcome and appreciated. Thanks for reading!!
