Oh crap.

Snakeguy101 · Feb 2, 2011

I got a call late last night from a good friend of mine who is recently engaged. She asked me if I could shoot her wedding for her. Now I am really terrified because although I like to think I am an above average photographer I am definitely not a professional and I have never had any real practice with portraits. I explained I do not have the gear and experience for something like this but she insisted that it be me. Another problem is that she is getting married in the local springs and the ceremony will be held in waist deep water. There is really no room on the bank to move around to get angles from the shore so I will be in the water with them but my SLR is not water proof nor can I afford the water proof housing for it. I do have a Canon s90 and water proof case and I get great shots with it but it is still a point and shoot and I am worried about the quality if I were to blow them up and print them.

So here are my questions:
1) what gear will I need to rent for something like this?
2) what would be a good source of info that I could learn from to prepare for wedding photography?
3) what is the proper etiquette during the ceremony?

Any other advice on what I could do or tips for this are greatly appreciated. I am attaching a snapshot of the spring where they are holding their ceremony so you can get an idea of the environment I will be in.

Thanks!

misstwinklytoes · Feb 2, 2011

OOoh what a neat wedding idea!! I have no clue what to tell you though.

Boomn4x4 · Feb 2, 2011

I'd certainly make sure that there is agreement up front that if your camera gets wet, they will be buying you a new one.

The footing there looks horrible.

manaheim · Feb 2, 2011

Dude, tell her no. Don't insist, just outright say no. Say "I'm really sorry, but for a variety of reasons I do not feel comfortable with this and simply cannot do it."

Ryan L · Feb 2, 2011

I would say screw that, there's probably gators in there!

Snakeguy101 · Feb 2, 2011

Here is where I am right now. I talked with her again just a few minutes ago and she said that she is willing to get a cheap wedding dress from goodwill and go out today to take some practice shots. I said that if she really liked them and thought that the quality of them would be good enough for her actual wedding then I would do it as long as she pays for any rental gear and possible damages which will still be much less expensive than a pro wedding photographer. Does this sound okay?

Ryan L said:
I would say screw that, there's probably gators in there!

Nah, even if there were I am studying to become a herpetologist and I tackle gators in my free time.

Robin Usagani · Feb 2, 2011

If I do it, I'll make sure I have a small floating platform where I can sit my gears. Almost like a floating table.

subscuck · Feb 2, 2011

While I agree 100% with Manaheim, here are my thoughts. If she's recently engaged, I'm assuming there is some time before the funeral, er, I mean, wedding. Use that time productively and search out some local pros and see if they'll let you tag along on some wedding shoots. Some pros will do this, some won't. This will give you at least some experience before your shoot. You'll learn the "standard" shots, as well as see which lens or lenses he or she uses, flash, etc.

As for gear, weddings really require back up gear for everything. I'm no pro either, but I know some pros who shoot weddings, and it's not something to enter into lightly. This is the biggest day for most people, and you don't want to be the one who ruins it with crappy pics for memories.

If the wedding is soon, and you won't have time to hook up with a pro, take Manaheim's advice and back out.

quiddity · Feb 2, 2011

my dad always said the fastest way to make a friend an enemy was to enter into a business engagement with them.

i would respectfully decline but offer your "inside knowledge" to find her the best photographer for her budget.

manaheim · Feb 2, 2011

Snakeguy101 said:
Here is where I am right now. I talked with her again just a few minutes ago and she said that she is willing to get a cheap wedding dress from goodwill and go out today to take some practice shots. I said that if she really liked them and thought that the quality of them would be good enough for her actual wedding then I would do it as long as she pays for any rental gear and possible damages which will still be much less expensive than a pro wedding photographer. Does this sound okay?

No, it's not, but then why even ask us? You're telling her you already told her you'd do it, and asking us about whether or not it's ok to do what you committed to?

One of the very big reasons why you do NOT shoot weddings for friends and relatives is because it can be a friendship ender... but then so can flip-flopping on committing to doing something important, so either way you're gonna be screwed if you keep this up.

The other reason for not doing this is if you don't know what you're doing you can seriously bone it, resulting in a VERY unhappy bride.

That said, my reason for saying no is actually more about your own confidence level in your own abilities to do this well... and keeping in mind that the bride is also asking you to do some wacky stuff... that you're not comfortable with.

I've been shooting a LOT for 10 years. I have many many thousands of dollars in equipment. I have worked as a professional photographer and am very confident of my skills and abilities.

And yet when I was recently asked to be a SECONDARY photographer for a wedding, on the morning of I was so apprehensive about it that I swear I was having stomach pains. It went fine, of course, but the point is that you should treat this very seriously.

There is no "redo" on the biggest day of some young bride's life.

Overread · Feb 2, 2011

I'm with mana on this one - not only is it a challenging shooting event in itself, but you're shooting way out in the water. They are going for something special for the wedding so they will want some good shots (even if they dont' "say" they do they will "want to".).

My advice is to try and see if you can't help them (wedding gift!) pay for a professional to shoot the event. If you happen to have a style of photography that they enjoy you can always arrange and chat with the pro so that you have time to get a few shots of your own style in as well - that way they get the best of both worlds.

mike3767 · Feb 2, 2011

I think this is going to make your or break you! If these pictures come out great, I think you've got a good chance that your the only one that has ever done a wedding shoot in a swamp. Pretty sure no other photog business can say that. Can't wait to see the pics.

misstwinklytoes · Feb 2, 2011

OP - I'm gonna get SO flamed for saying this, but I say go for it. If you've TRULY explained to her your abilities and your lack of equipment etc. She still wants you to and she's willing to do a 'test' run, then I say GO for it.

I was in the same situation except it wasn't a friend of mine. Do a search for a thread started by me called Oh No! or something like that. You'll find lots of good, helpful ideas there. It was a stranger who needed a cheap photographer. You'll be a nervous wreck and you'll be worried and you'll take 1000+ photos and spend countless hours throwing away SO many of those, but chances are if the weather is good to you and you even remotely know what you're doing you'll get some shots that she'll love. If you have other photographer friends, see if they can come along and back you up, too. Most of all have fun and use it as an opportunity to learn.

GooniesNeverSayDie11 · Feb 2, 2011

I would say no, but if you do, atleast make sure you get the shot of the gator taking down the bride.....

e.rose · Feb 2, 2011

misstwinklytoes said:
OP - I'm gonna get SO flamed for saying this, but I say go for it. If you've TRULY explained to her your abilities and your lack of equipment etc. She still wants you to and she's willing to do a 'test' run, then I say GO for it.

Meh, I agree. If she's going to do a test run with you so you can see how you're going to do in that environment, and she sees the resulting pictures and *still* wants you as her photographer... then go for it.

There are a lot of crazy-ass brides out there that want super vogue-like wedding pictures and will give you **** if you don't deliver... but there are also a lot of chilled, laid back brides, that *mean* it when they say "I love your work, I want *you* to shoot my wedding" and will love it.

I've said it time and time again, but no one here is going to believe me because it's a photography forum...

I've seen some REALLY BAD wedding photos on a wedding forum I used to be on, but the brides were THRILLED with their "pro" pictures.

It just depends on who you're working with... and if you know this girl well enough to know she's being sincere and she's chill... then go for it.