Someone asked me to shoot their wedding....

[photosanity]

Well... If you have been shooting for 10 Years, you should know what you need. Seriously, doesnt matter what you have been shooting in the past 10 years, you will know what you need to shoot a wedding.

Yeah, I do know what I need and it scares me LOL. I was hoping to see if anyone has ever pulled off a wedding with the minimum especially if they did it for free. I guess I am just going to have to wait until I have the resources to do this. :-/

Heather,
I think you need to equip yourself. There was not a single photograph on your website that was not gorgeous. I wish you could find someone who has done a wedding and work with them on this project. I'm sure you would really enjoy it and you have the talent to pull it off. At least working side by side with a pro you could learn without being fearful of the failure part.

Best of luck on whatever you decide,
Jess

Thanks, Jess! Means a lot. I have a photography friend in California who takes amazing photographs of weddings. His name is Ian Grant. Has been featured in magazines and everything. But that would be a long drive haha. I am hoping they hire a decent photographer, but I think their budget is pretty low... so heck maybe they will get someone worse than me and they will look like the idiot LOL. Meanwhile, I did it all for free and they paid them $$$. It's not until September, so maybe I can read up on some stuff and save up some cash to purchase more equipment.

 

[Derrel]

Photosanity,
Your degree of openness, honesty,and maturity in this thread is, well, staggering actually. You've handled some brutally honest, and somewhat negative posts with what appear to be nerves of steel. Kudos!

 

[photosanity]

Run away as fast as you can.

Folks here are giving you some good advice. However, some things need a lot of experience, equipment and people handling skills that usually take awhile to develop.

Wedding photographers have my respect (even when only so so, as it is a very tough position to be in with little regard from the client). Tons of ugly stories to be found every where about wedding issues.

I did three in the 60's and only as a "friend", and vowed never again.

I can see how wedding photography could quickly turn disastrous. I have noticed though that my friends who I have taken photos of for free appreciate anything I do and while I don't think my friend, Ashley, would be the type to be picky being that she has never had "professional" photos taken for free - I could be wrong. I have a lot of time to think about it and I have already messaged her and asked if I could be a tag along instead. I think once I experience it - I will know if I want to pursue this.

 

[photosanity]

Heather,

I think you have a really good attitude, eager and ready to try things but willing to listen to advice.

If you ever want someone to look at your pictures, just PM me and I'd be happy to say what I can. My guess is that any of the others who responded to this thread got the same good impression of you.

Best regards,

Lew

Thanks, Lew! I appreciate it! What can't kill you, can only make you stronger. I take advice and critique to heart because it can only help me be a better photographer and a well prepared one.

 

[photosanity]

Thanks, Derrel! I do listen to legit criticism and advice. Unless someone just blatantly says I am horrible and doesn't explain why - I'll never appreciate that kind of feedback. How can I get better without constructive criticism?

Thanks to everyone for their input!

 

[johnh2005]

Photosanity, you are horrible. No explanation needed. JUST KIDDING. I am not sure how far away this is. I am hoping a while into the future. If it is you could try this. Call a few wedding photographers in your area and ask if they would mind you coming along as a second (or third) camera. Do it for free. Take a lot of photos but most importantly take notice of the lead photographer. See what he does, what shots he goes for, what equipment he brings, and HOW HE HANDLES the guests. If you can get a couple of different ones to let you tag along that would be even better. I myself am thinking about contacting the few photographers here in town to see how they work. Good luck!

 

[CCericola]

Being a second shooter is the way to go. Also, remember that you can rent equipment too. Even though you are a second shooter you can rent what lenses or bodies you want and try them out.

 

[photosanity]

Photosanity, you are horrible. No explanation needed. JUST KIDDING. I am not sure how far away this is. I am hoping a while into the future. If it is you could try this. Call a few wedding photographers in your area and ask if they would mind you coming along as a second (or third) camera. Do it for free. Take a lot of photos but most importantly take notice of the lead photographer. See what he does, what shots he goes for, what equipment he brings, and HOW HE HANDLES the guests. If you can get a couple of different ones to let you tag along that would be even better. I myself am thinking about contacting the few photographers here in town to see how they work. Good luck!

LOL nice one. The wedding is on September 3rd, so maybe 2 months roughly into the future? I'll contact around and see if there are any weddings coming up between then. I am pretty sure there are. If not, I could always bypass this one. She will have a main photographer either way.

 

[photosanity]

Being a second shooter is the way to go. Also, remember that you can rent equipment too. Even though you are a second shooter you can rent what lenses or bodies you want and try them out.

Very good point!