A friend asked me to shoot his baby's Baptism

[cali]

I don't have a clue as to what to do. I am a beginner and I just bought a 20D and I think this is a great opportunity for me to gain some valuable experience. He said he'd pay me but I don't think I could let him do it since I am a beginner and not a professional and I'd hate for him to be disappointed after paying me and not having his pictures come out the way he expected. Someone told me that I should just charge him for the prints and materials and if he wants to pay me on top of that then fine. What should I do to prepare for it?

[tim]

Given that this is a once-in-a-lifetime event i'd recommend he hire a pro if he really wants good pictures. Someone just getting used to the camera will spend most of their time on the equipment instead of the photos.

If you do it, do it for the experience, and make the same promise I made when I started out: "I promise to show up".

[Radtech1]

I faced the same quandary when a pal asked me to shoot his wedding.

If this is a friend, please, tell him up front that he must not pay you. You will take the shots, but please, no compensation. Thank him for the opportunity to practice, but make sure he knows that it will be just that, practice. Make sure he knows you are an amateur and strongly urge a professional.

This is a once in a life time type occasion, and if he is paying someone, he deserves to have it shot professionally.

And if (IF) any shots you take turn out well, print them up at Costco for 19¢ each and give them to him, along with another thank you for the valuable practice.

Rad

[cali]

Thanks guys for the good advice.