Booked my first wedding!

[Claire]

And before you guys say anything, nope I'm not running the opposite way. And no, I won't run to B&H either.

Met the couple today, they are nice and personal chemistry seems ok.

Payment is agreed upon and how to go about it as well. Done. Delivery time - done. An Agreement will be sent off to them as soon as I've finished typing it up. Train ticket was given to me already today!

The groom will wear a light grey suit, so no worries with black clothes.

The wedding will be casuel, 70-80 guests. No bridesmaids or groomsmen, one ring bearer, one Toasmaster and one Toastmadam. The ceremony will be held by the beach, unless it pours, then it'll be moved to the reception building.

They are aware I'm a hobbyist. They know I don't have years of experience and they know my equipment range as well. They're all fine with it.

So, can I start to panic now? ;) :D

[liza]

You may officially panic. :) Congrats on booking the wedding. I booked one myself this week, but have lost three others because they didn't want to pay my prices.

Looking forward to seeing some shots posted.

[TheSteveMadden]

Congrats, Claire! I saw what you did with only the "kit" lens at a wedding last year. I'm confident you'll do quite well on this first paid wedding.

[therosefairy]

Congrats!! Can't wait to see the pics!

[OdiN1701]

Don't Panic.

Oh, and 42.

[saravrose]

oh claire.. congratulations.. I have two weeks and counting before my first wedding... and another one two weeks after that... and i'm done panicking over the first one and started panicking about the second...

sari

[Claire]

Congrats, Claire! I saw what you did with only the "kit" lens at a wedding last year. I'm confident you'll do quite well on this first paid wedding.

Hi Steve,
Thanks for the vote of confidence! I'd love to have better lenses & a macro, but can't afford it yet. Will need to get another battery & possibly another 1Gb CF card. To be on the safe side. Might try to borrow a flash from someone too, but I'm scared of flashes, don't know how to use one!

Now I'm gonna pour over wedding mags etc for inspition for poses!

[Claire]

oh claire.. congratulations.. I have two weeks and counting before my first wedding... and another one two weeks after that... and i'm done panicking over the first one and started panicking about the second...

sari

Oh, two in a row? That's pressure! Are they strangers or people you know?

Great, then I can pick your brain & we can panic together! He He

What will your first wedding be like?

[newgenphoto]

Claire, no ned to panic. I've seen your work and you do a great job. I sub-contracted for two years before I went on my own and I always stressed about shooting a wedding for another pro. My first wedding for my company was SOOOO nice and my wife and I were so relaxed during the day. THe pictures showed it as well. We ended up becoming great friends with the couple and I'm now doing there maternity pictures!!

[Claire]

They mainly want potraits of themselves after the ceremony. I'll be there during the ceremony itslef (15-20mins long) and will probably take a few shots then as well, but their primary focus is the formal ones of them. I try to see it all as a regular portrait session. They seem like an easy-going couple. The groom is a hobby photographer who does a lot of macro stuff. He was in charge of hiring the photographer and he has given me free hands, but says he's not keen on too posed shots. He likes photos that takes in the surrounding a bit and not just tight close crops, and he likes when the models don't look straight into the camera, even if he knows we'll have a few of those as well.

The bride seems nice as well and also easy going. Not shy really, but maybe a bit timid. She said her dress won't be big and such, and she seems to go for a simple thing with smaller bouquet as well. She ended up asking me some stuff about makeup and I ended giving general small advice about a "first aid" kit.

[spencer87]

congratulations on the booking claire! your work is wonderful, I am sure you will do well.

[samnz]

Fantastic work Claire. It's a real buzz doing weddings. I can't get enough of them...the energy, the glamour and fun - the brain keeps on tickin and the shutter keeps on clickin You'll be great! Congrats. Sam

[saravrose]

Oh, two in a row? That's pressure! Are they strangers or people you know?

Great, then I can pick your brain & we can panic together! He He

What will your first wedding be like?

first wedding was really kind of funny.. My cousin called and said that her sister-in-law was looking for a photographer and she suggested me.:confused: :confused: . I pretty much panicked at the thought, but then the more I thought about it the more I decided to meet with the bride.. I showed her a good portion of my work, explained my strengths and weaknesses as a photographer and outlined my experience.. she liked my work and had decided to go with me. the venue is inside a church, and it's not going to be a pretty church more like a gym.. but all the formals are going to be done outside (my idea).. and the grounds are actually really pretty..
I was offered another one a week before the first but, decided to turn it down because of several reasons...
The second is for my cousin.. pretty simple really, she had decided on a couple of different photographers but waited too long to try to book them and they weren't available.. there's a couple of other's that are available but for the money their work doesn't impress her.. So, after a long talk of what she really expects, what i'm capable of etc... it looks like i'm going to be shooting for her as well.... Now, i'm pretty nervous about both and I very well may change my mind on ever shooting any kind of wedding again.. but, if I don't try I won't know..

sari

[sageone]

I remember when I had my first corporate gig, was shaking in my boots. Now, it's a piece of cake. It's like riding a bike. Get on it and start peddling.

[Jwreich]

Congratulations on the first booking. it's a major milestone...

[TheSteveMadden]

Hi Steve,
Thanks for the vote of confidence! I'd love to have better lenses & a macro, but can't afford it yet. Will need to get another battery & possibly another 1Gb CF card. To be on the safe side. Might try to borrow a flash from someone too, but I'm scared of flashes, don't know how to use one!

Now I'm gonna pour over wedding mags etc for inspition for poses!

I was going to mention a flash, but deleted it because of you B&H caviat. I couldn't recommend the 430EX enough. It's made a HUGE difference in my photography and is a piece of equipment that will last for years. If you can borrow a flash, make sure you schedule enough time with willing subjects to get used to it before the wedding.

[purple]

Claire, Congratulations!

[DocFrankenstein]

Congratulations on the first booking. it's a major milestone...
The first milestone is to shoot it. ;)

I'm just kidding claire. You'll do a wonderful job.

I'd really consider a 35/2 or 28/2.8