My first paid photo gig...

[noelty]

I have been asked by my wifes friend for over a year now to shoot some of the parties she plans. She is of course a party planner and I have been turning her down for quite some time.

Last week she insisted I shoot a private party in December at a residence where there will be over 100 guests and a band playing. It is a very large residence, and the party will take place in a very large tent with a stage.

She stated the person throwing the party wanted just casual candid pictures of the guests...have the photgrapher just walk around and shoot people having a good time. Get some shots of the band in action, and perhaps a few shots of host, his family and the band. The party planner asked that I provide a CD of all the shots and the host will pay an additional fee for any post processing and if I choose I can provide the prints for additional fee as well.

I accepted the job and have done the following to prepare for the event:

I shoot with a 30D. I have a spare battery and should be covered for the evening.

I have sold my 420EX and I will be replacing it with a 580EX.

I am considering a Gary Fong LS II...not sure if it is worth it or not, and if I should by the clear or clouded.

I have rented a Quantum Turbo to keep the flash charged.

I have borrowed a friends Rebel XT as a backup to my 30D just in case.

I am in the process of adding more memory cards to the 5GB's I own (4gb and 1GB). Probaly buy another 4GB'er and maybe another 1GB.

I am debating which lens I should use for the evening. I only want to use one lens so I am not switching lenses back and forth. I have a 28-135 (would be fine on a 5D) which is out of the question on the wide end...I have a 12-24 and an 85 MM...so I am thinking about renting a lens too. I was thinking about a 17-85 so with 1.6 crop factor I have an actual 27.2-136.

What other things do I need to consider? I usually shoot manual and was thinking ahead that at night in tented large area that I should be fine shooting (flash) ISO 400, f/ 5.6, 1/40...I will test the venue before hand of course. I have not shot bands playing before so any advice regarding shooting parties/bands would be appreciated.

[blackshadow]

either 24-70 f2.8 or 17-55 f2.8 IS would be my lens selection for this type of bash

i'd do as much of the shooting as i can using ambient light

no need for the fong thing if you know how to use your flash properly

have fun!

[TeeJay]

Wow, you seem to pretty much have it covered! Talk about being prepared!

What do you feel is wrong with the 28-135? Although it's not an "L", and a bit soft in places, if your copy is OK it's not bad as a walk-around. The 135 end can be quite an advantage for candids. Unless you want to be getting full length close-ups of big groups, it wouldn't be too bad, would it?

Having said that(!) I've got a "formal" do tomorrow evening and I'll most probably use my 24-70 on the 20D, and possibly carry the 17-40 on my back-up body.

Good luck anyway, I'm sure it will be fine.

[PhotosGuy]

I only want to use one lens so I am not switching lenses back and forth. I have a 28-135 (would be fine on a 5D) which is out of the question on the wide end...I have a 12-24 and an 85 MM...so I am thinking about renting a lens too. The 17-85 would be nice to have, but I think you can cover it well with the 12-24 (mostly at 24) & the 85 on the XT body. I'd take the 28-135 in case you want to cover dancing later.

With "I will test the venue before hand of course", It sounds like you have everything else covered. Good luck!

[cgratti]

Get a contract in writing, stating prices, # of photos, ect.... Since this is through a "friend" they may expect something for nothing or near nothing.
Dont go into this without knowing what your being paid, and what they expect of you during and after the shoot.

[noelty]

Get a contract in writing, stating prices, # of photos, ect.... Since this is through a "friend" they may expect something for nothing or near nothing.
Dont go into this without knowing what your being paid, and what they expect of you during and after the shoot.

Oh, I am sorry, I already have what I am being paid in writing...I am bing paid by the party planner. She was the one who made the offer and in writing stated she will be paying me not the host. It is a very generous amount too!