Some Advice PLease

[Pastafarian]

Well you have to love short notice.
A friend of mine whom I have know for 8 years or so today asked me if I would shoot her brothers rehearsal dinner, Friday night. Apparently her father decided today that he would like a photographer there. I have never shot any weddings or really anything formal before. I tend to stick with nature and macro work. I am confident with my skills and my small selection of gear, but am absolutely terrified of screwing something up. This would be my first paid gig ever, and that adds to my apprehension.

Do you have any suggestions that may help me in this new area? Do I just go with the flow? It has been years since I even attended a wedding, I just don’t know where to begin.


My gear will be:

350D
Canon 28-105 USM 3.5-4.5
Canon 50 1.8
Canon 18-55mm kit lens
430 EX flash
and probably a monpod


Hopefully a friend of mine will be cool with me borrowing his 350D also to use as a second body which I can keep the 50 on while using my 28-105 and my primary.

[coreypolis]

just the rehersal dinner?

[PhotoJourno]

With the given material, 50mm should be your best friend. Second to that, I think the 28-105 with the 430EX is valuable for portraiture granted you have done flash photography before.

Ask lots of questions. These jobs are mostly about gathering intelligence. Since it is a rehearsal, will there be lights on?... Is it a cozy setting?... Day or night?... Is it a home deal or a huge Wharehouse?... Backyard tents?...

It all comes into consideration.

[tim]

28-105 with bounced flash is my pic, 2nd camera with 50mm prime. Don't shoot it wide open go for F2.2 or something, and use fill flash.

I like your sig, who said that? ("Amateurs worry about gear, Professionals worry about money, Masters worry about light"). I don't know where to put myself, I worry about all three.