Did i do the right thing?

[Yeoer]

I was recently asked to shot a friends wedding. I thanked him for thinking of me but refused to be the main photographer but said i'd be happy to take a camera along and take a few informal shots and maybe some of the evening.

I haven't shot a wedding for a number of years so i thought this would be an ideal 'tester' with no pressure to see how i do and maybe look into it a bit more if the results were up to it. I'm actually off to 3 weddings in a month so i should get a feel for it or not.

Speaking to him today he has told me he has sourced a photographer who is NOT a pro and doing it as a sideline. I said ideal as long as you liked his work and style it shouldn't be a problem, he then went on to tell me the guy didn't have any examples of his work to show them... but he was cheap..!

I have visions of the guy turning up with a little P&S and snapping a few...

Do you think i should go fully kitted out just in case?

[Mario.]

Ask him if he would buy a car without seeing it, and test driving it.

[Yeoer]

Good comparision... Not only the Church Bells are ringing for me...

[wilky95]

I would take your gear even if it stays in the boot of the car, atleast if it all goes tits up you could be the hero of the day.

Martin

[Yeoer]

The anoying thing is... deep down i would have loved to have done it! but not quite so soon. His is actually the 3rd wedding so i would have had some practice before hand, but until i get the 1st and 2nd out the way i really don't feel confident enough to go solo again.

[tim]

I would take your gear even if it stays in the boot of the car, atleast if it all goes tits up you could be the hero of the day.

x2

(dum de dum post is too short)

[razyl]

Bigger is always better, I reckon throw on a battery grip and flash, and take a monster zoom lens even if you dont use it :lol:

[gheesom]

The guy may just be starting out, this could be his first wedding. But then I wouldn't charge anything for that one!

[Yeoer]

The guy may just be starting out, this could be his first wedding. But then I wouldn't charge anything for that one!


Nor would I, but then some people are just in it for a much as they can get and don't really care as long as they get paid.

I think my trouble will be (if i start doing paid jobs) is i am too fussy and critical of my own work, near enough is not good enough in my book so its going to take a while for me to be happy with the standard of my own portfolio work.

I just couldn't believe they booked him not having seen a single photo.

[gheesom]

I am booked for my first, but I could show them alot of other photo work I'd done before. Even so its an at cost wedding, my time is completely free.

[mace0002]

When I was first starting out I also did a few for free(at cost) for the experience and portfolio.
We are all very critical of our own work...but it is usually good enough for our client(just don't point out the stuff that is wrong). I also can't believe they didn't see any work from the other photographer. I have a feeling you would do a great job for them! Be confident and positive!!!
However, Be sure if you are going to bring your gear, and end up shooting the wedding you are compensated for that-even "at cost".

[hckyguy14]

I was just asked to shoot my sisters friends wedding because they are low on money. I am pretty much a beginner, with minimal equipment (as you can see below) and minimal experience, especially with weddings and protraits.

They are pretty much looking for a cheap way out. I told her I can do a pre-wedding shoot with them if they like and they can look at my work since I don't have any portraits to show them. If they like what comes out of that, then we can talk. But I warned that I am inexperienced, and not sure on what the outcome would be.

Knowing my experience, if someone who was there for the wedding were to show up with thier equipment, I don't think I would be offended, I would most likely be the guys shadow to learn as much as I could. I wouldn't charge then either, I would put my photos on smugmug and tell them my only pay would be thier purchase of the photographs. So it would all be contingent on how I do.

[cdifoto]

I just couldn't believe they booked him not having seen a single photo.

I dunno. I got $300 for my first, with zero prior experience and nothing to show them except an impressive looking camera (Bigma + XT)! :eek: :)


Oh yah and I did bomb that one... :rolleyes:

[takeyourpic]

I applaude you for being honest with your friend and yourself for not doing his wedding. If your heart isn't into it there is no reason to put yourself in that situation.

I would seriously talk to your friend and explain to him the risk of having someone do their wedding that could possibly not have backup equipment/experience/etc. to be able to produce for them. You can tell him that you not doing this because you want to do the wedding, but that you are just wanting to make sure that they understand what is involved. A lot of people don't have a clue and just take the lowest price they can find without a thought.

[Yeoer]

I just don't think they have placed much value or importance on capturing the moment. I just hope they won't regret saving a few quid in the long run. Memory's fade and future little one won't have been there, what price can you put on that when your son or daughter asks to see your wedding album in years to come and all you've got to show are a few snaps, the sayings 'oh but you should have been there' and 'the dress and flowers were superb, but the detail and colours were so much nicer than that in real life..!' just spring to mind.

[wilky95]

[quote=cdifoto;3113524]I dunno. I got $300 for my first, with zero prior experience and nothing to show them except an impressive looking camera (Bigma + XT)! :eek: :)


:D Yahh but aint that Bigma one son bitch lens I just love that lens, OK not so good in a church:o but man sun light and it rocks at 400mm hand held moving hoss and its sharp.