Take my camera to my friend's wedding?

[KevC]

Hey.

I'm interesting in Wedding Photography. I may start doing that when I get much better, seems like a nice form of side income. My friend is getting married in September. He's already hired a pro, but I still wanna bring my drebel and shoot some pictures. Should I? He's a good friend, so I still want to enjoy the wedding. I wont be bringing a set of studio lights or anything, just my 300D and my 50mm f/1.8. Should I shoot some, or should I just let the pro handle it... and try to observe him while having a good time?

Obviously I'll put my camera away while the actual ceremony is going on, but when people are having fun, I wouldn't mind shooting. But I wanna have fun too! You guys ever in this predicament?

Oh, this is also the first wedding I've ever attended. Well, first I've ever attended and I'm old enough to actually grasp what's going on :) (I think I was at a wedding when I was ~5y/o lol!)

[poke]

...I wouldn't mind shooting. But I wanna have fun too!....

Well it seems to me you have answered your own question :)

If you dont find shooting fun... Don't do it!!!

On the off chance that you do find it fun, as long as you don't get in the way of the pro, and you not sporting a white lense with an L on it, he probably won't get upset. If your really concerned, you can always go up and introduce yourself... tell him what your doing, and ask if he has any issue with it.

Just make sure your ready to shoot when the bride and groom kiss... i did a wedding on sunday, and almost missed it because i had accidently knocked the lense to manual focus. DOH!!!

:) enjoy

[scottbergerphoto]

Many people bring cameras to weddings. Some B&G's put disposable cameras on the tables. Since someone has been hired as The Photographer, make sure you don't make his job any harder. Other then that, bring the camera(and yes no studio lights) and take as many or as few as you want.
Scott

[KevC]

Thanks! I'll do that :) The pro is my friend, and for sure I wont bother him too much. I want to learn from him though, I'll try to observe him as much as possible... aaand try to have fun. Hmm.

[robertwgross]

Get the groom to inquire to the pro photographer.

A few pros will simply not allow any other shooters around when they are working. That is a minority.

Most pros have the attitude that if you stay out of their way and don't false trigger any of their lights, then that is OK.

If the groom makes the inquiry along the lines of "We want to make sure that we stay out of your way." That should get cooperation.

---Bob Gross---

[tbfoto]

Hi KevC, Unless the pro is a jerk then he wont mind as long as you follow some common sense rules.

#1 Stay out of his way.
#2 Dont make his job harder by having to deal with you while he is working.
#3 Always wait for his flash to fire before you shoot.
#4 Dont tell the wedding party to "hold that pose" while you frame it up to shoot.

Remember he has been hired to work and that is just what he will be doing.
If you see him in some downtime...then go up and talk to him. Ask what kind of equipment he's using, tell him it's something your interested in learning, then thank him for his time and go enjoy the rest of the night and keep shooting.

All this will make for an enjoyable time for both of you.

[KevC]

Hey thanks for all the replies guys. I think I wasn't clear, I *love* shooting. What I meant was, during a wedding there's food and dance and stuff to do for fun! It's not that I find shooting not fun... it's because I want to participate in the wedding!

I'll be sure to get the shot of the groom and the bride kissing. Hm... I'll hafta save up for that 70-200mm f/4L :D

I obviously don't want to get in the pro's way. But he's a friend of mine (the pro AND the groom) and I've already checked out with both of them, it shouldn't be a problem. He's a Nikon user though.... grr.... but his work is absolutely fabulous.

[mikesd]

Sounds like a great oppurtunity. If you have an interest in getting into wedding photography along with having some fun I would approach this as if I was working as an assistant. While making sure you are not in the pro's way try to do as professional of a job as you are capable of. You never know you might impress the pro and that might lead to being asked sometime to help him out on some of his jobs, and gaining the experiance will be very valuable. Good luck.

[megaweb]

If I am you, I would bring Canon Digital Rebel KISS 300D and EF50mm f/1.8 MKII to shoot some candid shots. No flash , @f1.8 , ISO 400 to 1600 depend on lighting , indoor.

[gramps]

How about if you did some "casual" shots at the reception, put them in an album and give it to the bridge & groom as a present?

[robertwgross]

If you want to do good wedding photography, stay away from the bar.

---Bob Gross---

[mikesd]

well said Bob, save it for after the wedding and reception, your probably going to need it!

[Andy_T]

Don't have your gear stolen or damaged...

Best regards,
Andy