Seeking Advice for my First Wedding...

[ashjamesgav]

One of my best friends is getting married on December 27th this year. She asked me to be her maid of honor, and of course I happily agreed. Today we found out that the person she was going to ask to be her wedding photographer will be out of town. She knows that I've taken up an interest in photography, so she asked me if I'd be willing to do that instead.

Doing my first wedding is going to be a HUGE step. Not to mention, I was supposed to be a part of the wedding, not the person viewing it all through a lens. I don't know whether or not I should accept, I just got my camera a couple of weeks ago. All that I have to work with is my Canon 40D and my 28-135 lens. She's going to get together with the person who was going to photograph her wedding and arrange for me to borrow some of his equipment (I don't even have off-camera flash yet, or a tripod). She knows that I still have SO much to learn with this camera, but she also thinks that I have the eye for it, she trusts me, and knows that I'm trying to build my portfolio.

Do you think that I should pass on this? I feel like it's a really big responsibility to take on. I'd love to have that addition to my portfolio, but not if I'm not properly equipped and end up taking horrible pictures. I'm very nervous, I've really focused mainly on portraits.

Her wedding will be outside, and the reception inside. She's on a low budget because they set the date only about a week ago. I thought that photographing the wedding could be my wedding gift to her. What type of equipment would I need to do this? I'm also on a tight budget, and since the wedding is two days after Christmas, and my son's birthday shortly follows that, I can't really afford to purchase any new equipment, I'd have only what the person who was going to photograph the wedding lets me borrow (he also has a Canon, and has photographed several weddings).

She also said he'd get together with me and show me a thing or two and that he'd bring us with to a wedding he's doing in the beginning of December. With how unprepared I seem right now, should I tell her no? I feel that if I do tell her no, I'll really let her down. But at the same time, I don't want to go into it without the equipment I need or experience under my belt to take pictures of her wedding that would let her down.

What to do???????

[BeccaJ]

i would pass and be IN the wedding. That would mean more to me than photographing my best friends wedding. I would want to enjoy that day with her...not be working for her. Whether i had experience or not.

[scobols]

I don't want to go into it without the equipment I need or experience under my belt to take pictures of her wedding that would let her down.

Good way to ruin a friendship. Can you get another "fairly new" wedding photographer and be a second shooter?

[ashjamesgav]

Good way to ruin a friendship. Can you get another "fairly new" wedding photographer and be a second shooter?

Not really, she said she's going to see if some of the girls that normally assist the photographer who was originally going to shoot her wedding would be able to be there and help me... But it's not a for sure thing. I feel like either way I'll lose, if I tell her I won't do it she'll be disappointed, but if I do it and something goes wrong (I have 1 memory card, 2 batteries, 1 body, 1 lens... Imagine the possibilities) she'll be disappointed.

[ashjamesgav]

i would pass and be IN the wedding. That would mean more to me than photographing my best friends wedding. I would want to enjoy that day with her...not be working for her. Whether i had experience or not.


That's how I'm starting to feel... I love photography, but I'd like to be there enjoying it, not be the one seeing it all through a lens.

[Mike McCusker]

i would pass and be IN the wedding. That would mean more to me than photographing my best friends wedding. I would want to enjoy that day with her...not be working for her. Whether i had experience or not.

Absolutely!!!!

[egordon99]

Pass.

Like I mentioned in your other thread, I shot thousands and thousands of shots over the course of over two years before attempted to do my first wedding as the primary shooter. I just can not fathom how one can learn the skills I needed for that wedding in a few weeks. Especially if you've only owned your camera for a couple of weeks.

If you want to get a nice gift for your friend, YOU hire a professional photographer; I'm sure she would be eternally grateful.

[tim]

NO NO NO NO NO!

As the photographer you're an observer, not part of the events. If you're close enough to be maid of honour that would be terrible. If anything went wrong with the photos you could ruin your friendship.

It took me a year to really get comfortable with my first digital SLR, shooting an any conditions from sunlight to darkness, especially changing between different light quickly and operating the camera in the dark (receptions are practically dark sometimes). Two weeks is not enough.

Have her hire someone else.

[videochicke]

Be a guest.

[ashjamesgav]

Thank you all, I'm going to tell her today. Let's hope this goes well..

[Teachflute]

Ooohh! This is a very tough situation. As maid of honor, I would tell her that I would not feel comfortable photographing the wedding, but you would love to help her find someone to photograph the wedding. If she's not interested in paying for a photographer, contact the local college or adult ed and see if they have a photography course. If there is a photography course, contact the teacher and ask if there are any star, talented pupils that might be interested in doing a wedding for the experience. You can also contact a local camera shop and see if they know of anyone.

If your friend wants good pictures, she should pay for a professional. If she really doesn't care about the quality, this is the route I think she should go and you could help her.

There are too many variables in a wedding to try to photograph it with only one body and one lens. I wouldn't risk your friendship over this.

If she's a good friend, hopefully she will understand how uncomfortable this makes you feel and will respect those feelings.

[NC_Photo]

Just say no.

Seriously, she's going from hiring a professional to using a friend who just got her camera? This just screams ruining a friendship. I'm not doubting your ability to do a nice job, but I without wedding experience I wouldn't do this job.

Stick to being a bridesmaid, bring along your camera for some fun reception shots.

[cdifoto]

Be a guest, get wasted, and be immune to a lawsuit. It's a win-win-win.

Shooting it would be a lose-lose-lose.

Although I'd almost be tempted to not even show up at all, since she thinks so little of me to even ask me to work my ass off with minimal experience just because I'd have to be cheap or free.

At the very least I'd be telling her to kiss my ass. If you were set to be a bridesmaid, you're close enough to her to get away with that.

[Maureen Souza]

I agree with everyone else. Tell her it would mean more to you to be a part of the wedding party as already planned.

[HarrisonClicks]

I agree with everyone's advice and you should say 'no'. With that said, bring your camera and take a few shots without the pressure to perform.

[SUB1IM388]

you said you have been doing portraits mainly. why dont you offer her an Engagmeant session that way you can have some experiance and maybe put her at ease. maybe show her that you want to take pictures but more cherrish her as a friend. if it were family id rather be party then spectator.

[egordon99]

That's a great idea!

you said you have been doing portraits mainly. why dont you offer her an Engagmeant session that way you can have some experiance and maybe put her at ease. maybe show her that you want to take pictures but more cherrish her as a friend. if it were family id rather be party then spectator.

[anlabyalteredimages]

There is too much emphasis on equipment! my first camera was a fuji s500fd and i did my first wedding with this camera, and i got glowing reports! we all have to start somewhere and it sounds like your friend knows where you stand. There is a great deal of snobbery within the photography field, my advice is to go onto Flickr and have a look at the images on there. being your first wedding get yourself down to a good bookshop and buy yourself a copy of Mark Cleghorns book, Wedding Photography. I swear by this book for beginners.
Hope you opt to do the wedding, remember to enjoy it, get some family and friends to pose for you in some informal sessions. i truely wish you all the best.

Regards Anlaby Altered Images

[Bobster]

do not shoot this wedding!

wedding photos are a once in a lifetime shot, if you don't get the shot (bad exposure, wrong ISO etc) i will never be captured again.. don't tell her to go to the local college either.. there is no way id trust a wedding to a college photographer wanna be!

oh and love to see some of those shots from that S5700..

[LeesaB]

Please pass on this for her and for you. Your going to be working with equipment you are not familiar with. Shooting a wedding is NOT easy, and these are her memories, the ONLY memories she will have for that day.

Take your time getting into wedding photography, make sure it's what you want to do.

Help her find a photog in your area, start by looking here, and post a photog needed.