doing a wedding favor. Dont really want to

[ragman]

O.k here goes. My brothers girlfriends daughter is getting married. The photog they had lined up just bailed. My bro asked me to help out as a favor.
My problem is that I am just in it for the fun, But would like to help my brother and his girlfriend out. So I am looking for a bit of advice on what to read up on and a possible lens or 2.
I do mainly landscapes and action candid stuff of the kids. My lenses consist of the 18-35 kit, and a 70-200

Thanks in advance.

[antaine]

what camera do you have? I presume a 300D/350D/20D

I hope to do a wedding in Sept with a 10D, Tamron 28-75/2.8 and a 550EX flash (as a main camera) - but need to get a wider lense for group shots (worried about the quality/width of Sigma). So basically you need something in the 20-80 range and an external flash unit. Your 70-200 can be used for candids/portrait type photos....

... but there are tons of people here with experience who can help you better than me!!
Goodluck!

[PhotosGuy]

My bottom line is talk to the people who "hire" you. Make it clear as to what you can/cannot diliver and in what time frame. Preferably in writing. There's a thread here that includes a "Friend contract". You need to find & use it. ;-)

[ragman]

Thanks for the tips. I have been skimming over the posts and have learned a bunch. as for the camera I use its a 300D. I have had it for some time and may use the wedding as reason to upgrade. I am also the only one who has ties to the happy couple who has any knowledge at all of cameras. The baileing of the other guy is kind of complicated. Again I thank you for your imput.

[tim]

If you don't want to do it, don't. If you don't enjoy it you probably won't go to the trouble to get the best pics. I did my first wedding recently, for a friend, and I loved it. Here's my lessons learned (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=75678).

[Harry Settle]

If you don't want to do it, don't. If you don't enjoy it you probably won't go to the trouble to get the best pics. I did my first wedding recently, for a friend, and I loved it. Here's my lessons learned (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=75678).

More people need to submit a "lessons learned" like Tim did, instead of just telling us how the day went.

If you can use the occasion to upgrade, then upgrade. That's how I got most of the equipment that I have now.

I am finding my Sigma 24-70 to be my workhorse. The 70-200 2.8 works like magic from the back of the largest of churches. My Tamron 19-35 is great when things start getting crowded.

A good flash and lots of practice beforehand will work wonders. Oh yeah, a good tripod (as in rock steady) quality tripods can be obtained for little output. There is a set of Bogen 3021 legs for sale right now in the marketplace thread.

[Maureen Souza]

The lenses I use the most are my Tamron 28-75mm/2.8 and the Canon 50mm/1.4. If you have a large group, you will do okay with the kit lens.

Good luck.

[epeace]

Yeah, do a search on rdenny. His "Friend" contract is quite witty but actually useful in such a case.
i cant seem to find this (or any) thread from rdenny . .i remember him but i cant find anything he posted . ..

what gives?

really interested in the "friend contract as i'm shooting a wedding for a friends brother next month. .

i dont shoot weddings (i shoot runway and fashion) but i guess what are friends for . . .

so can anyone link me to this post by rdenny regarding the friend contract?

[mkh]

Omne tip - if you are going to upgrade your camera then do it far enuff in advance to have time to get familiar with it. THe day will be stressfull enough with out having to "learn" the camera at the same time.

[PhotosGuy]

More people need to submit a "lessons learned" like Tim did, instead of just telling us how the day went. :D:D:D I agree with you & have no problem showing the results. I think we need to show more than the "One-in-a-thousand" to help out people who are just starting out. Problem was, out of 250 views, no one would comment! ;) See this:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=77587

[ragman]

"Update Several months later" The bride never contacted me in person. That was all I asked from the happy couple. So i did not do the wedding. NOW my brother is going to marry his girlfriend in Oct of 2006. He did ask me in person (of course). Thanks to this site and all of your input ( and several more months of experince) I feel that I can do his wedding with confidence of doing a good job. Thank you all for everything.