Another wedding photography question...

[chai]

Hello,

It's kind of random how my situation came about... but here goes!

I am a student photographer (I'm 17). At my school, I "won" this little film/photography award where I got my name/photo in the newspaper, along with a whole bunch of people from other schools.

But anyway, my art teacher called me last night (which I automatically assumed something wrong and/or bad... ha) and he told me that a lady had seen me in the paper, a lady having a wedding, and she wanted to hire a student photographer (me).

So with that being totally and completely random, and me not having done much wedding photography, I am interested in the offer, but don't know how much to charge. I wanted to do some research before I contacted her, and I thought this would be a great place because so many of you have experience in this.

Now.. I have been doing photography for a few years (if you are interested, you can have a look at my deviantArt page: http://diablerie.deviantart.com/).

I am working with a digital Rebel at the moment and that is likely what I will be using for this wedding (in September).

I don't know if she is hiring a professional photographer as well (I would hope so... I wouldn't rely on an unknown student photographer! lol) but I was thinking on bringing my father because he is also a photographer. I'd feel better having another photographer because, well, it's someone's wedding , and I think it's safer that way. The way it was told to me, I am unsure if I am shooting the reception or wedding, because my teacher said it was going to be in her backyard.

But anyway... that is my position, and I guess my questions are boiling down to a) What should I charge? b) Should I bring my father? c) Any specific equipment that might be helpful (Though they shouldn't be expecting much fancy schmancy... I am only 17, after all).

Thanks!

[tim]

I think you need to get more information from the woman before your questions could be intelligently answered. All those things you've said you don't know, go find out! We'll be able to give you better information then.

Welcome to the forum :)

[chai]

True, well b) and c) I suppose I will have to ask... but I was moreso wondering about how much to charge... I wanted to at least have a ballpark range, just not to go in there blindly hehe.

Thanks!

[etaf]

a) she is possibly looking for something on the cheap - or did you have examples of your work in paper - if so she likes your work
b) do you get on well with your father and able to work in a very pressured/stress environment - you need to establish who will be the boss and take the lead in the event, to avoid confusion and misunderstandings
c) i dont think age will change there expectations - you need to have a chat and see what they actually want from you. then once you know the scope you can decide on kit

[Rob612]

I personally have no experience in wedding photography. So I have no clue on questions a) and c). As far as question b), I would say "no".

For several reasons:

1) If she wants you, she is somehow going to take the risk, she knows that, she asked or it, so she deserver whatever comes out (that I know will be your best).

2) Showing up with dad will be somehow a way of declaring yourself as an unsecure person. True, you are 17 and you have all the rights of being afraid and worried, but what the heck, you are saved by the fact that SHE called you, you did not proposed yourself. Just make sure of doing no damage :D

3) After the wedding, you will have an instant selfconsciousness of what you can handle and what you cannot. No matter what the results are, this will be an experience that adds value to you, as a person and as photographer. If youl'' bring your dad along, you'll never know. Trust yourself and take the risk (and remember that you are "protected" by point 1) above. Even if things go bad, you have done your best and she cannot complain (well, at least not too much :D) But will have gained an on the job experience that has a HUGE value.

Just my .02, of course.

Good luck, whatever you choose to do. Keep us posted.

Edit to add: all the suggestions given for questions A and C seems quite reasonable to me.

[Rob612]

Good answer from Rob 612.

From a pro, I'll really take it as a compliment :)

[PhotosGuy]

You know that you can't charge a pro fee to shoot, but it would be nice to make some money, so why not base it on performance? Shoot it for the experience, but charge a good per print price so that the better job you do, the more you make. ;-)

[CyberPet]

I was going to suggest the very thing PhotosGuy suggested. Offer the shoot for free, but have them buy prints (and include prost processing in that cost).

Don't bring your father as an assisant, bring one of your school mates. They know what they are doing as well as you have someone to chat with.

[blue_max]

I was going to suggest the very thing PhotosGuy suggested. Offer the shoot for free, but have them buy prints (and include prost processing in that cost).

Don't bring your father as an assisant, bring one of your school mates. They know what they are doing as well as you have someone to chat with.

Hell, bring the best looking girl in the school and live life.

Don' think about it, don't stress it –*just do it!

It's only taking pictures, not life or death – you have the rest of your life to be 'safe'.

Oh, to have my time again!

Graham

nb You obviously know your way round a camera and are only lacking exerience, so grab some by the bucket loads!

[kjonnnn]

Besides the technical and financial stuff, remember you're trying to capture someone's special day. Look for and expect moments you DIDN'T expect.

[chai]

Thank you all very much for your advice!

Ah... I see your points now in favour of *not* bringing my father... makes sense heh, I never really thought of it that way. Well I suppose when I call I can ask if she has any other photographers that will be there, and if not, perhaps like CyberPet suggested, bring a friend. I've gotten my friend into photography, so maybe having another student there wouldn't be a bad idea. But, I will talk to the lady first and determine the situation.

I also like the idea of shooting for free and just charging for prints. I'm very familiar with photoshop and I know where in town to get stuff done, so I think that will work out well.

If they are not interested in doing the print idea (maybe they have just want the photos on a CD...), and would rather pay me in another way, I am still unsure about rates...

And blue_max, I am a girl, but I don't know about best looking in school haaa ^_~

Thanks again!

[GenEOS]

I highly suggest you take the gig. I would be very upfront with this lady about her expectations of you and what your plans are for the shoot. i.e. what shots she wants and what shots you have on your list.

Why I highly suggest you shoot this is because at the end of the evening, maybe sooner, you will know for sure if you ever want to shoot another wedding again. It ain't for me, that's for sure...I would rather stay home and pull out hair or poke myself with a hot soldering iron..

Hints....be very careful to make sure that every subject is looking at the camera during group shots...double check...watch your backgrounds...

Hope all goes well.....

[GenEOS]

It's frightening to me. Way to much pressure. I have shot one wedding. There wasn't even any pressure. I was shooting it because "the guy they set up to take pictures" did not show until after the wedding started. You guessed it, it was a relative. Even with no pressure to perform, I found myself in a sweat, trying to shoot all the standard shots and get all the key moments.

Bloo, Attitude!! I ain't got no frigg'n attitude! LOL

[blue_max]

Sorry chai,

You could still bring her!

Point is, you will probably be as good a photographer as they are likely to find and the only difference will be experience. If you turn out to be fabulously famous, you will look back and laugh.

Go make yourself famous!

Graham

[AjP]

beside equipment and so on, make sure you discuss with her everything in details, time of events, schedule, what most important pics, plan as much as you can, this way you will minimaze chance of missing most important shots.
and make sure dress as comfortably as you can :)

and good luck!!!!! wedding photography is ingredibly hard and stressful job

[etaf]

when I have shot for friends and relatives - I have asked to have a nominated person/s in the party who know most people - so when your trying to fing uncle xxxxx that person will know them and find them for you.
I usually get the bride/groom to make a list / or we make together of about 20/ish formals and who they want in them - them I use the list on the day to make sure I get the main pictures, i'm sure with a lot of experiance this you would do off the top of your head - but i have only shot 12 weddings over last 5 years - so do not really remember.
the last wedding the bride {sister in law now} did not really want to bother with a list and just wanted informal shots and the usual wedding groups - and no matter how hard I tried I was not getting that list - anyway after i presented the photos - she asked me why i had none of aunty xxxx and i said because i did not knwo that was important to you and i found out later that she did not like to be in pictures so made a point of avoiding any of the group shots, but without a list was unable to track down.
end of waffle :)

[blue_max]

when I have shot for friends and relatives - I have asked to have a nominated person/s in the party who know most people - so when your trying to fing uncle xxxxx that person will know them and find them for you.
I usually get the bride/groom to make a list / or we make together of about 20/ish formals and who they want in them - them I use the list on the day to make sure I get the main pictures, i'm sure with a lot of experiance this you would do off the top of your head - but i have only shot 12 weddings over last 5 years - so do not really remember.
the last wedding the bride {sister in law now} did not really want to bother with a list and just wanted informal shots and the usual wedding groups - and no matter how hard I tried I was not getting that list - anyway after i presented the photos - she asked me why i had none of aunty xxxx and i said because i did not knwo that was important to you and i found out later that she did not like to be in pictures so made a point of avoiding any of the group shots, but without a list was unable to track down.
end of waffle :)

Wise words.

Graham