Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[bfriend]

Hello all



This past Christmas I received my first decent camera (Digital Rebel) and I love it, but now I am stuck in a situation and I need some recommendations.



In March I attended my cousins wedding and although I was not the wedding photographer, I took a lot of pictures. Being the polite person that I am, I never used my flash while the photographer was shooting and I always stayed behind or off to the side. So unfortunately I was limited to what ever light was around at any given moment and not always the best point of view during the wedding.



About a month ago I provided my cousin with a DVD Slide Show as well as full set of prints and a few 8 x 10’s that I applied some PS magic to as a gift and I went on with my life.



Then yesterday out of the blue I received a phone call by a couple that saw the items that I gave my cousin and they told me that they would like me to shot there wedding despite the fact that they would loss the down payment of $650 that they already paid a professional because there wedding is within the non refundable cancellation window of their contract.



So after talking to this lady for almost an hour, trying to explain to her that I am not a professional and I would not be able to provide them with all the bells & whistles that their original photographer was going to do, but she did not care.



So here I am in total shock that this has happened and very worried that I have my first wedding for a couple that was willing to loose $650 on top of my fee, travel expenses and lodging for two nights since the wedding is being held approx 2 hours from where I live.



So here I my questions for all of you experienced photographers out there.



1) Do you think my equipment is adequate? – See equipment list below.

2) If you had $500 in your pocket right now to buy equipment of any kind that could assist in shooting this wedding, what would it be and why?

3) Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.



My equipment list:



Canon Digital Rebel
2 - 1GB Cards
18-55 Canon Lens

75-300 Tamron Lens

Sigma EF-500 DG Super Flash

Off shoe flash cord

Pivoting flash mount/camera grip



Thanks

[mikesd]

You could use faster lenses for low light situations but your biggest problem is not having a second body for a backup. I would use my $500 and find a used 300D body.

[tonytony]

I agree. Second hand 300D or D60 as backup and at least one spare battery.

Cheers,
Tony

[lostdoggy]

More batteries and a faster lens like a Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 EX DG. I do hope that you have more CF then 2GB. Shoot in RAW this way at least you would at least have a second chance. Negotiate for some money up front and if possible see if you can rent a backup camera.

[lostdoggy]

One more thing do a search on contracts in this forum. There has been a few discusion in the corner the pro on wedding Photography.

[tim]

I've only done one wedding so far, so take my advice for what it's worth, but I personally wouldn't attempt a wedding with that gear. I'd want as a minumum:
- A MINIMUM of 4GB, 6GB is better. You HAVE to shoot RAW, things go *so fast* at weddings, at least with RAW if you mess it up you have a good chance of recovering the image. With JPG you'd have a problem. These are one in a lifetime shots, you don't want to miss any.
- A high quality, fast, normal zoom lens, like the Tamron 28-75, Canon 24-70, Sigma of the similar range etc.
- A LightSphere II, or another diffuser you like.
- 4 sets of 2400mah+ NiMH batteries. Seriously, don't underestimate how many batteries you use at a wedding, especially with a diffuser.
- The zoom lens you have should be ok for ceremony shots if you use a tripod and high ISO.
- A flash bracket (you might have that listed in your gear list above, not sure). Eg Stroboframe Pro-T is what I have, they make loads of different kinds though.
- A contract, saying that they're buying your time only, and in the case of problems the maximum you will refund is what they paid. In the lawsuit-happy USA i'd get a lawyer to do this, or use a proven stock contract. Make sure you say in writing that you're inexperienced and won't be help responsible for anything going wrong.

Ideally i'd also like:
- A good quality telephoto zoom lens.
- A backup camera, basically any EOS camera: film, digital, it doesn't matter, so long as you can use it if you have to.
- Studio lights for group formals. A little flash like we both have isn't as powerful as i'd like. Not everyone shares this opinion.

You might also like to read my "lessons learned" posts. They're and [url=http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=81728]here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=75678here[/url). Also, anything written by Bloo Dog is worth reading, if you run out of time to a search for his posts in the "cornering the pros" forum.

Good luck!

[robertwgross]

Maybe this is a little off the subject, but do you need to bear the expense of two nights of lodging?

Why not get up early, drive there, do the gig, and drive home late?

Otherwise, Tim has one good summary started.

---Bob Gross---

[bfriend]

Maybe this is a little off the subject, but do you need to bear the expense of two nights of lodging?

Why not get up early, drive there, do the gig, and drive home late?

Otherwise, Tim has one good summary started.

---Bob Gross---

I was only requesting one night because I have to make a brief appearance during the rehearsal the night before the wedding. The second night was actually their idea.

[Rob612]

I don't know. I have no experience in weddings. I didn't even had a photographer at my own wedding :)

Anything I can say will be of no real value. But I have to say that I would be scared to death and probably refuse the assignment. But that's just me. Sure enough, you need at least a second body, no way.

[bfriend]

Thanks for your post.

I did forget to mention in my original post that I do carry multiple canon batteries, numerous sets of good rechargeable batteries for my flash and a laptop that contains a DVD burner so I can backup my one card while am using my other one.

I also have an omni-bounce diffuser, but I am not to happy with it.

A second body and a good lens before the gig would really make me feel much better about doing this.