Invited to a Bar/Bat Mitzvah!

[KevC]

Hey,

My best friend's little brother and sister are having their Bar/Bat Mitzvah in about a month and I'm invited! Yay! I've never ever been to one, I'm quite excited!

(I'm gonna turn this into a photography thread somewhat).

She (best friend) told me I should bring my camera and take shots! Her mother would gladly pay me for it. Eeek. I'm thinking this is akin to a wedding, somewhat. I told her straight out that I can't promise her awesome shots. I also said I'd be glad to do it, but I wont take anything. Only maybe charge for prints.

My equipment list is quite sucky for event photography, especially in a dark Russian/Israeli restaurant. I'm considering renting a 24-70L and buying a flash bracket or maybe shooting with my 50/1.8 with a Monopod. Or maybe do both? The 50/1.4 looks like it could come in quite handy.

I'll bring my tripod for the pre-ceremony shots, preparation of the girl's dress and the boy's tux (I'm guessing this is what happens in a bar/bat mitzvah, but I've never been to one!) but I don't know about lugging the big thing to the restaurant.

Any suggestions?

Thanks a lot!

[TonyKInTexas]

These are celebrations, just like weddings. Before attending this event, talk to a local Rabbi about the event, what to expect, how to handle the photography.

Get a good flash and the 24-70L will do you very well. Use different techniques, like dragging the shutter, to provide a range of images to be selected.

I would suggest providing a CD of images to the family with images in different sizes ready for printing. Providing the RAW, un-processed images is NOT advised as they may take this as your normal level of work. Provide only PROCESSED images and in specific sizes.

The key is knowledge before the event so you can anticipate some of the action.

Take care and good luck,


Hey,

My best friend's little brother and sister are having their Bar/Bat Mitzvah in about a month and I'm invited! Yay! I've never ever been to one, I'm quite excited!

(I'm gonna turn this into a photography thread somewhat).

She (best friend) told me I should bring my camera and take shots! Her mother would gladly pay me for it. Eeek. I'm thinking this is akin to a wedding, somewhat. I told her straight out that I can't promise her awesome shots. I also said I'd be glad to do it, but I wont take anything. Only maybe charge for prints.

My equipment list is quite sucky for event photography, especially in a dark Russian/Israeli restaurant. I'm considering renting a 24-70L and buying a flash bracket or maybe shooting with my 50/1.8 with a Monopod. Or maybe do both? The 50/1.4 looks like it could come in quite handy.

I'll bring my tripod for the pre-ceremony shots, preparation of the girl's dress and the boy's tux (I'm guessing this is what happens in a bar/bat mitzvah, but I've never been to one!) but I don't know about lugging the big thing to the restaurant.

Any suggestions?

Thanks a lot!

[robertwgross]

Make sure that you are introduced to the brother and sister. Otherwise, they may semi-ignore you when you are trying to get a good pose. Also, arrange a hand signal. For example, when you hold your right hand up in the air and they see it, that means that you are getting ready to take a shot, and you keep the hand in the air until they have seen it.

---Bob Gross---

[KevC]

Alright I was (re)introduced to both of them today, cute kids. Opposite of what I expected though (brother was the cool one, sister was the .. *ahem*). Anyway, I'm gonna rent a stroboframe and off-shoe cord, then play with the flash one weekend. I'm really afraid, I don't want red-eye or point and shoot type pictures, I'm just going to have to play with it.

I wont be responsible for covering the ceremony, the synagogue wont allow any cameras in. Not even a 100-400 from the back. Anyway, it'll be simpler for me.

Since I'll be using my flash, maybe I should rent a 17-40L instead? Or stick to my 18-55 kit lens and stopping her down to ~f/8?

Hm...

[blue_max]

Kevin, you seem to be getting into photography. I don't know if you wish to make a career of it or if it is just a hobby, but it would really pay you to buy some lenses and get used to them before you find yourself in the thick of it.

Renting is ok, but it's dead money and won't help you gain experience with them.

I can understand why you don't want the responsibility of accepting money for it, but I can't help feeling you are dipping your toe in the water. Sometimes diving right in is going to find out if you can swim! It's a line that you must decide if you want to cross.

I hope you do. It's not my living, but I recently took on a job that was beyond me and managed to pull it out of the bag. You will almost certainly do a better job than you imagine. A certain amount of the job is man-management. If you can force yourself to do that, you are on your way.

Go for it, but give it your full commitment.

Graham

[Joe R]

I would not advise shooting an event like this without a written contract that clearly specifies the responsibilites & expectations for the job.

[KevC]

Thanks for all the advice!

Graham: I would really love to buy new lenses, but right now I'm broke haha. I stil haven't paid off my camera, but I still have a few months left. I'll stick with the kit lens, it should be alright.

I'd love to make some money off of all this. Photography is still only a hobby for me, but I really wouldn't mind diving right in! I'm just afraid.

[blue_max]

Thanks for all the advice!

Graham: I would really love to buy new lenses, but right now I'm broke haha. I stil haven't paid off my camera, but I still have a few months left. I'll stick with the kit lens, it should be alright.

I'd love to make some money off of all this. Photography is still only a hobby for me, but I really wouldn't mind diving right in! I'm just afraid.


Then buy second hand like many of us. Be afraid, then do it anyway!

Graham

[KevC]

Hehe I wasn't referring to new as in like... brand new. Second hand is probably what I'd buy, but still.. I'm in debt and don't want to be in more :) I will consider getting a fast zoom soon though, Sigma 18-50/2.8 possibly? :)

As for flash photography, can I just shove it in P and let the camera do the rest? I'm afraid of screwing up hahaha.