Wedding experience

[cristphoto]

You may look into local universities Chapels. Typically these are the school's non-denominational public facilities that are used on weekends for weddings. I've shot weddings in them before and they just cycle weddings through (in season) on a pretty tight schedule. You could simply "invite" yourself to stay at one for the day and witness several weddings and observe how the photographers work. Simply be courteous and stay out of their way. Witnessing serveral photographers and their work style is helpful but realize it's no substitute for real world experience. Good luck.

[cpam.pix]

I contacted one photog and she said I could follow her for a corporate shoot and she'd charge me "only" $50 for the experience.

[Gomar]

Originally Posted by jamiewexler

Your other option is to do it the way I did it...shoot free weddings for people who can't afford a photographer.

Right. Just make sure you have a contract which states you will NOT be sued for poor quality shots, missed shots, etc.
Is printing on you as well? Or do you just deliver the CDs of photos?

Free = bad.
Now if client has no jack to pay for a photog, he/she cant expect high quality work with a $2500 SLR. I am sure a Canon SX50 will do.
BTW, how's the wedding then payed for? free photog will mean free caterers, why not a free priest, or a free hall, or free dresses?
Oh, wait, guests will give "donations".

[ByTheBrooke]

Originally Posted by Gomar

Right. Just make sure you have a contract which states you will NOT be sued for poor quality shots, missed shots, etc.
Is printing on you as well? Or do you just deliver the CDs of photos?

Free = bad.
Now if client has no jack to pay for a photog, he/she cant expect high quality work with a $2500 SLR. I am sure a Canon SX50 will do.
BTW, how's the wedding then payed for? free photog will mean free caterers, why not a free priest, or a free hall, or free dresses?
Oh, wait, guests will give "donations".

You're pretty crass and cold in all of your postings, aren't you? I did all of the work for both of my weddings, costing me very little out of pocket. Heck the second one was at a wedding chapel with no guests. I bargain shopped for the attire, purchased the flowers half off at Hobby Lobby and arranged them myself, made the food, with the help of family, and the list goes on. Not every wedding has an extravagant budget. I would have been thrilled with even snapshots from a point and shoot at my second wedding. Instead, I have what I could shoot myself with my then 35mm SLR.

Why not try to think outside of your own skin for once instead of being a jerk to everyone who doesn't see things your way?

OP- Craigslist is FULL of postings of people offering very cheap and even free packages with the sole intent of gaining experience and building portfolios. Just be sure that you are up front with your clients about your experience and skill level, and cover your rear with a contract that states you are providing free or discounted services and are not liable for the client's dissatisfaction. If they're still willing to hire you with that kind of liability, then they are likely in the same boat I was, and just need someone to document the event and will be thrilled with anything you present to them.

[sgtbueno]

Thank you ByTheBrooke, dont worry about some comments, I take comments like I take baseball, you catch some balls and you let some pass by.

Hey I spoke to a local photog, I offered him to pay for some classes, he agreed, will teach me for 4 days, 2 hours per day for $200, we are going to go over the basics and then some practice in the field, this guys is a really nice guys, I know I could learn tons of stuff from him, been doing photographic for over 40 years now and he own a very nice studio here in Richmond.

I may continue taking clases with him, we spent few hours just taking about gear and photographic at his studio last saturday, he is just the right person for me.


Thank you all for your time.

[ByTheBrooke]

Sounds like a great match! Good luck!

[scorpio_e]

Originally Posted by Gomar

Right. Just make sure you have a contract which states you will NOT be sued for poor quality shots, missed shots, etc.
Is printing on you as well? Or do you just deliver the CDs of photos?

Free = bad.
Now if client has no jack to pay for a photog, he/she cant expect high quality work with a $2500 SLR. I am sure a Canon SX50 will do.
BTW, how's the wedding then payed for? free photog will mean free caterers, why not a free priest, or a free hall, or free dresses?
Oh, wait, guests will give "donations".

Not everyone has a budget for a photographer or even cares that much about photography. I gave my sister a camera for my wedding and said. Do the best you can.

Some people use their back yards and public areas for weddings too.

You area right about a disclaimer and I have that in my contract. I also am covered for that in my insurance.

[sgtbueno]

Posted my ad last night on Craiglist and emails from people that need budget or free photographer for their wedding are raining. I got to weddings , one as second shooter and another as first shooter.
Will post result and pictures after weddings. I am happy.

[mrkgoo]

I 'shadowed' a wedding photographer once - my own!

I got to see first hand how he worked, what gear he used etc. Obviously it wasn't comprehensive, but I got an idea how he worked.

Them I shot a wedding as a favour to a friend after that, which I never would have done without at least my own experience. And as mentioned not everyone can afford pro photographers for their wedding. For sure, there is a huge proponent o people who understimate the stresses of wedding photography, and thus undervalue it, but that doesn't mean there's always less value to 'cheaper' photographers. People have to start out somewhere and so long as the expectations are mutually understood by all parties I don't see te problem with bein paid in 'experience'.

Anyway, I'm not suggesting one should get married to get weddin photography experience, but it foes provide an opportunity . You could always just become a wedding gatecrasher too

[sgtbueno]

You know whats really funny, as soon as I placed my comment here this afternoon about my ad on craiglist my ad at got flagged and removed.

It was nothing wrong or illegal, but haters are everywhere, no big deal, they will not stop me.

[ByTheBrooke]

Originally Posted by sgtbueno

You know whats really funny, as soon as I placed my comment here this afternoon about my ad on craiglist my ad at got flagged and removed.

It was nothing wrong or illegal, but haters are everywhere, no big deal, they will not stop me.

Just make sure you're posting it in the services section, not the for sale or community section otherwise, you can be that the competition can be pretty snarky and vindictive! Whether it's those who are shooting in auto, knowing nothing about the art of photography trying to make a quick buck, or more experienced photographers trying to weed out those phonies. Haters gonna hate, for sure just keep relisting!

[scorpio_e]

Originally Posted by sgtbueno

You know whats really funny, as soon as I placed my comment here this afternoon about my ad on craiglist my ad at got flagged and removed.

It was nothing wrong or illegal, but haters are everywhere, no big deal, they will not stop me.

Yes but haters will make it more difficult.