Weddings w/ G6

[mknabster]

Would i be able to do a professional job w/ the G6, like getting paid and all that stuff? Like would someone take me seriously if they saw the equipment i have? Everything that i have is listed in my signature. Now i know i'm only 16, but i probbaly will have this stuff for a little while. Because i'm planning on buying the 5D next, but i have to save up for that. What do you guys think?

[mizuno]

I tend to think that your portfolio is more important than your equipment list.

When I'm selling my services I don't show off my gear, I show off my work.

[pushtoexit]

Originally Posted by mknabster

Like would someone take me seriously if they saw the equipment i have? What do you guys think?

I think they would be more interested in seeing a portfolio of your work than what equipment you used to capture the images. That said, It would scare the heck out of me to be totally relied upon to shoot a wedding with only my current G5 and Canon flash. I'm sure there are extreamly good photographers that could do it...I'm just not one of them...

[tim]

I wouldn't hire someone without two SLR cameras and backup equipment for my own wedding. The photographer is more important than the gear, but there's good reasons photographers use good gear.

[mizuno]

Originally Posted by tim

I wouldn't hire someone without two SLR cameras and backup equipment for my own wedding. The photographer is more important than the gear, but there's good reasons photographers use good gear.

Having said that, how many couples check out potential photographer's gear? The only related questions I ever get asked are referring to digital/film and the implications either way.

I agree, though. If I were to hire a photographer tomorrow for my own wedding, I would want to know what he/she has got in their bag. This says more about my current vocation and interests than it would for the average person making a choice on photographers.

To be honest, I wouldn't respect someone who is trying to be a professional wedding shooter who did not carry a 2nd body and enough other lenses and gear to get the job done properly. If you are going to take someone's money for a service rendered, you should show them the due respect by ensuring you have the skills and tools at hand to pull it off properly.

Portfolio is still the measure of a good photographer, though. If someone can produce quality images that meet or exceed the expectations of their clients - I don't care what gear they carry.

[VanceW]

If it helps. One of the photographers that Sports Illustrated uses for their swimsuit edition uses a point and shoot camera. In his words, " My eyesight has gotten to such a condition, I can't trust the focus, and these little camera's work very well for me "
Wish I could remember who it is. :hs

Hate to sound age biased, but I'd say that being 16 may be more of a factor. That is, until you WOW their sox off with your work.

[tim]

Originally Posted by mizuno

Having said that, how many couples check out potential photographer's gear? The only related questions I ever get asked are referring to digital/film and the implications either way.

No-one's ever asked what cameras I use, only one couple has even asked if I have backup gear.

[VanceW]

I show off my 10D, bracket mounted, with 550ex, and folks say "whoa!" .. then their eyes glaze over when they see all the buttons.

[CyberPet]

I think the equipment is your least problem. Your age might be though. I'm not saying that you can't be a good photographer at age 16, I started out when I was even younger than that, although not anywhere near charging for anything I shot. But I suspect that your age might be a problem as a wedding photographer. Because not only have you to take good images, you also have to have some type of social skills to keep frantic brides from bursting, or nervous groom's from taking to the bottle, mother-in-laws, mother-of-brides, you name it! If you can handle that and still look cool and get good photo's while coming out of it, you are the man for the job, regardless what gear you have.

[BLINN]

Personally I think that it can be done under various conditions, however you really have to know what you are doing. P&S's can create a tone of red eye images and even though PS can get rid of red eye it is not that same as a photo taken with out any red eye in the image. Also you will look like just another Joe at the wedding taking pictures. I have a rebel 2000 , 300D and 20D. If I go to a wedding as a guest I bring my 300D and that is it. No EX flashes or fancy lens. Just a 17-85mm IS lens. If you are looking to have problems with the B and G then go for it. However if I was the Groom and saw my Pro/semi pro photographer using a G6 for my wedding I think he would be running because I would probably beat him. My opinion

[PIXI_666]

I agree with Petra here...when i was 16 i was shooting as a hobby, never thought to even think about shooting weddings. My opinion is to go through your teenage years withOUT all of ths stress, and leave it for when your 19-20 to start there...i dont want to dampen your dream but these things take a while...and personally if my photographer turned up with a P&S i wouldn't be happy....i really dont want to make you feel crappy buddy but i just would feel uneasy ALL DAY LONG thinking about how MY photo's would turn out...
I dont know about wedding parties that know nothing about photography, but since i do love photography id just be a bit upset if my photographer rocke dup with a P&S....i would have been thinking "I could have paid a guest to do this".
i know i know good eye - great portfolio etc but it'd be in the back of my head the whole day!!!!!!!!!!! Id pretty much ask to see the photos straight away after you had taken them...(On the LCD)
Also being 16 would make me uneasy too being the bride...in all honesty wait, practice HEAPS up until you are older...it may sound Age biased but if your an asst to some photogs for a while u will build up the respect and confidence and it will show...

[snibbetsj]

Actually there could conceivably be some legal ramifications here. A 16 year old cannot sign a legal, enforcable contract. Now, his parents could, but they would then be liable for the shoot.

However, it wouldn't hurt to go get to know some of the local wedding photographers and perhaps be a second shooter/assistant while you're building up a portfolio.

[Phil V]

Originally Posted by snibbetsj

Actually there could conceivably be some legal ramifications here. A 16 year old cannot sign a legal, enforcable contract. Now, his parents could, but they would then be liable for the shoot.

However, it wouldn't hurt to go get to know some of the local wedding photographers and perhaps be a second shooter/assistant while you're building up a portfolio.

The top answer, beg an assisting job, save up, buy an SLR and get some second shooting under your belt, save up some more. By the time you're old enough to have learnt the necessary social/business skills you'll also have a great portfolio, and all the gear, including 2nd body etc.

Otherwise, you might turn up for your first wedding assisting and decide that wedding photography isn't as much fun as you'd hoped. No-one got hurt and you learned.

If it's in you, you will succeed, but you don't want to be setting off on the wrong foot by blagging your way into a job where you can't deliver. You'd end up with an unhappy customer and the experience would probably put you off for life.

Good luck.