First Wedding (Amateur)

Ok....I am a beginner with photography, but somehow I seem to take decent pics without knowing a whole lot about my camera. I'm learning how to use the settings and all. Well I was asked by a soon-to-be relative to photograph their wedding. Even before they asked I was well aware that there's more to it then just showing up and taking pics and that I should have some practice as a second shooter. Well, they were satisfied with some of my images without knowing that it takes several shots to get that one shot that they liked. At the time I was just using a T1i with the lens kit. I bought the T1I in 2011 right before my son was born because i didn't have a lot of money to dish out on an expensive camera. Fast forward to now....they asked me how much I would charge and I told them I am not a professional photographer and that I have no clue but I've seen prices of what people have charged so I told them I just need a better lens. They bought me a 50mm 1.4 and I picked up a 430ex II. Well this morning I purchased a 60D, but it won't be here for a week and this wedding is in two weeks. I'm pretty comfortable with my T1I, but I'm going to get as much practice with my 60d that I can so I can use both in the wedding. They aren't too picky or anything and it's all indoors at a small venue. No formals either.

Do you think I'd be okay with my 60D + 50mm 1.4 + speedlite 430ex II Tips???

And before everyone tells me I should have declined, lol, it's too late for that.

This is just a sample photo I've taken of my son

HTTP response: 403 | MIME changed to 'text/plain'

Children photography and wedding photography are about complete opposites. The only thing they have in common is that they both move fast.

In regard to the 60D + 50 1.4 combo, its great... but if thats all you have, you might be hurting. Do you have anything wider than 50mm? Also, during the ceremony, the 50 probably isn't going to be long enough.

Give it a shot, but let them know a head of time... that their photos, just like your approach, might be "lol"

Edit: I see that you have a 18-55 and 75-300. If the wedding is outside, you might be fine. If its in-doors, you might be in for a treat.

Oh, I'm well aware that children photography and wedding photography are completely different. I was just giving one of the sample images they saw and were satisfied with me doing it.

I do have the 75-300, but the image quality that I'm seeing in the 50mm just makes me not want to even put the 75-300 on my camera. I'm working on picking up a 55-250, and I know that isn't much of a step up from the 75-300, but it will be better.

Also, my approach isn't "lol", I was referring to the fact that they already purchased the lens for me so I'm not going to back out (even if I were to pay them back). I want to get more into photography, but it's just so dang expensive to have nice equipment. I figured this would be a good practice. I am confident that I will get some good shots, I'm creative so I think I should be alright.

As harsh as my advice is, I've witnessed this exact scenario countless times before. The 55-250 will get you no closer to adequate coverage than the 70-300 would. I wouldn't waste your money. I'm not saying you need a bag full of L series lenses, but I would HIGHLY suggest a 100 f2 over the zoom.

As long as you set the expectation that your hit rate is going to be low, you'll be fine. If she expects every photo of her wedding to look like the photo of your child, she is in for a treat.

As some CC on the picture of your son I'd note that:
1) his eyes are black, which suggests you aren't using the light (natural or manufactured) very well
2) his smile is forced, not very natural, which suggests you weren't carrying out the right kind of interaction with him as to induce natural expressions.

Expect a far more challenging scenario with people who aren't your close family, with people watching (and perhaps judging) and with a timeline that never seems to be sufficient.

I think your gear will not be your weak link. I'd focus far more on practicing directing people (especially not close relatives) during a photoshoot. I recently had a young photographer ask me what the most challenging portion of a wedding is, and I responded that for me it was most certainly the portion between the ceremony and reception (ie., massive group, bridal party, B+G photos). Having a couple of hundred or even just a dozen people look at you, and basically wait for you to give them suggestions, wait for you to make choices about where would be best to shoot--well, when they look at you, and you don't have a good answer, don't have any ideas, it's, how shall I say: not good.

I appreciate the advice, I just wanted you to understand that I don't look at this like a walk in the park. I've been reading a lot and taking scenario pictures just to get in the habit. I told them several times that I am not a professional, but that I will do my best...and they accepted that.

I checked out your website, great work by the way.

You have to be very careful,with stuff like this. Today's digital world allows people to take 100 photos, and 2 can be great, and we all want to be pros. Family and friends that shoot with $99 point and shoots, have know idea what they are doing, and see a picture of your son with a blurry background and go wow.
I am telling you this because I take photos of my sons college basketball,team, and I have gotten pretty good. People tell me I should go pro, and show me their pictures they are taking from up in the stands with there point and shoots. I have taken 10 of thousands of pictures.
Your examples could easily be done with in green box mode, and not to be harsh but are not very good. I am telling you this because people have to know there limitations, and a wedding cost lots of money, and you don't want to be on the back end of people going what the frek.
They should hire a pro, and then you be a second shooter, and if you get some nice shots, good for you..

windhorst3187 wrote in post #16221932
I appreciate the advice, I just wanted you to understand that I don't look at this like a walk in the park. I've been reading a lot and taking scenario pictures just to get in the habit. I told them several times that I am not a professional, but that I will do my best...and they accepted that.

I checked out your website, great work by the way.

Thanks for the compliment. If you can work it, do a walk through of the ceremony and reception site during the time of day you'll be shooting. This will give you a good idea where shadows will be falling and where you might find shade. Also, formulate a timeline with the bride of who, when and where you want to take pictures of. Everyone WILL be looking at you of what to do next... If you can rattle off phrases like "Bridal party follow me," and "I need the bride's mother, grandma/grandpa in 10 minutes" with confidence, the more respect you'll get and the smoother everything will flow.

The reason we're being so critical is that weddings are like no other beast out there. Yes, you need the correct equipment first, but secondly, and most importantly, you need to be able to work with groups of people, tight timelines and unexpected circumstances. You will be amazed at what unfolds on the day of a wedding.

Trent Gillespie wrote in post #16222065
Yes, you need the correct equipment first, but secondly, and most importantly, you need to be able to work with groups of people, tight timelines and unexpected circumstances. You will be amazed at what unfolds on the day of a wedding.

This is the truest statement you'll read in here. I don't shoot weddings for this exact reason. I did one for a favor and that ruined me forever. I don't have the ability or knack to work with or command groups of people. Although I am in the wedding forum almost daily admiring what you guys do week in and week out, the truth is I don't have the guts to take on another wedding, cheap or not.

Op, just do your best, I know that you're aware of the deal, it is not easy but your friends also know that you're not a pro at this, so I think it is a great opportunity for you.

I shot my first wedding with a 50 1.4 and a 135L, that 50 will help you for most of the day, be sure to use your feet, thats your zoom LOL trust me, it can be done.

Spend some time looking at others photogs work and get an idea of what you need to try to accomplish, find some videos on youtube, I think Thatnikkonguy have a nice 7 part video about a wedding shoot.

Have fun and relax, remember, is too late now to back out lmao

My advice:
* Make sure they understand that they could end up with NO usable photos from their wedding
* Don't charge for your services but maybe charge for expenses (MAYBE) i.e. "Can you just pay for parking?"
* Tell them you'll only do it if they wouldn't have a photographer at all if you didn't do it.

This wedding could be brutal on you or it could give you a taste and make you want more. I have heard of friendships dissolving over wedding photos so make sure the couple have zero expectations. When money changes hands there are expectations so do it for free.

Good luck!

Do you think I'd be okay with my 60D + 50mm 1.4 + speedlite 430ex II Tips

Do not even attempt it.
You need a lot more equipment that can handle low light. Why the heck even put yourself in this position...

wow, you've certainly gotten some tough love on this post... it seems to me like you're in a little bit over your head but at least you know it. you seem to be going for the "under promise and over deliver" approach and that's good.

I'll add on a few more positive tips... use both cameras so you can have a couple of lenses/focal lengths at your disposal without changing lenses... get the traditional shots but make sure to mix in some unique angles/perspectives as well... worry less about the gear and more about composition,look at other people's work to get some ideas, try to talk the bride and groom into giving you 5-10 minutes after the ceremony to get some formals (they'll thank you later)... and most importantly, have fun and enjoy the challenge!

yes, shooting a wedding is a big responsibility and certainly not to be taken lightly but photography is fun and you wouldn't be in this situation if you didn't enjoy it.

i agree with having two cameras with two different Lens (wide) and a (telephoto) on each body. it will help with transition with far and near subjects that move really fast. you will not have time to change lenses during a ceremony.

Look for creative angles and look at other wedding photographers work to help inspire yourself. Shoot in RAW.