Got a wedding to shoot ad All i have is an 18-55 lens? What should I get?

I think you need to be real frank with the couple about your experience level and selection of gear if charging $800. There is a place in nashville that does 'affordable photography' for weddings that has done it for years for that rate.

morehtml wrote in post #2031403
ding ding!

No doubt. My interpretation of where that $800 was coming from was incorrect, and that's what my previous posts were based upon. Heck I only charged $300 for my first job, had no contract, made no promises except that I'd show up...and I even had 24-200mm covered in f/2.8 L glass with 2 XT bodies. I even thought $300 was ripping them off considering my lack of experience.

cdi-ink.com wrote in post #2031401
If $300 is the going rate in your town, you're ripping your friend off. Not to be harsh, but that's my honest opinion.

No, she lives in Franklin Tennessee and the going rate is around $1500-$3000.

Portland is over an hour away and a small rural town where "everyone is a photographer".

And i have been shooting for a few years..10...but just never had the confiedence before to do a wedding. With my film camera I was always worried about blurriness or the such. I am going to use the film camera for back up...I just don't like the falsh with that camera...color comes off wrong. Probably use it for black and white only.

Lunajen wrote in post #2031437
No, she lives in Franklin Tennessee and the going rate is around $1500-$3000.

Portland is over an hour away and a small rural town where "everyone is a photographer".

Why'd you bring up the $300 rate then? It has nothing to do with this case...

cdi-ink.com wrote in post #2031443
Why'd you bring up the $300 rate then? It has nothing to do with this case...

Just venting about the "photographers" in my town. Sorry for the confusion...

Lunajen wrote in post #2031470
Just venting about the "photographers" in my town. Sorry for the confusion...

Hmmm ok...

Well given that you're comfortable charging and all that jazz I'd second the advice for a f/2.8 midrange zoom and a f/2.8 70-200... 4-5.6 is not going to be enough light unless it's unusually bright in the church, imho.

rentcameragear.com or I would consider the tamron 28-75

Ok, so all I got is an x-acto knife and my mother's sewing kit and I have a double heart bypass operation coming up in November. Gonna ask for about $800, that way I can convince hubby to let me but a real scalpel before hand and put some of that money to the scalpel cost.

So, what scalpel would you all get, and let's say $500-$600 is the the most I could spend.

I want the EF 70-300 USM IS f4.5-5.6 which has a plastic handle and is actually designed for post-mortem disections (because I have a nephew who is a football player and would like that scalpel for knee reconstruction surgeries as well). But I figured it would have the verasitility for cutting through the chest wall as well as major arteries. Granted I might not get as much of the precise control normally required for heart surgery but I think it would be a good first buy. And I know it's not made out of real stainless steel, but still my first choice. P.S> I can get this scalpel for aobut $440...don't ask how....

What do you all think?

If I had what you had and was heading into a wedding for the first time this would be my shopping list:

Flash bracket, a good one
Off camera shoe cord
White card and elastic for flash bounce
Extra camera batteries & rechargables for the flash
Extra CF cards
Nifty fifty lens
Solid tripod
Backup camera - digital prefered, film second best. Either 100% reliable
Backup flash to the 430EX if at all possible
Some good books on wedding photography
Comfortable footware w/non-skid soles

Although the Tamron 28-75 is a great lens, having something a bit wider is helpful at a wedding. I'd suggest using the kit lens if you feel the images it takes are adequate. It's not a "Pro" lens, but nor are you a "Pro" wedding photographer. A better lens would help, but it's more the skills and knowhow you use that will make the photographs good. The nifty fifty would be a wise purchase for low light stuff and sharp enough for portraits.
You have experience with film. Shooting a wedding with digital can be a bit more challenging than with film. Film is more forgiving as it has a wider latitude and can capture extremes of black tuxes and white gowns even if you err a little on exposure. With digital, nailing the correct exposure becomes more important. You'll want to learn how to use RAW if you haven't already. Not sure if the 430EX has FEC on it or not, but if it does, become familiar with it.

"Well, I have know this young woman since she was two years old, so this is a family friend special."
Do the wedding for free and for experience. Do the prints for your cost. Give her a CD of the images as a gift. Money is nice, but a lasting friendship is priceless.

Curtis N wrote in post #2031873
Ok, so all I got is an x-acto knife and my mother's sewing kit and I have a double heart bypass operation coming up in November. Gonna ask for about $800, that way I can convince hubby to let me but a real scalpel before hand and put some of that money to the scalpel cost.

So, what scalpel would you all get, and let's say $500-$600 is the the most I could spend.

I want the EF 70-300 USM IS f4.5-5.6 which has a plastic handle and is actually designed for post-mortem disections (because I have a nephew who is a football player and would like that scalpel for knee reconsruction surgeries as well). But I figured it would have the verasitility for cutting through the chest wall as well as major arteries. Granted I might not get as much of the precise control normally required for heart surgery but I think it would be a good first buy. And I know it's not made out of real stainless steel, but still my first choice. P.S> I can get this scalpel for aobut $440...don't ask how....

What do you all think?

While I don't agree with OP for charging $800 first time out and not being 100% equipped, and I respect you and the advice you provide elsewhere, I think your post is a bit uncalled for Curtis.

cdi-ink.com wrote in post #2031890
I think your post is a bit uncalled for Curtis.

I have to say that it's pretty much what I thought when I read the first post. But maybe that's because I've been around for a bit of time here on the forum and, well, something like 2 years ago, this would have been the first reply to a post like that. But I guess times have changed a bit.

Lunajen ... I wish you all the best and tons of luck for your venture. However, consider what can go wrong (definitely bring all your film gear as backup) and - if that should happen - what that might mean to your customer. Even more so if she is a family friend.

Best regards,
Andy

Andythaler wrote in post #2031932
I have to say that it's pretty much what I thought when I read the first post. But maybe that's because I've been around for a bit of time here on the forum and, well, something like 2 years ago, this would have been the first reply to a post like that. But I guess times have changed a bit.

Lunajen ... I wish you all the best and tons of luck for your venture. However, consider what can go wrong (definitely bring all your film gear as backup) and - if that should happen - what that might mean to your customer. Even more so if she is a family friend.

Best regards,
Andy

I agree with the jist of it but I read a "snotty" tone to it. I just thought there are better ways to say it.

Mark_48 wrote in post #2031881
"Well, I have know this young woman since she was two years old, so this is a family friend special."
Do the wedding for free and for experience. Do the prints for your cost. Give her a CD of the images as a gift. Money is nice, but a lasting friendship is priceless.

I concur. Even if you tell this person you are learning and everthing and even if this bride tells you not to worry about the pictures that they just want something. If you are charging $800 either the bride, the bride's mother or the groom's mother are going to expect some really wonderful photos. Charge $100-$200 to cover the price of the proofs and 8x10's if you need to.

It's just what I thought when I read the post.

You might also consider good liability insurance (most photographers I have heard discussing weddings stated that they do have that).

Best regards,
Andy