HELP!!!!

ive been asked to do a couple of weddings for some low budget couples and i dont have the first clue one what to do or charge so if someone could help me through, one is in june and the other is in october, so if someone can tell me what lenses to use that i already have. i've got a 70-200 f4, nifty fifty 1.8, 17-40 f4, a 580 and 430 ex and i can use my dads, 100-400 f4 is, 24-105 is, 50mm 1.4 and 580ex.
thanks in advance

I have to apologize before answering this.

This question is, by far, the most dreaded question we wedding photographers get. There are so many that have gotten into trouble answering this very question, so brace yourself.

First off, how did 2 couples find you? Are you a pro? Do these B&G know that you are not a pro and that the wedding pictures can't have reshoots? Do they understand the value of having a pro shooting their once-in-a-life-time event?

So, I'm assuming you are going to shoot the weddings and no one is going to convince you that you're not ready. With 2 camera bodies, you may get away with using the lenses you have or can borrow from your Dad's. What camera body does he have? Because you will need 2 bodies. For the most part, you will end up using the 24-105L and 17-40 (large groups) and 50 1.4 for portraits. You'll need a good flash with a diffuser.

I can't say enough about practice and looking at the stickys for wedding photography here in the forum. We have a list of "to do's" before weddings, like checking to see if all you 5 batteries for your camera are charged fully, have 20 GB of CF cards, etc. There are so many reasons not to shoot these weddings, but if you are sure, you have a few months to prepare. I've been shooting now for over 5 years and I can tell you, I still don't have it down. There are about 10 really fantastic wedding shooters here, so I'll let them say a few words. PM me if you want to talk more. This is how I started too, so I don't want to discourage you too much.

1st no im not a pro, and they know it, i am a friend of the family on 1 of the couples, this one im not to worried about. but the other one is a couple thats on a budget and they know some people that i know through work.

My dad has a XTI, and sorry its a 24-135 is, ive got a diffuser for my 580ex

Then borrow his camera as well. You will be fine with the 28-135 IS, which is what I started with. For indoors, you must practice with the flash. The only lens I'd depend on for low light is the 50 1.4, but it hunts a lot, so don't be surprised. This is going to be a BIG learning experience for you, and your standards will have to be raised. The fact that you are trying and are confident is good, but getting advice from pros is a must. See if you can shadow a pro a few times before the shoot. It's true, knowledge is power and savings on time. Trust me on this one.

Learn how to use your 580 indoors, especially if the ceremony and the reception are both indoors. Get used to shooting at a high ISO. Might even want to bring in a monopod for certain situations where you absolutely are not sure you can hand hold for some critical shots.

Try to get the fastest lens you can, the 50 1.4 is a good lens - I've used it before a few times and I do have to agree with Suzy that it does hunt a bit.

You have been given good advice about practicing with the flash indoors, but before it gets too close to dates, make sure you will be permitted to use the flash during the ceremony. As fas as what to charge, look at CraigsList for your area, here in NJ there are a lot if budget wedding guys advertise there, that should give you some idea of where to start. Good luck and enjoy it.

thanks alot guys thats some good advice but what does it mean "hunt a bit"

and i heard that alot of places in my area are charging 2-3 grand and one guy is as much as 5

"Hunt a bit" means the lens tries to find focus but searches. You can hear and see it searching for focus.
When I have this happen, it's usually because of a dark situation or a very low contrast situation. When you're shooting a dark subject in a dark location, even with the red focus assist beam sometimes lenses have a difficult time achieving focus. Also, when you're shooting a low contrast subject, sometimes you have to focus on something with more contrast but at the same focus plane, then recompose. These are simplistic illustrations but I think you get the picture.....no pun intended.

rhyno wrote in post #5251517
thanks alot guys thats some good advice but what does it mean "hunt a bit"

and i heard that alot of places in my area are charging 2-3 grand and one guy is as much as 5

those are pros charging that much.

but practice a lot with your flash. as your friends to pose for you once ina while. try different lighting situations.. outside, daylight, lowlight/ indoor as well.

you have been given a ton of great advice..

for me.. i will never shoot a wedding. my hat is off to the people that do shoot weddings, and that can handle the stress like that.

my sister wants me to shoot her wedding, and i already declined because i would rather he hae images that she will love, and cherrish. not have something that shell throw away.

my wedding photog was horrible. i would never recomend him. and he had claimed he was a pro ( i didnt know squat about photography then, this was years ago) but i hated the photos, and hate him till this day. every photo sucked.

i would never recomend him to people looking for a budget photographer or even a pro.

i ended up re-editing my own wedding photos only a couple months ago because i thought they would look better than having nothing.

prepare yourself for either outcome. theyll either love them or hate them.

There are certain lenses that have the tendency to do something annoying. The 50 1.4, although very good for low light shooting, tends to take its time focusing, and therefore, "hunts" for focus. It will make noises and not take the picture. So, the best thing to do is have a torch (flashlight) or manual focus. This is why you need to practice. Have to figure out what works best in a crunch.

My son and I agreed that I would not shoot his wedding so let Jim shoot it here and David in UT. I was happy with every picture I got, although I would have done it differently. Just make sure you have done the research first so you can present wonderful pictures later. There is no shame in looking through the threads here for past galleries, etc.

If you can get into the church or receptional hall ahead of time and practice shoting with the flash and the lighting conditions, that will help. You will have an idea of what setting, lens, etc.

Even if you are not sure of your pictures and work, make it appear you do. You are the official photographer, so "act" like one...

thanks a lot i haven't even shot any photos like this but all of the comments are making me excited and confident, so thanks a lot everyone. Now i understand what hunting is, and ill try to act as prof. as possible.

p.s. i didnt know this thread moved