Your advices, pls?

I was asked to be a photographer for my co worker's pastor's daughter's wedding in June. We are both florists. She will be doing flowers for her wedding and she thought it would be a good idea if I do photography. I said "What"? I told her I am not a pro photographer. She knows but I don't think she understands how complicated it is. I take photos of flowers at work. That stuff is very easy. I came home thinking about it. Took a look at the wedding photos here. I don't think I have the skills, not yet. I would feel comfortable being an assistant free of charge. I have 17-55mm and I plan to buy 70-200 f/4 non IS. It will be an outdoor wedding. I would love to practice on my skills. Any other suggestions?

Explain it like you did to us. I may start doing weddings but will spend a couple of years learning them by going with an established pro before I even consider going solo.
I shoot HS sports and if you miss a play, it can't be redone but no one will really notice and you have an entire season to get the next great play. When it comes to weddings, there is no second chance.... Until their second, or third marriage.

You might consider going with the f2.8 IS.....it will serve you well in a much wider range of conditions.

poloman wrote in post #5266139
You might consider going with the f2.8 IS.....it will serve you well in a much wider range of conditions.

Yes you are right f2.8 IS is a better choice for weddings. That means I would have to put it on a credit card which I hate doing! I already have $$ saved up and by May I will be able to pay full cash for the f4 non IS.

I heard 70-200 f2.8 IS is very heavy! I went to a camera store to get a feel of it but they didn't have it on stock. Can it be handheld?

staceyann wrote in post #5266415
I heard 70-200 f2.8 IS is very heavy! I went to a camera store to get a feel of it but they didn't have it on stock. Can it be handheld?

Maybe you should just rent the 70-200 2.8 IS for the wedding,

I agree, try renting the 70-200 f2.8 for the wedding. You're in the LA area, take a look at Samys, they've got a good rental department. I also think you need to let it be known that you'd shoot as a second shooter free of charge, but that for everyone's sake they need to get a pro as the primary shooter, especially for wedding.

Cos had some good advice in another thread. Cut out some wedding mag photo's and study the poses. Good advise.

/sigh.

The bride is probably one of those people looking to cut costs on the photography, and no offense, she looked at you as a potential provider for the photography services. I've no doubt that you have good photos from your images at work, but wedding photography is a totally different beast altogether - you really have to be able to work under a wide range of conditions and lighting, and know how to adapt to those things - knowing your equipment and how to use it is the biggest thing, imo. Most people don't really get that photography is probably one of the most important things they'll get for their wedding - it's not THAT important now, but it'll be a lot more important AFTER the ceremony when they want to see their photos.

I'd tell her exactly what you told us here, however - I'd add this.

She's be better off hiring a bona-fide professional who has experience because the wedding day is something that cannot be re-done or re-shot again - it's literally a once in a lifetime (or 7 times if you're Liz Taylor) kind of event, and you want to go with someone who's established and understands their stuff.

If you're going to do the wedding, I'd strongly suggest practicing now. Go to the venue, look around, see what you'll be facing in terms of lighting. The fact it's outdoors helps a bit, as you won't be dealing with a poorly lit church that has 4 or 5 different light sources of varying color temperatures. The 70-200 F4 is fine for outdoor weddings (it's what I use), but I'd also suggest getting a flashgun and learning how to use that to help your photography too.

Tumeg wrote in post #5266486
Maybe you should just rent the 70-200 2.8 IS for the wedding,

Good idea! I forgot about the rental.

Zansho wrote in post #5266645
/sigh.


If you're going to do the wedding, I'd strongly suggest practicing now. Go to the venue, look around, see what you'll be facing in terms of lighting. The fact it's outdoors helps a bit, as you won't be dealing with a poorly lit church that has 4 or 5 different light sources of varying color temperatures. The 70-200 F4 is fine for outdoor weddings (it's what I use), but I'd also suggest getting a flashgun and learning how to use that to help your photography too.

I looked at your camera gear. What do you use for indoor weddings? 70-200 f4 with flashgun?

Indoors, is usually a lot more forgiving in focal length ranges. Most of the time I can get away with using my Tamron 25-70 2.8, and my 85mm 1.8. If allowed, I can use my 70-200 F4 with my flash (my Quantum) for the ceremony, but that's rare. Most churches have a policy against using flash photography once the ceremony starts.

That's the reason why I usually scope the location the day before, so I can get an idea of what I might need for rentals or whatever else. If it turns out I need a 70-200 2.8 IS, I'll rent that. Right now, the a lot of the photography (mainly outdoor weddings) I do simply wouldn't warrant me purchasing the 70-200 2.8 IS - yet - so I rent.

Really, I'd recommend getting a nice midrange zoom like a Tamron or Sigma 25-70 2.8, if the Canon L version isn't in your price range. They're excellent glass for the money, and you'll find people are quite pleased with them on this forum. I'm about to plunk down some cash on the Canon 24-70 2.8L soon, as I feel I use that range a LOT for my weddings.

And remember, outdoors you'll most likely be using flash for fill light - I've never really shot a wedding outdoors without some form of flash (unless I use window lights or diffusers/reflectors) - the 580 EXII or the Sigma 500 DG Super are fine choices.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot - you'll want a second body for a backup. Things do go wrong, and having a second body can save you. Plus, you can stick one telephoto lens (70-200) on one body, then the midrange zoom (25-70) on the other body to cover that range easily.

Good luck!

I did my nephew's wedding with no experience and fortunately, it came out pretty well. My advice to you:

> Manage expectations right from the start. Make it clear that you have no experience in this field and that it *may* be a disaster (since you're here doing your homework I don't think that will be the case).

> Learn to use your flash both as a main light indoors and as fill outdoors. Set the camera to manual mode for flash photography and somewhere around f8, 160th and ISO 200. If you have an E-TTL flash it will do much of the exposure adjusting for you. Get familliar with bouncing the flash off ceilings indoor and using it as an indirect light source outdoors. I used a Lightsphere II diffuser on a 420EX flash and bounced the flash off the ceiling. I highly recommend this diffuser for getting rid of those harsh flash shadows you get with the flash pointed directly at the subjects.

> If possible, get access to the actual church and reception hall. Bring someone along wearing both white and black clothing as an exposure check. Try bouncing your flash and see what works and, more importantly, what doesn't work. While there, think about where you will pose the bridal party and try some test shots in these areas. Make sure the church allows photos to be taken during the ceremony and from what positions. Some don't allow flash photography, some allow no photos at all.

> Shoot RAW for maximum latitude in post processing and check your camera settings the night before. You don't want to discover that all your shots were at ISO 1600 because you forgot to reset after a night shoot. Durring the day, check your histogram often to check for proper exposures. Don't rely on the LCD for exposure info.

> Bring along extra *charged* batteries for both the camera and flash and keep them in your suit pocket for quick retrieval.

> Get with your friend and talk about the kinds of poses she wants. List them and refer to your list during the day.

> Practice until you are comfortable with your equipment and have the settings clear in your mind. If possible, go to the rehersal and take test shots there. The more you plan and practice, the more comfortable you will be the day of the wedding.

> Take a deep breath and, as the great philosopher Nike said, "Just do it."