Am I crazy to offer engagement/maternity pictures?

I recently purchased a 40D with 17-85mm lense and wanting to get into photography for a while. Question is, I am thinking about offering a maternity/engagement session for my future sister in law as a shower present. I have been trying to learn the camera and it's settings before her party in a few weeks.

My question is - am I crazy to undertake this? I thought it would be fun. We can take the photos outside (beach, park areas) and wanted to work with the lighting shortly before sunset.

Is this equipment a good start? Do I need another "basic lens" and an additional flash? I'll probably will rent, since I've spent a fortune recently. Help Help!!

Thanks so much for your time everyone

Woops sorry - the title should be "engagement/maternity" photos. They are expecting their first child in September and getting married next July.

I don't think it'd be a bad idea..I'd say it's better to practice on family rather than strangers..I believe family would be more nurturing of your hobby and offer constructive criticism. I use my family like crazy to practice different techniques and man do they get frustrated with me sometimes!

Sounds like fun. I do the same thing for my family and friends even though it will always be strictly a hobby for me. My price? Nothing - I tell everyone, "you get what you pay for", then if I screw up, I don't feel bad. I don't do any one chance only type pictures either. Like the first kiss at the altar kind of stuff.

On lenses, maybe just a cheap Nifty Fifty for portraits. ~$75 A very good multi-purpose lens is the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 ~$300.

Hold onto your wallet!

A couple of shots of my Bro/Sis in law and their new baby taken Sunday. Taken with the Tamron. Just an informal photo shoot.

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I think it's a great idea. I agree with picking up a 50mm!

jseivert wrote in post #5976862
I don't do any one chance only type pictures either. Like the first kiss at the altar kind of stuff.

That's the easiest part of the whole damned wedding.

cdifoto wrote in post #5976925
That's the easiest part of the whole damned wedding.

Yea, but I'm a chicken!

Thanks guys! Beautiful pictures of SIL and baby Should I pick up a Tamron 28-75 or a Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM?

LemonFreshDesigns wrote in post #5976982
Should I pick up a Tamron 28-75 or a Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM?

Lots -o- lenses out there that will do what you want. Get one that will serve more than one purpose if you can. You can take portrait shots with almost any lens.

No harm offering maternity/engagement sessions. It took me a year to really get comfortable with my first eos body, good luck to you.

Most professional wedding photographers work with the "classic trio" which in case of Canon is 16-35, 24-70 and 70-200. All three are expensive lenses therefore getting identical lenses from Tamron or Sigma might be the option.

If you want to photograph just portraits, 50mm 1.4 might sound better for you. For weddings, you will definitely utilize Tamron 28-75/2.8 and a flash (off course.)

I don't think you can say "most" photographers use that combo. Sure they're valid choices, but they're not the only options. And I don't think they're really valid suggestions for someone taking photos for family. Fast primes would probably be best.

Off course, fast primes would be the best, but I know many even pros who simply can't afford them. IMHO, for family pictures, it's good to have covered from wide to (at least) 200 mm by two or three zoom lenses.

Thanks so much. Your posts are certainly helpful and I am starting to get the hang of this.

LemonFreshDesigns wrote in post #5976825
I recently purchased a 40D with 17-85mm lense and wanting to get into photography for a while. Question is, I am thinking about offering a maternity/engagement session for my future sister in law as a shower present. I have been trying to learn the camera and it's settings before her party in a few weeks.

My question is - am I crazy to undertake this? I thought it would be fun. We can take the photos outside (beach, park areas) and wanted to work with the lighting shortly before sunset.

Is this equipment a good start? Do I need another "basic lens" and an additional flash? I'll probably will rent, since I've spent a fortune recently. Help Help!!

Thanks so much for your time everyone

My suggestion is to buy either the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 or the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 lens. The 17-50mm I would find better for the typical wedding coverage where 'the hired gun' may often find themselves with too little shooting distance to get group photos at the altar or during the reception. OTOH, for the 'relative/friend offering supplemental free shots -- in addition to the hired pro' the longer shooting distances (as the person in the background with a camera) would be better served with 28-75mm. The faster lens than your 17-85mm is important for much wedding photography without dependence on a flash unit (which might not have enough power for the longer distances!) Shooting outdoors, as you describe, your 17-85mm would be just fine! As long as your sister in law is not wholly dependent upon your photos, that takes to pressure to perform off of you!