Wedding Gear

I am 16 and I just got my first wedding job. I am supposed to be the backup for the main photographer if she doesn't show up. If she does show up then I will just be second shooter. I wanted to ask everyone if I have enough equipment for the job? I have a gripped 40d, 20d, 17-35 f/2.8, 70-200 f/2.8, 550 EX, 430 EX, and diffusers, plenty of batteries etc. Does it sound like enough or do I need to grab a medium tele too?

Thanks,

If you arent the primary photog, the then yes, i think you have enough gear.

Although im not a wedding photographer(16 aswell) i know a lot of them. Most of the ones i know use a 70-200, which you have and many i talked to dont see the need for anything larger. i think your 17-35 2.8 on one body and 70-200 on the other, one flash on each or use only one flash. As the second shooter, i wouldn't be overly concerned, i know you still want to get the best shots possible but also let the 1st hand photog do their thing and take notes.
thats what i'd do atleast.

Good luck with your shoot!!

If the main photographer doesn't show up... They have a lot of confidence in the main photographer don't they? Usually second shooters are hired by the main photographer, not the B&G. I assume that the B&G are friends or family right? Though you shouldn't have too... someone needs to make sure that the main photographer doesn't have a clause about hiring another photographer. You may end up shooting the whole thing because the main photographer left along with all the monies paid by the B&G.

You've got plenty for a second shooter. And for a couple that clearly isn't taking wedding photography seriously (by not knowing if their main photographer is going to show up?!), you have MORE than enough

Best of luck to you! I wish I started shooting weddings when I was 16!!

Bobby

The B+G aren't family, just really good friends of mine. The main photog has been having issues with the B+G (she is the brides niece) because it is a very conservative wedding as far as dressing modestly. The main photographer does not want to dress modestly, so just to make sure that they will have a photog on their day, they asked me.

You have more than enough kit as a 2nd shooter. How much memory do you have?

I wouldn't worry about not having a medium tele, you can use foot-zoom if needs be.

I have at least 20gb of card space, but I was thinking that I should probably
go buy a couple more 4gb cards just to be safe. Thanks for your help everyone,
it's very appreciated.

I find it odd that the main photog has an issue with dressing conservatively or appropriately for a wedding. Most photogs will dress the part like they are a guest, or slightly more casual than the average guest.

On the other note your gear list is quite sufficient for the job.

Dorman wrote in post #8207608
I find it odd that the main photog has an issue with dressing conservatively or appropriately for a wedding. Most photogs will dress the part like they are a guest, or slightly more casual than the average guest.

Sounds like the main photog is family and probably not much older than the OP. She is definitely not a professional photog, given that she doesn't want to dress conservatively. But then again, what level of conservatism are we talking about here? Maybe the photog wants to wear a pantsuit but the conservative culture they are in demands that women wear only long skirts or long dresses... anything else would be unmodest. Regardless, a professional would dress how then need to dress as to not upset their client.

jacuff wrote in post #8207651
Sounds like the main photog is family and probably not much older than the OP. She is definitely not a professional photog, given that she doesn't want to dress conservatively. But then again, what level of conservatism are we talking about here? Maybe the photog wants to wear a pantsuit but the conservative culture they are in demands that women wear only long skirts or long dresses... anything else would be unmodest. Regardless, a professional would dress how then need to dress as to not upset their client.

Precisely my thoughts.

Your gear list will work fine. You might at some point want to add something simple like a 50 1.8 to help with that middle area. Good for portraits and you can pick one off for $100 or less. Good luck with the situation.

plenty of equip for a second shooter. You could literally get away with the amount of equipment you have and be the main shooter.
When I am a second shooter I tend to concentrate on detail shots, close ups, touchy feely warm and fuzzy stuff. I look at the crowd around me, what are the kids doing while the main photog is posing and shooting. Whatever you do, do not shoot over the main photographers shoulder.
That is awesome you are starting pro work so young with such a great list of equipment. Love to see some shots!

Thanks everyone. The wedding is tomorrow so I will let you all know how it went and everything. I would love to post pictures, but I have never figured out how to do it, or I should say it would never really let me load them when they wrer proper size.