Moral Dilema

Background:
I have shot one wedding before, with an XTi, 24-70L, nifty fifty, 430EX and LP120

I have 3 people wanting me to shoot their wedding. I have told them that I am not a professional and have showed them photos from the previous wedding and have detailed my experience.
All of them still want to hire me.

My moral dilema is that I don't want to say no because it's good experience and some extra cash BUT I feel that this is too important of a day and I do not have the confidence in myself yet, nor do I have the experience to know what to do if things go wrong, or if the lighting is not something that I have experienced yet.
All these "clients" seem to have faith in me and dismiss the idea of me not being experienced enough but they don't know the behind the scenes of the photography, nor the technical stuff.

Here are a few examples from the previous wedding

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

Well, I start by saying these are all nice pictures, but they are not what might be considered "professional quality". That said, I don't see this as much of a moral dilema here. There really are only two questions to be answered. Do you like doing this work? Have they seen your work and know the quality that you are likely to deliver and they know that you're not pro? If both of those answers are yes, there's no reason not to proceed.

We all have to start somewhere, right? Here's what I think...

1. Show them the wedding you shot in full if you haven't (meaning 100 or so photos).
2. Make sure they have a good idea of what to expect (showing them 100 images will do this).
3. Explain again that you have only done one wedding and that in one wedding you most certainly haven't encountered enough problems to be ready for anything like a seasoned pro (and that can mean missed shots for when those problems arise).
4. Explain that you aren't a professional, gear doesn't fail on a regular basis, but it does in fact fail enough to where backups are necessary, and that you are missing out on back up gear.
5. Put everything in writing and don't consider it booked until you have CONTRACTS!!!

It seems you've done some of that, but I just wanted to write it out in detail. If you do all of that AND a) they still want you and b) you really want to do it, I see no moral dilemma.

Bobby

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San Diego Wedding Photographer (blog)
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the Raddest Photo Trip Ever!!!
Come on the next one Dec 6th-19th 2010!!!!!

Do whay Bobby said, and put it in writing. If you have a friend that you like to take pictures with, see if they want to second it with you. That way you have a better chance of catching the special moments, or if gear fails, or anything of the sort.

Agree with what was said above - get everything in writing and make sure they know what they're getting.

If you can't purchase them, rent backup/extra lenses, bodies, flashes, and cards. You never know if or when you're camera is going to fail.

I don't see the moral dilemma here. Just say, "no."

Or, if you want to appease your guilty conscience at least shoot these for next to nothing just for the experience.

I would explain that there is a lot to consider when you photograph a wedding. They can be stressful and complicated. Being able to compose and properly expose an image is only a portion of the talents your average wedding photog puts to use.
If they still insist, go for it. But be sure to have a contract.

bnlearle wrote in post #9800887
We all have to start somewhere, right? Here's what I think...

....

It seems you've done some of that, but I just wanted to write it out in detail. If you do all of that AND a) they still want you and b) you really want to do it, I see no moral dilemma.

Bobby

Riding on the coattails of Bobby, I would completely agree there is no moral dilemma if there is full disclosure of all aspects.

I could be reading into your words too much, but it seems like you would do it if you did not personally know these people but you are worried they would not be completely happy with the results and maybe upset with you? If that is the case, that is a fair thought process but it doesnt mean this has to be a no go. If you are wanting to do weddings in the future as a pro, you will need these opportunities and many pros got their feet wet with Friends/family weddings.

Nothing can prepare you to shoot weddings other than shooting weddings, so if personal doubts are the only thing holding you back, take a deep breath and go for it!

You're upfront and honest about your experience.
They've seen some of your work.
They are still interested in having you shoot their wedding.

If YOU want to, do it. If you're not comfortable doing it, tell them that.

There's no moral dilemma here.

Awesome advice, thank you everyone!! That make me feel much better.
I didn't want to be one of those "Judge Joe Brown" cases...

I have put together about 90 shots that I will be sending them all and sitting down with them to discuss my limitations and abilities.

I don't actually know any of these people. One person got referred to me by a wedding planner, another is the sister of one of the bridesmaids from the wedding I shot and the other, I have no idea where she found me actually hehe. But you are definitely right about the part about being completely happy and upset with me, etc.
I didn't hire a pro for my wedding and it makes me sad some days to know that I don't have a good documentation of my wedding.

Oh absolutely! It's one I put together from all the bits and pieces posted on POTN

Fantastic, this is what I shall do!

Again, many thanks to everyone who replied, all sound advice and I really appreciate it!

potn_momma2 wrote in post #9802672
Awesome advice, thank you everyone!! That make me feel much better.
I didn't want to be one of those "Judge Joe Brown" cases...

LOL, the Joe Brown cases are from the people who DONT do the 5 things Bobby said to do. When the Bride/Groom have a true idea of your abilities/resources and then after you give them a real idea of what shooting a Wedding involves, they can make an appropriate decision if they still want you. Doing that will solve about 90% of the issues new shooters deal with.

I don't see this as a moral dilemma. You told them up front you are not a professional, and they still want to hire you after seeing samples of your work. Sounds to me like you're filling a niche and just need to made sure that you get compensated accordingly....then market for more work.

Can you charge enough to bring in another experienced photographer?

Not sure what you mean by this...

Yes I have explained that I am only one person and may miss a few things, and if they are interested in having two photographers then the price goes up accordingly.

Any word? Do they still want to hire you?