Commitment Ceremony Questions

Echo9er

I like to consider myself an advanced amature photographer. I take picture of rusty and crusty stuff, street shots, old buildings, flowers, birds, retirement and promotions ceremonies, almost anything.

My daughter has a very close friend who likes my photos and is always commenting to me what she likes.

I have been asked to photograph her and her partner's comittment ceremony. I have never considered anything like this at all. I figure this would be like photographing a wedding, but no bride and groom as it were. Both partners are same sex and committed to each other.

I just want to try and get some insight as to how to approach this event. I can read all of the great ideas for wedding photography and other occasions.

I am just a single guy with a camera. I really don't like flash. I really don't like to stage shots. I really do like to just walk and shoot, catching thos occasional posed shots and many candids.

I have a Nikon D300 with a 20-300 zoom (Tamron), and a 90 Macro (Tamron) I do have flash and reflectors. I also have a Nikon D50 I can use on a tripod as a portrait setup, but I don't have much in the way of backdrops.

I also don't have any idea of what to charge for an event like this. I do look at it as an opportunity to get a foot in the door, so to speak. This is somewhat out of my comfort zone. I do know the people involved, I just want to do right by them and give them some photos they can really be happy with.

Thank you in advance for any offering you may provide.

David

Art Scott

I have shot a few commitment ceremonies ( I will be using wedding as it is much shorter to type) in the past and i just treated them as a wedding.....to not embarrass any one I got a list of who all will be attending (I hate shooting lists but sometimes they are necessary)....moms, dads other family members......wedding party......how many on each side........if they are truly at ease and peace with them selves then don't shy away from romantic shots......if YOU are not at ease with same sex partners doing this....do not do it........as you will be uneasy and it will show in the photos.......I know my first 2 were a bitch and I got nailed for not including the intimate shots and ring shots ....so now I will shoot them just as any wedding but I still want to know what to expect......I had a dad try to punch out his sons partner during the family shots.......


Talk in lenght to the couple and make sure YOU and they are very comfortable with each other.......if you have a girl friend take her as your assistant, to help make you feel more at ease............

Again talk to the couple and find out what they really are lookikng for.....after al it is their day.

As for charging......no less than 850.......absolutely no less and that would get a traditional coverage and a 4x6 nice album...make it clear taht this is a 50 or 75% discount because one is a dear friend of your daughter, not because it is the 1st wedding you have ever shot.........enlargements are extra......go to your nearest "PRO" lab and get a price list......if for color corrected and spotted prrints they charge 9.95 / 8x10 then you charge a min of 30........this is where you set up your perceived value ....."What you are worth".........If you do well you will get more and more of these as most male photographers cannot handle same sex ceremonies......especially if it were 2 males.......I shot my 1st over 20 yrs ago and it was in a public park and we were closely watched by the police and it was against the law to perform a ss marriage......this was pulled off as an old european HANDFASTING......not rings.....just bound by rope.....I didphotograph the ring exchange a little later.............

or fly me out to be your assistant and 2nd shooter:D for that matter a bus ticket might suffice

jeffreaux2

Echo9er wrote:

I just want to try and get some insight as to how to approach this event. I can read all of the great ideas for wedding photography and other occasions.

I am just a single guy with a camera. I really don't like flash. I really don't like to stage shots. I really do like to just walk and shoot, catching thos occasional posed shots and many candids.

Approach it just the way you said it....the occasional posed shots and many candids. Do your best to document in photos the events as they unfold during the day. Flash may be a requirement depending on the venue. Sometimes we need that extra stop of light thet can only be provided by flash.

I have a Nikon D300 with a 20-300 zoom (Tamron), and a 90 Macro (Tamron) I do have flash and reflectors. I also have a Nikon D50 I can use on a tripod as a portrait setup, but I don't have much in the way of backdrops

I wouldn't worry about a backdrop. Let the venue be the backdrop. Otherwise they could just go to a studio for photos...right? The cameras are fine.....the lenses....except for the 90mm F2.8 may well be a true aggravation in ambient interior lit situations. I suggest you at least rent a wide to medium zoom with a large constant aperture. 17-50mm or so and F2.8.

I also don't have any idea of what to charge for an event like this. I do look at it as an opportunity to get a foot in the door, so to speak. This is somewhat out of my comfort zone. I do know the people involved, I just want to do right by them and give them some photos they can really be happy with.

Well, if you are renting or buying gear to do it you should at least charge enough to cover ALL of your expenses. It seems as though your heart is in this, and that is a good thing. Just be sure it doesn't COST you anything to do it. That would be unfair. Of course you could say"....buy me this lense and Ill do it no charge".

In any event, chrging what a local "pro" would charge would be mis leading....and unfair to the couple.

Echo9er

Jeff, Art. Thanks for the insight. I had not thought of rentals, but I likie the idea. I will look into it.

Thanks again.

I'll let the board know how it goes, when it happens. (probably sometine in August).

David