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My friend wants me to Photograph their wedding!
Please help!
My friend is getting married in March 2012. They asked me to photograph their wedding. The problem is I only have a 18-55mm and 55-250mm lens with my Canon 550D.
I want to do it but i don't know how to do it, how to take the pictures before the wedding.....??
Oh and the catch is.....i'm 15! I know how to shoot in Manual and know how to use a flash on and of-camera but I don't think i'm ready yet!
I feel I don't have enough equipment!
Please HELP!
My friend is getting married in March 2012. They asked me to photograph their wedding. The problem is I only have a 18-55mm and 55-250mm lens with my Canon 550D.
I want to do it but i don't know how to do it, how to take the pictures before the wedding.....??
Oh and the catch is.....i'm 15! I know how to shoot in Manual and know how to use a flash on and of-camera but I don't think i'm ready yet!
I feel I don't have enough equipment!
Please HELP!
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My advice: Just say no. You already said "...I don't know how to do it..." This is a wedding. Weddings can be very stressful for all involved. You need to be confident and know your stuff. I'm not saying a 15 year old can't be a "Rock Star". Judging by your post, I would find a local tog to see if you can be their apprentice or assistant.
Neal Jacob
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Anyways, just one question: Do you know, or at least suspect, deep down in your heart, that this couple COULD afford a good, experienced professional if you encouraged them to do so? If yes, then THAT IS THE COURSE OF ACTION. PERIOD. Because while on the one hand I totally understand that "poor people get married too", ...on the other hand, if they can afford an experienced photographer, they should hire one.
Trust me when I say, I have absolutely zero bias against a lack of equipment, or a young age. I'm sure there are PLENTY of prodigys out there who create stunning, gorgeous work in their teens with just a beginner camera. However, what is required to shoot a wedding is something entirely different- Sheer experience, skill, confidence, and often a commanding presence that gets the job done even if things start to run behind or if people start to get uncomfortable.
Even if you are the next Annie Leibovits and even if you use a 1DX, you still could drop the ball and miss critical moments, let alone capture them in a timeless, artistic manner.
Here is what I will STRONGLY urge you to do: convince the couple to hire an experienced pro. I'm not talking about another beginner who is only three steps ahead of you and has equipment and guts, I'm talking about someone who has at least a few weddings under their belt and who knows exactly how to handle what can happen on a wedding day.
If they don't have that kind of money, your second best option is to hire that experienced photographer YORUSELF, as your 2nd shooter, so that they can bring their experience and skill to the table, but without the price tag since you'll be editing everything and generally running the show. Keep in mind of course, they'll be pretty annoyed if you freak out and beg this person to "take over", but that shouldn't be a problem if you just mentally prepare yourself. Preferably, the best person to hire is someone who has done this before, the whole "2nd shooting for someone on their first go-round" thing. I've done it a bunch myself, since around here in So Cal the wedding photo community is pretty open, and the response has always been very positive. Expect to convince the couple to at least invest $300-400 in that "specialist 2nd shooter"... In my opinion, this is the best thing you can do for BOTH the couple and yourself. Because not only will they have the peace of mind that someone with experience is on hand, but YOU will get the opportunity to watch them work and see how they shoot a wedding day. I cannot tell you how valuable this is, when you're starting out.
Keep in mind, as I've said before, that I'm only ever this honest when it is a situation where I've made the mistakes myself and I know the consequences. I shot my own first few weddings solo, with very little experience and a beginner DSLR when I was 20 or something, and while I did squeak by, my mind was still BLOWN when I finally got a chance to shoot along side another photographer with lots of experience, and it totally opened my eyes...
Good luck!
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum