Wedding Photography

[BlackSheep]

ok so my brother in law wants me to do his wedding because they can't afford to hire a real one and i am kind of nervous because i'm only a hobbist. I have a d40 with the stock lens and an ae-1 with tons of lenses but i don't have any formal training on photography so i just do what looks best to me, i told him i wouldn't charge him and that he'd be responsible for the prints. It isn't until next month so i will have to get some practice in until then

[zelseman]

Dont do it.
This is not a negative opinion toward your skill or experience, because I have no idea on the degree of either. But two things i have learned in just a few months of wedding photography is do not do work for family members and do not do work when you are not equipped for it.

I would respectfully decline and suggest that they find a student or semi-proffesional photographer to do a better job on their wedding and the wont have to pay for a pro.

Usually(95% of the time) in wedding photography, you get what you pay for.

[cb7wagonPL]

I would have to agree with zelseman. I have done my first wedding for a friend a year ago and are now preparing for my second one in two weeks. It is probably one of the most difficult, demanding and stressful types of photography you can do as 98% of the time you only have one chance to get the shot. Getting a photography student to do it would be a better idea. Your biggest problem is that the wedding is next month and personally i dont think that nearly enough time to prepare. I had close to a year to prepare for my first wedding and still i was stressed but felt pretty ready to take the plunge. What I did before even taking the job is get a small statement together that stated that I am not a professional and this is my first wedding bla bla bla and that I have prepared for it but they can't try to sue or take any action against me if something was to go astray. Yes, the couple were my friends but you still need to protect yourself from the bridzilla lol. If you would like to get into this type of photography by all means go for it. Doing it for a friend or family for free is the best way to start but you need more than a month to prepare.

D40 with stock lens and no speed light (you didn't mention owning one) is simply not enough. You COULD get away with the D40 but it would have to be paired with a fast lens f2.8 or faster. Flash is also very helpful in darker churches and it will be a must if the lights are dim during reception and dancing to freeze the action.

[zelseman]

If you do go through with it, get a contract drawn up saying that you arent liable for missed shots, shitty pics, or the damage to the mic stand when the bride throws it at you for not knowing everything you are supposed to.

I kid. I kid.

If I were you I would read up on http://photography-on-the.net/forum and search for wedding FAQ on google.

Also another option once you read up on wedding photography you may want to rent some lenses and a speedlight.

[BlackSheep]

where can you rent something like that? I was practicing yesterday and i'm thinking i will take both cameras with me i have everything i need for lenses SLR wise (my gramps was big into photography but his flashes and that i could not get to work, just old i suppose) so i think i will bring that. If i could rent the flash that'd make my day. They are pretty set on me doing it, not sure why i just take pictures of cars, bikes, and random shit, on top of pics of my son oh well...i will have to do that statement up. His wife is cooler than she is so hopefully she won't flip out

[evil_demon_01]

Never really got into the whole wedding thing . . . yet
I don't know your photography skills, so I can't judge.
But I agree, get a professional. These are lifetime photos, not one offs.
If its an option, maybe you could pay a professional photographer for your sister, Weddings are expensive enough without photos . . .

[BlackSheep]

yeah right this is my brother-n-law i can't stand him and i'm only doing it for my wife's sake.

[Macaqueistrong]

yeah right this is my brother-n-law i can't stand him and i'm only doing it for my wife's sake.

I hate those situations.

[zelseman]

Okay, here we go.
lenrentals.com

Nikon 18-200 f/3.5-5.6=$51
Nikon SB-600=$26
Stroboframe Quick Flip Flash Bracket=$11
Nikon Off Camera Cord= $8

Make them expect less and return better.
PRAY!

[BlackSheep]

thanks for the links, i will let them know about the prices on it. I know i could do a half way decent job of it with the right tools. I've taken family portraits and that and they turned out really good. I think they just were expecting their families to pay for the wedding instead of saving up for it so it kind of backfired on them.

[lonski]

Pray you don't get the "this-is-the-greatest-day-of-my-life-and you've-ruined-it!" kinda deal, lol! j/k Seriously, good luck!

[zelseman]

thanks for the links, i will let them know about the prices on it. I know i could do a half way decent job of it with the right tools. I've taken family portraits and that and they turned out really good. I think they just were expecting their families to pay for the wedding instead of saving up for it so it kind of backfired on them.

The equipment i listed is not the RIGHT equipment. It's simply a cheap solution to return decent results. The right equipment would cost a couple hundred bucks easy. This would just get it done. You really need fast(2.8 and faster) glass and semi-pro/pro bodie(s) to get the job done, with a back up for each. But given the situation, that would do.

[cb7wagonPL]

i would also add the 50mm f1.8 to your gear. it will be very useful and since its not very expensive i would buy one to own.

[starchland]

sounds like bad news. just getting used to all the equipment your gonna rent will take awhile to get used to. learning all this while at a wedding when you hopefully only get married once isnt the best time to practice.

[BlackSheep]

if they try to make me feel bad about it i will basically tell them where to go, i did like family photography before and it turned out pretty good. I told my wife to tell them to rent the lenses for me, we'll see what they say. My bet is they'll expect me to pay for it or they'll say that they will get it and never will.