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08/10/2005 10:46:08 AM · #1 |
Well, I've had another request to do a wedding. I've done two small ones with decent results. This is a larger one. Traditional, in church wedding. I wouldn't mind doing it, but I don't have the equipment to adequately cover taking larger group photos inside.
I don't know the person very well...just through continuing ed classes at work. She has seen all my wedding work, though, because I had given her a link to my online stuff. She knows I'm a Christian, and she said it's important to her to have a Christian photographer. She said she can tell with my photos that I like to bring out the heart of the subjects and I enjoy doing it. Flattered, sure. But I know her request is really beyond what I'm capable to do on my own.
My question is: Do you think it would be a reasonable idea to try and find a more experienced photographer and request working on the wedding together? Do you think another photographer would go for that? I'd really like to upgrade my equipment and this would give me some financial help in that regard. Any other ideas to make this work would be appreciated.
Message edited by author 2005-08-10 15:39:16. |
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08/10/2005 03:38:58 PM · #2 |
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08/10/2005 03:50:05 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by jpochard:
My question is: Do you think it would be a reasonable idea to try and find a more experienced photographer and request working on the wedding together? Do you think another photographer would go for that? |
You may be able to find someone that would go for this. Remember to have a written contract. Craigslist might be a good place to look.
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08/10/2005 04:20:18 PM · #4 |
Hey J, I know this isn't what you asked, but unless it's pouring outside you don't have to shoot in the church. Getting married in a church is still common-place, but pictures after the ceremony ,traditionally at the altar, are on their way out. I never do it actually. A lot of couples assume that's how it's done because that's how their sister or cousin or aunt had her photos done. Lighting is a huge problem in churches, kindly let them know you'll be shooting all the family photos outside.
OR just decline (don't give them a reason like you don't have the gear).
I'd go with the first suggestion, tho. |
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08/10/2005 04:28:19 PM · #5 |
Just a thought, but maybe there is a DPC'r local to you that would want some wedding experience. They might even have equipment you could borrow or be there to take shots that your equipment can't handle. I bet if you offered them free food from the reception they would be more than happy to help you! ;-) Your photography style is what the person asking you saw and liked, so you are going to do fine. An extra person can help capture candids and get different angles. You might try posting and asking if anyone is interested in helping you out.
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08/10/2005 04:31:50 PM · #6 |
If you can't find someone who will be willing to share the job, you may be able to rent the equipment. Sometimes other photographers will loan some equipment out. I don't know if you have enough time to practise with it though. Make sure you explain to her what your limits are so she's not disappointed. Another suggestion is that you take candid photos "from the heart" while she has someone else do more formal photos if that's what she wants. She may be happy with only the candid ones,sounds like she was impressed with what she saw in your photos,so your style as it is without all the extra equipment may be all she wants.
Here's an experience I had that may make you feel better about doing this on your own. I went to my cousins wedding and they had hired a photographer friend of the groom for about $2000. I was just being a guest and taking lots of photos with my old Nikon 2000. I felt alittle awkward giving my cousin my photos later after seeing some really nice shots that their photographer had taken, but when I gave her the prints, she said, "oh.... I like yours better than his...., . The thing was, I knew I had captured moments that the other photographer hadn't that were more "family candid shots". Later they made a collage of all her photos and she had just as many of mine in the mix as she did of the professional with all the equipment. If I hadn't known I had taken the photos, I wouldn't have known the difference. So it ain't the equipment as much as the heart behind it , and sounds like your bride to be knows this. |
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08/10/2005 04:48:48 PM · #7 |
I just shot photos at a friends wedding - and they hired a photogapher over a year ago - but I know he does not have the shots that I got for them - sometimes the candid shots have more heart to them - not that the photographers were bad by any means .... just all of them were posed - no natural ones at all .... I would love to help! I really wish I had my 200mm 1.8 L lens with me for this wedding since I did not use a flash at all and the lighting really was dim.... |
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08/10/2005 04:50:01 PM · #8 |
next to cleaning salmon in an alaskan cannery 15 hours a day, a 9-hour wedding shoot is probably some of the hardest work i've ever done. And that was as 2nd Photographer going for candid shots.
you take great photos.
if they understand that you shoot for a certain style, using pro-sumer or consumer equipment, but it will save them $1000, then go for it. Entering into a business contract with someone you don't know very well is risky, Weddings are risky.
there is a risk/cost/gain ratio floating around in here somewhere...i think the more you charge, the more professional they will expect you to be.
Message edited by author 2005-08-10 16:51:20.
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08/10/2005 05:42:59 PM · #9 |
All great info, and encouraging - thanks! I thought about renting, but part of the plus of using my camera is that I am very comfortable with it. There's no way I'd know enough about a rented DSLR to feel capable at the wedding.
The request came from the mom, so I think my next step will be to schedule a sit-down with the bride and groom. Once I understand what their expectations are, I will know whether or not I feel comfortable doing it. I think I will accept/reject based on my own camera, and in the mean time look and ask around if anyone with better equipment might want to join me. Outside shots might be a bit chancey since the wedding is in December here in Ohio.
The other possibility is my favorite...the wedding is in December, so perhaps I have time to get the DSLR before then! :)
We have a "win a free membership" thread going...maybe someone will start a "win a free camera" thread.
Financially, we are involved in some major remodeling at my house, so it really is rather unlikely to save that much by then. If you know anyone wanting to buy or sell real estate in the Cincinnati area, have them call me! A few good commission checks might do it. |
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08/10/2005 05:50:16 PM · #10 |
P.S. the parents will always assume the photos will be in the church at the altar, politely state that isn't the style of photography the couple have chosen.
GOod luck! Let us know what you decide and post a link to some shots when it's all said and done :-) |
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