Holy CRAP!! Is this dude for real??

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/04/2006 07:39:26 PM · #1

I just got a call from my sister in law's fiancee.

I took a picture of her with my daughter a few months back, I uploaded it to walmart and picked it up so I could give them the 8x10 before they left town.

He apparently love the picture so much, that he wants to buy us an SLR so that we can shoot their wedding.

I'm speechless, I didn't know what to say so I said I't think about it.

Partly I'm deathly scared that I would screw up their photo's and then he'd resent the whole thing.

The other half of me is screaming "DO IT YOU FOOL!!!"

HOLY CRAP.

ShutterPug

Canon EOS-6D

02/04/2006 07:43:18 PM · #2

that is cool! I can see how you'd be nervous taking them up on it too though.

zerocusa

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/04/2006 07:46:24 PM · #3

get a 1Ds mk2

i know you want one...

haha

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

02/04/2006 07:47:50 PM · #4

If you have some time (6-8 weeks) before the wedding, and can get the DSLR upfront, I'd give it serious consideration. Get it early obviously for some practice...better consider what lens to ask for with it. You can either accept the kit lens, or buy just the body (usually $100 cheaper) and get a lens more appropriate for the event.

Find out also what their expectations are for the wedding photos.

Search the forums here for ideas on wedding equipment needs...I've seen many post's on and off over the last year or so on this subject.

Good luck! ;^)

JRalston

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

02/04/2006 07:48:08 PM · #5

Wow, what an offer! I have been in your situation! My cousin was getting married this past summer and wanted me to photograph it! She used her photography budget to fly my husband, myself, and our two kids to Colorado for the wedding! ($1200) I was TERRIFIED of screwing things up. All in all, things turned out well.

Good luck!

Canon EF 24-70mm f/4.0L IS USM Lens

02/04/2006 07:52:21 PM · #6

I'm going through Fred Miranda's buy/sell section and trying to remember all those reccomendations that people keep giving out on lenses....

Tamron 28-75, 75-200...

Germaine

Canon EOS-7D Mark II

02/04/2006 07:58:36 PM · #7

I wound up being the photographer for my brother's wedding. It was sort of put together at the last minute, and no one thought to hire a photographer (!!!) or else the ones that were available at the last minute were horribly expensive. I showed up a couple of days before the wedding and was elected.

I used my Pentax (can't remember which model, but it was an SLR) and re-did some of the shots that the photographer had done at my wedding, but mostly I just went around and took pictures of the bride and groom with all of the guests. Most of the pictures turned out very well. It was obvious that it wasn't a professional job, but it didn't look like a beginner had shot it either.

I'd look at a couple of wedding albums that the couple likes and then "practice" some of the shots.

P.S. A lot of people put the disposable cameras on the reception tables and let the guests do it themselves.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

02/04/2006 08:11:34 PM · #8

Originally posted by Germaine:

P.S. A lot of people put the disposable cameras on the reception tables and let the guests do it themselves.

If we were to do this (which I'm seriously leaning toward) We would let some of the other people we know in the family take pictures with our current cam and our P&S. Would probably save them money in the long run with not having to process all the film from the disposables.

Need:
SLR, want a 20d, but I guess beggars can't be choosers.
Wide angle zoom, and 70-200 or thereabouts, at least.
Better tripod (I'm thinking Amvona ebay sales.)
Flash?

They're going to a big fancy hotel downtown for the reception. Need to go scout the church....

JRalston

Canon EOS-20D

02/04/2006 08:23:12 PM · #9

I would do it. Looking at your portfolio, you are a great photographer. I have shot 3 weddings now, and I now firmly believe that weddings take practice. The last wedding I shot was much easier than the 1st because I knew what shots to go for. You have to jump in with both feet and just do it!

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

02/04/2006 08:33:15 PM · #10

Originally posted by JRalston:

Thanks for that. Nice to know someone thinks so :O) Besides family that is.

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

02/04/2006 09:20:47 PM · #11

I would definitely go with Canon for the great low light high ISO capabilities because you may not be able to use flash everywhere, such as in the chappel during the ceremony, or because you may like the look of available light better. If you use a flash get yourself a Lightsphere II from Gary Wong to diffuse the light from the flash. Read as many books and web sites that you can on wedding photography. Good luck.

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

02/04/2006 09:28:24 PM · #12

Originally posted by Olyuzi:

Its's fong :P

Thanks for the input, I'll need all I can get. Must get the equipment and go to the church to practice. I'm a freaking perfectionist, did I tell you. Well, sometime if force myself to relax, but I am rarely satisfied with my photos totally. Knowing that the bride is well, high maintenance also, does not do well for my nerves on this.

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

02/04/2006 09:40:41 PM · #13

Originally posted by wavelength:

Originally posted by Olyuzi:
I would definitely go with Canon for the great low light high ISO capabilities because you may not be able to use flash everywhere, such as in the chappel during the ceremony, or because you may like the look of available light better. If you use a flash get yourself a Lightsphere II from Gary Wong to diffuse the light from the flash. Read as many books and web sites that you can on wedding photography. Good luck.

Its's fong :P

Thanks for the input, I'll need all I can get. Must get the equipment and go to the church to practice. I'm a freaking perfectionist, did I tell you. Well, sometime if force myself to relax, but I am rarely satisfied with my photos totally. Knowing that the bride is well, high maintenance also, does not do well for my nerves on this.

Woops! Sorry Gary...lol
The things I would practice most is high contrast shooting so that you don't blow out the whites of the wedding dress or completely black out the darks of the tuxs'. Also, bring someone along when you are practicing in the church so that you can meter of their face to make sure that skin tones come out nice. Make sure you know ahead of hand how you are going to handle these most important factors. You may want to shoot RAW as well, so you have the greatest leeway in PP.

MPRPRO

Olympus E-5

Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Zuiko Digital Zoom

02/04/2006 09:42:53 PM · #14

Originally posted by wavelength:

DO IT YOU FOOL!!! GET A TELEPHOTO LENS TOO. HOLY CRAP I'LL SHOOT HIS WEDDING. LOL

brizmama

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

02/04/2006 10:04:47 PM · #15

Do it you fool, I hear your wife is a pretty good photog too. lol

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/04/2006 10:10:01 PM · #16

Originally posted by brizmama:

Do it you fool, I hear your wife is a pretty good photog too. lol

Yes she is. and cute too. :-D

John White

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

02/04/2006 10:12:10 PM · #17

Weddings are not easy, everything happens fairly quickly and you only get one chance!
Do a couple of dry runs with friends then work out what works and what doesnt.

Its worth writing a list of 'must get' photos and make sure you cover them.
When not getting the standard wedding photos get lots of candid shots.

Most of all dont stress to much, appear confident and have a bit of fun!!

Message edited by author 2006-02-04 22:13:36.

brizmama

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

02/04/2006 10:43:39 PM · #18

good suggestion.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

02/04/2006 10:55:48 PM · #19

Originally posted by Germaine:

P.S. A lot of people put the disposable cameras on the reception tables and let the guests do it themselves.

Yeah, and there's always a wiseguy who gets drunk, gets one of the cameras and takes some shots in the bathroom with his pants down. Those are lovely to have the parents discover when they pick up the photos while the happy couple is honeymooning.