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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> Did I do the right thing?
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04/03/2008 10:54:24 AM · #1
I had a couple ask me to photograph their wedding and I only know them by acquaintance. They know I’m a photographer (novice) and know I have the equipment. They have priced other photographers in town only to find the pricing was more than they expected. I know this is why they asked me because they wanted to see if I would do it for a fraction of what a professional charges.

Here is where I have a problem. 1) I am not a professional photographer and have NOT done any wedding photography. Even though I feel I could do a good job, it will not be near the results a professional could offer them. 2) If everyone with a camera thinks they can pull of professional wedding photographs, they are mistaken!

I don’t want to ruin my name as I want to become a professional photographer someday but I know I have to pay my dues by learning, practicing, and take the step when my photography can stand side-by-side with proven profession. I also don’t want to damage the reputation of the business by doing something I’m not qualified to do and should be done by a professional as to maintain a quality of standard within the profession.

To make a long story short I kindly refused sighting the above and telling them even though the prices they have been quoted may seem high now; but professional quality photographs taken by a professional are priceless. And will become more so with each anniversary.

I advised them to spend the extra money on the photographs, just do their research into each photographer to get the best photographs and packages for their money.

I know this could of given me a good starting point but at what cost? You only have one chance at getting a couples wedding photos correct and if you don’t they have to live with your mistake for a lifetime.

I hope I did the right thing.
Scott

Message edited by author 2008-04-03 11:11:25.
04/03/2008 10:58:27 AM · #2
I think you did the right thing.

However, should you change your mind, be sure to wear safety glasses...I imagine the weed-whackers/grass trimmers are going full bore at a weeding event. :-D
04/03/2008 10:58:51 AM · #3
I've never done weeding photography either...lol j/k

I for one think you did the right thing... you might have also requested that you be allowed to shot along side whoever they choose so that you could get that kind of practice in.. that way you don't have the pressuse of being the only one, but you can sort of flex your photography muscles at the same time.
04/03/2008 11:01:13 AM · #4
I think you did the right thing,

Here is an added bonus that you could do though, (if they let you)

Ask them if they want you to be the 2nd photographer. That way you can experiece and learn and they can pay just for the shots that you think are fantastic.

You could turn this into an amazing experience for yourself, but at the same time you could sell it to the couple as having more photos of their wedding too.

04/03/2008 11:02:00 AM · #5
Eye and myself are readign each others brains, we are very clever like that!! heheh
04/03/2008 11:03:25 AM · #6
Originally posted by JulietNN:

Eye and myself are readign each others brains, we are very clever like that!! heheh


I give you all the credit for the wisdome (yours must be rubbing off on me), I'm just quicker...lol
04/03/2008 11:04:06 AM · #7
Dude you just so totally made my day, I am even blushing!! Thank you !!! DXOXOXO
04/03/2008 11:05:07 AM · #8
Originally posted by glad2badad:

I think you did the right thing.

However, should you change your mind, be sure to wear safety glasses...I imagine the weed-whackers/grass trimmers are going full bore at a weeding event. :-D

weeding/wedding, told you I was not qualified! LOL -- OH, wheres my glasses.


Message edited by author 2008-04-03 11:06:45.
04/03/2008 11:05:30 AM · #9
You did the right thing. I agree totally with JulietNN and Eyesup in regards to the 2nd photog idea. Also adds a second perspective to the event.
04/03/2008 11:06:00 AM · #10
If I were in your shoes, I would've taken the opportunity. They know you're a 'novice'. Give them a first-timer's price break and it's a win-win situation.

Heck, I was in your shoes last fall. I took that opportunity and everything went great.

I think you need more confidence in yourself.
04/03/2008 11:11:25 AM · #11
Back in the third century when I got hitched, same thing happened to us, the price of a professional photographer increased the overall price of our wedding by a third (yes, we got married on the cheap, the divorce however was first class!). We hired a friend of a friend who was just an avid amateur photographer. We knew what we were getting for that price and I suspect the folks who asked you know they're not getting a professional for that price. I think you missed a good opportunity to break into the business. The shots were absolutely comparable to what friends and siblings paid 5x for, and there were no regrets. If the folks asking you are looking for world class photos, then kindly let them know your not interested, but if they are completely cognizant of your abilities and what they'll get, then by all means, take advantage of the opportunity given.
04/03/2008 11:19:14 AM · #12
I think it would have been OK to say yes, provided that they had a full understanding that they were taking a gamble on their wedding pictures and you felt OK with taking the job after full disclosure of your skill level to them.
04/03/2008 11:35:48 AM · #13
one more little thing i just thought of,

if you had taken on the job and say by some chance it turned out really totally crap. It would also put a strain on your friendship, they would have been in the middle of the two of you and you do not want that.

I would still go with the second shooter idea, cos that way you can also go hog wild and get some crazy angle shots and poses that you would normally not have asked a bride and groom to do. That way if one of the weird angles or crazy shots turned out amazing, boom, you have something that no one else would have tried before and you have it.

Strike said he would have gone for it, and maybe you shoudl have. But I think throwing caution to the wind will suit you better this time around, less stress to be perfect in an area that you are a little dubious about ,

04/03/2008 11:39:14 AM · #14
Originally posted by Spazmo99:

I think it would have been OK to say yes, provided that they had a full understanding that they were taking a gamble on their wedding pictures and you felt OK with taking the job after full disclosure of your skill level to them.


I'm not sure it would have beena good thing to encourage a b&g to gamble on ther wedding pics... in the end if anything did go wrong, there would be a very strained relationship...

not saying that anything WOULD go wrong... but in the event, you wouldn't want to be the one to have to say sorry.. you gambled on me and lost.
04/03/2008 11:49:49 AM · #15
If you don't think you could have handled a wedding (at any price), you did the right thing.

If you think you could have handled the job and had some fun at it, you did the wrong thing.
04/03/2008 12:00:07 PM · #16
I like the idea of being a second photographer; it takes the pressure off and gives you experience. You might also supplement their wedding portfolio. However, you should definitely check out earlier forum threads on back-up photographers and how not to interfere with the main photographers job.

04/03/2008 12:03:03 PM · #17
Kudos for knowing your limits and having the respect for the client to say, "I'm not the right person for the job."

I got a Myspace wedding offer and responded with something similar.
04/03/2008 12:06:55 PM · #18
Offer to be the photographer during a recital dinner or any other pre-ceremony event that they may be planning. The pressure is less but the experience is the same.
04/03/2008 12:10:18 PM · #19
everyone has to do something for the first time....go for it and enjoy the day as well.remember to have fun.
04/03/2008 12:13:34 PM · #20
I don't think you did the wrong thing, though you could have had a chance at valuable experience. I have been in the same situation and informed the the couple that I am not a professional and that I do this out of love of a hobby. I advised them to seek professionals, get prices and to look at portfolios and see what they think, if they can afford one then use one. I told them if after they do all that if they still feel comfortable using me I would love to do the wedding for them. I sent them some of my photos from some weddings that I was a second shooter and one wedding that I was the only shooter. They contacted me a month later and said that after all the research they did they still want me to shoot the wedding. If you leave the choice up to them, and inform them of your skill levels and feelings on the matter, then I see no need to decline the offer if they still want to go with you. Just my two cents and you have to start somewhere, why not with someone who doesn't have the money and still wants quality photos, which I'm sure you would give them. Trevor~
04/03/2008 12:17:02 PM · #21
Originally posted by nibbles:

everyone has to do something for the first time...

That's why people start out as a Second Shooter for an established Wedding Photographer. On the job training.
04/03/2008 12:24:04 PM · #22
Originally posted by jlanoue:

(yes, we got married on the cheap, the divorce however was first class!).


Oh dear, too funny. Well, for ME anyway lol.
04/03/2008 12:49:54 PM · #23
Originally posted by Eyesup:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

I think it would have been OK to say yes, provided that they had a full understanding that they were taking a gamble on their wedding pictures and you felt OK with taking the job after full disclosure of your skill level to them.


I'm not sure it would have beena good thing to encourage a b&g to gamble on ther wedding pics... in the end if anything did go wrong, there would be a very strained relationship...

not saying that anything WOULD go wrong... but in the event, you wouldn't want to be the one to have to say sorry.. you gambled on me and lost.


I did not suggest encouraging the B&G to take a risk that made them uncomfortable. My suggestion was to inform them of the risk so that they can make their own decision.

04/03/2008 03:13:02 PM · #24
Thanks everyone for you suggestions and support. I didn't think about the second shooter idea, that would of given me experience. Thanks for the idea.
04/03/2008 03:21:36 PM · #25
Originally posted by SDW:

Thanks everyone for you suggestions and support. I didn't think about the second shooter idea, that would of given me experience. Thanks for the idea.


may not be to late to talk to them about it
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