jason_weiss Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 I do mostly fashion and glamour photography and was recently asked bya stranger if I could do her wedding in October. I have no idea howthey got to me, and I've never shot a wedding before (well, video, butthat doesn't count and was for a friend). I'm wondering what kind oflighting and background equipment is needed and what's a standardprice, turnaround, # of prints, etc. Any advice or information at allwould be very useful. Perhaps I should just say no? Thanks, JASON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timberwolf1 Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 Jason, I like to encourage people to do weddings. But I would not take this wedding from a stranger. Fashion and glamour photography only share alittle knowledge with wedding photography. You will be overwhelmed by demands. I think this couple equates "fashion photographer" as instant qualification for wedding photography. I don't think so. Some commercial photographers think they are qualified to do weddings. I think we wedding photographers leave them all in the dust with their slow reactions and thinking. I think you could find yourself in trouble. I would advise you to turn it down; but investigate wedding photography under non-pro conditions. People have a habit of suing wedding photographers without qualm whereas they would simply ask for a re-shoot of a fashion photographer. I think you should take the conservative route this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich_dutchman1 Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 I agree. Start with friends and family. However, ask this person their budget. If she has no budget (i.e., under $500), you could tell her that you've never photographed a wedding, but have good photography skills and would be willing to try. For that amount, you would burn a high-res CD or give her the negatives, after you've had a chance to print a few for your own portfolio. There are dozens of threads about equipment and technique in the wedding forum. Browse through them for more answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason_weiss Posted June 9, 2004 Author Share Posted June 9, 2004 Thanks for the advice. She did mention in her email that she has a very low budget. But I still think I'd rather pass (I hate wearing a suit). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timberwolf1 Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 Jason, Consider shooting the wedding for free. Go take 80 shots, and make them the most important 10 shots of the wedding: formals, cake cutting, garter throw, ceremony pictures. It will be good experience for you. You don't have to wear a suit, just wear black pants and a white shirt and tie; or wear all black. I wear all black, no suit jacket. It will be an experience for you. Just don't have them rely upon you wholly. Tell them you'll go and "try". They will be thrilled. Give them something from your heart, they will respond with a gift or at least the right to use their pictures as part of a portfolio. It could be a start of something for you. I just didn't want you to become liable. Don't take any money from them. If they want to donate $$$ to you later, fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_levine Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 Invest in a few books on the subject.Shoot some film of your friends & family for practice.When 50% of your shots are good enough to be in the books you bought,you are good to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattalofs Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 Jason, you might show them the concert photos that you have up on photo.net. If they like them, offer to shoot the wedding in the same style. It would save you from having to worry too much about new techniques. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce_rubenstein Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 Jason - I looked at your web site and some of your work posted on photo.net, and your stuff is very good. If the bride looked at samples of your work and then contacted you to shoot her wedding, assume that the look of your work is what she wants. Just make sure of this and understand the bride's expectations. Then you can just be Jason Weiss, covering a wedding. What are you going to do, unlearn everything you know so you can shoot like Timber Bagawind? Figure maybe $2k for full day coverage and 500 4x6 proof prints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James G. Dainis Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 "<i>...or give her the negatives</i>"<p> That is really not a good idea. She may have Portra printed on a Fuji system by a poor operator. The poor quality of the prints would be blamed on you not the processor or lab tech. James G. Dainis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andre_noble4 Posted June 13, 2004 Share Posted June 13, 2004 If you got an email query, she's probably sent 25 similar to other names she got from some list. Don't worry 'bout it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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