asked to do photos for wedding

<p>Hello all, I was asked to take photos for a wedding, As of right now i only have a d50, lens include nikon 18-55 kit, 55-200 kit, 50 f1.8, AF-180 f2.8 D, tamron 180mm macro 1:1, sb-600, Manfrotto tripod. I told the person that asked that i could take pics but could not promise anything and they said they are fine with that. Question is do you think i can get some decent pics with the equipment i have? I know a d50 thats all i have right now, gonna upgrade been waiting for nikon announcement of new bodys. I have taken some pretty decent pics with the d50 but feel like under pressure to get good pics for wedding. any comments appreciated.</p>

<p>Yes, the D50 can produce excellent pictures just like every other Nikon DSLR camera. The equipment is not the issue - what is your experience taking wedding photos? If you don't have any, you should pass unless you are shooting as a 2nd shooter.</p>

<p>You can shoot a wedding with just an on-camera flash and a normal prime lens. It's been done for decades. The question is how good a job <em>you </em>can do with whatever gear you have.</p>

<p>If you're going to do this, the most important thing to do is talk with the bride and her family to make sure everyone's expectations are in line. You need to understand what she expects, and if you're an amateur let me tell you that your average bride's expectations may include a number of things you've never considered. They also need to understand that while you'll do your best, there may be some shots that simply don't happen or don't come out, and in exchange for getting free photos they're agreeing to accept whatever you produce, regardless of quality.</p>

<p>Play this wrong and you can lose a friendship here. Play it right and it might make for a good wedding gift. If she screams about "once in a lifetime event ruined by the photography" then you failed to come to an appropriate agreement up-front.</p>

<p>Since you're asking specifically about gear, I'll say to stick with what you have because you're famiilar with it. Know what it can do, know what it can't do, and make adjustments as necessary.</p>

<p>No problem with the gear, definitely. I just did a complete wedding on a D70 and produced a book on Blurb as the outcome. (<a href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1450915">http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1450915</a>) But the main issue is whether you have enough experience and feel comfortable doing it - I completely agree with Elliot on that one. Are we just talking portraits, or are jou going to make a "documentary" record of the entire wedding, including the ceremony and the party afterwards ?? That also makes a significant difference. Look at your past record of taking pictures in the style and circumstances that the couple wish for - then decide whether you feel confident and comfortable doing it.<br /><br />If not, just enjoy the wedding as a guest and get plastered instead :-)<br /><br />Soeren</p><div></div>

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<p>told the person that asked that i could take pics but could not promise anything and they said they are fine with that... ...but feel like under pressure to get good pics</p>

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<p>Its not a answer to your equipment question but worthy of consideration nevertheless... Good equipment is not the be all and end all and technique, practice, knowledge and solo experience are factors as well. Considering that people's representations are not always consistent with their subsequent reactions and the pressure you feel, maybe you should get out of this now before more pressure to take on this commitment can be put on you. Also, there is merit in obtaining equipment for your needs and on your schedule, not for some one off specialized event.</p>

<p>I'm sure some equipment related responses will follow.</p>

<p>John said it better than I've seen it said in a long time....</p>

<p>If you haven't done a wedding before and value the friendship of the couple - the best thing to do is to tell to hire a professional. </p>

<p>I just had a couple that called over the 4th of July holiday - they were getting married (2nd time for both) on July 17 and had a "friend" of theirs that was going to do the photos and suddenly he wasn't sure if he was going to be able to make it to the wedding or not... I agreed to do the shoot at a reduced rate since 1) I had the date open and 2) it was far less formal than any other wedding I've shot recently. Long story short - they are now very glad they hired me to do it for them. The "friend" did make it - but he wanted to enjoy himself - which he did - and they got great photos and memories of the day.</p>

<p>Dave</p>

 

<p>@Soeren - Great book, I feel like I was at the wedding myself! </p>

<p>Lightweight gear is very important. If you can, leave everything behind now and <strong>start running away</strong>.<br>

The first time I got married a friend took the photos. Suffice to say, this was the end of the friendship - before we'd even seen the photos.<br>

I'm about to get married for the second time. Lesson learned. I'm hiring a <a href="http://www.segeriusbruceblog.com/">professional wedding photographer</a>.</p>

<p>Thanks to all of you for your responses, Im going to give this a shot, One more question, would it be best to shoot raw? I can do pp and then send to be printed.</p>

<p>A backup body is essential. Borrow, rent, or steal another Nikon DSLR to act as a backup . </p>

<p>Do you have a plan for *what if* your D50 decides to take a rest during the wedding?</p>

<p>Do you have a second speedlight? Do you have a extra camera battery (or two?)</p>

<p>Going to shoot a wedding with one each equipment item is taking a risk. The wedding cannot be halted while you go in search of a camera body, speedlight, battery, etc.</p>

<p> </p>

<p><strong>I personally WOULD NOT DO THIS</strong>.</p>

<p>This event is a once-in-a-lifetime thing (hopefully anyway) and the bride will not be satisfied with anything less than the best. That is the way women are and that is not going to change. The equipment really is secondary with respect to the total lack of experience in taking on a responsibility like this. Also there is a serious lack of planning for contingencies and it is always the "what-if's" that will get you. They need to hire a professional. You could shoot second but as the main photographer you are asking for a trainwreck. Way too many people think they have a DSLR so they must be a "photographer" right? Nope...</p>

<p>Out of respect for the couple you should immediately decline gracefully explaining why. The friendship will survive and you will live to shoot another day without carrying the baggage of knowing you screwed up recording a wedding.</p>

<p>I actually was put into this position quite a while back and I have only the best professional gear to work with. I still declined because I have never shot a wedding and do not want the responsibility of failing to live up to unrealistic expectations. I prefer to enjoy photography, not try to do something I know very well I am not adequately prepared to do. Now if I could get in with a very experienced professional photographer to shoot second and assist in all the preaparation so that I could learn the correct way to approach a serious event like a wedding, then I would be all over that. Until that happens I refuse to take on a wedding.</p>

<p>You should ask this over in the wedding forum, they're all "experts". Personally I would advise against this unless you have at least assisted another shooter at several weddings.</p>

<p>"Flattering people with a camera", is something that must be learned. Turn people the wrong way, and you add weight to their frames. Place an even slightly over weight bride in the wrong part of the frame (closer than her groom), and she'll appear enormous. Hint: there isn't a woman on the planet that wants to look heavier than she is.</p>

<p>I apprenticed with an old school wedding shooter 30 years ago. He told me some sage advice that I like to kick at would be wedding shooters: "<strong><em>there's more that can wrong, than can go right in wedding photography</em></strong>". He also said "if the baker, caterer or DJ screw up, it will be forgotten over time".</p>

<p> If the photographer screws up it is never forgotten. They have an album of lousy pictures to remind them.</p>

<p>I have shot weddings twice for friends (long ago when I was young).</p>

<p>I'm not a wedding guy, and I would never do it again unless I decided to be... especially for a good friend.</p>

<p>If this is to be an indoor wedding, the truth no one seems to want to tell is you don't have the lenses for that kind of low light shooting. It comes down to lenses. Not sure if the church will even allow flash, either. Most don't during the ceremony. Camera is the least of your worries here. I guess if the photos don't come out, they can do the wedding all over again. Right?</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

<p>I would echo the other comments, I was asked five years ago to shoot a friends wedding, and I recommended they hire a professional. Am glad I did that too, I was able to attend the wedding as a guest and brought along my Nikon D70 and had a great time taking candids and being a spectator. I took a photo of the ceremony and the bride decided that was one of her favorite photos. It was my first shoot with the D70, and I made the mistake of only shooting JPGs, but was able to get some good results after some simple processing. Here's the photo the bride liked:</p>

<p><img src="http://hull534.smugmug.com/photos/138089245_Ahzs8-M.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>you will just do fine with the D50. it's a very capable camera. but you need a better lens. at least get the tamron 17-50mm or the sigma 18-50mm. they are both f/2.8 --- something that is almost a must for weddings. the kit lenses will work in good light indoors and out, the sb-600 helping out as you lose light. the kit 55-200mm will do just fine. outdoors, it is actually a good portrait lens.</p>

<p>there are places and times wherein friends will ask friends to do these things. they have their reasons: they have their trust in friends; they are not in a position to hire a professional; they are not picky; they will not have a glamorous and lavish wedding; what's more important to them is the celebration and 4x5 picks are okay; etc.</p>

<p>as long as you are sure that your friends will not sue you (that includes their parents and sponsors), go for it. BUT you need a second body. borrow one from a friend. one lens on each body. you need extra batteries and memory cards. PRACTICE in the church or wherever it's going to held. PRACTICE switching the SB-600 between cameras. this will be hard and needs practice. you have to know the sequence of events in the wedding. ATTEND THE REHEARSAL and practice there.</p>

<p>this might not be an encouragement because many will say i'm sending you on a suicide mission. but i started getting paid shooting weddings with a D70 and the 18-70 kit lens. i also used the 70-210 af-d on the second D70 borrowed from my brother.</p>

<p>of course i have experience shooting weddings in my film days. you have to have the courage to start somewhere. if after practicing during the rehearsal you feel uncomfortable, then don't do it. otherwise, go for it. good luck.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>All of the above is good advice. A backup rig is certainly a good idea. Even an older film camera would be cool, if that's what's available (bring several rolls). Some of the very experienced wedding photographers here may scare you off, but I'd say do your homework, visit the location in advance, and enjoy. If the bride and groom aren't expecting more than you can deliver, it should be fine. Use your judgment. If they want magazine quality images, and you know you can't provide those, simply let them know.</p>

<p>One other bit of advice - if you are determined to do the shoot - go down to your local Barnes & Noble or whatever bookstore and pick up a book on wedding photography or at least spend several hours over coffee while you study it there. That way you will at least have an idea of the basic images you should try to capture. The only way I would try this cold is if my friend was unable to hire a pro and it was either my pictures or none.</p>

<p>I'm also going to echo an earlier sentiment that you should spend some time on the 'wedding & social' forum, there's a lot of advice there both on suitable equipment for the event & many other considerations and helpful advice for taking on a wedding.</p>

<p>Since I've had good luck shooting weddings as gifts for family and friends, I'll play the contrarian role and say "Go for it." But I always warn folks that I'd only shoot candids and I'm weak at formal posing and lighting. So far, so good. They're happy with the photos and I'm happy to have learned that I'm not cut out to be a wedding pro. If it's not fun for me, I won't do it. So far it's been fun.</p>

<p>For tutorials and tips on weddings, posing, etc., you should search the archives of the wedding and <a href="../beginner-photography-questions-forum/">beginner forums</a>. Also, check the <A HREF="http://www.planetneil.com/">Planet Neil site</A>. There are also some pretty good free illustrated tutorials online that cover lighting basics.<br /> http://ny.webphotoschool.com/<br /> http://www.studiolighting.net/</p>

<p>As for equipment...</p>

<ul>

<li>D50 - That's fine. Be sure you have a spare battery, media cards, etc.</li>

<li>You should have some sort of backup camera, if only a reliable P&S. I usually include at least one film camera as a backup, but I'm a dinosaur.</li>

<li>18-55 kit - Versatile focal range and good enough within its limitations. A little slow on the long end. Be sure your flash will handle reliable exposures at f/5.6-f/8 indoors out to 20 feet away.</li>

<li>55-200 kit - Personally I can't see much use for a slowpoke variable aperture tele-zoom for weddings or indoor events. Leave it at home.</li>

<li>50 f1.8 - Excellent for available light. Be sure you're comfortable with quick, no-fumble lens changes if you plan to swap between the 18-55 zoom and the 50/1.8. If you're the type to fret over dust or scuff marks on your equipment, this ain't for you. Stick with the 18-55 zoom.</li>

<li>AF-180 f2.8 D - Excellent choice for photographing the altar ceremony from a distance if the church policy restricts flash or noise. Check first. And you'll probably want to set up a tripod or monopod in advance for using this lens. Or scout out a column, wall or door frame with a clear view of the altar - if all else fails you can lean against it for support.</li>

<li>Tamron 180mm macro 1:1 - Redundant, leave it at home.</li>

<li>SB-600 - A must. Practice now. A lot. Borrow two patient volunteers, one wearing a white shirt, the other wearing a black shirt. Stage your practice session in a space with comparable walls and ceilings to the church or wedding venue. It won't help to practice in a space with 8' white ceilings and nearby white walls if the venue turns out to have a 12' dark wood ceiling, walls too far away for bouncing and, worst of all... the dreaded metal halide industrial lights or a mixture of fluorescent and halogen.</li>

<li>Manfrotto tripod - Bring it.</li>

</ul>

<p>Practice now with your TTL flash technique. Figure out well in advance whether to use a diffuser, bounce or other technique. If you use a diffuser, figure out whether to aim it straight ahead (my preference) or combine it with bounce (personally I think it robs too much light). If you use a diffuser, it'll only be useful out to 20', tops. Beyond 15'-20' you should probably remove the diffuser and use the flash "naked".</p>

<p>Figure out now whether you can handhold steadily enough to manage slow sync flash without significant motion blur from camera shake. If you want to balance ambient light indoors with flash you'll probably need to shoot at 1/15th-1/30th sec shutter speeds. Find out now whether you can handle that (I can't always handhold reliably below 1/125th).</p>

<p>Figure out now whether you can shoot at ISO 200, 400 or will need to crank it up to 1600. If you need the speed, go for it. But if you have to shoot at 1600 plan on fretting later over the noise (usually nothing that a good noise reduction program can't fix).</p>

<p>Reading this and similar threads you would think that getting a good set of photographs was the main reason people got married with everything else being a side issue.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Good point, Steve. On the other hand, considering the extreme narcissism of the online self portrait generation, that might be the main incentive. "Well, the marriage only lasted 5 weeks but, damn, I looked good!"</p>

<p>Chuck,</p>

<p>I was asked to do the wedding of one of my best friends in the film days. I had the gear, I had intermediate photography skills, and I accepted, since I did not want to let him down.</p>

<p>I was able to shoot some decent pictures of them and their guests, but during that day I realized that I made a mistake for accepting the challenge. Why?</p>

<ul>

<li>I realized that there was no margin of error.</li>

<li>I really, really wanted to give them some beautiful shots, worth remembering, which caused me a lot of pressure. </li>

<li>Pressure, is rarely a good thing while making pictures, unless you completely comfortable with it and know every, and I mean every detail, set up, custom setting of the camera.</li>

<li>Probably the worst thing, however very personal, as a wedding photographer you may very well not know most of the guests attending the wedding. And, those guests don't know you, other then you being the photographer. I was not. I was one of the grooms life long friends taking pictures. So I have not enjoyed that day at all. It is supposed to be a joyful occasion for everyone. If you cannot relax, or don't feel comfortable shoving people aside the whole day long, simply to get a shot, then don't do it.</li>

</ul>

<p>If you go ahead, bring plenty of fresh batteries for the flash, back up batteries for the body, and charger, and plenty of memory cards. RAW is nice if you have the time to post process, JPEG will get you plenty of frames on the card and will not clog up your buffer. The latter will save those once in a lifetime shots.</p>