I was volunteered to photograph my cousins wedding

[snakeblitz33]

Some of my family knows that I do a little photography and have a nice camera now. Jeez, I wonder how they know that? I've been taking my camera to every single family gathering and event trying to get better and better at portraits and candid shots. Well, at the last family gathering (Memorial Day) I was volunteered to take pictures at my cousins wedding this coming March.
EEEEKK!!!!!
I'm sure that they will be really lenient on how well the photographs come out, but I'm scared to death that I am going to mess something up. UGH!
Any of you know where you would start if you were just volunteered to shoot photos at a wedding?

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/395651/i-was-volunteered-to-photograph-my-cousins-wedding#post_3522914
Some of my family knows that I do a little photography and have a nice camera now. Jeez, I wonder how they know that? I've been taking my camera to every single family gathering and event trying to get better and better at portraits and candid shots. Well, at the last family gathering (Memorial Day) I was volunteered to take pictures at my cousins wedding this coming March.
EEEEKK!!!!!
I'm sure that they will be really lenient on how well the photographs come out, but I'm scared to death that I am going to mess something up. UGH!
Any of you know where you would start if you were just volunteered to shoot photos at a wedding?
Hi Snake,
I would start with saying "ABSOLUTELY no" or "No way, sorry"..
Wedding pictures are too important to have an armature take them, and if you think your family wouldn't be angry if something went wrong...you live in fantasy land. Even if they weren't mad....the disappointment would eat at you forever. Your stomach will sink, and you will apologize every time the subject comes up...and it will come up.
It would be nice to take some pictures for them, but do not allow your family to not get a professional photographer to do the wedding. Now if the family just no way can't afford it, and without you they wouldn't have any pictures at all... then take some pictures and do your best....but if they want to just cut some corners, the cheap comes out expensive. The wedding pictures that need to last a lifetime is not the place to cut the corners...do without some flowers instead.

 

[snakeblitz33]

My cousin and his family dont hqve a whole lot of money. My cousin and his fiance have also both been married before. They are in their 30s and i guess that the photos dont mean as much to them as they would if they had never been married.
Im working on my photography skills and have till March, so it isnt like i cant prepare.

 

[btldreef]

Seth, it's not as difficult as it seems. If its an outdoor wedding, practice taking photos in a park this summer in different weather settings do you are prepared.
Google standard wedding photo check lists (I have a few as well). Ask the bride and groom to go through the check list and tell you which pictures they would like and try to get as many of those as you can. It's almost impossible to get them all, especially if you don't have a partner.
View others photography and attempt mimicking some of the pictures you've seen when you're practicing.
Candids end up being the best photos. Remember this. And suggest to the bride and groom that they put one or two disposable cameras at each table during the reception. My husband and I did this and got the best photos from our friends just being silly. Those are the memories you want anyways.
My husband and I got married twice.
My first wedding was done by someone who is not a professional and the pictures are amazing. My second wedding was done by two, a pro and an amateur. The amateurs pictures blow the pros out of the water.
Just know your poses that are requested and know what lighting you're working with.
Get a backup battery (or two) and make sure they're charged.
Take more pictures than you think are necessary.

 

[beaslbob]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/395651/i-was-volunteered-to-photograph-my-cousins-wedding#post_3522914
Some of my family knows that I do a little photography and have a nice camera now. Jeez, I wonder how they know that? I've been taking my camera to every single family gathering and event trying to get better and better at portraits and candid shots. Well, at the last family gathering (Memorial Day) I was volunteered to take pictures at my cousins wedding this coming March.
EEEEKK!!!!!
I'm sure that they will be really lenient on how well the photographs come out, but I'm scared to death that I am going to mess something up. UGH!
Any of you know where you would start if you were just volunteered to shoot photos at a wedding?
Tell them to be sure to also hire a professional pohtographer.

then do your thing.
I'm sure you will do fine. I took pictures at a wedding in 1992 or so. Some people stated my pictures were better then the professional. But I would not do that if I was THE photographer.

 

[beth]

Just have a candid talk with your cousin to let him know that you are not a profession, and that if they wanted to get a pro, then you wouldn't be offended. In other words, give the opportunity for a graceful out. If he wants you, then you have his blessing and you shouldn't worry about it. With the digital results, they could make some very nice professional keepsake wedding photo albums that are quite affordable.
I'm sure you're do great.

 

[siptang]

first, if you can decline, then decline.
second, if that is out of option then practice like hell. Your first 10000 pics will be mediocre and it will get better with more practice. Start taking pics with your family and your tank. All will be well.
if you have any questions, all though I'm limited myself, I'm willing to help out as much as I can.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beth http:///t/395651/i-was-volunteered-to-photograph-my-cousins-wedding#post_3523024
Just have a candid talk with your cousin to let him know that you are not a profession, and that if they wanted to get a pro, then you wouldn't be offended. In other words, give the opportunity for a graceful out. If he wants you, then you have his blessing and you shouldn't worry about it. With the digital results, they could make some very nice professional keepsake wedding photo albums that are quite affordable.
I'm sure you're do great.
Yeah, I really need to talk to them in person and get one of those lists together of shots they want. I'm sure they can do some really good albums and stuff. I can also shoot some in RAW and give them digital copies so that they can edit it themselves.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Siptang http:///t/395651/i-was-volunteered-to-photograph-my-cousins-wedding#post_3523096
first, if you can decline, then decline.
second, if that is out of option then practice like hell. Your first 10000 pics will be mediocre and it will get better with more practice. Start taking pics with your family and your tank. All will be well.
if you have any questions, all though I'm limited myself, I'm willing to help out as much as I can.
Can't decline.
I have been practicing like crazy lately. lol
Thanks for willing to help. I guess it really just comes down to practice, practice, practice.

 

[siptang]

Good luck! Im going to get some photography lessons from a professional shortly. I need to be better.
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