Is my equipment good enough?

[mariahfr]

Hello everybody!
My name is Mariah and this is my first post, though I'm not that new here...

I don't even know if that's the best thread to post it, if isn't, just tell me and I'll change it!

Well, I'm here to ask for your help. My friend is getting married and she can't afford a professional photographer to do an 'engagement session' (not the whole wedding, just this session) so she asked me to do it as a favor and I couldn't be happier. I've never done this before but that's not the worst thing because there's always a first time right? The biggest problem of all is my equipment: Rebel XSi with the kit lens (18-55mm) and a 50mm 1.8 (what a shame, uh? I haven't had money to invest in equipment yet...)
So what do you guys think? Is it better not to take this responsability?

[OsmosisStudios]

If you think youve got the skills, you could do it with a point-and-shoot. I'd just throw the 50mm on there and be done with it: find a nice location, take some cute shots. At that point its less about equipment and totally about YOU as a photographer.

[inkista]

You might also want to cruise through some pro wedding photographer websites to see what a engagement packages look like, just to get some idea of what other folks are doing. Since this is your friend, you have a leg up since you know the couple. The only thing you really want to be sure of before you start is that if the shoot turns into a total fiasco that you won't lose a friend.

[LoveDSLR]

Gear wise, between maybe and NO. Photographer wise, it depends on your skill and experience.

If you want to have a successful session then you should know about your gears inside out. You need to know what WB, ISO, aperture, shutter speed and metering pattern to use and what lighting are best for your camera.

You should plan a simple script from research. Restrict it to the must haves and the ones within your comfort zone and then practice. You can add others as bonus if they come out good.

You're not a pro so don't try to shoot with unfamiliar script and techniques. Use the K.I.S.S. method.

Some tips:
- You should practice by staging the session with friends and family members. Even a dry run without subjects is better than nothing. Don't use the real engagement as your 'first time'.
- Shoot some test images before the session starts and use the results as guide (visual notes).
- Anticipate the next shot and prefocus if necessary.
- Make use of DOF to get your subjects in focus.
- Look at the viewfinder information and/or dials between shots to check status and possible incorrect settings.
- Shoot in RAW (or RAW + JPG).
- When in doubt, bracket your shots.

[elkidogz]

it's more about the photographer than the gear. that being said, have her write down some ideas about shots she's interested in. I've done a few "free" weddings for my relatives and let me tell you, get a list of what they want. more specifically who they want. if you don't know the people as her for some pictures of them so you know who the heck they are (my wifes family is HUGE! I still haven't even met all of them...)

so, get a priority list of what she wants. also if you have a laptop or way to show her during the shots, that would be a big help

[wulf]

Originally Posted by LoveDSLR

Gear wise, between maybe and NO. Photographer wise, it depends on your skill and experience.

Gear wise, absolutely... as long as you have good natural light. Have you done any portrait work before?

Also, will you get a chance to redo if the first set of photos don't work out as well as you want? One of the main stresses of photographing a wedding is that you have to get it right on the day, with loads of people and strong emotions. An engagement shoot should be a lot more relaxed as long as the fiancee is obliging and lives close enough to easily come back for a reshoot if required.

Wulf

[Woody]

Hello Mariah,

You have similar gear to me.

I recently shot a conference with about 250 people attending. I thought my shots we OK.

I just bought a Speedlight 430 ex 11 and it made all the difference, especially with the 50mm 1.8

Cheers and good luck

John W

[nataliestegall]

Yes, I shot my sisters engagement pictures with a rebel xsi and she and her fiance loved them!. I used the kit lens for all of them. I also just did my first paid shoot yesterday with the same equipment and it was a couples shoot as well only for a 10 year anniversary. I am up grading my camera real soon though.