You want me to shoot a Wedding????

[krm4zd]

Whoa guys! So I've been asked multiple times to shoot weddings by friends. My friend, cousin, complete stranger, and now most recently an old friend from high school. I just don't feel confident. I only have a Canon Rebel XS, (not exactly a true professional camera). I have the standard 18-55 mm lens, 55-250mm lens, and a 50mm f1.8 lens. I've never shot a wedding and wouldn't know where to begin. Is it bad I keep turning down these jobs??

Here's my blog if you want to check it out
Kelly Renee Photography

[dj11zz98]

just be confident and dont too much about it

[aprillove20]

attend seminars about photography to increase your confident and self motivation . Also your photography skills .

[Swisstony10]

It's not bad at all - quite the opposite, in fact. You might feel better about turning weddings down if you give a decent explanation - you can say "I'm honestly flattered that you asked, but I really don't have the experience, or suitable equipment for a wedding. I know enough about it to know that it's really hard work, and there are lots of things that you need to be able to do, that I know I can't do yet. I'll get there though - it's a pity you're getting married so soon, otherwise I would. If you like, I'd be happy to help you find a decent photographer who's up to the job though."

Turning down work that you don't feel ready to take on is a good thing - just look at all the threads on here where people tell stories of wedding photographers they've seen who aren't up to the job, and see what a bad name it gets for "Weekend Warriors".

That said, knowing how good you are is just as important as knowing how good you aren't. We're all our own worst critics (well, most of us are), and we often don't realise when we've reached a decent standard of technique and ability. It helps to look at pictures you took 12 months ago and compare them with pictures you just took fairly regularly, to show you just how far you've come.

Russ.

[AshNZ]

If you're not confident then you shouldn't risk it.. remember it's someone's special day and you don't want to ruin it. Get knowledge, build up confidence and then you will be able to take such jobs.

[PeterArboinePhotography]

Hi Kelly,

I was in this exact situation a couple months ago... it is truly scary to be asked to shoot a wedding, especially if you aren't too confident.. my advice would be to keep shooting, work with other photographers if possible... I jumped straight into my first wedding, and thankfully i managed ok!

heres the set btw:
Saima & Kasim's wedding 2010 - a set on Flickr

as for your equipment, you have a nice little basic kit which would work fine in my opinion. For my first wedding I hired the 35mm 1.4L which was an AMAZING lens, but I also used my 50mm 1.8 alot as well, and that is a fantastic lens. So see how you feel about it, maybe work as a secondary photographer on one of your friend's weddings? see how it goes, just be confident in yourself and your work, study lighting ALOT (i would suggest following strobist if you aren't already)

and good luck!

[tw-dan]

Definitely an important position to capture someone's big day. I would say that if the weddings are a bit away, take it and second shoot or assist for other established photographers a few times before your friend's wedding rolls around.

[SuperDan]

I agree pretty much with everyone above...

[candleman]

Originally Posted by krm4zd

Is it bad I keep turning down these jobs??

no, its quite good really...
most people say yes and then go "oh crap, i dont think i can do this"

if you would like to start saying yes.. do as instructed above

[Rehesan]

I agree with the most oppinions expressed here and I would add mine as an amateur photographer:

I think shooting a wedding is not just matter of which equipment or gear do you have to do it, obviously is a very important piece, but other things I think should be considered are for example: plan of action, photos style, post-processing (workflow) and presentation of the final work, will your deliverable be a CD, prints (quality prints or wal-mart kind processed job), photo album, some big prints and will be that be framed, etc., etc.

So, I think if you are interested in doing wedding shooting and you do not feel so confident to do it already, well, I would suggest to attend some courses, seminars and try to work as an assistan photographer.