My first wedding shoot ... Do I tell them?

[Skubagirl]

I just received my first request for a wedding and I feel like I should disclose to them that this will be my first wedding. How did you all handle your first wedding shoots? The business part of me says not to tell them afterall I will have a contract and I have to abide by that contract too .. But I personally feel like I should let them know.

[KathrynWilson]

I would tell them. Have you second shot a wedding before? Or shot plenty of wedding photographs in other ways? My approach would be to tell them but to illustrate that I did have some experience & portfolio etc to prove that I would able to deliver a professional result.

[candleman]

definatley tell them.. weddings are freeking hard.

they should also see your portfolio so they understand what they are likley to receive, but this is harder seeig as theres no wedding stuff in your portfolio.

make it clear you are ahppy to do it (if you are) but thats its also your first.
if you screw it up and havn't told them about your experience.. err... it might be a good idea to check the Liability insurance is upto date

[Skubagirl]

No .. I haven't second shot a wedding or anything like it .. I've just done childrens and family portraits. This person must have googled me and found my website which only has kid portraits on display. I believe I can do this shoot .. They are inquiring only four weeks away and the wedding will be at a small hb in town so it's a small affair .. Might be the perfect small opportunity for me but I want to be honest with them without playing down my ability.

[oldwolf]

Tell them especially if you haven't second shot a wedding. You don't have "do overs" at weddings.

[fotodood]

They contacted you after reviewing your work so they are a fan. I would tell them. Be sure to discuss the must have shots. Make sure everything is ready to go gear cleaned, batteries charged, etc......

[fletch]

How bad do you want this job?
How confident are you you will be able to get the shot?
What do you hope to achive my telling them?

If it were my wedding and you told me I would assume you were not confident of the shoot and did not know what you were doing. If I could I would hire someone else.

[Jim Bryant]

If this is your first wedding and have had no other wedding experience, it would be in your best interest to tell them. Why?

1. Contract or not you can get sued if you blow it.
2. Your reputation as a pro is at stake. yes, once you start shooting weddings you will be considered a pro.
3. Word of bad performance and work spreads quickly on the coconut telegraph.

Frankly, after looking at your flickr page, I don't quite up to shooting a wedding. This is something that I would think seriously about.

What sort of equipment do you own?

[eternalhope]

Originally Posted by fotodood

They contacted you after reviewing your work so they are a fan. I would tell them. Be sure to discuss the must have shots. Make sure everything is ready to go gear cleaned, batteries charged, etc......

Yep- that's right. You've already sold them on your ability to take good quality shots. So, I would just be up front with them about this being your first wedding shoot. I would also invite a collegue/ second shooter for the day. My first wedding was a real challenge as there is always so much going on a so much pressure to perform. Having a second photographer there as a safe-guard and to share the load is a big security. I still shoot all my weddings with a second shooter as I don't have a back up camera. Do you have a back-up camera? That would be a must as well, particularly if you want to earn something from this and keep a good name. Remember- word of mouth referrals are by far the best form of getting work.

I would also go easy on the fee. Be upfront with the clients and tell them you'll reduce the fee by 20% (or whatever you're comfortable with) as you will be using it as experience as well. Money can't buy that!

I hope it goes really well for you! It'll be an excellent learning curve! Let us know how it turns out!

[Gonzo13]

I'm not a pro or anything but I did get married not to long ago. If I hired a photographer because I liked their work that I had seen but I was asking them to do something that they had never done before then I would definitely want to know. I would actually be really mad if I found out afterward.

As far as you confidence goes I would go to the location that they are having the wedding at and scope it out. See if you are allowed to take pictures there at about the same time that you would need to for the wedding so that you know exactly what you are up against. Maybe even have a friend or two come with you to pose as a bride and groom. You might want to do that for yourself and also to show the couple what you are able to capture in that setting. It could possibly make it so that they aren't even bothered by it being your first wedding shoot.

~Gonzo13