What’s Your Preference?

Stina3246 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-28-2010, 03:40 AM

I was going to shoot a friends wedding for free as a wedding gift. I had to make sure to get the day off and I had someone booked to shoot as a second. I did his engagement photos and he and his fiance were delighted with them and he posted them all over face book. I got lots of compliments and actually booked another (paying)engagement set off of it. Well, another photographer friend of thiers found out and all of a sudden has decided SHE wants to shoot thier wedding for free (She WAS going to charge until she found out I was doing it.) Now she has offerd for free telling them how difficult weddings are to shoot and how I'm not experienced enough. She told them, yeah the engagement shots are good but she'd rather shoot the wedding so it didn't get messed up, to let someone who "does it for real" shoot it. This person does NOT know ANYTHING about me, we have never met. I checked out her work and she IS pretty good. She has GENEROUSLY offered to let me shoot as her second.
At first I was like "COOL, less pressure on me...I can just relax and enjoy and get a few good shots" I wasn't making any money anyway so I'm not losing anything But the more I thought about it the more offended I felt.
My friend wants us both there and he says, you two work it out. I told him I would shoot as her second, that I didn't really care but I was NOT going to carry her stuff around and be her goffer.
Is it just my pride or do I have a right to be annoyed? I've shot plenty of wedding before so I'm not a complete idiot when it comes to it. Granted, she has better equipment...but still!!

bayberry · #2 (**permalink**) 05-28-2010, 03:46 AM

It's really impossible to say since I don't know if she IS better or not. You say she has better equipment, and honestly that can be pretty telling. What equipment were you going to shoot the wedding with? If it's not pro gear and she has pro gear and has more experience and better images than I hate to say it, but I would agree with her. If not and your equipment and work is up to the task of producing images equally as good or better than hers then you are right.

But the bottom line is, this day is not about you or her, it's about your friends. And if you feel slighted or not your friends shouldn't be aware of it, they should believe that everything is perfect and conflict free for this day.

Dangelica · #3 (**permalink**) 05-28-2010, 03:51 AM

I personally have a mean streak for people that undercut like that. Sounds more like "Im scared the new guy will take away my business and get free advertising for everyone else at the wedding".

I have a list of things i would be putting in motion. But none of them i would suggest people with ethical standards think about. Just remember karma will catch up. When it gets out that she is bagging out other photogrphers (amateur or professional) her business will suffer. As big as it is the photographic world is a "small world" scenario. You put down other people in your field just to take business and you will eventually get a reputation that lands you in court or other places you may not want to be.

Stina3246 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-28-2010, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayberry

It's really impossible to say since I don't know if she IS better or not. You say she has better equipment, and honestly that can be pretty telling. What equipment were you going to shoot the wedding with? If it's not pro gear and she has pro gear and has more experience and better images than I hate to say it, but I would agree with her. If not and your equipment and work is up to the task of producing images equally as good or better than hers then you are right.

But the bottom line is, this day is not about you or her, it's about your friends. And if you feel slighted or not your friends shouldn't be aware of it, they should believe that everything is perfect and conflict free for this day.

Oh I won't let him Know I'm upset. I told him it was fine. No big deal and I don't plan on giving her any throuble either. I just feel like she only jumped in cause I'd offered to do it for free. Originally she was offering to shoot at a discounted rate. I have a Nikon D50 with an 18-55 lens and a 28-80 lens and a speedlight 600 flash. A friend was going to lone me a Nikon 18-200 lens too. I DO NOT have umbrella flashes or anything like that but it will be broad daylight. Here are a few pics from the last wedding I shot with the same equipment.

zona5101 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-28-2010, 04:32 AM

Weddings are a hassle and you're already have some stress for the situation - you're not getting paid, so let it go. I don't see much, if any, upside from any of it. Leave your camera at home and just enjoy your friend's wedding day.

daft_biker · #6 (**permalink**) 05-28-2010, 08:05 AM

Take a compact and come home with the shot of the day....show her up

Stina3246 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-28-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daft_biker

Take a compact and come home with the shot of the day....show her up

I think I'm gonna go ahead and shoot it anyway. Thats' what my friend expects me to do and I don't want to upset him.
I've been shooting with the same photographer doing weddings going on 2 years now so maybe I can learn something different from this girl. She DOES take nice pictures so maybe she has different ideas then my regular partner. (I'm still not carrying her bags though!!)

TheEagleSpirit · #8 (**permalink**) 05-28-2010, 12:24 PM

I would feel a bit annoyed also but in this case don't let everyone know it bothers you at all. Do the best you know how and take the pictures. Please don't let your attitude ruin a perfect future for you. As for equiptment goes it does not count as much as the knowledge of the photographer and how it is used. I have attended many weddings, divorce parties, etc and saw photos taken with dimestore cameras that made the professional look like a preschooler.

Torria · #9 (**permalink**) 05-28-2010, 12:33 PM

I personally think that you have made a very wise decision to still shoot the wedding and not let your friend know that you are upset. You won't have to stress over getting the best shots of every important moment and do get to have more experience. It is a win-win situation for you, from what I see.
And yes, you aren't a butler to the 1st photographer and don't have to carry her stuff around just because she decided to let you be the 2nd photographer.

It did sound to me, like that girl wanted to show off...oh well, happens.

Wish you a great day and amazing shots!