Wedding Gig

[eNZee]

So im just wondering in regards to weddings - how have some of you landed your first wedding gig?

[Turtlemouse]

Not easy being someone's first wedding for them or you. I got started as I was supposed to be going second shooter for a guy and he pulled out on me so I took the wedding, got myself an assistant and just jumped in and did it. I did heaps of research first on the net and in books and really educated myself about modern wedding photography and what other's were doing. I was honest and let them know it was my first but I'd been in camera clubs for years and had experience in general photography. It worked out great and 33 weddings later I'm still going strong.

[RexK_Cozumel]

My first wedding gig was a referral. A photographer friend of mine knew the couple and suggested that the hire me for their wedding. At the time I was very inexperienced in wedding photography and really didn't want to do it but seeing as they had no other photographer and the wedding was a week away I reluctantly agreed. Fortunately I had the proper gear to cover the wedding (two camera bodies two flashes two lenses) and my friend would also be there as a second shooter.

Needless to say that experience was a total disaster. The photos turned out fine and they were happy with them but it was a nightmare. After running around all day I tried to grab a bite to eat before the reception since the couple was super late (about 2 hours late) I ended up getting food poisoning from whatever it was and had to leave the rest of the shoot up to my friend cause I felt like I was going to pass out or throw up or both.

[eNZee]

Originally Posted by RexK_Cozumel

My first wedding gig was a referral. A photographer friend of mine knew the couple and suggested that the hire me for their wedding. At the time I was very inexperienced in wedding photography and really didn't want to do it but seeing as they had no other photographer and the wedding was a week away I reluctantly agreed. Fortunately I had the proper gear to cover the wedding (two camera bodies two flashes two lenses) and my friend would also be there as a second shooter.

Needless to say that experience was a total disaster. The photos turned out fine and they were happy with them but it was a nightmare. After running around all day I tried to grab a bite to eat before the reception since the couple was super late (about 2 hours late) I ended up getting food poisoning from whatever it was and had to leave the rest of the shoot up to my friend cause I felt like I was going to pass out or throw up or both.

OMG that SUCKS!!! food poisoning? ouch.
do you think that assistants are a total must? and lets say you have one camera body and a good line up of lenses, would it be smart to do the wedding or is it absolutly imperative that you have like two of everything?

[RexK_Cozumel]

I would never try to shoot a wedding with only one camera body. There are just too many things that can go wrong. For example what if you are shooting some environmental pictures with your 11-16 and you see this great shot across the room. Well if you stop to change to your telephoto you will most likely miss the shot completely. Also what happens if you are shooting along and your camera just quits on you. Or is you are shooting and someone bumps into you and you drop your camera into the punch bowl. No backup body = one big lawsuit.

When i shoot an event I will have two camera bodies on me then anotehr dSLR in the bag and a P&S if it comes down to the point where I am using the P&S it has been a really really crappy day and I am just trying to make sure I dont get sued.

[beatles2]

My first one was in 1978. How I got it was I have a friend who owned a studio at the time for what ever reason could make it to that wedding, He said I was ready and gave it for me to do.

[eNZee]

you think you can actually get away with a p&s for a wedding?

is there some way to protect yourself in a contract if you have equipment failure?
what if all you can afford is the one camera body for now and when you can afford a second body then you go with the two of everything?

ok so im going somewhere with all this -- ideally my goal is one day to do weddings. im still a small time photographer. i completely submerg myself in this passion of mine and i have business goals that im SLOWLY starting to implement. ive been wracking my brain wondering if ill ever get to the point of doing weddings and if anyone will give me a shot. thats all i need - someone to give me a chance.
thats why im asking how people got their first gigs - im looking for some inspiration and motivation to realize that people do give chances.

im building my equipment slowly (my 70-200 is sadly last on my list) but then im wondering should i get that lens or another camera body first?

[eNZee]

Originally Posted by beatles2

My first one was in 1978. How I got it was I have a friend who owned a studio at the time for what ever reason could make it to that wedding, He said I was ready and gave it for me to do.

sounds like alot of you get the gig because someone couldnt make it or by working with others....well what about those who dont really know other photographers. im the only one in my network of people that has such an intense passion for it.
i guess i should venture out to meet people like me. any ideas on how to do that? where to start....

[RexK_Cozumel]

Where do you live?

Yeah you can put whatever you want into the contract it is all a matter of whether the client will sign it or not right??

And like I said if it comes down to the time when I am shooting a wedding with a P&S it means that the 3 dSLRs that I had with me have all stopped working one way or another. At that point I could really care less if they think my shooting with a P&S is a problem for them.

[Turtlemouse]

I say an assistant is a must especially if you are just starting out. You need company, fetching help, and other things that they provide.

I once had a battery grip fail on me and it was brand new. It stuffed up all my batteries and drained them. I got out my spare camera and it too was stuffed. I got my assistant to cover the ceremony while I got myself sorted out with a quick desperate call to my husband. He brought my battery charger(10 mins drive) and we swapped three batteries around in order to get them working again. It seemed that they just needed a kick start from the charger and to stay away from the faulty battery grip. We finished the wedding and the photos were great and they never knew what drama I'd been through that day.