I was wondering when someone would push their luck!

[BEGM83]

My friends seem to think that because i have a DSLR and i can take a few good photos that means i'll take their wedding photos for them....ive been asked by 3 friends this week if i'll do their wedding shots, for free.

"I was talking to my friend about their wedding photos and they really do overcharge for what you get dont they...do you mind....???"

"Oh your photos are so good...do you mind....???"

Bah.

Don't think im being invited to two of them now as a result of turning them down lol

[Bekkie]

Good to hear you didn't let them take advantage of you. Been there; done that! It is simply not worth the stress of their imposition. Good job!

Bekkie

[Quo Fan]

This is why I'm glad most of my friends are already married.

[douglas]

The occasional informal, non planned, pictures of my friends have turned out well, and been appreciated....BUT when people ask you to take pictures of something or someone , whatever, it's a whole different ball game. Leave it to the pros. I agree BEGM83, when you see some wedding photos, and the prices...all I can say is they should have researched their potential photographers .
first.

[Jim Bryant]

When friends see that you are a photographer they like to invite you to events in hopes of getting free pixs. A few months ago I was invited to a wedding and I showed up without my camera. The only thing they had on the tables and in baskets were those points & shoot film cameras for the guest to use. I must have been the talk of the evening as my ears were burning.

[Dennismc]

Luckily I am not that good or don't have any unmarried friends yet...

But I think I would respond with something like.

" I am honored that you would want me to be the one to capture your wedding for you, but I don't think I am the right person for it. This is a very very important day for you, I wouldn't want to allow anyone other then a professional wedding photographer to take the pictures, Yes the costs are somewhat high, but you would not believe the issues and equipment that it takes to do this right, and you want someone who KNOWS what they are doing, it is a very different type of photography then taking snap shots. I would be more then happy to help you find a reasonably priced photographer and help you understand what to look for in one.."


I have a couple friends that do it and I will tell you this, I do not think I will ever want to. To the ones that do and do it right, my hat is tiped to you.

[BEGM83]

Originally Posted by Dennismc

Luckily I am not that good or don't have any unmarried friends yet...

But I think I would respond with something like.

" I am honored that you would want me to be the one to capture your wedding for you, but I don't think I am the right person for it. This is a very very important day for you, I wouldn't want to allow anyone other then a professional wedding photographer to take the pictures, Yes the costs are somewhat high, but you would not believe the issues and equipment that it takes to do this right, and you want someone who KNOWS what they are doing, it is a very different type of photography then taking snap shots. I would be more then happy to help you find a reasonably priced photographer and help you understand what to look for in one.."


I have a couple friends that do it and I will tell you this, I do not think I will ever want to. To the ones that do and do it right, my hat is tiped to you.

Did you overhear the conversations i had with them thats pretty much what i said lol

I also doff my proverbial cap towards wedding photographers, not something id want to do tbh!

[AndCity]

You did the right thing without a doubt!

[Free]

I'm lucky, the only mates I've got getting married any time soon are close enough that I'll be in the bridal party so although I'll probably take the gear, I wont be the main photog.

My brother in law had a mate shoot his wedding and they didn't get a single good shot! The guy did have some very good shots to his name had never shot a wedding so didn't think to compensated for metering of the white dress or black suit, so every single shot is under or over exposed.

On a side note, Dick (my bro in law) said when we were talking about it, how much wedding photogs over charge, with the whole "over a grand for a couple hours work" line. I told him how long is spent photoshopping each image, multiplied that by 100 and he changed his mind pretty quickly.

Anyway, good show telling it like it is!