Need tips to photograph a wedding... when I have no experience or equipment

[jolleyontheroad]

I'm with Graciousness, quit stressing, take the photos and enjoy the day. You're not a proffessional and they don't expect proffessional shots from you. They want someone to take snapshots of their day. Use whatever you have and take the "normal" wedding shots. Some will be great, some will be good, some will be okay, and some will be crappy. So what do they expect for free! I don't have any training, no great camera, but I have a friend who has 7 children and I have done 4 of their weddings with #5 coming up next year. I know what they expect, some tradional family shots, pre wedding shots, bride and groom, and reception shots. Most of them are great! I don't do any editing, give them the disk, let them upload and order to their hearts content! I do it for free as a wedding gift to them and I learn from every wedding I do! Each wedding has been completely different and so have the pictures. The day just kinda of floats along and I do the best I can do (though it is a lot of work and I am very tired at the end of the day). As I look back at the pictures and compare each one I can see my skills growing and am thankful for the opportunity to have so many quinea pigs!

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by BuddhaPi

STOP being a welcome mat, "they made you cancel"???no you let them walk on you is what you did..

THIS

Originally Posted by jolleyontheroad

I'm with Graciousness, quit stressing, take the photos and enjoy the day. You're not a proffessional and they don't expect proffessional shots from you. They want someone to take snapshots of their day. Use whatever you have and take the "normal" wedding shots. Some will be great, some will be good, some will be okay, and some will be crappy. So what do they expect for free!

Problem is, the OP stated she barely even knows how to use the kit she has and is going to compound it by getting new kit she's never used. How's she going to "quit stressing".
I don't care what people say, if her aunt hates the photos some of that hatred will be aimed at the OP.

OP, when's the wedding?
Why don't you have a chance to go to the venue in advance?
Do you have a flash? If not get one.

Seriously, it's not that we're against newbies doing things on the cheap or without experience, but us naysayers are concerned with the fact that you phucking up the photos will be a lot worse for you than if you simply say NO and to be honest, I feel there's more of a chance you'll F 'em up than not due to your stated limitations.

Having said that, and if there really isn't any way out (which if you had a spine wouldn't be the case in my opinion), here are some suggestions.

Tell them they must rent you a nice camera body, at least two lenses (24-70, 70-200, and a portrait prime) and a flash so you can practice for at least a WEEK before the wedding. Tell them they must have a 'pre-shoot' with you to practice with the kit and so that you practice photographing such a odd ugly couple. Learn your camera settings. Learn how to chance exposure compensation and flash compensation on the fly seeing as you probably don't have enough time to learn more.

I'm being harsh with you because I don't like seeing people relegating themselves to the status of doormat when they don't have to.. and I don't give a flip what you say, you CAN say no, you just want the easy way out which is to make everyone (except you) happy.

In the end, we all want you to succeed even if it doesn't sound like it. We don't want you to fail. And please please please, grow a spine for the sake of your self esteem. If you insist on being a doormat, then please fly over here and be my doormat. Wear something sl utty or I'll be mad.

[Jim Poor]

It may shed some light on this if you tell us how old you are. Seriously, they made you cancel?

[jamesev]

Don't hire a lens or buy a flash, use what you have, this should not put you out of pocket, unless you are looking at getting any of these anyway int he long term for your general use.

If you were going to the wedding anyway (with or without camera) might as well go. Take your camera, get some shots. If they come out well, then bonus, if not then its not your fault, if you've said that your kit is serevely limited for this kind of shoot (ie low light indoor conditions) and your knowledge how how to use the kit is not optimised either (if this is the case). That way you totally cover yourself if the shots don't come out too well. This slaps a mighty disclaimer all over.....

Don't over promise and under deliver (after all you're not being paid or even having any costs covered), under promise and that way you can only over deliver!!!! turns a lose/lose into a win/win