Turning DOWN weddings

[krm4zd]

Is it bad I've turned down multiple weddings? I'm just not ready! It seems people have more confidence then I do.

I just feel like it's such a big day and I don't want to screw it up. I'd much prefer to shadow a few people before I even attempt a wedding.

[NicoleScraps]

nope, I don't think it is a bad thing. Do what you are comfortable with. I had a friend send me a message the other day asking me if I did weddings. A friend of hers in getting married and is looking for a wedding photographer. My answer was "not interested."
Well, I was a little more detailed than that. Fact of the matter is, I don't have the experience, skill, gear, or staff (assistants and 2nd shooter) to even think about that.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by krm4zd

Is it bad I've turned down multiple weddings? I'm just not ready! It seems people have more confidence then I do.

I just feel like it's such a big day and I don't want to screw it up. I'd much prefer to shadow a few people before I even attempt a wedding.

Thank GOD you're turning them down and being realistic about your abilities. There are far too many people that automatically say "Hey, if so-and-so likes my photography and wants me to do their wedding, then I MUST be ready!"

I took a quick look at your blog. Some of your photos are really, really good! But I agree with you...you're not ready to do a wedding. Neither am I (nor do I want to... I photograph kids, newborns, maternity and families), and I get so many requests to do weddings it's insane. The average consumer sees your photos and if they like them, figure you can photograph anything. They don't understand the gear, experience, insurance, etc., etc., that's involved with wedding photography.

If you're interested in doing weddings at some point, find someone local that you can 2nd shoot for, as you mentioned. Or, if you don't, do what I do and find a friend that shoots weddings and refer those clients to them.

Good luck to you, and again, kudos to you for NOT taking on something you're simply not ready for.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by krm4zd

Is it bad I've turned down multiple weddings? I'm just not ready! It seems people have more confidence then I do.

I just feel like it's such a big day and I don't want to screw it up. I'd much prefer to shadow a few people before I even attempt a wedding.

Nope, but at some point you will have to stop worrying and start doing.....If you have a conscience and are self critical it will be a difficult step to take, but it must be done if you want to do weddings "professionally".

[bookloveraz]

I don't think it's bad at all. Don't want to screw up such a big event! Are you going to want to do weddings in the future? I think it's something you should think about and if so, then try to learn all you can about it... Otherwise just keep saying no.

[inkista]

If you feel you're not ready, you definitely did the right thing.

For your amusement, I present the lensrentals article on first wedding acronyms they use around the office. It starts with FWIGTEW ("First wedding, isn't going to end well") and just goes downhill from there.

One should view their first attempt at wedding photography as they would getting into the ring for their first professional Mixed Martial Arts bout: without a lot of planning, preparation, and advice you are likely to get hurt.