First the engagement photos... now the wedding photos

[mholt]

Yikes! So my roommate just asked me to take his wedding photos -- officially. The parents approve too, and I'm really nervous. I barely accepted taking their engagement photos... but I did anyway, and I guess they liked them, but compared to a lot of what I've seen they aren't professional-grade or even the best possible shots.

I've been reading around the site (threads like this one pinned in this board) and I'm learning a lot, but would like some specific advice.

I don't have spare equipment. I have my equipment (see signature) and that's it. I know sport a tripod but it's shorter than I am -- yet relatively sturdy unless it's a hurricane. (Cheap, maybe $70 max? It was a gift.)

They said they'd arrange all the photo combinations they want and with which people, and I wouldn't have to arrange the bride's dress at all either.

1. Anyway, I would like to know which occasions I should definitely get on camera. This is an LDS wedding though, so I can't actually shoot at the ceremony - it's just before and after shots.

2. Pricing is another concern for me. Since this forum and discussion is relatively anonymous, I think I'm okay discussing actual prices here. But I do want to say that I really feel uncomfortable charging too much, especially depending on how the pictures turn out...

3. Which of my two lenses should I use the most? My 70-300mm Tamron telephoto or the default 18-55mm lens that came with my Pentax?

4. Any other tips or suggestions for me specifically would be great... if I need to clarify things that's okay. I just need all the help I can get.

Thanks... I appreciate any advice.
-Matt

[smc1377]

Other than the general advice given in that thread you linked to, it's hard to give you any sort of specific advice in that there's a lot of "it depends".

[Jim Bryant]

Main point is that since you cannot shoot in the temple's sealing room and most likely can get only outside group shots and those at the reception.What kind of external flash do you have. One of those pop up fill flashes won't work.

[mholt]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Main point is that since you cannot shoot in the temple's sealing room and most likely can get only outside group shots and those at the reception.What kind of external flash do you have. One of those pop up fill flashes won't work.

I don't have any external flash... I'm a poor college student. :P I could tape a little bit of tissue over it to soften it as I've done before...?

[Jim Bryant]

well........then...have fun. Get a flash, those pop up thingies don't put out a lot of light.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by mholt

I don't have any external flash... I'm a poor college student. :P I could tape a little bit of tissue over it to soften it as I've done before...?

Perhaps you can rent a flash and include it in your pricing?

[mholt]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Perhaps you can rent a flash and include it in your pricing?

I could, but if I don't know how to use it (no experience) I wouldn't trust myself using it on their wedding photos.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by mholt

I could, but if I don't know how to use it (no experience) I wouldn't trust myself using it on their wedding photos.

Aha. To be honest with you, if I were in your shoes, I would say, "Thank you very much, I'm flattered to be asked, but honestly I don't have the equipment or experience, and I would feel horrible if the pictures didn't come out as well as you'd have liked them to."

I know if anyone asked me right now to shoot their wedding, that's EXACTLY what I would say.

[FocalFrenzy]

If I were you, I'd take SusanH1970's advice. I've seen her work on this forum, and she's amazing. Her portrait work is inspiring. If she wouldn't feel comfortable doing the shoot, then I certainly wouldn't. Perhaps you could offer to be the second shooter. This would give you a chance to pick the pro's brain and see how he or she works.

[Whiskers Hampden]

+1.

Weddings are extremely emotional, high-stress, crazy events. I'm fully familiar with my camera and think I take pretty decent portraits (decent enough that I am making money on them) and I still would refuse to shoot a wedding--and I have been asked by numerous people to shoot their weddings.

If I were getting married, and the photographer shooting my wedding didn't have either a second shooter or backup camera...I'd have to find another photographer, frankly. There are too many variables for disaster in this situation. What if your camera dies an hour into it? What if you take all kinds of shots and NONE of them turn out? I could definitely see this type of thing creating tension in an otherwise good friendship.

I think you should gracefully turn down your friend's request, but bring your camera and try to get some nice shots of the event. That way, you can still have the opportunity to take some shots but without all of the pressure. And anything good that comes of it would just be a bonus.

Good luck!