Wedding request & a Compromise

[Vinam]

Hiyas Friends ,

Quite a few months ago, I happened to be at the beach to shoot sunsets and was asked to take some photos of a fella proposing to his girlffriend. Paul and Maria were a very cool couple and for a greenhorn rookie who had his camera only 2 months or so , I was able to get some atleast decent shots



well, I got an email the other day ...

Dear Vin:

Hi! How are you? This is Maria and Paul, you photographed at Smith Point Beach.

If you are available we would love you to be our photographer at our wedding ceremony and wedding reception on Saturday, October 24th. It is all local. We understand that you told us to hire a professional photographer but we feel that you are the right person for the job.

We love to hear from you.

Best regards,

Maria & Paul

Since then, I have grown leaps and bounds, I've gained quite a bit of experiance and raised my ability quite a few levels.. However, some of that experiance I've gained is that there's a W I D E gap between someone learning and someone who's qualified to be paid for such a special day.

Therefore, we spoke on the phone, I explained I lack the equipment and experiance to photograph thier wedding day.. the lighting alone is such a huge learning curve and I don't even own a speedlite , nevermind umbrellas and relfectors. They took my advice and hired a professional, I asked them if they looked thru the portfolio and they liked his work, his videographer is going to incorporate my beach photos into the wedding Video and I told them they own those photos and it's pro-bono .. no charge

BUT !
then we talked some more and I decided that ...

I will come to the wedding, I will bring my camera and I will get some totally awesome candid photos of your friends and family having a great time and I'm sure I'll get a few of the bride and groom and all of them will be unique and original since I have never shot a wedding and will wing it !

They are excited, I am excited , it's gonna be a blast and there's no pressure on me to produce so I can roam and have fun.. I'm at my best when I have self -imposed pressure which I will have and I know I'm going to get some of the most memoral photos taken that day and I can't wait !!!

So it's a type of victory or win for DPS .. cause I owe an awful lot to this place for keeping me inspired, motivated and moving forward in the pursuit of " the shot " .. and I'm really glad I could share this with yas ! and of course I will share the results !

Vin

[FDCPR]

Congratulations Vin, I know you are going to do a fine job for these guys and it sounds like you just made some new friends that will really appreciate what you are doing for them.

[pjflan7]

Man, that's great! You responded just as I would have on all counts.....Count me in as secondary roaming photographer but no way am I going to be your main photographer! I am in the same boat as you regarding experience and equipment....so glad you can still get in and continue to bless this couple....Looking forward to the day after! Start practicing now on someone!

[Jamfke]

Very pre-professional of you to pass on it. I'm sure some folks would just jump in blindly and ruin it for their friends and themselves. Maybe this will give you some experience/confidence to go on and start doing some weddings or other events for pay. Good luck at the event, and we can't wait to see some of the shots!

[kookey45]

Congrats, Vinam - Wishing you Luck and more jobs. I got lucky that way, by randomly taking somone's photo. Then got invited to the wedding and attained 2 jobs for back to back wedding events. They loved my photo editing and I got to edit their most precious. (Got paid for that - lol). So keep up the good work, you never know who may be there.

[AnnaV]

What a fab story - you have made the right decision, you'll get to enjoy yourself and get some great experience and keep your friends, all with no pressure.

I am sure with that attitude you will make pro if you want to

[dizwold]

hi vinam
great story just get there shoot and enjoy it dont worry about it and eat loads lol!!
Seriuosly tho have fun and lucky you
thanks for sharing this good read
mike

[AnnaV]

Where's Ken? He will love this thread, finally someone has taken his advice

[beachcomber]

Congratulations to Maria and Paul and of course congratulations to you Vin.
Do you ever wonder why you were on that beach, on that day, at that time, maybe just because you were meant to be. You being there ceratinly impacted on Maria and Paul.
Its a great story with great pictures and it just got even better, I am so pleased for you Vin, well done mate.

bro Steve

[Chip]

Sounds like a situation where everyone (you, the couple and the pro) all win. Great job handling the situation, Vin. I'm sure you'll do great.