Wanting to 'Tag Along'

[JohnCainPhotography]

(This is my second post to pixtus, and my first day to the site. Please forgive me if I've misplaced this post... would appreciate any etiquette tips if you notice trends of faux-pas that new users make that I should avoid.)

Anyway...

Hi, my name is John Sargent and I am 'Leading' my first wedding on July 9th!
I am very excited for this but am eager to get some more experience to help me fine tune some things. I'd love to learn from you!

I know that it is very short notice but if you would like some help or wouldn't mind my joining you or your team in the Dallas area this weekend, I'd really really appreciate it.

I'd be happy to give whatever digital images I take for your use with your client. I just ask to be able to use the images for my own portfolio.

I am hopeful for a 5DMKII by the end of the summer but for now I ma shooting with a Canon T2i. I have a 580EXII flash as well as 50mm 1.4 lens.

Please send an e-mail if interested/ willing to help:

John@JohnCainPhotography.com


Kindly,
John

[Todd Lambert]

I can't help much with the wedding, but I was curious if you were going to rent equipment for the wedding you're shooting?

I mean, it's probably not a good idea to go in with just the equipment that you've listed. I hope you have more than that or are planning on renting more gear. You should have two of everything, especially things like bodies and flashes. Not to mention more than one lens.

If I'm off base, sorry... and I most certainly don't shoot weddings (I hate people ;-) ) but I know that's going to be many people's first question here.

[JohnCainPhotography]

Yes, I do have other equipment, backups, and plan on renting a few things, specifically a 70-200 2.8 IS lens and maybe a few other lighting needs. Thanks for your input!

[T. Adam Martin]

John: You'll learn a lot from the people on this site and you'll find there are many people willing to help you.

Be prepared with a thick skin is my advice as you seek to be a tag-along for weddings. That and watch this:

Foundations of a Working Photographer with Zack Arias | creativeLIVE (Click on the "Introduction" section and watch)

You'll find that what Zack expresses is going to be very similar to what you hear on here from more seasoned professionals.

Good luck with the search for an opportunity.

[WarrenG]

Originally Posted by JohnCainPhotography

I am 'Leading' my first wedding on July 9th!
I am very excited for this but am eager to get some more experience to help me fine tune some things. I'd love to learn from you!

Hi John,

Welcome to the forum!

Here are a few questions that may go a long way toward helping you narrow down your search a bit.

1) What is it specifically that you would like to fine tune?

2) What type of style do you shoot? Are you a PJ wedding shooter, artistic, contemporary, traditional, etc.

3) What is your experience level? Seems silly to me that you would want to tag a long with someone without extensive wedding experience since your already booking weddings as a lead? I would assume you have been shooting Second for quite some time now and would be a bit bored tagging a long?

Also, I would search the wedding section of the forum, as there are countless threads that may be beneficial. Many fine photographers have contributed information on the sticky's and threads there. Much can be learned.

Good Luck,

W

[Chancey]

Once you go to the Wedding Forum - Put on your Under Armour and an extra layer of thick skin...


Seriously, there are lots of posts there that will offer you the help that you are looking for.

Lots of luck,
chancey