Should I???

[carrbowl]

Please read this entire post before you make a slam!! I received a call wanting a photog for a reception/dance. The mother of the bride was going to hire the normal photog who shoots and burns for $50/hour but he was busy this day. She is looking for someone else. I discussed what she is going to get, and she understands.( The guy has a camera with a pop up flash!!!) She delivers papers, and is the main income earner in the family. So from my point of view, I'm impressed she is even able to hire someone to get some photos.

I've never done weddings, and I've never had the desire, but I've thought I should do one, just to confirm that I have no desire!! I know this isn't a true wedding, but it does have some posing of the bride and groom stuff.

So obviously I wouldn't be doing it for the money....but do you think this opportunity would give me some of the experience you get for a wedding?

[danchez]

I've never shot a wedding, but I would think to get the experience of a true wedding, it would be best to do a tag a long with an experienced wedding photographer at the wedding...

[ngoduyviet]

My policy is to have all the contracts & legal paperwork signed & my biz/photo insurance cover my ass before I even pull out my camera. Anytime there's any sort of compensation for your work, you should cross your Is and dot your Ts :-)

But if you are shooting for experience as a friend, go for it.

[groovyone]

It sounds like it could be a chance to help someone out and give it a shot all in one. Tough call.

If she is being honest about their situation you could be the hero and really make their day!

[carrbowl]

I didn't make this clear...the wedding has already happened. This is just the reception and the dance.

[venchka]

OK, from personal experience.......
I started about the same way. Only less expensive. The brides' (twins) family was on the strictest of budgets. Dad was an E-6 in the Army. Dad paid for the film, processing & printing. I got valuable experience. The family got better photos than if someone in the family had used an Instamatic.
Fast forward: I did about the same thing once more. Bargain basement price for better than bargain basement results. The "client" expected Cadillac results. That's when I learned that sometimes the folks who spend the least, for anything, expect the most.
My advice: Spell it all out beforehand. What you will do. What they will pay. What to expect. What not to expect. Above all: What you see is what you get. End of story. If they agree, go for it.

ps: I may be doing something similar in a couple months. Since digital is free and all. See if the Old Geezer can still "get er done."

[TxTowman]

Gee! I thought most high end cameras had a pop up flash.

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by TxTowman

Gee! I thought most high end cameras had a pop up flash.

My A900 doesn't.

[texkam]

the normal photog

There are no normal photogs.

do you think this opportunity would give me some of the experience you get for a wedding?

Yes, some.
Should you? Sure, if you wish.
You may consider drawing up a contract for your normal rate, but indicating the amount of the services that are being donated. That way she and/or anyone else knows your value.

[janetg]

Renae, if you are confident you know what to shoot and how you are going to do it, if you have the equipment to do it, go for it. i never thought i would like weddings either, but now, it's all i do and i love it.

[bryanlindsey]

It would be good practice for the reception. But the hardest part is the ceremony...

[MicWayWal]

Renae,

Sure go for it. We all had to start somewhere. Just make sure they fully understand your situation. WRITE out your agreement and both parties sign it.
I took candids at a friends wedding some 35 years ago and got the bug. Be careful. It might happen to you, too.

Originally Posted by bryanlindsey

It would be good practice for the reception. But the hardest part is the ceremony...

Bryan, I disagree. So I won't be hijacking this thread I started a new thread here to discuss it. Go there to comment.

[groovyone]

Renae, what did you decide?

[rusty_tripod]

If you can find the right ISO and know how to use a flash, the reception and dance are not that difficult to shoot in many cases. I always wonder who is going to care about these pictures in 25 years anyway.

[MicWayWal]

Originally Posted by rusty_tripod

... I always wonder who is going to care about these pictures in 25 years anyway.

Really? I totally disagree. Have you sat down with a couple looking at their wedding album some 25 years after the fact?
You may find that the images they like the best are the ones, that to us, are the most boring of images. But they contain some of the only pictures they have of their friends and family. A lot of photographers refuse to take table shots or groups like that but in 25 years those are the most treasured.