Hey, look here - help me Rhonda! :) Can I tag along?

[TootysMom]

Did that catch your attention? :) Sorry, I had to do something... I want to tag along to any weddings in the Houston, College Station, Austin and surrounding areas SO.BAD. I'm super eager to gain some wedding experience without butchering a new bride's wedding on my own. I have extensive portrait experience, just want to learn more of the ins/outs of weddings and the workflow of the day. You can check out my website: Homegrown Photography or my blog with my most recent work: Homegrown Photography

Oh yeah, did I mention I"M FREE! I'll carry your stuff, be your flunky/gopher..you name it :) I need a chance to learn!

Thanks!
Britney

[TootysMom]

So 41 views and no takers? Surely someone out there was in my shoes when they got started... :)

[danchez]

stand in line Britney, there are a lot of us who want to tag a long....

[csa]

Britney, I would totally say yes but in the DFW area.

[KMariePhoto]

I'd love to tag along, I'm just not scheduling enough right now.

[TootysMom]

Hey Dan...I totally get that...I've been asking on and off here for a year or so and have never gotten any takers :)

Charlotte and Kaitlynn - seems like the Dallas area is always looking for tag alongs - wish I lived closer :)

[J Eddington]

I am going to pass along some advice given to me. “Do not wait for leaders, do it alone person to person.” It is a quote by Mother Teresa. I was told if I really wanted something to stop waiting on someone else to make it happen. To get off my tush and make it happen myself.
How can you do this? Go to the thrift store and pick up dress ($25-50). Now go on Model Mayhem and get a model to fit that dress. Now get a MM guy in a suit. Now create a wedding. Maybe if there are others in your area you guys could get together to do this. Plan this well. Draw out what shots you want to get. How you want it to look. It does not have to be traditional. What about a Circus wedding, wedding on bicycles, etc. MAKE IT HAPPEN.

PPA has Super Monday on May 2nd. Usually there is always a wedding photography class. It is only $99 for the day.

[TootysMom]

Janice - I love that and I totally agree about getting out there and just doing it! But I think many of us who have asked for advice from seasoned wedding photogs in this forum have gotten the "don't screw up the wedding day photos and work with a mentor first" answer, so I guess that's why there are so many of us excited at the opportunity.

[monicaolson]

I've actually been thinking about staging that and staging a trash the dress... Brit - we could put this together ourselves.

[lscottpht]

Unfortunately, staging something is not going to give you the experience you need. It's good that you are wanting to tag along. You should def. do that to really understand what goes into photographing a wedding. Now, for additional practice, by all means, stage something.

[Stargazer77517]

I might be interested in pitching in on the cost myself if yall wouldnt mind. Depending on the day and time tho. I work full time and my weekends can be hectic, so I would ask for a bit of notice before hand.
Seems folks willing to take newbie tagalongs are few and far between. At least I would be able to get my feet wet and have something to show.

[lscottpht]

I'm not in your area, although I have offered to have people tag along for some Houston weddings. No one showed up at them.

The problem is, I get asked every day by people wanting to tag along. I don't even remember now who is in line first, and I want to be fair. I also have an intern that accompanies my second shooter and I these days, so we already have 3 people. I am having a tag along for my New Brunswick wedding, but that's because it will just be me shooting that one, and she lives in the area.

[MicWayWal]

I don't blame others in your area for not answering your call. After all they would be helping you to BECOME their competition. Maybe they think they already have enough competition.

I would suggest a couple of things:
1. Go WAY out of your area and ask. Make the drive or flight to another State to assist.
2. Attend a seminar like the PPA Super Monday or go to a wedding class at Texas School.
3. Find a comprehensive seminar that covers every aspect of a wedding. Make sure it is a 'how to' seminar that will cover every detail from sales to delivery.

[Stargazer77517]

Yep I do understand yalls point of view. As for me I would like to try it and see if its something I would like to do before I invest my time and money attending a class or training. Thats why I dont ask for compensation.
After reading threads here and other fourms and hearing the horror stories that can happen, Im just not sure if its for me.
I give yall that do this for a living, a lot of admiration. It seems to be a lot of work from start to finish.
I love art and techincal aspect of photography and would, after retirement, enjoy having some income from doing something I enjoy.

[BenE]

Originally Posted by TootysMom

Hey Dan...I totally get that...I've been asking on and off here for a year or so and have never gotten any takers :)

Since it has been a year, with no results, have you contacted any photographers other than on the forum?