I would like to do a Tag-Along/Assist in the DFW or East Texas area

[todd_a]

I am interested in doing a Tag-A-Long/Assistant with a seasoned pro. I live in Tyler, and I know how some pros are not interested in training up their future competition located in their area, so, respecting that, I am looking to Tag-Along/Assist with a DFW area Wedding Photographer, since that is the closest large market.

Sure, I would like to go straight to second shooting, but I feel like I would be better off doing a tag-along first to get a better feel for the flow and how a pro approaches everything, and I don't know how much I would absorb if I was over somewhere else shooting while the Primary was in a different place doing their thing. The experience of shooting at a wedding at all would be great, but I'd like to learn from watching/assisting the seasoned pro once first. But if a second is needed, then I will gladly step up and work my butt off doing that!

In case it would be necessary, my current equipment list:

• D3 body
• D300 body
• 28-70mm f/2.8
• 70-200mm f/2.8 VR
• 80-200mm f/2.8
• 50mm f/1.4
• 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 (kit lens)
• 35-135mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro (Sort of a just-in-case backup and the Macro is handy)
• Two SB24's
• One SB800
• Four Pocket wizards
• Light stands
• Umbrellas

This is how committed I am - I purchased this new to me equipment (D3, 70-200, 28-70) specifically to be able to shoot weddings without the fear of having sub-par equipment for shooting in low light situations... I took a loan out to buy the equipment (have not borrowed money in over 7 years - it was a big deal for me)... I'm ready to Drive 2 plus hours with the high price of gas and possibly pay for a hotel room for the night, to tag-along/assist for free so I can learn.

Please let me know if you are interested.

Thanks!!!
Todd :)

[Bella Pop]

Personally I'm more concerned about who I invite to be part our our couple's wedding day than anything else. Our brand is really important so we have to be careful who represents our brand (even by just tagging along.)

My advice is to connect in person at networking events/socials/etc or at the very least on facebook. We have several weddings for 2011 and we welcome an assistant / tag along with the possibility of some shooting (we already have 1st and 2nd shooters) but I like to at least know assistants a little before that - unless they are referred by someone I already know well. :)

[todd_a]

Originally Posted by Bella Pop

Personally I'm more concerned about who I invite to be part our our couple's wedding day than anything else. Our brand is really important so we have to be careful who represents our brand (even by just tagging along.)

My advice is to connect in person at networking events/socials/etc or at the very least on facebook. We have several weddings for 2011 and we welcome an assistant / tag along with the possibility of some shooting (we already have 1st and 2nd shooters) but I like to at least know assistants a little before that - unless they are referred by someone I already know well. :)

I totally understand that. I was actually looking for a tag-along type opportunity without planning to bring my camera equipment at all, but I just offered that up in case that might come up also. I want to be flexible and if a primary wanted me to possibly shoot some also, then I want to be ready to do that too.

I've only made a couple of friends of people on here on Facebook. I figured I should get to know people a little on here before sending them a friend request out of the blue on facebook. I am welcoming to other photography minded people that I don't actually know friending me on facebook but I don't know how others react to that. Guess I should find out rather than assume, huh?

I guess I should look to see what sort of social events are upcoming in the DFW area and jump in. lol

Thanks

[Bella Pop]

LOL yeah I know what you mean! I pretty much let any photographer be my friend on facebook (yay photographer friends!) everyone else I've either met in person, at a wedding, friend of a client, etc. there are several events coming up in DFW I'll send you the info on facebook after you friend me ;)

[todd_a]

Originally Posted by Bella Pop

LOL yeah I know what you mean! I pretty much let any photographer be my friend on facebook (yay photographer friends!) everyone else I've either met in person, at a wedding, friend of a client, etc. there are several events coming up in DFW I'll send you the info on facebook after you friend me ;)

Ok, I found you on facebook while driving home. Many more "Bella Pops" out there than I would have imagined. lol

[Bella Pop]

ha ha I should have said, the link is in my signature! ;) and yeah, I noticed that. plus a Bella Pop Portraits? oh that's not cool. : /

[todd_a]

Originally Posted by Bella Pop

ha ha I should have said, the link is in my signature! ;) and yeah, I noticed that. plus a Bella Pop Portraits? oh that's not cool. : /

Well the good news is that one is in Florida at least. But definitely could cause confusion out there.

[lyncca]

Todd, we are friends on FB. You can come with me on some once I get going on my weddings again. My next ones are in May.

[todd_a]

Originally Posted by lyncca

Todd, we are friends on FB. You can come with me on some once I get going on my weddings again. My next ones are in May.

Thanks Lyncca!!! That will be awesome! I'm looking forward to it! :)

[Tsladaritz]

I know this does sound on the same line as what you are thinking. But if you are looking for shooting opportunities that will teach how to make snap decisions on lighting and posing angles, etc. (what you have to be able to do in a wedding venue) then believe it or not journalism is a good beginning.

I started out working for a small paper and my editor was a former wedding photographer! LOL I learned a lot of little tips from her on shooting in stressful, fast situations with people I had just met and did not really know much about. It teaches you how to read your subjects fast and get the best you can from them in just a few minutes.

A lot of people may not think of that as a start, but it does teach you how to work under some pressure without quite the high stress a wedding can produce. ;-)

So in between weddings you may want to just try your hand at some small time events and see if you can even get on as a freelance for some city events with the local paper.

Good luck

btw I am from Tyler. Nice place to live. In fact my dh asked me if I want to consider moving back someday. LOL

[Nikonfan]

Todd, I don't have any weddings coming up but I will keep you in mind when I do.

BTW.. If you're on this forum and your name is Lyncca, Brandy, or Leslie I would love to second shoot or even tag-a-long to one of your weddings so that some of your greatness might just rub off on me

[todd_a]

Originally Posted by Tsladaritz

I know this does sound on the same line as what you are thinking. But if you are looking for shooting opportunities that will teach how to make snap decisions on lighting and posing angles, etc. (what you have to be able to do in a wedding venue) then believe it or not journalism is a good beginning.

I started out working for a small paper and my editor was a former wedding photographer! LOL I learned a lot of little tips from her on shooting in stressful, fast situations with people I had just met and did not really know much about. It teaches you how to read your subjects fast and get the best you can from them in just a few minutes.

A lot of people may not think of that as a start, but it does teach you how to work under some pressure without quite the high stress a wedding can produce. ;-)

So in between weddings you may want to just try your hand at some small time events and see if you can even get on as a freelance for some city events with the local paper.

Good luck

btw I am from Tyler. Nice place to live. In fact my dh asked me if I want to consider moving back someday. LOL

Tyler is a great place. Not too big not too small.

Sounds like a good idea for practice. I have a few friends in the local magazines around here and there that I could talk to about some freelance. cool!

[todd_a]

Originally Posted by Nikonfan

Todd, I don't have any weddings coming up but I will keep you in mind when I do.

That would be awesome. :) Thanks!