WEDDINGS

Is their anybody out there who have looked at their friends wedding photos done buy a professional photographer and knew you may have done better

Regards Dave

Yes, but it's very hard work doing wedding photography and not for the faint hearted. It's not something an amateur can take lightly and it is more difficult to get professional results than most would think.

Regards
David

Quite often people think they can do better in all sorts of fields, but at the end of the day they haven't. It's easy to criticise.

I, like probably every photographer out there, have thought about doing weddings as some point.

But I think the people underestimate the most is the pressure. Despite what we'd like to think, weddings are highly stressful situations, especially for the couple getting married and their parents, close family and friends. And the officeial tog only gets one chance.

There's a lot of planning involved to get things right, but you're trying to do that with people who have other things on their mind, and a host of amateurs with their cameras jostling you for position and distracting your subjects.

And the rewards are not as high as you might think.

Give me the nice, easy life of an IT contractor any day.

When I look at the Lottery numbers the day after a draw they
look so obviously easy to pick a child could have done it!

I was asked by a friend only 2 days ago to be his official photographer. I accepted, then thought about it, panicked. Posted here and had my fears confirmed. Then 2 hours after accepting the job i resigned.

I will now be working as one of the photographers assistants for the day. Which will hopefully give me an insight into what is involved. Probably have me making tea all day long.

I enjoyed photographing my younger daughter's wedding last year - why ?

Because there was no pressure on me - they had an official photographer and also had a few disposable P&S cameras for guests' use.

The Official guy was really nice with me as he knew I wouldn't get under his feet and upset things - he got what he wanted , when he wanted it without any problem. He gave me a couple of ideas for shots I wouldn't have thought about and I spotted one he hadn't, so told him about that idea .

This way I could, and did, shoot candids - some were excellent, others not great. My daughter was thrilled with the set I gave her

34 years ago my son asked me to be his wedding photographer. I had lots of time so I read many books on wedding photography. I like to think I did a reasonable job??????????. I had one 35mm camera and no backup??????
I then thought I might like do this as a weekend hobby. For one year I assisted a pro and only took one set of photos under his guidance after approx. six months. I also went on a four day long weekend course with the FUJI PROFESSIONALS. My next move was a Pentax 645. With a Pentax 35mm backup. I did this for approx. ten years.
Do not take wedding photography lightly. Learn with a pro and get all the help you can.
CHEERS Vic.

When we were picking a wedding photographer for our wedding, one of my main requirements was that I must not look at his/her portfolio and feel like I could have done as well or better. We did rule out several of the cheaper options on these grounds. We also found several whose work made me go "wow", and it was one of those we went with.

As in any industry, there are good wedding photographers, and not so good wedding photographers (many of whom are actually amateurs who thought "I can do that!")

I love taking photographs at weddings, I do NOT like being the wedding photographer, I've done it twice and I will only do it when the alternative is no official photographer at all.

I agree with virtually all the comments above. Personally I can't think of a more stressful situation to be put in. The responsibility of only having 'one shot' at what will be one of the most important days in two peoples lives is a massive undertaking. The problem is that if you possess a DSLR and a few lenses then family members and friends automatically assume that you obviously know what you are doing and are more than capable of doing the deed...not necessarily in my case!

If I really was the only hope then i'd do it to help out but strictly on the understanding that that no payment other than expenses was to be made (to make me feel better and lower their expectations) and i'd try and get another person involved on the basis that the blame could be shared! (only joking...well a bit anyway). Two people make organising the actual group shots easier and over the whole day increase the prospect of getting some usable shots.

I'm far happier like Mongoose taking pictures at weddings as an extra to someone doing it professionally. That way if you get anything good its by way of an unexpected bonus and not expected.