23 May, 2005

Wedding Photography

Darren wrote this at 7:55 am:

It seems to happen to all keen amateur and professional photographers. A friend or workmate knows you’re handy with a camera, and they’re shocked to see how much ‘real’ wedding photographers cost, so they ask you if you’d be able to help them out.

It always sounds like such a reasonable request. They’re just getting started in life, they don’t want to spend thousands on a photographer, wedding photographers just take advantage of young couples with no other options, they’re not expecting professional-quality photos, just some nice snapshots. There’ll be other guests there with cameras, and of course they’ll pay for all your film and processing (or these days, digital prints). They really can’t afford another photographer, so if you don’t do it they’ll be left with no photos to remember their special day.

Most people don’t realise what they’re asking of you. A wedding is a big event, once in a lifetime, and if you don’t come through with the goods they’ll grumble about you every time they look at their album. And you won’t get to sit down and enjoy the wedding if you’re the photographer – you’ll be scurrying around trying to get a good position to shoot from, rounding up relatives for group portraits, changing film or downloading memory cards, worrying about what comes next in the day’s programme, and cursing the low levels in the church and reception venue.

Still, the decision is up to you. But before you agree, have a look through some of this material.

Cautionary Tales

Experiences

Photographic Advice

Books, CDs and DVDs

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