Need Some Advice

[SchnauzerBoy]

Ravvyk - have you headed into the wedding photography groups on Flickr? Get in there and absorb as much as you can while you have the chance.

+1 from me on that... definitely helps to get other peoples perspective.

[rexiam]

Rav This is screaming danger and run as fast as you can from this one.

Your MIL hasn't been very nice to you in the past. I can only see this ending with you in tears not her. Tell her you are having camera probs

[julesluvscavs]

We have been asked to take some photos for a wedding next Sunday.

As a rule we refuse to do wedding/christening shoots (even tho we have been asked quite a bit!). We just arn't into that type of photography and too many things can go wrong ! Even the professionals have a hard time sometimes (you just need to read professional photographers forums to hear about their experiences)

Plus people expect to pay you lot less ( because you aren't a professional), but expect the same quality and level of professional photoshopping/editing done ! it puts too much expectation on you..

However I did take some for my husband's boss's daughter (more just for my own collection, as she had a professional photographer). A couple my photos got into the hands of a web designer recently (without my permission) which he built a banner for a big wedding site with them! So he must have thought they were pretty good at the resolution he did them in ! ;-)

I got the banner taken down tho, as one of the bride's family found it and was surprised to see their sister's wedding pics in the banner on the site !!

We have been asked by one of my friends from my childhood days (altho I don't have much to do with her now), but she's invited me to the wedding, and because its a very informal beach wedding, she's asked if we can bring our cameras along. Not sure if she is having a professional photographer?

So I have been roped in with it. This will be the last time I will get myself in this situation.

I'm more into landscape/animal photography and not wedding photography, and PS ..

Edited November 15, 2009 by JulesLuvsCavs

[julesluvscavs]

Rav This is screaming danger and run as fast as you can from this one.

Your MIL hasn't been very nice to you in the past. I can only see this ending with you in tears not her. Tell her you are having camera probs

True !

I have heard too many horror stories concerning weddings, photographers, Mothers and MIL's

[Ashanali]

Even the pros don't have it easy with in-laws.

Two weddings ago the mother of the groom wasn't ready for the pre-wedding photos and turned up 5 minutes before they were ready to go for the ceremony, however the bride's mother was well and truly dressed and ready... so obviously there were plenty of pre-wedding photos with bride and her mum.

Apparently mother of the groom had a very large meltdown in front of everyone at the reception about not being in many photos with her son. Alex apologised and said he was terribly sorry and offered to do photos for them there and then. Every photo the mother is scowling into the camera.

I have no doubt that she is now telling everyone about the very rude photographer and his favouritism of the bride's mum. (although we think there is a little jealousy between the two mums. Bride's mum is a former beauty queen and looks it. Groom's mum, well... doesn't. )

If you can seperate yourself from family, it's much easier.

[Ravyk]

Well I have had a talk to OH and his mum. She WON'T pay for a photographer and OH said if I don't want to do it, he will. He's not the world's best photographer and sucks more than me at people photography.

[Ashanali]

talk about a guilt trip!

When are they getting married again? Maybe you can tell them to do this

http://savvystudioscompetition.blogspot.com

[poodlefan]

Well I have had a talk to OH and his mum. She WON'T pay for a photographer and OH said if I don't want to do it, he will. He's not the world's best photographer and sucks more than me at people photography.

Simple solution = no photos. Does she want her family to share her day or be run off their arses saving her money? If the answer is the latter, then tough cookies I say.

[Ravyk]

talk about a guilt trip!

When are they getting married again? Maybe you can tell them to do this

http://savvystudioscompetition.blogspot.com

February sometime. I am not relishing the idea of heading up to Pt Augusta in the middle of summer with our pooches in tow.

[rocco]

Disclaimer: (and please don't take this personally) I'll be honest and say that I'm actually not the best person to ask due to predjudices against, 'uncle Bob' photographers. It sends a shiver down my spine knowing that people trust their day, a day when there are no second chances, to people who aren't wedding photographers. It's a damn hard job - so much so that pro-photographers of other genres often can't understand why anyone would want to do it.

I honestly had no idea about Wedding photography until spending some time with Alex and Ash. It is TOUGH and I would never offer my services as a sole photographer for the day. I had a friend just recently that got married who was to cheap to get in a decent photographer. She asked her friend that does "fashion photography".... she studied under Ian Golding, so she was a very proficient photographer. The photo's were terrible, old fashion, boring because she had no wedding experience. I think this proves that wedding photography is very specialised.

But good luck with it Ravyk, I am sure you will do a great job. Hope you post some for us to see.