Asked to do a wedding! Ack! HELP!

I was asked to do a wedding on August 2nd. While this is a GREAT opportunity, it's the first wedding I have been asked to do where I do NOT know the people. I have done several family, baby, maternity and kid sessions and I'm trying to get more business and more experience with those but a wedding? Whew! LOTS of pressure!

So... what do I charge? I have to come up with pricing really quick. My friend who referred these people to me said I was "reasonable". Yeah, I did her wedding for CHEAPER than CHEAP! But I can't spend ALL day with these people from sun up to sun down and not make a good bit off of it. Though... since I'm not really experienced with weddings, I can't charge them like everyone else. Suggestions?

Also, I am still learning lighting and just got a reflector. For indoor shots (which scare me to death) would the reflector be my best bet? Any tips are appreciated. ALL of my shoots thus far have been outdoors and I'm a nervous mess about this opportunity but I need to take it!

Also, as you can see I only have 2 lenses. The 50mm is faster but not as versatile. If you could choose ANY lense for a wedding shoot that I don't have, which would it be and why? And can I get away with the two I have alone? I have bad luck with indoor lighting and my 18-200. Blur... noise... Maybe it's just me.

Help!

Wow! How exciting. I really don't know what to tell you about any of it though. The idea of doing a wedding terrifies me. :) And I don't know much about Nikon lenses - but I would think an 18-200 would certainly have you covered as far as focal length range. What's the aperture on it? Will you be able to get indoors shots with it?

Will you have an assistant? If not, I'd definitely skip the reflector.

Nope- no assistant so yeah... no reflector.

My 18-200 is 3.5-5. I have an SB600 flash too and it works great in most indoor settings but I don't love the results in large, dimly lit rooms. I like my little 50mm for portraits and thought maybe I could use that for after-wedding family shots...?

Needless to say- I'll be out experimenting a ton before the big day but yah- I'm scared as all heck to do a wedding. They want good pics but can't afford a ton of money. Wedding photogs are pricey. But it's a big job nonetheless and I'm not a girl who'll do it half-way. I forsee myself spending countless hours post-shoot processing and I want it to be worth my time... but also according to my experience level. I've only done weddings for friends and I'm not a professional yet. Ugh!

I think if you are limited to those two lenses and your sb600, you should practice using your flash on aperture priority--wide open to allow as much ambient light in as possible, and keep your flash powered as low as you can. It will give the most natural look you can get with an on camera flash. Secondly, I'd try to recruit someone for assisting, and you could use your flash and reflectors to illuminate the entire wedding party for group photos. (bounce it behind you over your head, to the reflector--angled toward the group, so you'd need someone to hold it for you.)

for photojournalistic type photos during the ceremony you probably won't be able to use your flash, so if you can get your hands on a wide angle 2.8 lens i'd set your camera on auto iso and shoot that way, if not, you will probably have to use your 50mm. It truly depends on the lighting in the church(??) if you can get away with the 18-200 lens. Can you check out the light situation ahead of time? That might help!

Good luck! I don't envy you! LOL

Been there, done that. :-) It was fairly stressful and a lot of unexpecteds.

I would plan on using the flash for indoors and get proficient at bouncing. I wish I'd bought a diffuser before going and that would have made it easier for shots where bouncing was not an option. I have the Gary Fong diffuser in mind to get for this reason.

The big problem I see with the 50... is that depending on the church or location... you may not be able to get close enough for shots. That was my problem. I needed a wide angle. If I had my choice... I would get something in a 17-70mm range and leave it on my camera the entire time. A constant aperture would be great but those cost more than my entire setup at this moment. ;) I see one on BHPhoto that isn't a constant aperture but goes down to 2.8... that would probably be a great inexpensive way to go for a wedding.

As far as prices... I almost did it for free because I am so much the amateur. I did not want them to be disappointed. That said, it is a LOT of work and depends on your area. Demographically... $100 per hour here would be a lot for an amateur but it really won't touch what it takes timewise.

I would also ask to possibly be involved in setting up, etc... so that you can avoid potential distractions in the background, etc... that they may not notice. That was a biggie with mine. Instead of having the cake and punch, etc.... set up in front of the plain wall, they had it in front of the kitchen. It made it very difficult to take really beautiful pictures of the cake with an old outdated kitchen behind it!

Good luck! Don't be afraid to say no, either. It was SO much work for me, but I suppose I am glad I have the experience now.

I totally understand where you guys are coming from, but I have a few little thoughts I wanted to throw out there. It is a LOT of work, I know because I've done them and i know many people who a living at it. BUT please keep these things in mind also. If you are still learning and gaining experience, there is something in it for you too, other than just $$. You get the experience! :) And that is something that is priceless! :D kwim? Next quarter, I am paying to have models pose as brides for wedding photos so that I can learn and have my images critiqued.  So remember that you do get something out of it, other than just the money. You could possibly tell them that since this is a learning experience you won't charge for the images sooc. BUT if they want them edited, you will charge for that, for the things you know how to do. make sense? these are just some random ideas, but i feel they could be of help.  

also, be sure to ask the bride what kind of shots she wants..more than likely, the things she likes others will as well! :)

Tammi:

I totally understand where you guys are coming from, but I have a few little thoughts I wanted to throw out there. It is a LOT of work, I know because I've done them and i know many people who a living at it. BUT please keep these things in mind also. If you are still learning and gaining experience, there is something in it for you too, other than just $. You get the experience! :) And that is something that is priceless! :D kwim? Next quarter, I am paying to have models pose as brides for wedding photos so that I can learn and have my images critiqued.  So remember that you do get something out of it, other than just the money. You could possibly tell them that since this is a learning experience you won't charge for the images sooc. BUT if they want them edited, you will charge for that, for the things you know how to do. make sense? these are just some random ideas, but i feel they could be of help.  

 

also, be sure to ask the bride what kind of shots she wants..more than likely, the things she likes others will as well! :)

I really agree with Tammi on this one.  As this will mainly be a learning experience.....a valuable one too.....I would refrain from charing too much to do the shoot.....I might would suggest maybe charging a flat rate just to cover your travel expenses.....but I would be careful not to charge too much.  I know I would never pay an inexperienced wedding photographer $1000 to shoot a wedding!  Experience is invaluable!  Then as Tammi said, if they want these photos edited and printed I would charge a fee for that....maybe an hourly fee for editing or a flat rate.....and then charge them for prints, if you will be having them printed. I would also go ahead and decide NOW what you want to charge for prints and give that to them now.  If you are going to be providing them with a cd of images decide what you want to charge for that now and let them know.  And yes, ask the bride what she wants photographed before the wedding =)

I didn't really have time to read other's responses and will come back on this evening...

Main question- where are they getting married? Indoor church/outdoors? Reception in or out??

My FIRST suggestion would to see if there are any 2nd shooting opportunities in your area where you can work alongside another photographer and get some experience. Let them know your situation- and let them know you will shoot for free and totally be there starbucks go-getter/light stick holder whatever. :) Doing a few 2nd shooting gigs will give you TONS and TONS of insight.

Next- though you are "new" to weddings but not new to shooting you still need to make sure you are priced out to pay for your time. I charged only 1,000 for my first wedding, learned a TON, and also learned I would NEVER charge so little for so much work ever again. Depending on location- i think 1,500 for coverage and general editing to disc is completey "reasonable" --  not sure where your thoughts were at a starting point... Let's just say for wedding #2 I more then doubled my coverage price and included a 2nd shooter. (Just coverage no prints or albums) Note- weddings are LONG days and that is only the half of it. The back end of editing and post processing images is the killer of it all!

You need to crash course it with your flash. In the dimmer part of the evenings shoot your kids- your house, your feet-- whatever. :) I would definitely invest in a Gary Fong light diffuser. You can at least put your flash in ETTL- put that on and bounce your flash. You will be suprised the wonders that diffuser alone can do to brighten up your images.

Are you on any other photo forums? See if there are any others new to weddins or looking to gain  more experience who would want to come shoot with you and help with coverage.  It will be great not to be solo as well as having extra shots at the end of the day to work with. You can range from finding somebody who is willing to work for free-- or you can offer the general $250 for the day. Money well spent.

Also- you can always rent lenses. You are limited with only 2 lenses... I have NO idea when it comes to Nikon lenses but  if there is a 24-70mm L in the line-up (or something REALLY relevent to) you can totally shoot an entire wedding if need be with that lens. It is a great work horse lens. Lens renting is a great option.

Oh yes- ditch the reflector. :D It will be a pain to lug around.

It is a TON of work.  I am just apprenticing, and appreciate it because it is such good experience.  I am shooting, and only get paid $15/hour plus half the tip (if there is one).  The first wedding I did I had to do for free, but they gave us a $100 tip, so at least I got something.  The second wedding I did get paid for, which is good.  But, $120 for 8 hours of hard work is not much.  At the same time, this guy is REALLY teaching me everything. And if I do want to shoot weddings in the future I will be able to charge full price even for the first one and know exactly what I am doing from the start.

I agree, you have to think about it as a learning experience, but it is really hard work and a lot of hours go into the whole process, so I would def charge a decent amount.  I would pay someone that is interested in photography $15/hour or something-you need an assistant if it is a good sized wedding.  Or trade your time with another photographer that is kinda new if you know one.

Can you rent or borrow some lenses from someone?  That would really help. 

The guy I work with does an extensive meeting with the couple before hand to get info on what they want.  Also be sure to print out a list of the group shots they want (bride, groom, flowergirl, bride's mom) for example and check it off as you do each shot. Ask if there is anyone outside of the family that they might want formal shots of.

Be sure to tell them that they need to provide a meal for you as well.  But while you are eating get up every once and awhile and take some photos.

Make an agreed upon time frame for your work at the wedding.

Get there 15 minutes early to scout out the location and find good places for the individual and group shots.

Don't be shy in telling people (in the formal shots and at the reception) to look right at you and smile.  Tell them to show you sass, spunk, coolness, sexyness, etc... Have them all throw their arms up in the air, that kind of thing. 

During the reception go up to couples and ask if you can get their photo.  Don't be shy to ask them to move to a different spot in the room so you can

get better lighting and backgrounds.

If you do have an assistant, ask her to tap the shoulders of people slow dancing and have her ask them to look at you and smile-these photos are great.

I would personally charge a flat rate per hour and then prints on top of them.  I know that I would not want to present an work unedited, so you are going to be puttin in the time. Plus, if you get a lot of shots of the guests they may also want to purchase prints.

Ask the couple if they want an engagement shoot.  And charge them what you normal charge for something like that.  Then you can print up small cards of their favorite photo and put a sticker on the back that has the website and login info to the wedding's gallery.  You can hand these out to everyone during dinner, saying that the couple wanted everyone to have one as a small gift and explaining how they can view all the photos and purchase them if they want.

I hope some of this helps.  I just learned so much this weekend.