As a frequent forum navigator, I have noticed that certain questions come up over and over again with wedding photographers who are just getting started. I originally wrote this article for the benefit of a forum in which I participate, but they encouraged me to spread it to a wider audience. I've done my best to be unbiased and offer alternative points of view, and not everyone here necessarily represents my own opinion. Feel free to let me know if you have any additions or modifications to suggest! So here it goes:
Table of Contents:
1. My friend / relative is getting married and I have been asked to film the wedding. Should I do it? What should I charge?
2. What kind of equipment do I need? Is my team good enough?
3. I am ready to start a really real adult photography business in America. What I need to do?
4. Now that I am a real business, how much should I charge?
5. Do I offer a printable picture CD with my packages?
6. Should I record in RAW or JPG format?
7. Should I shoot primes or zooms?
8. How do I become a second shooter?
9. In what mode should I shoot?
10. Do I have to get permission to use someone's music on my website?
Question 1: My friend / relative is getting married and I have been asked to film the wedding. Should I do it? What should I charge?
Answer 1: Shooting a wedding is a big responsibility. This is not the same as going out for a portrait session, where if you mess up, you can remake or simply offer a refund. These are some of the most important photographs most people will ever take, and you owe it to yourself and your potential client to be honest about your abilities. Weddings often present difficult and changing conditions, and require a high level of quality sustained over a long day. If you make a mistake, it can deeply damage your relationship with these people.
Many responses to this question on this forum amount to "better tell them to hire a real professional."
Many here will argue that if you film the miami wedding photographer, taking money for your photography in this situation increases both the potential for misunderstandings and your legal liability if something goes wrong. There is a big difference between someone who is a guest with a camera and a paid contractor. These people would say that you better not accept money.
Some will suggest that if you are confident enough to film the wedding, then you must be confident enough to charge an honest fee. The average American couple spends just under $ 2,000 on their wedding photography, although this varies greatly by region. Many high-end wedding photographers charge much more than this and five-figure prices are not uncommon.
Some here will offer that they refuse to photograph weddings for friends and family, regardless of their experience level, due to the potential for misunderstandings.
Some will suggest that you try to find a local seasoned professional to tag along and get some experience before you go out on your own. Be prepared for some photographers to see this as if they are creating their own competition and will not be enthusiastic about helping. Also, keep in mind that many of the more seasoned photographers get multiple "second shooter" offers each week.
If you decide you are still going to shoot, almost everyone here will advise you to actively look for conditions similar to what you will experience on the wedding day (i.e. go exploring the church) and PRACTICE in those conditions. If you've never been forced to shoot f / 1.4 ISO 3200 1/50 without a flash before, then your wedding day isn't a good first time to learn.
If you are absolutely determined to shoot, good luck and good light to you!
Question 2: What kind of equipment do I need? Is my team good enough?
Answer 2: We had a saying in the military: "two is one, one is none." This means that if a certain piece of equipment is important enough that it is difficult for you to film the wedding without it, then it needs backup. This means, to begin with, you need:
-Two camera bodies
-Two flashes
-Enough redundancy in lenses that if you drop your 24-70 you won't be caught in fisheye the rest of the day.
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