I'm an amateur photographer, I typically do street photography/photography of buildings etc.
My friend knows this and was struggling to find a photographer for his wedding, so he asked me.
I would love to do this and it would be great to say I've experienced photographing a wedding, but it's not the sort of photography I do at all. I don't know how to direct a group of people to make them look photogenic, I would feel awkward asking my friend and his future wife to pose for photos.
I feel like if I mess this up then it would damage our friendship.
I also don't have the right equipment for a wedding so I would have to fork out some money to upgrade my kit.
I need your opinions, what should I do here, and how should I communicate it to my friend?
Is it wrong to turn down an offer to be my friend's wedding photographer?
When is his wedding? And he's certainly seen your work before if he's asking you, or at least he trusts your skill.
If you're worried about it, there are a few things you can do, the most basic of which is to discuss your concerns with your friend, assuming you haven't already.
The first thing you ought to do is take an honest and complete look at this. A few bad photos won't ruin your friendship with this man, assuming of course that this is a true and virtuous friendship.
Next, remember that the wedding is just a day. The marriage is for a lifetime.
For practical points, here are some things to consider...
As for the wedding itself, you should gather him, his bride-to-be, and some other friends together and do some practice photos for a week or two beforehand. Realistically speaking, the photo shoot after the wedding doesn't need to be super intricate. It just needs to be a few shots of the newlyweds, their families, the wedding party, and maybe a few others.
Create a shot list. Think of the things and people you'd want to photograph. Prioritize people in the order of ability to stand still, so children and elderly first. Then newlyweds (them themselves, then with their families), then groomsmen, then bridesmaids. No one involved in the wedding is dismissed until you dismiss them. The groomsmen don't go out for drinks, the bridesmaids don't go out for Instagram selfies, nothing of the sort happens until you've taken your necessary shots.
Visit the wedding venue beforehand and think about the specific places where you can get the best shots; where are the bride and groom going to be, will there be musicians, things like that.
At the reception, you just need some pictures of people eating, drinking, laughing, and dancing. Also, think about the key parts, so the first dance, the mother-son dance, the father-daughter dance, the bouquet toss, and so forth.
There are also entire Instagram and other social media pages that are all professional, or at least higher-grade shots. You can always visit them as well.
Those are just a few ideas of things to think about. This would be a good opportunity and necessity can sometimes be a great teacher. Ultimately though, the choice is yours. Talk about your concerns with your friend and see how things go.
I've done wedding photography and have been in your shoes before. Don't do it.
Weddings are supposed to be enjoyed and you as a photographer will probably be too busy snapping pics and freaking out about missing stuff to enjoy and be a part of it in any meaningful way.
Also, you should generally stay away from doing your friends favors like this in my opinion, especially when you have no experience or equipment.
Imagine your friends spouse gets really upset you didn't get her friend catching the bouquet or the parents take issue with something you did or didn't say as you were trying to pose everyone.
There are so many things that can go wrong which might be held against you.
You might be the best photographer in the world and it still probably wouldn't be worth it unless they knew exactly what they were getting and you were being compensated.
If they really press you, I'd say it's not my thing, I'll bring my camera and try to get some pictures. Try to assume a casual role if you do anything at all.
Well how else are you going to get the experience? This could help you get out of your comfort zone and start improving your skills as a photographer. You gotta start somewhere right? You want to advance well this is your chance to do it. You just need to be clear with him that this your first time photographing people and a wedding so don't expect a lot. You also need to make a contract, just cause y'all are friends doesn't mean he can get a free ride off you and that this professional work.
Tell him exactly what you just told us: "While I appreciate the opportunity and you asking me to take pictures of your special day, I don't have the experience or equipment to properly do this. And I rather not risk taking subpar pictures."
That's it. It's not mean, rude, and you're telling the truth. Heck, you can even offer to help him find another photographer if you know anyone. But don't jeopardize your friendship, or spend money on something you're unsure of.
Tell him you want more training before you become a wedding photographer because you still have necessary skills for weddings you have not acquired yet.
Explain that you are not a wedding photographer. Just take a bunch of candid shots to document the moment. Just make sure you get pictures of the bride and groom standing at the altar, the bride and groom standing somewhere else, the cutting off the cake, the flower and garter toss, the bride and the bridesmaids, the groom and the groomsmen, the bride, groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen all together, the bride and her parents, the groom and his parents, the bride and her sisters and brothers, the groom and his sisters and brothers, and a bunch of group pictures of friends, people dancing, etc.
I would suggest you turn it down. Wedding photography is specialised and requires specific skills and techniques, plus the right equipment. You can't easily re-shoot, so it has to be right first time. If it's something you want to do in future (and many photographers don't) then there may be an opportunity to act as a second photographer this time, then look at learning the ropes properly. I personally know a guy who accepted a request like this, made a basic error and ended up with no useable photos at all. He was mortified.
It's not wrong to admit your own weak points in fact it's a sign of maturity. That being said you also need to have the courage to try else you'll never improve.
What I would suggest is that since you're willing to turn it down maybe do fork over some money to hire a team to help you'll still make a buck, and help a friend, and since you got real wedding photographers with you, you can rely on them to do the stuff you're not good at doing
Not at all. If you don't think you can do the job, don't take it. Even if you do an amazing job, there's always a chance they may not like the photos and then it could impact your relationship later.
Let them figure out the logistics for their own wedding.
no, its literally the best thing you can do for your friend... if you made a mistake doing them a favour, youd regret it but ultimately, real friends never ask friends to do their wedding photos or to do welding on their cars... its a good rule that if a friend asks for either its time to move on!!
I never do business with friends just in case… I don’t think you would ruin there memories but it’s not your profession background or professional interest. If he’s not happy with you just saying “no” explain how different it is than what you do not just timing photos right and capturing emotional experience But the different lighting that you will have to deal with.
sometime it's way how they feel when girl wants to be married sometime when guy gets turned down that girl breaks guys heart when I was married for 20years I just could not hold on to much longer I had end my marriage because my health was impacting my body my blood clot was playing role in my marriage I had file for divorce from my ex wife
I have done this before. It is a lot of responsibility. I showed up for one and the camera didn’t work. Fortunately, it was operator’s error. Camera was on manual. Should have a backup camera! I took another wedding and was criticized for not taking pictures of the table settings! It can be a thankless job! So now. I will shoot pictures around the paid photographer and take the behind the scenes photos.
I think just tell your friend that this isn’t the type of photography you do, and you don’t have the equipment for it. But thank him for the generous offer. I think it’s more fun to be a guest at your friends wedding, and not have it added stress.
Either way they maybe a bit upset. You turn them down they think you dont care or something. If you do they will judge every picture you take! I would say "I think you would be happier with a hired photographer"
If there is any way you can teach yourself how to do this it would be a good thing. You already have the basics, you just need to find out the wedding part. I bet there is a lot of things online that explain that part of it.
I did photos for a friend's wedding. Made some stupid mistakes doing it. They were happy enough with the shoot but I cringe at the memory over 20 years later.
Be honest with him and tell him that you don't think you could do the wedding properly. If you have any photographer friends or colleagues who do weddings, get your friend in touch with them.
I would say no. Too many things to go wrong. If you belong to any photographic groups or online chat rooms maybe you can use your network to try to find someone.
Perfectly valid. Not everyone is fit for that position. He might have the wrong idea and he might be trying to save up on some money by doing that. Tell him you're doing him a favor. He's the one that will be looking back at those pictures.
I don't think it's wrong at all. As an amateur myself, I would have to tell them I would love too, but I don't think I am what you would be looking for and would be disappointed.
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