Ideal Kit for Weddings?
- Thread starter mali84
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Nikon D3 x3
14-24mm
24-70mm
70-200mm
one on each body
3x SB900
one on each body
6x 8gb cards
Skyports or Pocket-wizards, stands and mounts
Should be okay as a start
2x the above as 'just in case' spares would be good too
2+ years experience of using the above at 30+ Weddings
Attendance on loads of course on Weddings too by top UK or International togs
Does that help???
DD
14-24mm
24-70mm
70-200mm
one on each body
3x SB900
one on each body
6x 8gb cards
Skyports or Pocket-wizards, stands and mounts
Should be okay as a start
2x the above as 'just in case' spares would be good too
2+ years experience of using the above at 30+ Weddings
Attendance on loads of course on Weddings too by top UK or International togs
Does that help???
DD
markrichardson
Judge Judy
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Now now DD, play nice! 
Mali84 - it might be helpful if you gave us your starting point in terms of equipment so we know where you are missing things.
Mali84 - it might be helpful if you gave us your starting point in terms of equipment so we know where you are missing things.
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Now now DD, play nice!
Mali84 - it might be helpful if you gave us your starting point in terms of equipment so we know where you are missing things.
Okay - in a less than ideal situation then
You have assisted - was the person you assisted crap?
If not, copy whatever they had and you'll be fine (probably)
DD
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I'm afraid this is real basic stuff, if you don't already know what kit you need (and your doing weddings as second tog) then I would suggest your nowhere near ready to "go solo"
How many weddings have you done as second tog, and what duties have you been doing as second tog?
How many weddings have you done as second tog, and what duties have you been doing as second tog?
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I did this for another forum ...... no doubt it will get slated - but here you go - you did ask
In my opinion - these things are required:
Main & Backup Camera
Main & Backup Flashes
Main & Backup Lenses
** NOTE ** Your backup equipment needs to be of the same calibur as your main equipment. A client expecting digital images is NOT going to be thrilled when you shoot their wedding with your old FILM camera you're using as a backup.
2 Sets of Extra Camera Batteries
Flash Batteries (6-8 sets per flash per wedding)
at least 30 gigs of Compact Flash Memory
Good Camera Bag that you can haul around for 6-16 hours without hurting yourself
Photoshop CS3 or CS4 LR
External Hard Drive
A solution for Offsite file Storage
A way to proof the images.(Online, in person, proof book, DVD slideshow, etc...)
Credit Card or Savings account with at least enough money to cover the following things:
Complete set of gear (in case of theft or loss)
Rental Car (in case of wreck or breakdown)
Liability Insurance
Equipment Insurance
Inland Revenue Registered
Either an lawyer or a PPA or similar Membership (to review your contract and help with any legal issues that may arise)
A good, solid, lawyer-approved Wedding Contract.
In my opinion - these things are recommended:
Portable car camera battery charger
Laptop
A good, solid, lawyer-approved Album Design Acceptance Contract.
Sample Albums
Album Design Software
Sample Prints/Canvas, etc...
Client Information Packets
Recommended Lenses (another frequently asked question):
I typically use a 70-200 2.8 for most of the ceremony. I have a 24-70 2.8 on my second camera in case I need it to get people coming down the aisle. If it's an exceptionally dark venue then I'll use my 50 1.4 instead of the 24-70 on my second camera body.
24-70 2.8 is what I use for group formals and wider shots of the venue and crowd (like the dance floor).
I typically use the 70-200 2.8 for portraits of the couple - just because I like it. I love that it puts me far enough away from the couple to get natural interaction and delivers amazing results.
Those are my "have to have" lenses.
I use a Macro for ring shots and details. I occasionally use it for getting ready (makeup) shots too.
I rarely use any of my other lenses at weddings. I do feel it's important to cover every spectrum as far as lenses go (close, mid-range, far away) but what you actually pack in your bag is totally a personal preference based on your shooting style. (Another good reason to second shoot - discovering your shooting style before investing thousands of dollars in equipment is nice).
Required Skills:
Remember - this is a once in a lifetime event - if you're not 100% confident in your photography skills, just don't do it. Learn more before taking on wedding photography.
You absolutely must be able to do the following:
Photograph in dark churches with no flash.
Change camera settings in a fraction of a second.
Understand and be proficient at bouncing flash.
Understand metering modes and how to meter for someone in a black tux and a white dress standing next to each other.
Know how to use your flash in manual mode.
Have the ability to pose large groups.
Have the ability to light large groups in a dark church.
Have the assertiveness to control large groups while posing and photographing them.
Be able to take control of the situation when needed.
Be able to sit back and realize that it's THEIR day, not yours.
I recommend that you also know/learn how to do these things:
Be able to shoot in the dark outside at night with nothing to bounce off of without using on camera direct flash.
Use your histogram.
Learn off camera lighting (not necessary - but very helpful in many situations).
Understand the flow of a wedding day and that it can change at any given moment.
Getting Started:
I completely and totally recommend second shooting, assisting, or workinf for another photographer for at least a FULL YEAR before booking weddings on your own. There are so many different types of weddings, types of brides, types of churches, reception venues, lighting, ceremony types, wedding sizes, wedding party sizes, that there's just no way to walk in to it 100% prepared. There are so many situations that can arise, little details you never knew were important to know, and things that people would never even think to mention. The experience you would get from second shooting/assisting would be invaluable. Some photographers pay you - others don't - but the knowledge you will gain from working under a good, established wedding photographer is invaluable.
Long term (recurring) expenses that need to be considered:
Income tax (and NI) - that takes about 35-40% of your profit.
Petrol to & from the event.
Batteries
Meals, snacks, etc... you have to purchase that day.
Indemnity Insurance cost
Liability Insurance cost.
Equipment Insurance Cost.
Paper goods (contracts, forms, marketing materials, business cards, etc..)
Office supplies (pens, staples, paperclips, paper, printer ink, etc...)
Phone
Equipment itself (camera, lenses, memory cards, computer, hard drives, software, etc..)
The product you're providing.
Professional membership fees.
Bookkeeping
Adding additional hard drive space
Webhosting
Blog Hosting
Gear Purchasing/Rental/Repair -
Keep in mind - I usually have to replace my main camera body every 24 months to 3 years, they just don't have that great of a lifespan. Considering I shoot over 100,000 frames in a given year - you're still looking at replacing a camera body every 2.5 to 3 years with heavy use - and that's if nothing breaks sooner than that. Lenses will last you a lifetime - but ideally all your gear needs to be sent in for calibration and cleaning every 1-2 years. The more equipment you buy the higher that insurance policy goes up. CF cards need to be replaced over time.
Pricing wedding Photography:
According to much market research it was determined that the average professional photographer HAS to charge $2200 in order to BREAK EVEN on wedding photography. Obviously you're LOSING money if you charge less than that. Yes it is in dollars - no I'm not arguing the point - it is based on all the above
Charge for your TIME (the average SMALL wedding takes more than 20 hours from start to finish, MEDIUM sized weddings take 40-60 hours, LARGE weddings take 80-120 hours and that's with having lots of experience).
When pricing your packages you should first determine how much it will cost you to photograph the wedding (see above for a reminder of all the things that will cost you money). Then determine how much you need to make hourly (if you're going to be in business you do need to set yourself an hourly rate - an figure you're comfortable with, keeping in mind you will lose 40% of that to income tax). Determine how many hours you will spend on this wedding. Consider emails, phone calls, photographing the actual wedding, downloading cards, backing up images, editing, album design, album changes, printing, etc... in the amount of time it will take you. Take your hourly wage and multiply it by the number of hours you will spend on the wedding. Add the included COGS (cost of goods sold) marked up at least 3.5 times. That's your minimum that you can charge.
Offering Product:
Things to consider when offering albums...
Do you have the ability to design them?
Do you have software to design them with?
What type of albums will you offer?
What companies will you use for albums?
Have you seen the product and worked with the company you plan to offer the albums through?
Do you know it's a good product?
Do you have a sample to show your clients?
How is the customer service?
How long is the turn around?
How long is the turnaround for a reprint if they mess it up?
How long is the turnaround for a reprint if YOU mess it up?
When pricing albums you should be paying yourself for the design and marking the product up at least 3.5 times (at LEAST) in order to make a small profit. You should pay yourself enough for the design that you could use that fee to pay a design company to do it if you become unable, for any reason, to design it yourself.
Will you sell digital files?
Loaded question - has it's benefits, has it's drawbacks, nobody can determine that but you. If you do sell them - keep in mind it's not likely that you'll sell them prints or album upgrades and price it accordingly.
In my opinion - these things are required:
Main & Backup Camera
Main & Backup Flashes
Main & Backup Lenses
** NOTE ** Your backup equipment needs to be of the same calibur as your main equipment. A client expecting digital images is NOT going to be thrilled when you shoot their wedding with your old FILM camera you're using as a backup.
2 Sets of Extra Camera Batteries
Flash Batteries (6-8 sets per flash per wedding)
at least 30 gigs of Compact Flash Memory
Good Camera Bag that you can haul around for 6-16 hours without hurting yourself
Photoshop CS3 or CS4 LR
External Hard Drive
A solution for Offsite file Storage
A way to proof the images.(Online, in person, proof book, DVD slideshow, etc...)
Credit Card or Savings account with at least enough money to cover the following things:
Complete set of gear (in case of theft or loss)
Rental Car (in case of wreck or breakdown)
Liability Insurance
Equipment Insurance
Inland Revenue Registered
Either an lawyer or a PPA or similar Membership (to review your contract and help with any legal issues that may arise)
A good, solid, lawyer-approved Wedding Contract.
In my opinion - these things are recommended:
Portable car camera battery charger
Laptop
A good, solid, lawyer-approved Album Design Acceptance Contract.
Sample Albums
Album Design Software
Sample Prints/Canvas, etc...
Client Information Packets
Recommended Lenses (another frequently asked question):
I typically use a 70-200 2.8 for most of the ceremony. I have a 24-70 2.8 on my second camera in case I need it to get people coming down the aisle. If it's an exceptionally dark venue then I'll use my 50 1.4 instead of the 24-70 on my second camera body.
24-70 2.8 is what I use for group formals and wider shots of the venue and crowd (like the dance floor).
I typically use the 70-200 2.8 for portraits of the couple - just because I like it. I love that it puts me far enough away from the couple to get natural interaction and delivers amazing results.
Those are my "have to have" lenses.
I use a Macro for ring shots and details. I occasionally use it for getting ready (makeup) shots too.
I rarely use any of my other lenses at weddings. I do feel it's important to cover every spectrum as far as lenses go (close, mid-range, far away) but what you actually pack in your bag is totally a personal preference based on your shooting style. (Another good reason to second shoot - discovering your shooting style before investing thousands of dollars in equipment is nice).
Required Skills:
Remember - this is a once in a lifetime event - if you're not 100% confident in your photography skills, just don't do it. Learn more before taking on wedding photography.
You absolutely must be able to do the following:
Photograph in dark churches with no flash.
Change camera settings in a fraction of a second.
Understand and be proficient at bouncing flash.
Understand metering modes and how to meter for someone in a black tux and a white dress standing next to each other.
Know how to use your flash in manual mode.
Have the ability to pose large groups.
Have the ability to light large groups in a dark church.
Have the assertiveness to control large groups while posing and photographing them.
Be able to take control of the situation when needed.
Be able to sit back and realize that it's THEIR day, not yours.
I recommend that you also know/learn how to do these things:
Be able to shoot in the dark outside at night with nothing to bounce off of without using on camera direct flash.
Use your histogram.
Learn off camera lighting (not necessary - but very helpful in many situations).
Understand the flow of a wedding day and that it can change at any given moment.
Getting Started:
I completely and totally recommend second shooting, assisting, or workinf for another photographer for at least a FULL YEAR before booking weddings on your own. There are so many different types of weddings, types of brides, types of churches, reception venues, lighting, ceremony types, wedding sizes, wedding party sizes, that there's just no way to walk in to it 100% prepared. There are so many situations that can arise, little details you never knew were important to know, and things that people would never even think to mention. The experience you would get from second shooting/assisting would be invaluable. Some photographers pay you - others don't - but the knowledge you will gain from working under a good, established wedding photographer is invaluable.
Long term (recurring) expenses that need to be considered:
Income tax (and NI) - that takes about 35-40% of your profit.
Petrol to & from the event.
Batteries
Meals, snacks, etc... you have to purchase that day.
Indemnity Insurance cost
Liability Insurance cost.
Equipment Insurance Cost.
Paper goods (contracts, forms, marketing materials, business cards, etc..)
Office supplies (pens, staples, paperclips, paper, printer ink, etc...)
Phone
Equipment itself (camera, lenses, memory cards, computer, hard drives, software, etc..)
The product you're providing.
Professional membership fees.
Bookkeeping
Adding additional hard drive space
Webhosting
Blog Hosting
Gear Purchasing/Rental/Repair -
Keep in mind - I usually have to replace my main camera body every 24 months to 3 years, they just don't have that great of a lifespan. Considering I shoot over 100,000 frames in a given year - you're still looking at replacing a camera body every 2.5 to 3 years with heavy use - and that's if nothing breaks sooner than that. Lenses will last you a lifetime - but ideally all your gear needs to be sent in for calibration and cleaning every 1-2 years. The more equipment you buy the higher that insurance policy goes up. CF cards need to be replaced over time.
Pricing wedding Photography:
According to much market research it was determined that the average professional photographer HAS to charge $2200 in order to BREAK EVEN on wedding photography. Obviously you're LOSING money if you charge less than that. Yes it is in dollars - no I'm not arguing the point - it is based on all the above
Charge for your TIME (the average SMALL wedding takes more than 20 hours from start to finish, MEDIUM sized weddings take 40-60 hours, LARGE weddings take 80-120 hours and that's with having lots of experience).
When pricing your packages you should first determine how much it will cost you to photograph the wedding (see above for a reminder of all the things that will cost you money). Then determine how much you need to make hourly (if you're going to be in business you do need to set yourself an hourly rate - an figure you're comfortable with, keeping in mind you will lose 40% of that to income tax). Determine how many hours you will spend on this wedding. Consider emails, phone calls, photographing the actual wedding, downloading cards, backing up images, editing, album design, album changes, printing, etc... in the amount of time it will take you. Take your hourly wage and multiply it by the number of hours you will spend on the wedding. Add the included COGS (cost of goods sold) marked up at least 3.5 times. That's your minimum that you can charge.
Offering Product:
Things to consider when offering albums...
Do you have the ability to design them?
Do you have software to design them with?
What type of albums will you offer?
What companies will you use for albums?
Have you seen the product and worked with the company you plan to offer the albums through?
Do you know it's a good product?
Do you have a sample to show your clients?
How is the customer service?
How long is the turn around?
How long is the turnaround for a reprint if they mess it up?
How long is the turnaround for a reprint if YOU mess it up?
When pricing albums you should be paying yourself for the design and marking the product up at least 3.5 times (at LEAST) in order to make a small profit. You should pay yourself enough for the design that you could use that fee to pay a design company to do it if you become unable, for any reason, to design it yourself.
Will you sell digital files?
Loaded question - has it's benefits, has it's drawbacks, nobody can determine that but you. If you do sell them - keep in mind it's not likely that you'll sell them prints or album upgrades and price it accordingly.
R
reddeathdrinker
Guest
Fast glass - 20-something to 70-something f/2.8, and a 70-200mm f/2.8, and at least one fast prime (50mm f/1.8 at least). A flashgun, and knowing how to use it properly. And plenty of batteries, memory cards etc. And a camera with decent high-ISO performance.
Oh, and nerves of steel! Best of luck
And you lot behave, and play nice
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All the above are right, and I wouldn't argue with any of them. However, I have seen examples of very successful wedding togs who use nowhere near that much gear. Jeff Ascough ( www.jeffascough.com ) who claims to use just two Canon 5D bodies and the results are stupendous.
And (I can't find the link right now) there is a tog in the US that uses a compact. The compact user used to use a Lieca in the days of film and has fairly recently moved over to a digital compact.
So.....
I think that like almost every walk of life, it's all 'horses for courses' and you should shoot with whatever suits you. You should certainly cover yourself and have a back up, but you don't need to do the same things that other people do.
And (I can't find the link right now) there is a tog in the US that uses a compact. The compact user used to use a Lieca in the days of film and has fairly recently moved over to a digital compact.
So.....
I think that like almost every walk of life, it's all 'horses for courses' and you should shoot with whatever suits you. You should certainly cover yourself and have a back up, but you don't need to do the same things that other people do.
Radiohead
Mine sucks
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He's used a variety of Leica, 1Ds III's and now 5D II's. He also uses a £1400 prime for most shots and is very good.
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And your next question will be what settings should i use
.. people see shooting weddings as an easy way to make money ... you will need ££££££££££££££££££££'s worth of kit and as stated by spxxxx ... X it by two ..
you need to know your kit inside out , so you can keep up with ever changing light .. so just knowing what to take along will not help ..
yes everyone needs to start somewhere , but if you need to ask what you need then you are simply not ready imho .. Remember it is someone's big day and apart from the vicar the photographer is the most important person there .
A question for you is what kit do you have now .. how well do you know it .. what do you shoot in ..... and have you any work to show us ..
Rog
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Surely,surely, with the experience as an assistant,you should have some idea?
Depends what your talkphotography name is to be honest. If its a popular one then you can do it all on a 50mm with a basic kit and folk round here wont say anything bad about you infact theyll kiss your backside and tell you your the best.
If though your new here (as in your case) then your gonna get slated by all "the pro's" who will tell you, you shouldnt be doing it, you cant do it and dont you realsie how stupid you are if you do do it its someones biggest day of their lives you know and you aint got no insurance havent paid silly money for silly courses and get out of our business.......bla bla bla..but of course the real pro's arnt even on here talking about wedding photography they have to much work to be crackin on with.
As for the ideal kit forget all that nikon this, nikon that, loadsa lenses, flash, pocket wizards etc it may all look good in your bag but if you produce crap with it then you may as well just use a p&s.
Best of luck with whatever kit you got and use just remember to ignore all the "your taking food out of my kids's mouths" comments youll get on here
Dave
A weeding photographer with basic kit
Marc
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Depends what your talkphotography name is to be honest. If its a popular one then you can do it all on a 50mm with a basic kit and folk round here wont say anything bad about you infact theyll kiss your backside and tell you your the best.
If though your new here (as in your case) then your gonna get slated by all "the pro's" who will tell you, you shouldnt be doing it, you cant do it and dont you realsie how stupid you are if you do do it its someones biggest day of their lives you know and you aint got no insurance havent paid silly money for silly courses and get out of our business.......bla bla bla..but of course the real pro's arnt even on here talking about wedding photography they have to much work to be crackin on with.
As for the ideal kit forget all that nikon this, nikon that, loadsa lenses, flash, pocket wizards etc it may all look good in your bag but if you produce crap with it then you may as well just use a p&s.
Best of luck with whatever kit you got and use just remember to ignore all the "your taking food out of my kids's mouths" comments youll get on here
Dave
Is there much call for photographing people pulling weeds out of the ground?
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Dave
Is Dandelion photography lucrative?................
b****r, too late............
Marc
TPer Emeritus
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Is Dandelion photography lucrative?................
b****r, too late............
You need to be quick round here!
Depends what your talkphotography name is to be honest. If its a popular one then you can do it all on a 50mm with a basic kit and folk round here wont say anything bad about you infact theyll kiss your backside and tell you your the best.
If though your new here (as in your case) then your gonna get slated by all "the pro's" who will tell you, you shouldnt be doing it, you cant do it and dont you realsie how stupid you are if you do do it its someones biggest day of their lives you know and you aint got no insurance havent paid silly money for silly courses and get out of our business.......bla bla bla..but of course the real pro's arnt even on here talking about wedding photography they have to much work to be crackin on with.
As for the ideal kit forget all that nikon this, nikon that, loadsa lenses, flash, pocket wizards etc it may all look good in your bag but if you produce crap with it then you may as well just use a p&s.
Best of luck with whatever kit you got and use just remember to ignore all the "your taking food out of my kids's mouths" comments youll get on here
Dave
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As usual we have the people who are trying to give proper sensible advice, and the "have a go hero" mentality who seem to think all the pros are trying to discourage the newbies because they are scared they'll lose all their work to beginners.
I can't help wondering why the have a go's want to risk somebodies wedding being ruined, it just makes us all look bad if that happens.
Yes you can shoot a wedding on any old crap, but the results will be a lot better if you use good professional equitment, (and you know how to use it)
I can't help wondering why the have a go's want to risk somebodies wedding being ruined, it just makes us all look bad if that happens.
Yes you can shoot a wedding on any old crap, but the results will be a lot better if you use good professional equitment, (and you know how to use it)
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get me out of here
I am not a professional but i know what looks good to me and i have to admit having looked at a lot of wedding photographers sites ( this is something i would like to get into in time) i must agree that experience and training do pay off as does good quality equipment.
Having seen the shots taken by some i wonder how they have the nerve to call themselves photographers let alone charge for their services.
But i suppose as long as there are clients prepared to pay, amatuers will keep doing it. Do yourself a favour and wait till you know what you need and what you have to do before going it alone keep assisting and learn all you can. Yes some pros on here may be a little harsh but i would listen to a lot of what they say and come up with an informed decision about the best way to go, ask yourself are you really ready. Remember do a good job not many will comment do a bad job and they tell everyone they know.
Having seen the shots taken by some i wonder how they have the nerve to call themselves photographers let alone charge for their services.
But i suppose as long as there are clients prepared to pay, amatuers will keep doing it. Do yourself a favour and wait till you know what you need and what you have to do before going it alone keep assisting and learn all you can. Yes some pros on here may be a little harsh but i would listen to a lot of what they say and come up with an informed decision about the best way to go, ask yourself are you really ready. Remember do a good job not many will comment do a bad job and they tell everyone they know.
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where did the OP go?
bloody heck simon.
thought you were working on WAR AND PEACE for a moment there.
you made some very valid points Simon, and if the OP has read them, i think you scared the sh out of him/her.
bloody heck simon.
thought you were working on WAR AND PEACE for a moment there.
you made some very valid points Simon, and if the OP has read them, i think you scared the sh out of him/her.
Marc
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Wireless flash triggers
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When I was into weddings in a big way I always took two cameras.
In those days one was loaded colour the other B/W. I never ever had a camera fail during a wedding... after many hundreds of weddings. Though I once had a large flash capacitor explode. which was exciting.
In those days one was loaded colour the other B/W. I never ever had a camera fail during a wedding... after many hundreds of weddings. Though I once had a large flash capacitor explode. which was exciting.
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only ever had a lens fail.
but if you havent got backup, your potentialy stuffed.
we have two cameras each, and both have a spare lens.
enough batteries to shoot two weddings. and tonnes of memory.
and years experience shooting weddings in the wifes case.
but if you havent got backup, your potentialy stuffed.
we have two cameras each, and both have a spare lens.
enough batteries to shoot two weddings. and tonnes of memory.
and years experience shooting weddings in the wifes case.
then you haven't worked as an assistant for long enough
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When working as a press tog I once had 3 fail in one day, but to be fair they did have a hammering, out in all weathers etc, but stuff can happen, I recently had a kind gentleman pour a coffee over my 70-200 2.8, killed it stone dead (it was an accident) if that had been my only lens or camera I'd have been stuffed.
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where did the OP go?
bloody heck simon.
thought you were working on WAR AND PEACE for a moment there.
you made some very valid points Simon, and if the OP has read them, i think you scared the sh out of him/her.
LOL - but I can't be a proper PRO as Studio16 says - as I have time to try and help people .......
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while I think there is masses of great advice in this thread from the pro's, everybody has to start somewhere, but the client just must be made aware of your level of experience and realise that is why they are paying a lot less than they would a seasoned pro.
I'd love to know how many of the decent wedding togs on here actually had a year shooting as a second tog first and how many just dived straight in...
So how do you 'Shoot in the dark outside at night with nothing to bounce off of without using on camera direct flash' ???
I'd love to know how many of the decent wedding togs on here actually had a year shooting as a second tog first and how many just dived straight in...
So how do you 'Shoot in the dark outside at night with nothing to bounce off of without using on camera direct flash' ???
dod
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I'm really getting fed up of these wedding threads, they seem to bring out the worst in the forum 
It's even more annoying when essentially there's no right answer here.
Of course it's desirable to have belt and braces but sometimes it just doesn't work like that. I could be wrong but I'd be willing to bet that when most of the pro's started they didn't have a complete matching set of top class equipment. Sometimes in business you just don't have everything lined up exactly the way you want it, you just have to make the best of the situation you have.
Personally, I'm all in favour of someone trying if they think they have the ability, have managed the couples expectations properly, and they know the potential pitfalls and have done what they can to minimise them. How else are they going to begin to develop a career?
Spxxxx's post probably shows what the ideal situation would be and provides a great template to anyone with aspirations to be a truly professional wedding photographer. It shows what his experience tells him he, and others, need both from an equipment and business point of view. Having seen his site though I'm pretty sure he could do a half decent job with half of it
It's even more annoying when essentially there's no right answer here. Of course it's desirable to have belt and braces but sometimes it just doesn't work like that. I could be wrong but I'd be willing to bet that when most of the pro's started they didn't have a complete matching set of top class equipment. Sometimes in business you just don't have everything lined up exactly the way you want it, you just have to make the best of the situation you have.
Personally, I'm all in favour of someone trying if they think they have the ability, have managed the couples expectations properly, and they know the potential pitfalls and have done what they can to minimise them. How else are they going to begin to develop a career?
Spxxxx's post probably shows what the ideal situation would be and provides a great template to anyone with aspirations to be a truly professional wedding photographer. It shows what his experience tells him he, and others, need both from an equipment and business point of view. Having seen his site though I'm pretty sure he could do a half decent job with half of it
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I think its about time there was a wedding only section so all the bitching, fighting and general madness can be contained. That way you enter at your own peril.
Maybe a nicely worded sticky pointing out some of the basics might prevent those less experienced from asking the same questions over and over again only to be shot down in flames.
Utopia here, but maybe it will help those who ask the question "what kit do I need for my first wedding" or "what are the basics for wedding photography" to actually think about what it is they are going to do and what the pitfalls are for both themselves and the happy (or not so happy depending on outcome) couple before they commit.
To the seasoned members of TP their questions may be ridiculous but to them they think they are asking a valid question and they want help, maybe they need more help than they think, but the common thing here is the majority of those who ask these questions are relatively new to the forum and are genuinely unaware of how naive, daft or outrageous their questions really are. I have looked back at some of the original posts I made and when I read them now I am sometimes embarrassed by what I wrote but at the time I was none the wiser so to me they were valid questions. Being self taught made you learn a lot and quickly on here.
My twopence worth anyway as I am getting a little fed up of these threads and the downright nastiness of some of them at times. I come on here to relax, learn and sometimes pass on what I know to help others....not to see what can be deemed to be bullying!
Maybe a nicely worded sticky pointing out some of the basics might prevent those less experienced from asking the same questions over and over again only to be shot down in flames.
Utopia here, but maybe it will help those who ask the question "what kit do I need for my first wedding" or "what are the basics for wedding photography" to actually think about what it is they are going to do and what the pitfalls are for both themselves and the happy (or not so happy depending on outcome) couple before they commit.
To the seasoned members of TP their questions may be ridiculous but to them they think they are asking a valid question and they want help, maybe they need more help than they think, but the common thing here is the majority of those who ask these questions are relatively new to the forum and are genuinely unaware of how naive, daft or outrageous their questions really are. I have looked back at some of the original posts I made and when I read them now I am sometimes embarrassed by what I wrote but at the time I was none the wiser so to me they were valid questions. Being self taught made you learn a lot and quickly on here.
My twopence worth anyway as I am getting a little fed up of these threads and the downright nastiness of some of them at times. I come on here to relax, learn and sometimes pass on what I know to help others....not to see what can be deemed to be bullying!
- Messages
- 1,742
- Name
- Paul
- Edit My Images
- Yes
I'm really getting fed up of these wedding threads, they seem to bring out the worst in the forum
Of course it's desirable to have belt and braces but sometimes it just doesn't work like that. I could be wrong but I'd be willing to bet that when most of the pro's started they didn't have a complete matching set of top class equipment. Sometimes in business you just don't have everything lined up exactly the way you want it, you just have to make the best of the situation you have.
Personally, I'm all in favour of someone trying if they think they have the ability, have managed the couples expectations properly, and they know the potential pitfalls and have done what they can to minimise them. How else are they going to begin to develop a career?
Spxxxx's post probably shows what the ideal situation would be and provides a great template to anyone with aspirations to be a truly professional wedding photographer. It shows what his experience tells him he, and others, need both from an equipment and business point of view. Having seen his site though I'm pretty sure he could do a half decent job with half of it
Spot on mate....Was typing at the same time as you with pretty much same opinion, getting sick of these arguments on morality!