Just to add ot a few points already made - cos I think they are mega important
2 cameras the SAME - so much easier even in the PP they will look the same
NOT 2 9-year old tech 12mp single slot cameras as have been suggested in the D700 - yeps its good, but its no longer a good Wedding camera given how far (and safer) things have moved on
2nd shooter for training - lol - the ONLY 2nd shooters I use are already experienced Pros, a 2nd who isn't is just playing at it and more of a liability than a use. Pay me £300 for the day though and I might consider having a 2nd along, though I'd be amazed if I used many of their shots
You said "I take good photos" - FAB
But who says? Your mum? And good shots of what - being a good Street tog could defo be useful, but good at insects, birds in flight not so much. Post a link to your photos and get some useful commentary for a) if you are any good, and b) if those skills are useful in Weddings
"never worked with posing people" gotta learn mate unless you truly want to be a 'reportage' only tog and you'll find a lot of couples don't want that
"my love for natural, unposed portraits" is the sort of thing I hear a lot and especially at camera clubs, it usually translates to - I've no idea what I'm doing when there's a person in front of me I have to talk to let alone pose. Being a 'natural unposed' kinda tog is more likely to be a cop out on your behalf than a true aim IME; as a lot of natural unposed looking photos are actually carefully crafted
And while many togs will avoid using flash at all costs you still need one in the bag and with a good idea of how to use it, as has been said already its usually mixing ambient and flash either for when you just need more light or more creatively with OCF
TONS to learn but you can do so from teh current safety of a paid job, however infuriating it may be, and that gives you a lovely safety net to dip your toe into Weddings - and discovering why many of us love doing them
Good luck on your journey - but lets see some of your photos anyway
Dave
My reservations for a 2nd shooters are...
I have been asked by many people if they could come and be my assistant, I respectfully decline for many reasons:-
1 – Insurance, currently I do not have the insurance beyond just me, so I would have to pay extra to cover an “employee”.
2 – His temperament, how he interacts with a large group of people. This can’t be judge be talking on email or the phone or meeting. Also down to the way he dresses. It should be shirt, tie and trousers at minimum. NO DRINKING on the day, my rule. I get offered almost every wedding by the couple themselves no less that I should have a drink with them I the evening and often it is a free bar. Even when it’s not a free bar, random guests would offer to buy me a drink as they see me running around all day. I always decline, every time, at most I have a coke. Not only because to stay professional which shouldn’t need to be reminded, you also want to keep an eye on your gear and also can you imagine if something goes wrong, something unrelated even, like gear failure or you lost a memory card. Human beings being human beings will remember the bad things like “yeah, all I remember from that night is he drinking the free booze!”. Even when you only had 1 drink and they insisted as well, they will forget the hard work you put in and remember you “took advantage”….So, never, ever, ever.
I’ve seen someone I know who 2nd shot for a friend and after the first dance he put his camera away and then literally got drunk with the guests, then proceeded to post on Facebook (How I found out) how much he was enjoying the wedding with a glass of champagne in his hand…words fails me. He asked me to 2nd shoot for me before too…it would reflect SO badly for me. Dodged that bullet.
3 – There is the problem of arranging time, places to stay, food. My normal arrangement is the couple would provide me with expenses for accommodation and food on the day, it would be unfair to suddenly double their cost because between our meeting and their wedding I took on a 2nd shooter. If the 2nd shooter pays for his way then I guess this is not a problem, however, he has to make his way to whatever venue I am going to, there is little to no chance it will be near his house.
4 – then there is the cost, if I am paying someone to do a job, on top of paying for insurance, I will have to charge that back to the client in order to maintain a healthy profit margin. I will have to know 100% this person will benefit me, from a business perspective I am not here to teach, if my intention is to teach I would run a workshop, away from a wedding day. A wedding day is the couple’s time, paid time, it should not be used as teaching time. So a 2nd shooter is not there to learn, he is there to produce good images.
5 – Gear – the 2nd shooter needs his own gear, he shouldn’t be learning to use mine on the day, or think he can just borrow some lenses. I pack for my shoot, not all of the sudden an extra person. His gear should ideally matches mine in terms of files, so throwing in some 600D files in the mix of a 5D4 will no doubt frustrates me in processing to a point that I won’t use most if not all of it….then if I don’t use his images, then what’s the point of him being there in the first place.
So all in all, the idea of that someone can come shoot for me is “helping me” isn’t really applicable unless they:-
1 – Have a body of work that I admire, not just competent, but actually admire. Ideally a set of work that would blend seamlessly into mine.
2 – Have the experience thus their own gear and know what they are doing.
3 – I get along with
If such person come along I would be happy to pay more than merely £300, it would be for a job where the client asks for more coverage and is happy to pay. Then I will ask someone to shoot WITH me, and we will go back to the client to discuss a rate that all sides are happy with.
FYI – I went in too by dipping my toes in but I made my couples at the beginning I am building a portfolio and let them take a chance on me, for a reduced rate. I did learn on the job but all parties are well aware and all happy with the arrangement. My rates went up as per my standard and my experience.
