Originally posted by bigdave69 I would like to thank most of you, for your kind words of encouragement, especially Alohadave, specialk, and layfsphoto. You are the kind of teachers I admire; no doom-sayers, and "the glass is half empty". Kudos to you all.
(and yes, I can take constructive criticism)
I have done a TON of research on this wedding......TONS.
Have the wedding checklist, and have gone over it TWICE with the bride and groom.
Have taken LOTS of test shots in and around the church, the outdoor location, the reception hall.
Have an accomplished second photographer to help out with the shots I cant get; ie balcony shots etc.
Hangu - LIGHTEN UP, for pete's sake!
The "mutual friend" is the grooms sister, and she HATES the brides guts, so methinks I will still have my "mutual friend" for a long time to come.
And wheatfield - dont think I have to worry too much about the brides mother....she's dead. Unless she comes back to haunt me for eternity, for taking "mediocre" pictures.
Just kind of wondering hangu and wheatfield; have you two done weddings? I guess not, as you both feel that if it is your first time....DONT DO IT! So......
I will post some of the pics on here after the wedding.
Once again....thank-you
Dave
I'm a photo assistant by trade. I'm not a professional photographer by any means but that's a matter of choice rather than a measure of my abilities. I've worked with enough top tier photographers to know that this sounds like a horrible idea.
Quote: have you two done weddings? I guess not, as you both feel that if it is your first time....DONT DO IT! So......
Yeah, my telling you to not do your first wedding
as the lead photographer somehow translates into: you should never set foot into a wedding with a camera because all weddings are inherently evil and thus should never be documented. DUN DUN DUN!!!
Your friend is in the best position as he gets the experience with none of the expectation or responsibility. If this is his first or second wedding, then he's doing the smart thing.
I get how you're diligently preparing and all but nothing changes the fact that this is your first real wedding. If you seriously think reading a forum and sucking up all this "positive energy" is going to adequately prepare you for this... then go ahead. I wish you the best of luck. I honestly hope you succeed in this endeavor but this doesn't change the fact that it's an awful position to be in.
Since it's clear all you want here is positive reinforcement of a "bad idea" (in your own words, no less), best of luck in everything. My only advice is to get faster glass and a damn good monopod/head. Make sure they give you a decent meal as it will be physically exhausting. Look professional with a tux, rented if you have to and if you can, spend some time with the couple beforehand, perhaps give them an engagement shoot as well. Oh and, draw up a contract, for god's sake, do it.
Also, check out knsaber.com, I personally would not have him photograph my wedding but his style and approach is great. He also offers a ton of advice for the budding wedding photographer. Just for kicks though, you should let him know you'll be doing your first wedding as the lead photographer soon and what his thoughts on that is.