I have been trying to decide what lens to get next... I was going to wait awhile (financially) before investing in another lens or a speedlight... BUT... a friend of mine just lost her photographer for her wedding in September. She has found someone else (with more experience and equip than me, but not a "tried and true" wedding photographer) to take photos, but has asked me to be "second shooter" at the wedding... I know, ideally, if I were shooting the wedding myself, I'd have a second camera body, but i won't have that, and since I won't be the only one shooting, I figure that will be ok. I know the 50mm will do well for portraits and I know from experience that it does well in low light. The kit lens, I'm not sure will do me much good except for flash photography, but I do like its wide angle for the larger wedding party shots... So here's what I am trying to decide:
-what lens to get next? I want it to be useful for the wedding, but don't plan to do a ton of weddings so I also want it to be useful for the other stuff I do (lots of nature photography, some of my kids' sports, and also some portraits of kids / families / etc)
-what speedlight do I get?
-how much do I charge for being "second shooter" at the wedding? Flat fee vs. hourly? I will be applying whatever I make towards the new equipment I'll be purchasing.
I can't offer much advice as far as lens choice because I have the same lens line up as you at present.. I cannot help in terms of pricing for the wedding either.
However, I recently got a Canon Speedlight 430 ex ii and am more than happy with it if that helps. I asked on here before I bought it and was advised to get one :-)
Since this is for a friend and you don't have professional experience, I would not charge her. Make prints of your favorite shots, put them in a small album and call it their wedding present.
Also, make sure that the photographer she is paying knows that you'll be the "friend with a camera". Even if the bride dubs you the "second shooter", you need to respect the person who was hired and let them be the one to pose the family, dictate the order of shots, etc.
Concentrate on getting the outside the box photos - detail shots, pictures of the guests, a shot from the back of the church if the photographer is up front, things like that. Between now and September, spend a lot of time mastering manual exposure, shooting in low light, backbutton focusing etc so you are really prepared for this wedding.
I would think a fast zoom lens would be helpful for you. Something like the L 24-70mm f/2.8 that would work in lower light but have a good range for group shots. You can also rent lenses to try them out.
@christi
I don't think I explained very well... the other photographer is not a pro either - just someone who's been doing photography for fun for longer than I have... she happens to have more years of experience, and more equipment, but this will be her first wedding shoot, as well... so the bride has offered to pay both of us... I'm nervous as could be about this wedding shoot, and was very upfront with the bride about my nervousness / limitations - but, she still wants me to do it, and I will be glad for the experience and happy that I will have someone else taking shots as well
@dawnetta , christi explained the situation very well, the photo album as a wedding present is a great idea. Also she is right on about being the 'second shooter' the main photographer will get all the main portraits, you should be focused on the 'little' things. Flower girls being cute, bridesmaids helping with the dress, the rings, holding hands, old/young people dancing, anything and anyone that kisses or hugs the bride.
As for the lens? Your 50mm 1.8 will be most useful during the reception, the speed will help catch the action in low light(this is might take some trial and error with settings) but for the ceremony and getting any close ups(which you should focus on, remember, 'little things') you really wanna be looking for a 200mm at least. And yes if you can, rent the lens for the wedding.
@andrew_pavlik
I think we were posting at the same time... see my reply directly above yours... I will definitely be in touch with the other photographer... I need to see what her thoughts are and what she is comfortable with / exactly what equip she has (the bride wasn't sure).
@dawnetta just read that 2nd post of yours, while neither of you are the 'professional' photographer hired to do the wedding, there still needs to be 1 main and 1 second shooter. You both can't pose people for portraits and group shots, because this will just be wasting time and you'll also be missing plenty of great shots while doing this.
Think of it this way, im sure your friend doesn't want 2 cd's of the same images just shot 'differently' , she wants 2cds of completely different things, so even though both of you were hired separately , you need to work together.
I agree with Andrew.. you can rent lenses for as low as 30 per 4 days .. So you can try them. I have the same cameras and lenses and before investing in another lens I plan on renting and decide by myself what to buy next. It is a big investment .
I may look into renting some lenses between now and the wedding since it is several months away... then if I can afford it, depending on what lens I settle on, I may buy one before the wedding, or just know which one to rent for that weekend. There is a very good local camera shop that does rentals, I will check into their prices.
@dawnetta Sine you indicated that neither of you are "professionals" and this is the first wedding shoot for both of you, I'd say your best bet is to coordinate with the other photographer and find out where that person's comfort level is and go from there. You might expect him/her to be handling some aspect and they might be wishing you were because it's something they're not as comfortable with. Iron out those details ahead of time so that you both know your roles and what you are going to be responsible for. That way everything gets covered.
@tkallen
Yes, definitely planning to do that... just trying to get as much advice as I can as early as possible. The bride just asked me yesterday h I don't have the other person's contact info yet.
@dawnetta - I would also advise that BOTH photographers sit down with the bride and go over her expectations, her list of photos that are must have for her and how she is picturing what her wedding photos will look like. What style(s) does she like? Dreamy and warm? Crisp and colorful? Lots of texture? Black & White? Ask her to show you some other wedding photography that she likes so you can see what she likes.
I still wouldn't accept money from a friend for taking photos. It just feels like you could end up with lots of miscommunications and hurt feelings. What if you accidentally shoot with a too low an ISO and all your shots of her and her dad are too dark? Or you missed the focus on their first dance and the waiter in the background is in focus and they are blurry? Or no one gets a photo of Great Aunt Helen doing the polka?
So if I was doing this for money, I'd make sure I was really, really, really prepared. Especially if today, you aren't comfortable shooting in manual or with a Speedlite. A white wedding dress next to a black tuxedo is a challenge to meter so grab some friends and practice, practice, practice!!! I'd also suggest shooting in RAW so you have more control in your editing of the image. You don't get a redo with a wedding.
i purchased the 430 ex ii when i started 2nd shooting at weddings. I have ordered a 70-200 f/2.8 is II usm canon lens and a 15mm diagonal fisheye sigma, specifically for weddings- itching for them both to get here! -
like someone up top sad, you need to determine the principal photog and the 2nd shooter- not to say that the 2nd shooter cant pose too, but communicate with the other photog, and when she runs out of poses you step in- the 2 hours normally reserved for the formal shots, can absolutly fly by. just so you have an idea I contract myself to the photog i work with 2nd shooting and started at 18 an hour and am now on 20 an hour. she is well established local photog and her wedding packages are around the $3k mark. not too phased by the low pay, coz the information and experience i get from her is invaluable.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
However, I recently got a Canon Speedlight 430 ex ii and am more than happy with it if that helps. I asked on here before I bought it and was advised to get one :-)
Also, make sure that the photographer she is paying knows that you'll be the "friend with a camera". Even if the bride dubs you the "second shooter", you need to respect the person who was hired and let them be the one to pose the family, dictate the order of shots, etc.
Concentrate on getting the outside the box photos - detail shots, pictures of the guests, a shot from the back of the church if the photographer is up front, things like that. Between now and September, spend a lot of time mastering manual exposure, shooting in low light, backbutton focusing etc so you are really prepared for this wedding.
I would think a fast zoom lens would be helpful for you. Something like the L 24-70mm f/2.8 that would work in lower light but have a good range for group shots. You can also rent lenses to try them out.
I don't think I explained very well... the other photographer is not a pro either - just someone who's been doing photography for fun for longer than I have... she happens to have more years of experience, and more equipment, but this will be her first wedding shoot, as well... so the bride has offered to pay both of us... I'm nervous as could be about this wedding shoot, and was very upfront with the bride about my nervousness / limitations - but, she still wants me to do it, and I will be glad for the experience and happy that I will have someone else taking shots as well
As for the lens? Your 50mm 1.8 will be most useful during the reception, the speed will help catch the action in low light(this is might take some trial and error with settings) but for the ceremony and getting any close ups(which you should focus on, remember, 'little things') you really wanna be looking for a 200mm at least. And yes if you can, rent the lens for the wedding.
I think we were posting at the same time... see my reply directly above yours... I will definitely be in touch with the other photographer... I need to see what her thoughts are and what she is comfortable with / exactly what equip she has (the bride wasn't sure).
thanks for the speedlight recommendation! :)
Think of it this way, im sure your friend doesn't want 2 cd's of the same images just shot 'differently' , she wants 2cds of completely different things, so even though both of you were hired separately , you need to work together.
Yes, that is very good advice :) Thank you!
I may look into renting some lenses between now and the wedding since it is several months away... then if I can afford it, depending on what lens I settle on, I may buy one before the wedding, or just know which one to rent for that weekend. There is a very good local camera shop that does rentals, I will check into their prices.
Yes, definitely planning to do that... just trying to get as much advice as I can as early as possible. The bride just asked me yesterday h I don't have the other person's contact info yet.
I still wouldn't accept money from a friend for taking photos. It just feels like you could end up with lots of miscommunications and hurt feelings. What if you accidentally shoot with a too low an ISO and all your shots of her and her dad are too dark? Or you missed the focus on their first dance and the waiter in the background is in focus and they are blurry? Or no one gets a photo of Great Aunt Helen doing the polka?
So if I was doing this for money, I'd make sure I was really, really, really prepared. Especially if today, you aren't comfortable shooting in manual or with a Speedlite. A white wedding dress next to a black tuxedo is a challenge to meter so grab some friends and practice, practice, practice!!! I'd also suggest shooting in RAW so you have more control in your editing of the image. You don't get a redo with a wedding.
I asked for similar advice last month and got some incredibly useful tips/suggestions.
This is the topic I started, it might be of use to you http://365project.org/discuss/general/3963/eek-i-ve-been-asked-to-do-photography-for-a-wedding
like someone up top sad, you need to determine the principal photog and the 2nd shooter- not to say that the 2nd shooter cant pose too, but communicate with the other photog, and when she runs out of poses you step in- the 2 hours normally reserved for the formal shots, can absolutly fly by. just so you have an idea I contract myself to the photog i work with 2nd shooting and started at 18 an hour and am now on 20 an hour. she is well established local photog and her wedding packages are around the $3k mark. not too phased by the low pay, coz the information and experience i get from her is invaluable.
hahahaha... thanks for the good luck wishes! and for the lens rec... I will definitely be checking that one out!!