Weddingbee Blog

A couple months ago, I was happy to find out that my cousin was getting married. What’s funny is that I had never ever thought she would tie the knot, but admitted she did it for her fiance. Marriage was something very important to him and she knew she’d be with him forever… so why not make it official? I found it to be a very nice gesture on her part.

They decided they wanted a really really really small wedding—25 people, tops. Heck, I wasn’t even invited (which was fine of course ). They were planning a wedding in 6 months, and had a very little budget to make this wedding happen. Well, 2 months ago, I received an email. She asked me if I would be willing to do both her makeup and be the official photog for her wedding. They weren’t paying for a photographer so she thought that I would be a better candidate to take pics than say… uncle Bob.

Of course I said, “YES.” I was actually honored that she asked me. I had a photography background back in college, but that was 6 years ago… so my photography skills were quite rusty. She lent me her Canon SX10-IS camera so that I would have time to play around with it. Let me say… it wasn’t easy. I was more rusty than I thought. Luckily, I did lots of research on the web.

Well the wedding was last weekend… and I was so freakin’ nervous. I was putting so much pressure on myself, that I vowed never to be a photographer again. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my experience, but dang… I don’t need to have the nervous craps. I seriously bow down to all you photographers out there (I
have no clue how you do it! Geez!).

My cousin told me she just wanted, say, 40 good pics… phew! I think were good. I took over 400. Now, I’m in the process of editing them. That’s the long part… but with the Totally Rad Photoshop Actions, it’s a breeze.

Here is my advice if you ever decide to accept an invitation to shoot a wedding.

BE PREPARED!!!!
Do lots and lots of research, and practice with the camera you will be using ahead of time. Even if you need to carry a little booklet with notes on what camera settings you will use in what lighting… it will definitely help you out. Oh, and take at least 2 pictures per shot, to be sure at least one turns out.

TRY TO CONVINCE THEM TO HIRE A PRO
Explain to the couple that photography is something that takes time to learn and that just because you have a camera doesn’t automatically make you a photographer. Tell them that their wedding only happens once in their lives (hopefully) and those moments are really, really important. So, splurging on a photographer is important. If they still ask you to take pictures after that… then, go for it.

HAVE LOW EXPECTATIONS
I know this sounds bad… but make sure the person you’re shooting for knows you’re not a pro and that it IS a huge possibility that the pictures won’t turn out. Plus, if your expectations are low, you won’t be disappointed if they are crappy… but, they’ll be super excited if you end up doing a good job.

HAVE FUN WITH IT – and drink a glass of wine of two
Once the day is finally here… there’s no turning back (but you might wish you could; I know I did). Relax, drink a glass of wine or two, and simply have fun with it. It will definitely make the whole day so much more pleasant.

I’m not a photographer… but I did okay! Anyways, I think I did.

Good luck if you’re shooting a wedding… I wouldn’t want to be in those shoes again. LOL!