Hi everyone,

I've been asked to do a sporting event and a wedding and have a question about each for you experienced folks out there!

Regarding the sports event - it's a large girls walk/run race. Since sports photography isn't my forte and this is a charity event, I'm not charging for shooting. I will, however, upload the photos to a site for everyone to look at and order from with a modest mark-up. My question is this - what sites/companies have any of you worked with that you would recommend? I've heard of a couple that are geared towards wedding and portrait photography.

My second question is about a wedding. It will outdoors in May in Savannah. It's the daughter of a close friend. I will be charging, but just to cover time and expenses. They would like me to shoot the rehearsal dinner (indoors) and all wedding day activities (which will also end up indoors). I have very little lighting experience - have always preferred natural light. I have a 580ex flash and that's it. I have a Canon 40D and lens-wise, I have a 17-55 2.8, 50 1.4, 85 1.8 and 24-105L. I'll probably rent a 70-200 2.8. They already know my style and want candids rather than lots of posed group shots. I'm not concerned about getting good pictures, just whether or not I'm being realistic about doing it alone. My biggest question/concern is this - can I do this alone? No 2nd shooter and no one to help w/lighting. I know those are optimal, but I have to think plenty of people do a good job without that?!? I'm not worried about getting proficient w/my flash between now and then, but will it be enough?

Thanks in advance for you help and thoughts - I appreciate it!
Ann

I would just like to throw in my two cents worth if I can. I shoot sports and carry, aside from the 300 2.8, a 70-200 2.8, a 50 1.8( I find that the 1.4 is a little soft on the edges), and a 24-70 2.8. I have several friends that shoot lots of weddings and I've seen that their "go-to" lens is the 24-70 2.8. With your wedding being outdoors there very well could be a need for the 70-200 but if you could get your hands on a 24-70.... those 2 might be all you need. As for as whether you can do it alone, you didn't say how big the wedding party was because that takes a lot of time both before and after the ceremony. You will be hard pressed to take pictures with all those lenses and equipment that you mentioned. If you had the two lenses I mentioned and a second camera body you would be fine. You could then have the 50 1.4 in your pocket for quick changes with the 24-70. At weddings I've attended and watched the photogs, lighting is mostly just body mount flash. If it is a large wedding, then doing it alone will mean missing some shots but then the price is right and they WILL have good pictures of that day to always remember.
In my sports shooting the 50 1.8 is just used for candid close shots. I do shoot the Canon 1D series camera bodies.
Hope this helps.
Tom

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Thanks so much for your quick replies!

Tom - I do have an XTI and with any luck I'll have a full frame before the wedding. Either way I'll have two bodies. I listed those lenses just to mention what I have (forgot Tokina 11-16), not that I would want to use all of them for the wedding - talk about a headache, lol. I don't think it will be a large wedding - he is in the military and will be deployed next year and they're saving whatever they can, so I'm guessing that will mean a smaller wedding. Thanks again for the suggestions - I'll see if I can give both of those lenses a try.

Mike - Thanks for the info - I will check out their site and will definitely let you know if I sign up - I appreciate the suggestion. Are you a Pro member there? It looks like that is the only option to set your own prices. What I can't determine is whether you get any percentage of purchases from the other two membership choices - do you know?

Ann

Ann, regarding the wedding photography - yes, you can definitely do it alone. You don't need a whole lot of equipment as much as you need a plan and you need to stay "cool". Make a shot list, even for the candids. What religion is it? It can make a difference in the sequence of events. Make a plan for how the flow of the day will go, plan for whats coming up next and anticipate things. If possible, meet with the officiant (priest, rabbi, pastor) and see if they have any restrictions for shooting during the ceremony. I've done some weddings where no photography was allowed during the ceremony (rare) or no flash photography (occasional). Ignore the guests with their point&shoot banging away during the ceremony.

A lot of the candids you see are not quite so spontaneous. They are staged (as in posed) yet look casual. It is the Bride's day so make sure you get lots of shots of her and lots of shots of her with members of both families, bridesmaids, groomsmen, etc. Also, check to see if there are any "special" family members to remember (elderly, special needs, etc.). This is where the shot list comes in handy.

Using an assistant or second shooter can be a blessing or can be a boat anchor. Depends on who you use and how they see their role. I enjoy being the assistant/2nd shooter. I manage/move equipment, keep photog aware of time, manage memory cards and batteries, pay attention to details of attire (ie, fluff gown, straighten lapels). And I get to shoot too. It is important to have someone you can depend on and who knows your style.

Thanks for your thoughts Jim, and everyone else. As it works out, the bride just emailed me to say they're using a friend that owes them a favor = free. I'm actually fine about it - I'll be taking 3 college courses along w/working and my family, so an added stress is gone. And something else will turn up. So thanks again all. Ann