how are engagement photos different than wedding photos?
rmeyer7 wrote:
Everything HP said here is true, but I had to accentuate that last sentence a little bit. That is one thing I hadn't counted on until the first time I actually shot a wedding. I was actually inspired to get in better shape after all the running, squatting, etc. that is required to capture the important events of the day.Henry Peach wrote: My typical couple's portrait session takes 1.5 to 2 hours. We go to several different locations, and take a variety of posed and not-so-posed photos. We are all concentrating on the creation of the portraits. There is usually nothing else going on. The time has been scheduled for photography only.
My typical wedding coverage is more like 8 hours. It may start with candids of the couple getting ready. At some point we do concentrate on creating some portraits, but in most cases the time I am given is limited by everything else that needs to be achieved that day. My subjects aren't just the couple; good photos need to be made of all their friends and family, and the events and details of the day also. 9 times out of 10 other things run late, and it's almost always the scheduled portrait time that gets cut short to make up for it. It's a completely different situation for me. A couple's portrait session is a walk in the park. Photographing a wedding is a full day workout.
Also, a piece of advice to the OP - even if you're not confident as a backup photographer you should take the opportunity if it's available. The only way you're going to learn what goes on at a wedding is by being there. And the only way you'll learn what the must-have wedding shots are is by being there as a photographer
Let the couple know about your level of experience (that you don't have any when it comes to weddings) and don't charge for it unless they insist on paying you something. That way if you aren't able to get a lot of good photos, there are no expectations that you're falling short on. And if you do, it's a nice bonus for the couple, and for you.
Another idea, if the couple say that they really want to pay you, is to work out an agreement to do the shooting for free, but later give the option for them to purchase prints or a CD of any images that they particularly like.
Thanks. I am learning so much from what you two posted. I'm still a little iffy about being a backup photographer, but I'll see how the engagement session goes first.
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