Sister Asked Me to Photograph Her Wedding!

I would encourage her to hire a professional for at least some of the photos before or after the ceremony so she has some portraits. I know people who actually are professional and have told me that weddings are really stressful because if you miss something, it's gone forever. He takes multiple cameras and other equipment to make sure if something stops working, he has a back up. I personally think that's a lot of pressure for you. You also won't get to enjoy the wedding. And, if she doesn't like the pictures, she can blame you.

Don't you want to enjoy the wedding? If you're taking pictures the whole time, you won't really get to experience the wedding. I'd tell her you'll supplement a professional's work (or she could ask someone not so directly involved in the wedding). She could just book a small package with a professional and you could add to it with your shots. That way, the professional can be focusing on photos and you can focus on actually seeing the wedding.

Honestly, I do not "work" an event I plan to have fun at. You will be soo focused on taking good photos that you will miss out on much of the event. I made ONE exception to that rule and that is because it was a small wedding (50 guests), my best friend and I was ONLY doing her make up, not hair and we were not doing something where she would need touch ups all day, I did not need to keep my kit on me the whole time. Otherwise, I keep it simple, if I am a guest I am a guest if I am an employee I am an employee (paid or not).

You could offer to help pay a photog to come do the "official" pictures after the ceremony for an hour so she has some professional ones done then have a bunch of disposable ones about the place and have a few people like yourself that will take many pictures and help record the event.

I agree with the other posters. Besides, it's your sister's wedding - wouldn't you want to be in some of the pictures (especially if you are in the wedding party) and enjoy the wedding as well, instead of working it?

I took snapshots at my sils wedding. When she got the professional ones and mine, she loved mine so much more. I got all the intimate behind the scenes shots. I knew how special certain people were to her, so i got lots of them and her with them. I had intimate pictures that touched her heart. So much that she called and chewed the real photog out! Since she had both, I dint have the pressure you are feeling though. I would not want to be in that position. Also, it's work. You won't be able to just sit and enjoy it. I would bring those tow points up to her. If she still wants youto do it - well you cant very well turn the bride down!

Rachel:

I love my sister to death. But, no. I wouldn't do it. Why? Because if something is missed - I would feel HORRIBLE for it.

I like to keep business and family separate. I wouldn't mind taking pictures IN ADDITION to a professional - but I would NOT do it alone!!

And YES!! You do take FANTASTIC pictures...you can come take pictures of my new ride!!! (YIPPEE!!) any way - take pictures in ADDITION to but not solo!!

Professional photographers "sweat" when they think about the potential for disaster shooting a wedding! (I know several.)

Sounds like your sister is looking for some good candids from you and understands that you're not a professional.....so....you should be good.

who looks at those posed photos anyway?
if they arent happy they can dress in the wedding gear and get photos at a location any time. I;d do it, maybe tel her you will if she agrees that if shes not happy that she will get them done another day all dressed up again so it takes the pressure off of you?

There are "traditional" shots, most are listed in planning books, so you can check them out if that makes you feel better. She knows you are not professional, but you must have an "eye" for photography! I know it's easier said than done, but try to relax.

To answer your question, No, I wouldn't do it. I bake cakes etc, but I will not do weddings. I've been asked, and the answer is always no.
Good Luck

Looks like your sister also thinks you do a good enough job and it sounds like she is looking to save money. Professional photographers do not come cheap. I would jump at the opportunity to do something like this because I do consider myself a photographer (something I badly want to do in the future) but because I am by no means a professional, like you, I would be scared of missing a great shot, or messing something up. Do it and have fun! I bet you'll do a great job, as likely your sister believes you will. You just don't believe in yourself and that is common for photographers, aspiring ones even like myself to not really regard our work very highly.

Make sure your camera battery is fully charged AND get a second battery (spare) and make certain it is fully charged. Have an additional memory card, in the unlikely event that the one you currently use decides to fail on the wedding day. Good luck!!!

Maybe your wedding gift to her and the groom can be your paying for the services of a professional photographer.

Then you and the groom's sister can still take pictures for fun and for candids but you won't have the pressure of being the official wedding photographer and fearing you'll miss something or mess up. It only takes one bad memory chip or one crummy battery to make it a hassle at best and an unfixable nightmare at worst.

I'd just tell her you want to ensure she later has great photos and while you are very flattered -- you will take photos but want to give her the gift of a pro as well. Get a limited package (just shots at the church after the wedding, for instance) if cost is an issue.

It's good that you added being looked at as "second photographer". The question is, do you really want your whole day to be spent with a camera in front of your face?

I photographed my son's whole graduation, and a friend's entire preparation for a recital. It kind of takes away from the event. And if the pictures stink, then you feel even worse about it.

Think hard about this before committing. It's your sister's wedding and you should be able to enjoy it. This is real work, whether you are good at it or not. I'd rather her ask someone else to do it, if it were me.

Dawn

I asked my sister to video my wedding and she did. No problem. Really, anyone can take pictures and the best ones are usually the ones that are taken on the spot not posed. The only picture I ended up framing and the only picture that has been on our nightstand for 16 years is the one my sister took, not the photographer...that tells you something! We paid a bunch of money for a professional photographer and they sit in an album in a box...we rarely look at them.

You should ask a few others to take some shots, just for fun and go ahead and photograph the wedding. She probably doesn't want a bunch of posed pictures anyway.

My husband does not like posed shots, and I asked a friend of mine to do pictures. She had hesitation as well. Looking back, a few more 'posed,professional' shots would have been nice, but I wouldn't trade them for the candid moments that she caught. Some of my favorite pictures are the moments that she caught completely unbeknownst to us. They are more revealing of the day than some posed cheesy smile.
You probably will miss some of the festivities, but I suppose it's left up to you to decide if it will be worth it.

Keep in mind that you'll miss her entire wedding.

The before, when you're supposed to help her get ready, the ceremony, the reception. What about more formal family pictures? Would you not be in them?

I don't think that I would do it. I always have my camera in hand, and you should not hesitate to have yours, but to be her wedding photographer is a big undertaking. Think, most wedding photogs take 500+ pictures (with digital), and work for approx 8 hours at an event.

Like I said, you'd basically sacrifice being a guest at her wedding.

Best of Luck,
KATIE

I agree with those that say you will miss the entire day. Taking pictures is a full time job that will not allow you to participate in the festivities. You also will not be in any of the pictures! I've had to stop taking pictures at our family functions because I realized that I was missing too much of the memory making. I do miss having the lovely pictures but I thought it was more important to be part of the memories rather than just documenting them.