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I've been a professional wedding photographer for years. I'm not a seasoned veteran per-se, but I know my way around, and very little rattles me anymore. Unfortunately, I have a rather interesting situation coming up...and I am HIGHLY rattled! I need some advice from not just wedding photographers, but from kind understanding people as well!

I met the man I call my father in-law nine years ago. He's the type of man who can sit stone silent, but has a heart of gold and a presence that will dominate a room. His wife was no exception, and I was more than intimidated by them when I was the fiance of their youngest daughter...their baby.

My wife's mother passed away a while back, and over some time her father started dating a widow in their church, After some time, it was no surprise they announced they would be getting married.

I'm the photographer in the family, so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when she asked me to shoot their wedding. So why am I terrified? Any advice?

2007-03-19 09:09:39 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities Visual Arts Photography

Please understand...I absolutely WANT to do this wedding. I'm not having cold feet.....just the jitters.

2007-03-19 09:11:02 · update #1

4 answers

Jitters are normal. This is VERY up close and personal. I have total faith in your talent as a photographer...simply because you reveal yourself in your questions,answers and comments.
I used to give concerts of all self written songs. I was fine up until the night before the show. A typical conversation with myself was like this: "What on EARTH possessed me to do this??!! My songs stink. What was I THINKING??!!!"
Well, the night of the show I would sing a song...started out with something that was a bit of a rouser...half way through the second song, I was in command of myself and the room.
My suggestion: Start off with shots that are very familiar to you. ( I'm not sure I am phrasing that correctly.) Soon your jitters will disappear, your confidence will kick in and you will have the gig by the tail.
Your natural talent will keep any dragons at bay!!!!
Let us all know how it turns out,okay??

2007-03-19 15:45:36 · answer #1 · answered by I am Sunshine 6 · 0 0

First of all, Foxhound is a moron. Don't listen to any of that jerk's advice. Usually, the very people who say you are not "man enough" are actually p*ssies themselves. Don't sweat it.

You just want to do a good job. I imagine that if you were asked to shoot your best friend's wedding, or your daughter's wedding, you'd feel the same way. This wedding is for someone you love and respect. Remember that. If they trusted you enough to ask for your services, then they clearly have the confidence in you that you seem to doubt yourself having!

Just go out there and do it. Have fun, and they will too! You will always be your own worst critic....unless of course your other critic is someone like like Foxhound.

2007-03-19 16:50:29 · answer #2 · answered by MOOCH 1 · 2 0

Comes down to the fact that you are intimidated by your father in law and always have been. The phrasing "I met the man", "his wife was no exception", "fiance of their baby". This shows unresolved issues and of course this has nothing to do with anything else.

You want his approval and he senses it. If you are not man enough to stand up to him and realize that the commanding presence is just a thing...... he is right. Plus the use of "terrified" is suspect. All I am saying is pre wedding you have to have a talk with him. No offence but I am willing to bet he thinks you are not good enough or even gay. Wrong, yes. But sometimes you have to show a little Alpha behavior.

2007-03-19 16:26:01 · answer #3 · answered by jackson 7 · 0 2

I had a studio for many years and I personally had a policy of NOT shooting weddings for any of my family or friends just because I thought it would save any possible long term hostilities should the inevitable disaster occur. I also referred them to one of two very competent "wedding" photographers whom I knew personally to be excellent wedding photographers. It just happened that they were both women who absolutely loved to photograph weddings. I only shot weddings when cash flow was dismal or worse.
I made two exceptions to this rule and I photographed a wedding for a very close friend and one for one of my nephews but only under the condition that it was strictly my wedding gift to them and I would NOT possibly consider being compensated for my time or expenses. Both worked out just fine but if I had it to do over I would have had one of those two women shoot it for me and I would have simply paid them for so doing.
You can breathe easier this way.

2007-03-19 17:30:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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