How do you get out of taking pictures ? I'm happy as an amateur.?

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dukemack

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Friends and family pester me to take pictures at their anniversaries, birthday and then a wedding. Yes I have a fairly nice camera and now have good (canon L) lenses so it looks fancy - but I am definitely beginner. They have seen very nice shots, but I try to explain that's a few out of 100's I shot - many would have been nice but I couldn't get the shot - movement, lighting etc. I don't want the pressure of getting every moment, I am clearly not good enough, but need a good way of getting out. I even offered once to suggest a pro I know and they got mad. I like to take shots for fun and then put away the camera. What's a good way to get out of it, given I want to bring camera and take a few....
 
Tell them that you're not comfortable documenting such an important event, like a wedding, or anniversaries, or the like. Especially weddings, they'll want to look at those photos and remember that day for years and years to come, not to mention pass them down to future children and grandchildren. And wedding photographers carry A LOT more equipment and lighting than just a single SLR in order to capture those moments. You could also try to tell them that as an amateur, you're not comfortable (ahem) charging them like a professional photographer- because they are asking you do do a lot of work (especially at a wedding!). There's a reason why wedding photogs charge thousands of dollars for a job. If all else fails, just don't bring your camera unless you don't mind being roped into snapping photos for their scrapbooks.
Or you could see those opportunities as a chance to improve your skills and practice your shooting! Good luck!
 
I have found myself in the same situation. Explain to them that you would be happy to take photos on your own terms, but you don't like to feel pressured into it. Also tell them that you can't make any guarantees as to quality (you might want to follow up by giving them really blurry or out-of-focus prints to prove a point).

One other thing: Don't be shy about charging for the work that you do. Even family and friends. They should appreciate that this work takes time and money on your part, so they shouldn't just be looking for freebies.
 
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