Don't be so hard on yourself, Stacy. You take wonderful pictures from what I've seen, and I'm sure you will do an exceptional job of the wedding photos.
If I could offer any advice it would be to talk to your nephew and his bride-to-be and find out what types of shots they would like and make sure you have a handle on how to get those shots perfected.
I have no doubt you will ace the project!
Suzan J

You'll do great Stacy! I took pictures for a friends wedding and for a neice and that was back when I had a regular 35mm. I think it'd be easier today with a digital camera. I was really proud of myself... but I'd never do it today. It makes me too nervous and my picture taking skills have went downhill (bad eyes, I think).

Thanks guys....well Christopher said this is the one thing he really wanted from me as he always enjoys all the pics I take and he said this would make the day even more special to them.....I am reading and looking at others pics and going to practice practice practice and Brian doesn't know it yet...but he is camera man 2....I am going to give him my old digital to use so that he can take some also that way he can maybe get more candid shots....Stacy

My sister took pictures at my wedding, held in my parents' backyard at the end of June 1979. She promised to put them in a book for us as her wedding gift. About a year after the wedding, she apologized and said there was some kind of problem. How I would have loved to have seen her photos ! She's quite a good artist and photographer. Lucky my Mom hired her own professional photographer so there is an album, at least.

I usually take the photos at family get-togethers too. The candid shots are hardest...when you review them you get a lot of backs of heads, etc. So I do like to get a few group shots, even though people grumble those are the ones that turn out best. Have never done anything like a wedding though!

When I do group shots (this is family that I know well!) I tell people to Shut up unless they want their mouth twisted in the photo; we have enough of those! Also, the trick is to get everyone to look in the same direction at the same time. (Everyone, stop talking and look this way PLEASE!)

I agree with sjarz and ask the wedding couple if there are specific shots they want you to get. Even look through magazines and tear out examples of poses you think they might like. Good luck and enjoy the day!

Thanks guys and the tips are great...yes i plan to really find out what they want look at photos in books online etc...and a great tip I read was to appoint a family member on both sides to group them up etc...to get the pics they want....with them doing that as I don't know the brides family who she puts in charge will see to it all are accounted for in the pics....stacy

You'll do great Stacy. Just don't forget to have fun doing it. I did the same for one of my nephews and, just like you, I agonized a lot ahead of time. But the whole thing was fun and the pictures turned out fine. You might want to ask whether they want photos of the getting ready process (hair, makeup, getting dressed... loungerie shots are great :-). You could do the bride and bridesmaids and Brian can do the guys. Remember to ask the minister if it is ok before taking flash photos during the ceremony. Some feel that it is a disturbance and others think it's fine. One of my very favorites at my newphew's wedding was a natural light shot in front of a stained glass window...

I use digital too, and the more photos you take the more chance you have of getting those absolutely perfect shots so be sure you have plenty of storage (CF or SD cards or whatever).

Good luck and HAVE FUN!

you have the gift..and the confidence of the bride and groom...

girlfriend you will do great.Do not worry.

I have done this once and decided not to do it again until I am better equipped. I'll gladly take candid shots and share the results, but it is best if a pro or properly equipped person is there for the 'offical' pictures. There is too much riding on this once in a lifetime event.

Problem 1. : The camera equipment. The official photographer should have backup cameras just in case something goes wrong with the primary camera. The backup camera should be as capable as the primary one for obvious reasons.

Problem 2. : All equipment should be tested 2 weeks before the event to insure that eveything is in working order. Repair or replace equipment as needed. 3 days before the event, charge all the chargeable batteries. Carry spare, fully charged sets. One good option is an external battery pack that has more capacity than the internal camera batteries. You may need remote and/or detachable flash.

Problem 3. : Be prepared to be treated like a inexhaustible photo supplier. There will be several instances of people rushing up to you and requesting photos and expecting to get freebie photos without any thought of paying for those or taking the courtesy of at least writing down the request and supplying pertinent information such as name, address, email, and phone number. You'll be expected to remember everything flawlessly ( it won't happen) and when they do not receive free photos, they may become miffed. Be prepared to handle this situation. You will liley need to carry a note book to record names and relationships of everyone in the 'official' photos. Getting the names correct is important. This data has to be collected on site. Trying to construct it later is almost impossible. In fact, it would be best if you had an assistant secretary to record the shots and all data. That way, you can concentrate on the mechanics of photography.

Be hard-nosed and keep in mind that these photos are for the bride, groom, and their immediate familes and no one else. Stay focused. There will a few drunks who will make outlandish requests.

Problem 4. : This is a once in a lifetime event. There is no second chance. Be professional.

Problem 5. : Cost. You are probably being asked to do this for free - resist unless you are prepared to forgo renumeration as a wedding gift. As you can see, it will require an investment to do the job right, and you should have a helper or two: one to be secretary and another as an equipment guy. If there is reluctance to pay you for your services, then you will know the score and I'd recommend bowing out. Family relationships are too fragile and important to ruin.

Jemdandy is right about a lot. I forgot how it was taking all those pictures - it will not be a fun enjoyable wedding for you. I hate to say that... but it is true. Another reason I decline the request to take pictures at weddings/parties/etc.

As far as cost goes, you can just have the better photos put on a cd (Walmart, Walgreens, etc.) and have them choose and print their own pictures. OR print the photos out as your wedding gift.

When I did this for my nephew, I delivered the digital photos. I didn't print them out. Taking the photos was my wedding gift to them. They put me up in a motel, as the wedding was several hours drive from home. I didn't have to keep track of who anyone was and I didn't get asked by anyone (drunk or otherwise) to take photos and send to them. The bride and groom took all of the digital photos I provided and did whatever they wanted with them. They kept track of who was who and who needed copies. Yes, it was a long tiring day, but I enjoyed it tremendously and I am very proud and pleased with the photos I provided. I'm not a professional and my nephew knew that when he asked, as I'm sure yours does. He'll love the pictures because they are of his special day and even more so because you took them. Prepare, but don't stress too much, and please don't give up the opportunity to do this if it is something you want to do. The backup camera is a good idea though, and freshly charged batteries. Plus, bring your battery charger along. When you use one battery up, put it in the charger. That way you have an inexhaustable fresh supply. Also, if you have a laptop, you can bring it along and download photos to it if you want (to make more room on your memory cards) and also once the pictures are on the laptop, people might enjoy being able to watch them as a slideshow. At my daughter's wedding, I took 1200+ photos, and we viewed a great many of them the next day while they were opening their gifts.

That is what I have been planning to do jel thanks for adding that...no I am not going to stress like you said he wants me to do it because it will be special for them...I may or may not print them out for them and that be their wedding gift...not sure yet...cause I do like to buy presents for people.....I will have several laptops their so we can download to any number of them so it will be great I have 4 memory cards 2 that hold thousands of pics...I have read to shot most of them in action shot so that you can just keep snapping and get those not posed shots...which is what they are wanting not the normal pics! I am sure it will be a blast only because I would be taking thousands of pics wheater they had hired a pro or not...I just take pics because i love to....Stacy