Can the D90 be used to shoot weddings professionally?

I don't mean as a backup but as the primary camera. I am a beginner to anything pro but have "working" knowledge of photographic principles (rule of thirds composition, basic exposure, etc.) I wanted something I could learn well and eventually use professionally?

Also, would this apply to the D7000 as well? I want the D7000 but can't afford it. I can get a D90 with lenses for $1000 or so. I was hoping to get "good" with the D90 learning the Nikon system and lenses and eventually earning enough to buy the D7000 or a used D300s.

Not sure what to do. Was hoping for help. And no I'm shooting wedding out of the box or ruining anyone's memories - I want to work towards that - uh, the making good memories not the bad ones...

Thanks.

I know someone who has shot many weddings professionally using a Nikon D60. So, yes, the D90 could shoot weddings professionally. It would be a good idea to invest in some lighting and good lenses though.

Danel said:

I know someone who has shot many weddings professionally using a Nikon D60. So, yes, the D90 could shoot weddings professionally. It would be a good idea to invest in some lighting and good lenses though.

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Thanks. What would you recommend? Probably too early in my "career" to ask but it will give me something to look forward to.

The D90 will work for this -- I've shot a few weddings with a D80.

As a minimum, you should get a Nikon flash with a tilt/swivel head, though. The bigger the better ( not the SB-400). For indoor shots, you'll need the bounce capability. The built-in flash is "unacceptable" for any serious portrait stuff.

Extra batteries (camera and flash), lots of memory, shoot RAW+JPG and learn the RAW tools.

We've taken a studio lighting setup to weddings before -- a couple monolights and a black backdrop. Set up in a back-room at the venue, it comes in real handy for "zero background" portraits that can be used artistically in PP.

Cameras don't shoot professionally or unprofessionally, photographers do. I have never had a client care about the model of camera I use. Some might ask if I shoot film or digital, but the only thing that really matters to them ultimately are the quality of photographs I can provide. To approach the question of professionalism from the camera model is the wrong way into this. Cameras are tools and you need the skills to be able to achieve your goals using the right tools.

I've seen weddings that were shot with very basic cameras that a lot of people on these forums would call "unprofessional" that were simply stunning and I've also seen unskilled hacks with expensive "pro" bodies produce photographs that were embarrassing. The cameras are tools. Period. If a camera has a particular feature that will make your life easier, like CLS for instance, then that might be a reason to consider it. But to approach the question by asking which camera is "professional" is the wrong approach. Professional photogpraphers know how to achieve what they want to achieve and choose the right tool for the job. If you don't understand your own limitations, or the limitations of your tools, the spending more money on a more "professional" camera isn't going to make your clients happier.

Good luck.

You think if you have a D3S(X) or even a D3(7)00 you are a PRO photographer? You take picture with your eyes, brain and heart, not with camera. P
--
http://www.fotografnuntaIasi.BogdanSandulescu.Ro

D90 will good for anything, including wedding.
good flash is important. f/2.8 lens is important too.
dont worry too much on equipment. get your mind on what to shoot, how to shoot.
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drifit/

I don't do "pro" wedding work, I can't take the "bridezillas". I stick to commercial work. But, from what I've seen:

"Pro" wedding work involves (in order of importance):
1) People skills
2) Business skills
3) Lighting skills
4) Camera gear

In other words, you are worrying about the least of your problems ;-)
--
Tom Ferguson
http://www.ferguson-photo-design.com

I shot my nephews wedding last year before I got a D5000, as a "backup" photographer using a Pansonic FZ50 & another wedding the year before with the same camera and a lot of people said my photos looked as good as the pro.

I don't think it has so much to do with the camera, as it does with the person behind the lens. Yes, a good camera can give you good results, but, if you don't know what you are doing to start with, the best camera in the world isn't going to help.

--
Coming to you from the beautiful Ozark Mountain Country
where if you're too busy to go fishin', then you're too busy!

You think I should change it to if you're too
busy to take photos, then you're too busy?

Tom Ferguson said:

I don't do "pro" wedding work, I can't take the "bridezillas". I stick to commercial work. But, from what I've seen:

"Pro" wedding work involves (in order of importance):
1) People skills
2) Business skills
3) Lighting skills
4) Camera gear

In other words, you are worrying about the least of your problems ;-)
--
Tom Ferguson
http://www.ferguson-photo-design.com

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I figured all that but I gotta start somewhere. Plus I want a new camera.

....people skills? Come on. And I've got to learn strobe lighting too. And read books! Can't I just get a D700 and be done with it?

Seriously, I'm mentally preparing myself to photograph my daughters and niece's future weddings. When ever I learn something new or try something new, in the back of my mind is: will I have what it takes to capture good images on some loved one's wedding day?

In another post, long ago and far away, someone suggested to prepare by visiting the ceremony and reception venues well before hand to survey the situation and possibly determine additional needed equipment. The thought of the responsibility frightens me and is a good motivator to sharpen my skills. My niece often comments on my images with: Are you going to photograph my wedding? Fortunately no one has asked her yet.

This woman's portfolio was assembled using her Nikon D90, including the weddings. You tell me whether or not a D90 is up to the challenge.

I think her work is outstanding regardless of the camera used to take these pictures!

http://kelflowerphotography.smugmug.com/

--
beemerman2k

Well, don't let me stand in your way

A new camera is always good fun! Just realize it doesn't automatically make you a better wedding photog...... but it might make you a happier wedding photog!

newpictaker said:

I figured all that but I gotta start somewhere. Plus I want a new camera.

Click to expand...

--
Tom Ferguson
http://www.ferguson-photo-design.com

Tom Ferguson said:

I don't do "pro" wedding work, I can't take the "bridezillas". I stick to commercial work. But, from what I've seen:

"Pro" wedding work involves (in order of importance):
1) People skills
2) Business skills
3) Lighting skills
4) Camera gear

In other words, you are worrying about the least of your problems ;-)

Click to expand...

I think I might insert "Post processing skills" in there, too ;-)

--
Patco
A photograph is more than a bunch of pixels

beemerman2k said:

This woman's portfolio was assembled using her Nikon D90, including the weddings. You tell me whether or not a D90 is up to the challenge.

I think her work is outstanding regardless of the camera used to take these pictures!

http://kelflowerphotography.smugmug.com/

--
beemerman2k

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Those look great. I wonder what lenses she uses. Not the kit zooms I bet.

I met her at one of the wedding she was shooting and noticed she was using a D90. I didn't specifically take note of her lens, but I think it was the kit 18-105mm Nikon! She's just good, she knows what she's doing, and she is very good with post processing using Adobe Photoshop. Given the clarity of some of those outdoor, sunny shots, I imagine she knows her filters as well.

In any case, I didn't know of her web site until 6 months after the wedding where I met her. She "friended" me on my SmugMug site and that's how I learned of her own site.
--
beemerman2k

Like others on this thread, I think a good photographer can work wonders with a crappy camera-- and the D90 is a great camera, certainly good enough to shoot a wedding. But you've also got to know your camera, know your camera, know your camera. If you can't custom white balance your D90 by temperature to match your lighting in 15 seconds or less, you best not try shooting a live event like a wedding. Between color temperature, ISO, depth of field, and shutter speed there are constantly fluctuating parameters to manipulate on your camera, and if you spend too much time looking at what you've got in your lcd, you'll miss an important moment. Also know your filters and know your flash. Kelflower's website is a good example of a talented photographer who knows her camera, and also where to look for her shots. That doesn't mean there aren't under and over exposed shots in her portfolio, and a few missed white balances.

If you're just beginning, spend time studying the all the portfolio's on the web for what you think works well and how they got the shot. Practice shooting other indoor/outdoor events. And until weddings become routine, scope sites ahead of time, plan possible shots a head of time; take sample shots.

If the D90 were not suitable to shoot a wedding, then the D300(s) wouldn't be suitable either since they share the same sensor.

The D90 can get the job done, but more important than the camera is your lenses and a good speedlight (possibly with external battery pack to reduce recharge times).

--
http://www.southfloridapics.com

For the record, I don't sweat white balance when I shoot because I preserve the raw images my sensor produces. It is trivial to set the proper white balance with raw images in post processing. One could argue that the white balance isn't 100% matched to the reality of the scene, but that's OK. The idea is to produce photos that are pleasing to the eye rather than photos that exactly mirror the visual settings in which they were taken.
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beemerman2k

Edsel Murphy has been know to crash weddings and other events in search of the unprepared photographer. You can't run and hide, you've got an important job to do. Showing no respect for your very capable but singular D90, he will then apply his most famous law, "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong". You're toast.

There is a lot to learn as a beginning wedding photographer. Having backups for critical equipment is one thing you don't want to learn the hard way. John