Can you imagine hiring someone to shoot a important function, a one time only event and the showing up with a point and shoot. I don't even think I would advertise as a pro shooting with my D7100 since it is a DX camera. Although I think I could do at least as good a job and many of the pros do with their more expensive cameras. It is not all about the equipment but Damn, a Point and shoot?
No, I cannot fathom it!
After I bought my first SLR, a Nikon FM, in 1978, I had several people ask me to come to their weddings and take photos. I did for a few of them, but only after finding out that no one would be taking photos if I didn't. I let them know that I would be taking "snapshots, not photographs". Most understood and had no problem with it, but neither were they bossy about what would be done. Afterwards, I'd get the film processed and prints made and give them the whole package to let them go further with them if they wanted to.
Later on, I purchased a Hasselblad 500CM and that really caused expectations to rise. I did a few sessions for co-workers and acquaintances, primarily at my wife's urging, before I got too stressed to keep it up. That camera, considered a professional's tool at the time, was anything but that in my hands.
While a P&S camera won't keep a real pro from getting great shots, it will expose a fraud, but them again, so will a good camera!
It sounds like your son's future M-I-L should contact Cliff Mautner:
http://www.cmphotography.com.
