dcsang
Canadian & Not A Dentist
I really really really like this idea.
Makes the photos that much more intimate. . .
Cheers,
Dave
FrankS
Registered User
think of all the group shots though. there should be someone competent hired, imo.
photogdave
Shops local
I don't agree with this - because it happened to me!
When I was a working newspaper photographer a couple approached me. They said they liked my work in the paper and asked me to shoot their wedding. I had never shot a wedding in my life, or even posed anyone for anything (even pj-style wedding coverage involves some posing) because I was a "straight" journalist.
I tried to explain I didn't know the first thing about shooting weddings but they wouldn't take no for an answer and I ended up doing it. I didn't do a very good job and I don't think the couple was overjoyed either.
I'm more comfortable shooting weddings now because I've since gained experience in other disciplines of photography such as formal portraits, studio lighting, posed event photography etc.
There is more posing and controlling the scene in "photojournalism-style" wedding photography than a lot of people would believe. IF you hire a photojournalist make sure they DO have wedding experience!
FrankS
Registered User
agreed! wedding photography is something one becomes good at (probably) only with practice/experience. you may come across a person who has never shot a wedding gifted with the required people and organizational skills to go along with the photography skills, but doing that FIRST wedding as THE photographer is a huge learning experience.
Riccis
Well-known
I'll respectfully disagree... If you are controlling and posing instead and observing and documenting, I don't believe this can be called "photojournalism-style" or whatever is called these days...
Here are some samples of my work... My style and approach to documenting a wedding is as hands-off as you can get with only about 10-15 mins of portraits for the couple and family members for those that request them... The majority of my clients want straight documentary work, though.
Cheers,
Gumby
Veteran
Pictures often last longer than most marriages... so they should be good ones!
Chris101
summicronia
Congrats Phillip! You and your lovely lady are going to be super happy, I am sure.
If you are seriously thinking of hiring a student or other amateur, then why not just buy a bunch of disposable cameras with flash and give them out to everybody (cause, like, everybody's a photographer these days ya know.) You're certain to get something unusual from the huge set of snaps you'll end up with.
If you are seriously thinking of hiring a student or other amateur, then why not just buy a bunch of disposable cameras with flash and give them out to everybody (cause, like, everybody's a photographer these days ya know.) You're certain to get something unusual from the huge set of snaps you'll end up with.
photogdave
Shops local
I'm not saying the entire event is posed and controlled but some elements are. You say so yourself...
It can be just as important to know how to handle the 10-15 minutes of portraits and group shots as it is to document the rest of the day.
Also I guess I'm trying to say that although some couple may ask for "photojournalism-style" they MAY actually want some posed or directed shots too. Not always but sometimes.
easyrider
Photo addict
Congrats. Just sit down with your lady and sketch out what you want. Presumably, the story of the day -- from her getting dressed and made up to the last dance. You also want to get a shot of every guest -- especially grandparents and siblings. And then you want the group shots.
Then pick a photog who can do that -- delivered to you on a DVD without much retouching. IMO, your best bet is a newspaper photographer who moonlights. Most have shot weddings and will do an excellent job of telling the story.
Having said that, Riccis is a genius and his stuff is wonderful. But probably not everyone can afford him.
Best of luck and let us know how it comes out.
Then pick a photog who can do that -- delivered to you on a DVD without much retouching. IMO, your best bet is a newspaper photographer who moonlights. Most have shot weddings and will do an excellent job of telling the story.
Having said that, Riccis is a genius and his stuff is wonderful. But probably not everyone can afford him.
Best of luck and let us know how it comes out.
finguanzo
Well-known
Zoeica
Well-known
$2K is NOT expensive for a good wedding photographer. Do you really want to do it all yourself? No you don't, trust me, been there, done that. While I had an amazing wedding photographer shoot my own wedding, I thought developing the film and printing myself would be great. No, it was a helluva lot of work!
Usually my wedding work consists of a 10hr work day on the wedding day, that's not including prep time, emailing or calling bride/groom, coordinating with church/hotel/reception, making a guestbook from the portrait session. Then we're talking editing the wedding images during the week, online slideshow, uploading event, checking back with bride/groom. And I don't care what anyone says, shooting digital is just as much work as shooting film.
There's barely any profit in shooting a wedding for $2K(taxes,products,insurance,studio rent,assistants), if you can get a great photographer for that price, do it. My packages start at $3K and believe me that's not making a huge profit for the amount of work involved.
And forget the relative thing, let the family AND you enjoy the wedding. Let a pro handle the photography for the day.
Now with that said, this is what I would do if you wanted relatives/friends to shoot. Get a bunch of Holgas, load up with film and let everyone shoot. But still let the pro get the important shots.
Have a fun day!
Matus
Well-known
I guess whether $2k is expensive or not depends on a pocket. This is a customers point of view.
I got married one year ago and had a similar problem (even though I was not so much money limited) - most of the work of different photographers we came across (about 20) was very average, lifeless and without any spark (I know this depends on the subject too). The good ones (2 or 3) were book year in advance (hey! Slovakia is small).
We finally got a contact to a young guy of our age who is shooting wedding here and then and does photography as a serious hobby. We made one "testing session" (nothing fancy, just to get to know each other and get relaxed in front of camera) 2 month in advance and during the day D we had a lot of fun during the photo session (no studio "stiff" portraits, but lot of fun in the park). We got some very nice pictures. I have not seen any reasonable output from the family members even though many had cameras.
The bottom line - you may try to find somebody young, maybe non pro, who has some experience and talent and is kind and friendly. It is important to get on well with the photographer - we became friends after the first session. Once you reach that point and he is "good enough" you will get nice shots.
Apart from the photographer I wish you smooth preparation - it can get demanding. You will realize afterwards that photography is one of the least important points of the wedding itself. Good wedding is enjoyed and remembered by your family and friends. Bad food or music can spoil it, but average photographs will not. Of course good photos will be there for you to refresh your memories and remind you how great it was.
I got married one year ago and had a similar problem (even though I was not so much money limited) - most of the work of different photographers we came across (about 20) was very average, lifeless and without any spark (I know this depends on the subject too). The good ones (2 or 3) were book year in advance (hey! Slovakia is small).
We finally got a contact to a young guy of our age who is shooting wedding here and then and does photography as a serious hobby. We made one "testing session" (nothing fancy, just to get to know each other and get relaxed in front of camera) 2 month in advance and during the day D we had a lot of fun during the photo session (no studio "stiff" portraits, but lot of fun in the park). We got some very nice pictures. I have not seen any reasonable output from the family members even though many had cameras.
The bottom line - you may try to find somebody young, maybe non pro, who has some experience and talent and is kind and friendly. It is important to get on well with the photographer - we became friends after the first session. Once you reach that point and he is "good enough" you will get nice shots.
Apart from the photographer I wish you smooth preparation - it can get demanding. You will realize afterwards that photography is one of the least important points of the wedding itself. Good wedding is enjoyed and remembered by your family and friends. Bad food or music can spoil it, but average photographs will not. Of course good photos will be there for you to refresh your memories and remind you how great it was.
pakeha
Well-known
`You will realize afterwards that photography is one of the least important points of the wedding itself. Good wedding is enjoyed and remembered by your family and friends. Bad food or music can spoil it, but average photographs will not. Of course good photos will be there for you to refresh your memories and remind you how great it was`
Great advice, having seen about 800 weddings i could not agree more, so often the photographer seems to take over the whole program, relax, enjoy the company, and use photoshop - your 2k wedding photograher sure will
Great advice, having seen about 800 weddings i could not agree more, so often the photographer seems to take over the whole program, relax, enjoy the company, and use photoshop - your 2k wedding photograher sure will
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Get someone from here, that the two of you can connect to. Ask him or her over, talk camera, have a beer. You'll end up with a friend both there and on the forum, a wedding shot with RF cameras and a set of nice pictures.
Set your standards to the one picture your parents have. Anything additional is a bonus. When starting out with that, I'm pretty sure you will be pleasantly suprised.
With other words, adjust your expectations, when unwilling/unable to adjust your budget.
I got married just over a year ago, my best friend was my best man and the photographer as well. He missed a shot, because he was sweet-talking my wifes mother. I'd rather have that memory than the shot, it was hilarious
.We barbecued in the back yard, 25 relatives and close friends. The pictures I have are a nice addition to the memories, which are the most important.
Oh, and...Congrats on getting married!
cameraman
Member
THIS is something I would be willing to pay for. On the other hand - those wedding images from Jose Villa is the stuff I would pay to avoid. It all comes down to what you want, and what you are looking for. 30 % of my wedding budget were spent on a photographer, simply because I liked what he did, and how he did it. The food and drinks were flushed down the toilet in the following 24hrs, but those images are still up on the wall - reminding me of what a lucky man I am to be able to spend my limited time here on earth with such a fantastic woman.
I don't care how much you end up paying, but at least have a look at what the photographer has done before. They may be the best wedding photographer out there, but if they're wrong for you - they're wrong, period.
OscarGarrido
Established
www.edwardolive.info
On of the best!
On of the best!
Roger Hicks
Veteran
I've got a wife who does that...
I don't even know where our wedding pics are (I think she does). But I know where she is!
And I couldn't agree more with CLE-RF: "Set your standards to the one picture your parents have. Anything additional is a bonus."
Cheers,
R.
Kevin
Rainbow Bridge
I don't mean to offend you but I register at least one fatal flaw in your reasoning here. For starters, how can a celebration "happen" if most everyone, including friends and family, are constantly taking pictures of each other?
I suggest that you and your fiance try very hard to imagine this (imho pathetic) scenario in your heads. Is this how you wish your wedding day to unfold??
Do you honestly wish your wedding day to turn into a massive amateur photo shoot-out? I believe other things should be happening on your big day and these activities should not be photo-related.
Damaso
Photojournalist
I guess I should have said if you want cliche wedding pictures hire a wedding photographer. If you want images which capture the day well hire a photojournalist. Now that doesn't mean hire someone who has never shot a wedding, just hire someone who doesn't do it every weekend of their life...
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Kevin,
Sounds OK to me.
The wedding is a commitment to each other. Anything else is secondary, though e.g. keeping the parents happy is good: I'm now of parent age and find it hard to handle the idea that my 'adopted daughter' can't see any point in marriage.
Friends taking pics could be great fun, and once you've made the commitment formally, fun is what it's about. After all, how many couples in the last 30-40 years didn't live together before they were married?
Then again, quite a lot of my friends are/were professional photographers.
Cheers,
R.