just got the dream wedding photo gig

[nikonosguy]

a friend called me and asked if i'd photograph his wedding --- it's a wedding in december... in Maui... airfare, food and lodging paid --- no charge for the wedding photography services .... and i can telecommute to work that week so... I'm going to have a great christmas.... i will be wearing the appropriate Hawaiian shirts
gonna be digging on some poi


now...I'll certainly carry the d3 and the 80-200/2.8, the 50/1.4, not sure what other lenses to rent or buy -- many of my lenses are big and bulky --- i'll carry one leica just for good measure --

i need to get a bunch of cf cards... i need to get a new suitcase...

any tips? any places to steer them for portraits?

 

[helvetica]

Out of curiosity, how much experience do you have with paid people-photographing gigs? From your gear lineup, it looks like you've probably done it!

I ask because weddings are tricky. I swore that I'd never shoot one, but agreed for a friend "just this once", and I will admit that there is a ton to keep up with in addition to the photography. Who is where, who is related to who, what's on the schedule, etc.

Equipment wise, I went with two bodies - one with a fast (35/1.4 on APS-C) lens at all times, and the other alternating between a 70-200/2.8 and a 17-14/4 on APS-H, depending on what the situation called for. You don't want to be changing lenses during the action (hence the permanently attached fast-normal), but it's pretty easy to decide if you are in scene (wide) or portrait (telephoto) mode for the other body based on what is going on.

Stylistically, this is where the rubber meets the road. What are you trying to accomplish? Very low-key, available light only? High polish, artificially light? FStoppers put out a wedding DVD course a few months ago, and it's worth watching the preview/sample lessons to get some ideas of what is involved.

Finally, you really must make a shot list: what's important to the bride, what you've seen on Pinterest/The Knot, what fits in with the schedule. Sounds obvious, but you really need to be respectful of the guests' time.

 

[nikonosguy]

I've done plenty of weddings --- and it's small family and friends -- i've know the guy for 20 years -- he loves my work and has seen plenty of my wedding work...
yeah, nikon f4,f5, d3, i'm just planning gear

looking for specific places in maui to shoot -- hidden waterfals, scenic vistas, may carry my nikonos for beach work, the f4, the f5 and lenses --- 7 days hanging with friends, the wedding is bonus

 

[nikonosguy]

the groom is one of my best friends... and a doctor

 

[nikonosguy]

i guess i should carry 2 flashes as well

 

[YYV_146]

Wow, sounds like the perfect vacation...😀

The last wedding I shot as the main photographer was my cousin's in early 2013, it was in an ice castle on the Heilongjiang river. You could actually see the sun through the walls and roof of the wedding hall - totally ethereal experience.

My work is usually less demanding of timing and consistency, so I usually tell friends to hire a pro even if I'm shooting.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Haiku Stairs. Getting up there is a challenge well worth it. Technically, it's breaking the law but that statute is broken many times a day by many hikers. Even a photo at the bottom with the ridge behind the bride and groom would be a moment to catch. It's like a steep staircase up into the sky on the greenest hillside you've ever seen.

Shoot. You said Maui. Hmm. Haiku stairs are on Oahu. Unforgettable if you can make it. I never got out to Maui when I was in the Navy. I've been to Hawaii a few times but always traded my in-port duty days in Pearl Harbor for time off in some exotic place like Hobart, Tazmania or Hong Kong.

Regardless where you go, get some of that scenery. Maybe get the bride and groom in the water, underwater there is quite fantastic. I'm just thinking out of the box now. Ok, I'll stop rambling.

Have fun!

Phil Forrest

 

[nikonosguy]

phil i think i'd be a fool to either not take the nikonos or a decent digital waterproof



they are getting married super casual --- built in families -- i know everyone that will be there -- and he's always up for adventure as is she

 

[helvetica]

phil i think i'd be a fool to either not take the nikonos or a decent digital waterproof

Or a gopro! 😉

Sounds like you have the wedding part covered. Have you ever tried putting a few lights on stands around the perimeter of the venue and setting them to different radio channels? You can then turn them on and off as you move around giving you effectively a movable light source without having to physically move it/them.

 

[nikonosguy]

have 2 gopros as does the groom good thinking


yeah, I've seen the light deal done with roller derby photos ---

don't want to have to carry light stands on flights from memphis to dfw to hawaii

 

[Phil_F_NM]

phil i think i'd be a fool to either not take the nikonos or a decent digital waterproof

Yeah, even for above-water use. Just about every afternoon in Hawaii you can count on a rain shower. On Guam it happened at 1:20 every single day except the week leading up to/following a tropical storm. That would put the "clock" off a bit. Check the December climatology though to see what kind of weather you're in for. This is probably an El Nino year so central Pacific weather could be wonky.

EDIT: December is surfing time up on the north shore, especially if the wind sets up right and a Pacific storm a thousand miles away piles up the swells. The waves would be a great sight but there could be swarms of surfing folks, since Jaws comes up past 60ft in the "winter" months.

Phil Forrest

 

[nikonosguy]

i'm good with weather --- am shopping for an improved camera bag that is tsa approved and carry on ----

most of my gear will stay home except what i determine i need ----

i can rent any gear from lensrentals and pick it up at the store before i leave

 

[nikonosguy]

have an ir converted p&s that i might slip into my kit

 

[nikonosguy]

what's a good camera bag that fits tsa requirements and will be useful and durable?

haven't flown since 2000 and there's been some changes from what i understand

 

[rwintle]

Just a couple of thoughts, although it seems you've a ton of experience with weddings anyway...

a) if you don't want to carry some lightweight light stands and double-fold umbrellas, could you rent lights there? I know the D3 is a high-ISO champ, but even so...?

b) what about a wide lens for big group shots? 50mm seems a little tight to me.

Enjoy...! *jealous noises*

 

[KismetSky]

Mama's Fish House at sunset. Great food and great light.

 

[nikonosguy]

the 24-120 is going along as well ---

I'm also thinking of my landscape work -- here's the kit so far:
nikon d3
24-120 streetsweeper
50/1.4 ais or the 50/1.8 d OR 60mm micro 2.8 - may take that and the ring flash instead of the 50's --- could prove more versatile
80-200 2.8
500 mirror
fisheye just in case
think i'll leave the 75-300 as it's heavy and slow
2 flashes with cable to slave them
bunches of cf cards
ir converted point and shoot
may carry 1 leica --- the iid is too cumbersome to load for such an event, the rangefinder on the cl is wonky, so... maybe the r5 with 24 and 90 and 2x teleconverter -- this would replace the 24-120 lens


so many decisions- -- do i need a pelican hard case, or will a good soft bag do me well....

 

[B-9]

Weddings are such a headache, even for friends.

My best advice,
Find a unknowing victim and draft them into your assistant.
Give them a p&s camera (or easily automated camera)


My last wedding, I grabbed one of the grooms friends (also a friend to me) and gave him a Simple kit of a moleskin, pen, 5-1 diffuser/reflector, and a Nikon Coolpix (Plum purple 😉

Had him run around with me before and during the ceremony, then gave him the mission of having a few drinks and a good time by prowling the reception with his camera.

It was great to have another perspective of the night, while I was tooling away at the fine print, in the end I included a copy of the SD card containing all those quirky candid party moments captured by my good friend.

Needless to say, they really enjoyed the photos.

Sounds like you got it under control, looking forward to seeing some photos of waterfalls and misty tropics 😉

Edit: Love the 24-120 "Street-sweeper" by far on of the more versatile lenses for a wedding, even on APSC

 

[taemo]

Haiku Stairs. Getting up there is a challenge well worth it. Technically, it's breaking the law but that statute is broken many times a day by many hikers. Even a photo at the bottom with the ridge behind the bride and groom would be a moment to catch. It's like a steep staircase up into the sky on the greenest hillside you've ever seen.

Shoot. You said Maui. Hmm. Haiku stairs are on Oahu. Unforgettable if you can make it. I never got out to Maui when I was in the Navy. I've been to Hawaii a few times but always traded my in-port duty days in Pearl Harbor for time off in some exotic place like Hobart, Tazmania or Hong Kong.

Regardless where you go, get some of that scenery. Maybe get the bride and groom in the water, underwater there is quite fantastic. I'm just thinking out of the box now. Ok, I'll stop rambling.

Have fun!

Phil Forrest

they would have to sneak in before 5AM to do Haiku Stairs and right now is not a good time to do the hike after some idiot hikers attacked some of the locals.

to OP, great spots to shoot in Maui would be anywhere on the west side during sunset, Kanapali or Lahaina, south of Kihei is nice too.

another great spots would be Mt. Haleakala for sunrise

and of course road to hana.

i wouldnt bring the 500 mirror unless you look to capture some surfers

 

[nikonosguy]

yeah for the surfers --- i spend a lot of time with skateboarders and the vibe of the surfers goes well with them for my personal stuff