_goodtimez
Well-known
My wife and I did a few with an M8.2 and a Nikon. Here are a few samples:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8487951@N05/sets/72157624216606600/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8487951@N05/sets/72157624216606600/
Wedding Shoot - Advice?
- Thread starter Scheelings
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Luke_Miller
Established
Pretty standard for a church wedding in the US. The pastor likes to see that the ceremony goes smoothly. Rehearsal is normally followed by a dinner for participants.
mike rosenlof
Insufficient information
I did a wedding once as the official photographer. It was hard work, stressful, and kind of fun. Results of the ceremony and group poses were good. I think the candids at the reception were less successful.
I went to the rehearsal and made a list of where I and my cameras would be at various points in the ceremony. I had that list on a clipboard with me at all times so I knew without fail when it was time for me to move to the next location.
Problems? A couple. The bride was not ready early and would not be seen by the groom before the ceremony. The posed groups after the ceremony took too much time. I urged them to get to the limo and reception, they needed a few more group combinations...
I used monolight strobes for the groups, the sync cable failed without a backup. I switched to a potato-masher flash (I had it for the party candids) as a trigger for the optical slaves on the monolights. I guess I really did have a workable backup, but it scared me for a minute.
It was a good experience for me. The couple was happy with the photos. That was 1998, I haven't done one since, but in the "right" situation would accept to do one again.
I went to the rehearsal and made a list of where I and my cameras would be at various points in the ceremony. I had that list on a clipboard with me at all times so I knew without fail when it was time for me to move to the next location.
Problems? A couple. The bride was not ready early and would not be seen by the groom before the ceremony. The posed groups after the ceremony took too much time. I urged them to get to the limo and reception, they needed a few more group combinations...
I used monolight strobes for the groups, the sync cable failed without a backup. I switched to a potato-masher flash (I had it for the party candids) as a trigger for the optical slaves on the monolights. I guess I really did have a workable backup, but it scared me for a minute.
It was a good experience for me. The couple was happy with the photos. That was 1998, I haven't done one since, but in the "right" situation would accept to do one again.
mike rosenlof
Insufficient information
I'll add one more thing. In the US, the bride and her mother are usually the "boss" of the whole wedding planning. Have a good long talk with the boss people whoever they are and communicate your experience, what the boss expects, what you are able to do, etc.
Make sure those expectations meet your ability. You can do a lot of preparing in six months. You need to have good confidence in your own ability too. Enough to get past momentary failure and keep working. It may happen sometime during the event.
Make sure those expectations meet your ability. You can do a lot of preparing in six months. You need to have good confidence in your own ability too. Enough to get past momentary failure and keep working. It may happen sometime during the event.
willie_901
Veteran
With apologies for any items redundant to earlier posts...
o you can't have too many batteries
o implement a storage card system that makes it extremely unlikely you might accidentlly format and reuse a card with wedding photos
o do not let the storage cards leave your person (pockets) until you are home and have the cards downloaded and backed up; even then put the cards in a safe place and do not reuse them until the images are delivered to the B&G
o you have a back up camera... now think about back up lenses
o in some cases a bounced flash can make a huge difference; you can use a simple flash in manual mode; if the venue(s) and time of day indicate a flash might be helpful, then practice with it as often as you can on both cameras; there are ways to use use a flash and obtain results that don't scream = "a flash was used".
o scout the location(s)
o have a plan for inclement weather
o have a plan in case you become suddenly ill just before the wedding
o practice focusing with both cameras... especially in the weeks before the wedding; quick and accurate focusing is like any skill... even if you are very good, practice will keep you sharp
o shoot raw
o make sure all the raw images are backed up on at least three separate devices
o take time to introduce yourself to the officiant; ask him, her how to respect the service; unfortunately some inconsiderate wedding photographers make life difficult for considerate photographers; a simple respectful discussion can be a huge help during the service
o talk with the B&G, ask them to come up with a must-have shot list... this is critical; on the day of the wedding ask the bridesmaids, groomsmen or other family members and close friends for similar advice;
o the bride should be in charge; however sometimes things go wrong; figure out who, besides the bride, might help you keep the event on schedule... every group has leaders; in some cases if there are delays the window of opportunity for proper light can slip away (especially if you don't use flash)
o don't expect to be a guest, proper wedding photography requires all your attention for every minute; don't drink alcohol but do stay hydrated; eat something too, but just enough to keep your energy level up
o get a good night's sleep before the wedding day; don't attend plate-night wedding parties
o be sure to take photos of the tables during the reception before food is served
o don't be agitated or unnerved by others taking photos; occasionally somebody is out of control to the point that causes you trouble; if they will not respect you, ask others in the wedding party to speak with them; ask the bride for help as a last resort... don't hesitate to politely, but clearly, tell her the photos she expects can not be made unless the offending guest(s) cooperate
o if someone is taking video at the request of the B&G; plan with them before the wedding; aggressive, selfish videographers can make it difficult for you to do your best work
o the reception is a great opportunity for candids of guests having a good time and expression emotions of love; don't be shy about photographing kids
o you can't have too many batteries
o implement a storage card system that makes it extremely unlikely you might accidentlly format and reuse a card with wedding photos
o do not let the storage cards leave your person (pockets) until you are home and have the cards downloaded and backed up; even then put the cards in a safe place and do not reuse them until the images are delivered to the B&G
o you have a back up camera... now think about back up lenses
o in some cases a bounced flash can make a huge difference; you can use a simple flash in manual mode; if the venue(s) and time of day indicate a flash might be helpful, then practice with it as often as you can on both cameras; there are ways to use use a flash and obtain results that don't scream = "a flash was used".
o scout the location(s)
o have a plan for inclement weather
o have a plan in case you become suddenly ill just before the wedding
o practice focusing with both cameras... especially in the weeks before the wedding; quick and accurate focusing is like any skill... even if you are very good, practice will keep you sharp
o shoot raw
o make sure all the raw images are backed up on at least three separate devices
o take time to introduce yourself to the officiant; ask him, her how to respect the service; unfortunately some inconsiderate wedding photographers make life difficult for considerate photographers; a simple respectful discussion can be a huge help during the service
o talk with the B&G, ask them to come up with a must-have shot list... this is critical; on the day of the wedding ask the bridesmaids, groomsmen or other family members and close friends for similar advice;
o the bride should be in charge; however sometimes things go wrong; figure out who, besides the bride, might help you keep the event on schedule... every group has leaders; in some cases if there are delays the window of opportunity for proper light can slip away (especially if you don't use flash)
o don't expect to be a guest, proper wedding photography requires all your attention for every minute; don't drink alcohol but do stay hydrated; eat something too, but just enough to keep your energy level up
o get a good night's sleep before the wedding day; don't attend plate-night wedding parties
o be sure to take photos of the tables during the reception before food is served
o don't be agitated or unnerved by others taking photos; occasionally somebody is out of control to the point that causes you trouble; if they will not respect you, ask others in the wedding party to speak with them; ask the bride for help as a last resort... don't hesitate to politely, but clearly, tell her the photos she expects can not be made unless the offending guest(s) cooperate
o if someone is taking video at the request of the B&G; plan with them before the wedding; aggressive, selfish videographers can make it difficult for you to do your best work
o the reception is a great opportunity for candids of guests having a good time and expression emotions of love; don't be shy about photographing kids
dmr
Registered Abuser
Very common here in the States. You'll also see such things as a rehearsal dinner and a rehearsal apres-party.
Now a few comments from someone who has never shot a wedding and would not do so if her life depended on it!
Having had one wedding, and having been in several over the years, I can say that weddings can be very fun and enjoyable as well as very stressful, particularly on the last few days prior.
My main suggestion to you is to have all details worked out well in advance. As the time approaches, so will the time crunch and the stress. You'll find that the couple often is deluged with last-minute details, particularly if there are catering issues, band/deejay issues, etc.
Some brides tend to be demanding, and some grooms can be too. "Bridezilla" is a term you will hear, but as I think back to those I knew who fit that term, it came about from stress and simply expecting too much.
Anyway, I wish you luck and please post sample shots. 🙂
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Good grief. They're friends. They're young. They're short of money. Surely all of us have been there, and done a favour. See http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps weddings.html
Of course if they're not young or short of money (or possibly not your sister) they're just being greedy mean exploitative arseholes and they deserve whatever they get.
Postscript: I just looked at this link and it brought tears to my eyes, because there are so many people I love, some of whom are dead.
Cheers,
R.
Of course if they're not young or short of money (or possibly not your sister) they're just being greedy mean exploitative arseholes and they deserve whatever they get.
Postscript: I just looked at this link and it brought tears to my eyes, because there are so many people I love, some of whom are dead.
Cheers,
R.
DNG
Film Friendly
Plan ahead.... plan ahead
Plan ahead.... plan ahead
I have done fair amount of Weddings in the film days, I used a 21-35mm and a 35-105mm as my only lenses.. as far using primes... the 100s has a 35mm fov, the M9 should have wider and longer options.
You must sit down with them in an "interview" setting, and ask all kind questions of they expect and what you can deliver. AND, you must get a list of the "order-of-events" of the Weddings.. That IS YOUR workfow of what to photograph, and when!
The biggest help will be to know the flow of the Wedding, that is, when things take place and where the take place. This will be also be your workflow. insist on at least a list of events they want coverage for. Let them know what to expect from you as non-wedding photographer... get it in writing in your contract... OR, Do it w/o charge as a friend, and make it very clear that this is your wedding gift w/o any legal obligations to deliver an expected photo package..
About Flow again, you may want to make a cheat-sheet of the order of things, so you can plan ahead..
Find out what they want... Traditional Wedding coverage, or PJ style coverage, a little of both? (even if they want PJ style... take all the Formal Traditional Groupings anyway.... SHE will love it later!!)
If you can attend a "dry-run", go. make test shots of the places with the lighting you will be shooting in.
Plan ahead.... plan ahead
I have done fair amount of Weddings in the film days, I used a 21-35mm and a 35-105mm as my only lenses.. as far using primes... the 100s has a 35mm fov, the M9 should have wider and longer options.
You must sit down with them in an "interview" setting, and ask all kind questions of they expect and what you can deliver. AND, you must get a list of the "order-of-events" of the Weddings.. That IS YOUR workfow of what to photograph, and when!
The biggest help will be to know the flow of the Wedding, that is, when things take place and where the take place. This will be also be your workflow. insist on at least a list of events they want coverage for. Let them know what to expect from you as non-wedding photographer... get it in writing in your contract... OR, Do it w/o charge as a friend, and make it very clear that this is your wedding gift w/o any legal obligations to deliver an expected photo package..
About Flow again, you may want to make a cheat-sheet of the order of things, so you can plan ahead..
Find out what they want... Traditional Wedding coverage, or PJ style coverage, a little of both? (even if they want PJ style... take all the Formal Traditional Groupings anyway.... SHE will love it later!!)
If you can attend a "dry-run", go. make test shots of the places with the lighting you will be shooting in.
Scheelings
Well-known
Wow. Such fantastic advice from everyone!
Just to clear a few things up - the guy getting married isn't poor, he's just a cheap ******* like myself and if he'd offered to pay me, I'd never have accepted it. Like I said he's a good friend, and I'm sure he'll make it up to me by taking care of my wife and I (we'll be flying to Austria for this).
I'm going to take what I can from here and get plenty of practice in. I'll see what I can do about getting permission to post some shots after the event.
Just to clear a few things up - the guy getting married isn't poor, he's just a cheap ******* like myself and if he'd offered to pay me, I'd never have accepted it. Like I said he's a good friend, and I'm sure he'll make it up to me by taking care of my wife and I (we'll be flying to Austria for this).
I'm going to take what I can from here and get plenty of practice in. I'll see what I can do about getting permission to post some shots after the event.
adamjohari
Established
Robert Lawler's work is damn amazing. Robert, do you use a rangefinder for your work? Don't think those 'moments' can be taken using an M9 for example. Would need to be very skillful with focusing...
Scheelings
Well-known
Well, the wedding went ahead and I did about as well as I could under the conditions.
I used a 35mm Summilux for all the outdoor shots and switched to the 50mm Noctilux indoors. I didn't use a flash (no experience with it - even though I have the Leica 240 flash), and stuck with equipment and methods I was confident and experienced in using.
I'll post some photos soon
I used a 35mm Summilux for all the outdoor shots and switched to the 50mm Noctilux indoors. I didn't use a flash (no experience with it - even though I have the Leica 240 flash), and stuck with equipment and methods I was confident and experienced in using.
I'll post some photos soon
OurManInTangier
An Undesirable
I'm looking forward to seeing how you got on. More importantly, I hope you enjoyed the task and your friend had an amazing day.
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