Wedding contracts and shot list

[nottoboring]

Hi,

I bet you guys have heard this a million times so i'm sorry !

Does anyone have any sample contracts and shot lists for weddings, i am due to do my first one and am really nervous. I want to get everything watertight so i can concentrate on my shots.

Does anyone have any ideas on settings for inside the church as well, i have the kit lens for the Nikon D50, and a D50 body as well as a D200 which i am using.

Thanks for your help all !

NTB

[rpthorne]

NTB,

You're right! Plenty of threads have covered this before :)

Click on the 'Search' facility towards the top right of this page - this will point you in the right direction of similar threads.

[BarryM]

There is plenty contract samples and photo lists floating around the internet too, just google them.

as to settings.

1. You need to check first if flash is allowed with the minister prior to the wedding.

2. Visit church, have a walk around, take photos, from prime points, note down settings and stuff.

3. Some ministers wont like photography during the ceremony so you need to check that, if not then restage the key shots after the ceremony has taken place.

Definetly recommend visiting the church/venue prior to the wedding, find the nice spots, gauge the sun etc, i tend to visit all venues new to me at same time of day as wedding around a week before, this lets me gauge the time for travelling, the venue itself, usually a good chance to build a rappore with minister/priest, sort parking out, check satnav is ok, head to venue, introduce myself ask to be shown around, check the runnings of the day with the organisers so you can fit yourself in around meals etc etc.

[nottoboring]

thanks Barry !

[clive]

i am due to do my first one and am really nervous

easier said than done but dont be.... it shows

[Renee Marquis]

I will post up my contract (keep in mind I am from the US and mine may need some changes here and there) I know mine is not perfect, as we learn and grow so does are contracts. I have gotton a lot of help with contracts from another US photography forum that has been very, very helpful to me with the marketing part.
Hope this contract helps, keep in mind you can revise your's and word it to the way you like....

Oh, and yes do what Barry suggests.

[swanseamale47]

I hate to be the one to say it... but if your asking for advice on what setting to use then do you think your really ready to cover someones special day?. You only get one chance at a wedding, you need to be totally confidant in your ability, and that of your equipment. I don't know your skill level, but unless your a reasonably experienced photographer, I'd advise you to cover a few weddings as an assistant first, then gaining some experience before you tackle one on your own
That said we all have to start somewhere, so good luck I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself. Wayne

[OnceDown]

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EDIT______________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________________

Sorry - just read your post properly... You've only got the kit lens?? DON'T do it if that's all you've got. Either hire a couple of decent lenses from somewhere (there are plenty of websites that offer that service) or back out of it. If you've only got the on-camera flash, DON'T do it. Honestly, your images will be shocking and you'll ruin 2 people's day. It's hard enough to do with top-of-the-range kit, let alone cheapie stuff!

[Dotty.c]

(Previous post deleted)

EDIT______________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________________

Sorry - just read your post properly... You've only got the kit lens?? DON'T do it if that's all you've got. Either hire a couple of decent lenses from somewhere (there are plenty of websites that offer that service) or back out of it. If you've only got the on-camera flash, DON'T do it. Honestly, your images will be shocking and you'll ruin 2 people's day. It's hard enough to do with top-of-the-range kit, let alone cheapie stuff!

comments like this dont help, I have been using my kit lens for well over 5 years and have always been happy with the results, as i might add have my clients, also even as recent as 2 weeks ago ditched my flash gun in favour of the on board for the in car shot as there just wasnt room. We aim on here to help and offer helpfull advice not shatter a persons confidence.

[frex]

I photographed my friends wedding last summer in wales with my small canon ( camera at the time) ,I swapped between its kit lens and a larger range lens for close ups.. I was fortunate to get to the wedding rehearsal at the church to test settings.. As a first time that might help for your settings if you can get to the venue..
Be confident too ,I was shaking like a leaf and very very nevous but after 5 mins settled and they were delighted by the end results.. In their case I checked with the vicar re guidelines for inside church .. Signing of the wedding register etc was not allowed to be photographed live but was re set after the fact for images .. He allowed flash photography in the reposed shots but not during the ceremony .Our minister was very accommodating though and allowed me to use the balcony etc and to move around as i wished.
.I would definitely suggest speaking to the relevant clergy of your occasion .. Most of all enjoy it ,, I loved it once my nerves settled !! I had a list of shots but also took some candid shots which I think made it more special .. I also edited post event for some artistic photos ..
Goodluck :):)

[karl-tkd]

comments like this dont help, I have been using my kit lens for well over 5 years and have always been happy with the results, as i might add have my clients, also even as recent as 2 weeks ago ditched my flash gun in favour of the on board for the in car shot as there just wasnt room. We aim on here to help and offer helpfull advice not shatter a persons confidence.

Your quite right Dotty.....but the Nikon kit lens in optics and build is by far much much better than the crappy canon kit lens.....

[Dotty.c]

Your quite right Dotty.....but the Nikon kit lens in optics and build is by far much much better than the crappy canon kit lens.....

Lol guess what make my kit then Karl, yep canon, but dont worry I still loves ya:acute:

[pegasusl]

Hi NTB

I am just starting out on my own with weddings. I have spent a couple of years (doesn't seem that long to me as it's kinda flown by) shadowing a couple of togs who I've become good friends with.

If you can shadow other people before your first solo stint I would say it's invaluable, but if you are confident in your ability with the camera (technically speaking) then it really is a matter of personality, and being friendly, organised, paranoid (have 2 of EVERYTHING!!! just in case...) and above all else....

....ENJOY THE DAY YOURSELF.

If you are enjoying taking the shots then it does show and you'll get better photographs to boot!

Look at lots of the images from the forum and look for some inspiration for the sort of shots you think you will be able to achieve.
Also consider your equipment, and the sort of shots that can be achieved using the kit you have, and have an idea of the sort of photography you (and most importantly the couple) want to take...formal?....candid?....etc...

If you are charging for this, and weddings is something you plan to do more of..then invest any money you earn into good quality fast lenses. f2.8 or faster will allow you to get indoor shots without flash.

I have just put together my T&Cs and I'm they're by no means perfect but you're welcome to adapt them to suit your needs...

I had a lot of help from both the togs I've shadowed...and from the boys and girls in this forum.

My best advice is look at images, listen to advice from those willing to offer it (almost everyone in here really wants you to do a good job and will help if they can!)


Final words...GOOD LUCK...and ENJOY IT

Dont forget to post some images in here...:Dm

[nottoboring]

Thanks for the advice guys,
I am hiring a nice lens and have 2 of everything :)
i am nervous but to be honest i expect to be as it's my first one. I do know the couple involved which i actually think is worse !

Just one more, do you think with a fast lens i should use a tripod for the group shots, i am more comfortable without but i guess it's sort of essential ??

Thanks again !

NTB

[pegasusl]

Well my 70-200 f2.8 ISN't VR....so for the long shots from the back of church that end up in the region of 1/20th I use my tripod... but for pretty much everything else...I handhold :Dm

[nottoboring]

thanks matey !