Wedding Help

[garryaca]

Got my first wedding shoot in September, its for a friend and I want to make a descent job of it...any hints and tips would be greatly recieved

Cheers

Garry

[StagePhotography.co.uk]

What camera have you got?

:)

[garryaca]

What camera have you got?

:)


Olympus E500

[StagePhotography.co.uk]

You got a lot to think about.

Location... Check it out first, get to know it.

Have a backup plan incase of bad weather..

Have you done a lot of photography before?

[garryaca]

Quite a lot, I shoot mostly equestrian subjects

[StagePhotography.co.uk]

Ahhh doing weddings is much the same...

A few old nags....

A lot of jumping....

Just have everything planned out...
That's the biggest tip I can give you...

And have my number ready as a backup... ;)

[garryaca]

Ahhh doing weddings is much the same...

A few old nags....

A lot of jumping....

Just have everything planned out...
That's the biggest tip I can give you...

And have my number ready as a backup... ;)

http://www.photography-forum.org/images/icons/icon10.gif

I'll bear that in mind *lol*

Here's one of my horsey portraits

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a257/ottocat/hon.jpg

[garryaca]

Ahhh doing weddings is much the same...

A few old nags....

A lot of jumping....

Just have everything planned out...
That's the biggest tip I can give you...

And have my number ready as a backup... ;)

http://www.photography-forum.org/images/icons/icon10.gif

I'll bear that in mind *lol*

Here's one of my horsey portraits

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a257/ottocat/hon.jpg

[tonymidd]

Suggest trying the search in this forum there have been lots of discussions on how to tackle a wedding. Also browse the wedding board you can set your preferences to show you all the threads. Lots of ideas and tips there, if you want to know anything specific just yell, someone will know the answer.
BTW like the horse portrait, they have the advantage they don't talk back!!

[Bindii]

Got my first wedding shoot in September, its for a friend and I want to make a descent job of it...any hints and tips would be greatly recieved

Cheers

Garry

I'm not expert but here is my two cents worth....

Have a look in the wedding threads..there are lots of good ideas and tips in there, try to get a good idea on how you are going to pose the bridal party etc on the day.....and practice on lots of people between now and then...tha will give you an idea on what works and what doesnt...and ask lots of questions...heaps of people on the forum are more than willing to help with tips and advice...

Oh....and I've worked with both horses and people.....horses are a walk in the park compared to people...;)c

[BarryM]

also, speak to the couple, find out what THEY are looking for maybe formals, maybe reportage candid style etc. Find out from them how many is in their wedding party i.e bridesmaids, bestman, parents, sisters etc. That way you can draw up a list of the different shots you want or require. But definetly find out from them what they want from you.

[tonymidd]

Another tip, spend some time on a Saturday at your local church and watch the pro's in action. obviously stay out of the way while they are shooting but while the service is on you may find one taking a break outside for 10 minutes before the register is signed. If they look friendly or just bored they be up for a chat, you never know you may be able to talk your way into assisting one and that's the best way to learn.
Write ideas, advice etc down in an ideas book, if you don't sods law says you'll forget it. :crazy:

[David Worthington]

Another tip, spend some time on a Saturday at your local church and watch the pro's in action. obviously stay out of the way while they are shooting but while the service is on you may find one taking a break outside for 10 minutes before the register is signed. If they look friendly or just bored they be up for a chat, you never know you may be able to talk your way into assisting one and that's the best way to learn.
Write ideas, advice etc down in an ideas book, if you don't sods law says you'll forget it. :crazy:


Thats great advice from Tony.... I would go one stage further..... When i got goin i got a recently married neighbour and her new husband and got them into their gear again and took them to local park and practiced shots/poses/etc on them ... that was in the days of film.... so now it would be way way easier............ best to stick to the simple basic shots on the big day.... dont try and get arty that takes years...... just make sure they are psoed as best you can ( see forums etc) well exposed and sharp pictures

ask if any questions start to bug you
good luck

[garryaca]

I'm not expert but here is my two cents worth....



Oh....and I've worked with both horses and people.....horses are a walk in the park compared to people...;)c


You are probably right although I work as an art editor for an equestrian magazine and spend half my time on photoshoots jumping up and down and flapping an umbrella trying to get the horses to put theire ears forward..../at least you can just ask people to smile *lol*

I was thinking just to do a few formal group shots for forms sake and then do a reportage type shoot for the rest.

[Earl53]

What I found out was the photographer needs to take control when it comes to taking the pictures after ther ceremony. A lot of people like to wander off to the reception.

You can also do a search on the net for a wedding shoot list that you can share with the bride and groom.

I have a wedding shoot on the 10th of June and the 8th of July, so I'll be busy with a few this year.

Paul

[tonymidd]

You are probably right although I work as an art editor for an equestrian magazine and spend half my time on photoshoots jumping up and down and flapping an umbrella trying to get the horses to put theire ears forward..../at least you can just ask people to smile *lol*

I was thinking just to do a few formal group shots for forms sake and then do a reportage type shoot for the rest.
Be carefull, reportage can easily slip into snapshots. you need some direction even with reportage. I'd also say get an assistant, wife, girl friend, partner, and let them see whats wanted. I'll freely admit one reason Ive packed in doing weddings is the loss of my wife, she always said she did nothing. No, she just fetched and carried, arranged dresses without being asked, was brilliant at getting children to co-opperate, she could round up a wedding party coming out of church in minutes and so much more. It's like hard work without her and I don't feel like training someone else.
Wonder if flapping an umberella at a bridesmaid would make them pull their shoulders back and stand properly? You can tell them how to stand to look their best and they will still slouch with rounded shoulders, sagging boobs etc. I used to have two 3x4's in a plastic folder, one shot standing how they do it and one how they should do it, always worked. After seeing the pics the wonder bra was straining:grin::grin:

[Stemmy]

Sorry I'm a bit slow getting to this post.

I can only echo what everybody has been saying - planning - planning - planning !!

What if its bright sunshine - what if it raining - what if it windy - all questions you should have answers to by the wedding day.

here is a link to a post with details of my most regular family shots and also a couple of downloads to help you.

http://www.photography-forum.org/showpost.php?p=3798&postcount=25

Visit websites and see what others are doing. Don't get confused with thinking reportage is wandering around taking snaps. Most reportage photography is posed photography made to look unposed !!!! If you snap away you will get snaps.

Ask the bride & groom what they would like.

Please post all your questions here - we can answer 99 out of 100 questions - and the other we will make up !!!!

Good luck !!

[Wineman]

Before you even think about the shots you are going to take - think about backup equipment.

This was especially true for me last weekend - my camera simply would not focus. Fortunately I always carry two cameras on my person. Same body but one with a 17-55 and one with a 70-200 so I could simply switch and change my composition immediately. Fortunately I carry 2 spare bodies (and other lenses) in my bag so it was simple to just go and grab my backup.

I have always known that you should have a back up, but it was from reading forums like these that really drove it home to me. Initially I had the two digital SLR's (one new one and an old one) and 2 Minolta SLRs as back up with a few rolls of film.

Since things have got going I have been able to afford to invest in 2 more digi SLR's and some serious glass. All in some serious investment, but I figure I want to offer my couples the best I can and that requires the best equipment that you can afford.

Other advice is simply to be a nice guy! Don't be objectionable and remember that they are the clients who are paying your mortgage. If you are starting out and they want 100 group shots, grin and bear it. When you are established you can put your foot down a bit more.

Have great communication with them. Always reply to any calls or emails as soon as you can.

Discuss what they would like - get them to cut out images for magazines etc.

Know your camera like the back of your hand.

Crop in tight and go for impact but remember and album is all about balance.

Plan and visualize what you want to shoot and how.

Enjoy it!

[garryaca]

Thanks for the great advice everyone!

[garryaca]

Thanks for the great advice everyone!

[Earl53]

Here's a link for a wedding shoot list.

http://www.dannysteyn.com/wedding-photography-shoot-list.htm

It may come in handy. :snap2: