Wedding photography...

PaulieC

Hi All,

I don't know why, but over the past couple of weeks I have developed a hankering to photograph a wedding. I don't know anyone getting married in the near future and in any case I wouldn't like to commit to do a wedding myself as I'd be afraid I'd make an a*se of it.
Does anyone know of any guides to wedding photography ? How to pose groups, what shots to ensure to get etc. etc. ?
What equipment would be absolutely necessary? I assume a flash, WA lens, portrait lens would be the absolute minimum. Anything else apart from that?
What would be the best way to get into doing weddings? I guess assisting a photographer would be a good start.

Hopefully the goo will go away before I get to ruin anyone's big day :eek:

rymus

cambo_gueno wrote:

I have developed a hankering to photograph a wedding.

You & me both.

I'd be afraid I'd make an a*se of it.

You & me both.

I guess assisting a photographer would be a good start.

I would say so, at least thats the route I'm trying to go down.

PaulieC

thanks Rymus :rolleyes: very helpful

rymus

probably wont help much either... im doing a wedding in June and plan on using a 70-200 2.8 IS on a 30D and a 24-70 2.8 on a 20D. In my left pocket will be a 30mm 1.4 and in other pocket a 580ex. back left pocket, a set or two of batteries and back right pocket, cf cards.. Yes I'm ****ting bricks but we all gotta start somewhere...

thebaz

I spoke to a top wedding photographer asking what is the best way to start .
His main advice , was under no circumstances , take a chance and go out and do a wedding on your own with no experience -- he said it was critical to assist a top photographer to see how it was done properly -- or else join the rest of the cowboys on a quick short term gain, with your rep and confidence in tatters !

thebaz

rymus wrote:

probably wont help much either... im doing a wedding in June and plan on using a 70-200 2.8 IS on a 30D and a 24-70 2.8 on a 20D. In my left pocket will be a 30mm 1.4 and in other pocket a 580ex. back left pocket, a set or two of batteries and back right pocket, cf cards.. Yes I'm ****ting bricks but we all gotta start somewhere...

Good luck with the wedding ! Have you already done some assists on a wedding ?

rymus

on that note, if any pro wedding photographers want assistance, do leave a note.

No baz, this'll be my first. Hoping to get a few assists when around March though.

elven

thebaz wrote:

I spoke to a top wedding photographer asking what is the best way to start .
His main advice , was under no circumstances , take a chance and go out and do a wedding on your own with no experience -- he said it was critical to assist a top photographer to see how it was done properly -- or else join the rest of the cowboys on a quick short term gain, with your rep and confidence in tatters !

It's all very well to say that but how many people can actually get the chance to speak to a top photographer, never mind tag along on one of their jobs? Yes, it's someone's big day you're risking... but there are always people who just simply aren't willing to fork out for a pro - never mind the fact that half the time the lower budget pro's aren't necessarily any better or more reliable than you might be - and that's realistically how most people will get their first experience with weddings. Whether they then go on to be one of the dodgy pro's, or actually start producing quality, is down to a million other factors, and I wouldn't say is strictly related to that experience.

Rymus, best of luck with it. Sounds like you've got as many bases covered as possible... just don't let those mothers-in-law boss you around...

Fajitas!

I have two weddings booked, and gonna have a week or two with a pro soon.

Sebzy has done a few weddings, and is good for tips.

digitalage

rymus thats a great setup you have, I would'ny leave the 580ex in my pocket, grab yourself a flash bracket and use it with your 24-70/20d. Let your wedding couple know in advance that your just starting out. The canon potn website have some great advice on different ways to shot a wedding.

magicbastarder

i have given my friends permission to perform a mercy killing on me if i ever end up a wedding photographer. have done two, not for money; lots of work for little benefit.

311

Fair play to anyone willing to give it a go ,have a blast:)

PaulieC

I'm not looking to make a living out of it - more just curious to see if I could do it.

About the advice from the Pro Wedding photographer - well he's not going to say anything else now is he?

The standards of wedding photographer vary wildly. My sister's photographs turned out what I would consider pretty average and I know that I could at least hope to emulate that. My sister-in-law however, has a spectacular wedding album. Both photographers were using medium format cameras, but the weather on the two days could not have been more different - one a murky november day, the other a sunny June day...

mikedragon32

FWIW, I attended a wedding last Autumn where the wedding photographer was using a Fuji S7000 with a mounted flash. Nothing else. No second camera, no filters, no additional lenses.

Pics actually came out quite well.

I guess as long as the couple getting married aren't looking for a lot of posed pics, it should be easy enough to get through the gig. I've seen some great albums done in a reportage style.

jaqian

I'm in the same boat. A friend has asked me to photograph their wedding in Portugal. I was going to their wedding anyway when they asked. Explained to them that I'm not a pro and that they would really better off getting one but they really can't afford one so back to me.

Going to do the traditional bride & groom photos: b&g with family, group shot outside church, groom with mates, bride with mates etc etc Also want a few fun photos: groom(& groomsmen) holding bride, the rat pack/ oceans11 where the groom, bestman etc chatting to each other as they walk towards me. Only thing that scares me is the bride wants a sunset photo on the beach, don't even know how to go about that!

Doing traditional album, digital album (www.digitalalbum.ie), photo DVD (by 3), framed photo (have to find out price of that) and a Data DVD containing all photos I took so they can print their own copies.

PaulieC

how much are you charging? or are you doing it as a favour ?

Oriel

rymus, why don't you marry your gay lover and we'll all come and have a practise?

rymus

banned until Monday

<edit> banned until a Monday at some point in the future </edit>

mathias

Ive done a few Weddings now and dont feel uncomfortable about it anymore , One thing I would suggest is get a helper and use a list so you dont miss any shots , I only used digital at first , with a hired 5d , and a 20D which is mine , now Im cocky enough to be using MF film.

I was seriously paranoid with the first one so got my Bro to help out , he was checking shots on the laptop and minding the gear while I was working away.

It all turned out well and got some more weddings for her friends as a result so thats the best indicator really.

I got this list of the web , it might be useful ,

http://www.1214.biz/1214-Photo-List.pdf

melekalikimaka

rymus wrote:

banned until Monday

<bites tongue>

anyway i did a wedding reception before and even found that daunting, i think i'd need to assist alot to go near a church, too many variable in churches, weird walls, reflections, no second chances <cold shiver runs down back>

rymus

mathias wrote:

I got this list of the web , it might be useful ,

http://www.1214.biz/1214-Photo-List.pdf

Great list, very handy indeed. cheers.

Valentia

I have done a couple of hundred weddings in a previous life. That list covers the shots very well.

On the equipment front the less the better, lens wise particularly. A 70-200 to me is overkill. Something in the 24-105 range will cover everything. A really important accessory is a tripod. Not necessarily to steady the shots but to provide a focus for group shots. While you are organising the group the tripod, placed in the general area that the shots are going to take place, will keep people facing in that direction. Stand behind the camera to start with. Let the group form, then move among then to arrange them as you want. Start with the big group..the extended family. That way you can whittle it down to immediate family, mom and dad etc. You already have everybody there for that sequence of shots so it save a lot of time and looking for people. Let the best man and grooms men and bridesmaids do the rounding up of the people. They know who everyone is.

Try to be efficient but firm. People management is THE biggest part of doing a wedding once you know what you want. Don't take all day on the posed stuff. Set up first, say near a big window for the bride shots, then invite them in. Don't have them hanging around while you are setting up. You will not get natural poses.

Enjoy it and keep relaxed. If you are tense it will show in the photos. You don't need to take a lot of posed stuff but you do need to get some.

Lots of other stuff but that should keep you going. PM me if you need a chat and I'll give you my number.

BTW the only reason I stopped doing them is because they eventually bored me to tears and I'm not that crazy about the business end.

peter1892

I shot one last year, although it was a case of following the main guy around (who's a mate of mine anyway) while he did his stuff. Bascially, as I was going to be shooting B&W film the happy couple asked me if I'd mind taking a few for them.

It was a stressful day, lots of running around, I've only got the one SLR body & the only flash is the built in one so that made interior shots almost impossible (even the 50mm f/1.8 lens wasn't able to autofocus so I missed a couple of shots). But we got some really good locations (wedding was in Tuscany) and a lot of decent shots.

People management...well it helped that I was one of the guests & knew a lot fo the people who were there. The bride was a wee bit stressed, but that's expected & allowed. A sense of humour is a definite plus & don't take it personally if the bride yells at you!

Some of the results are in here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter1892/sets/72157594279399096/

Gwenneh

Wedding photography is pretty much *all* I do now, having moved from portraits to weddings over the past few years. Some tips:

-if you CAN assist an established pro, you should. This is a lot of times easier said than done, as a lot of pros have their reasons for not wanting to allow someone to assist. However, if you keep asking, you will find someone who will help! This is the best way to learn that wedding photography is about FAR more than technical proficiency with the equipment.

-The equipment - the RIGHT equipment - is very important. You'll be dealing with a VERY fast moving day, rapid changes in lighting and environment (inside, outside), mixed light sources, sometimes things like candlelight...it all moves very quickly and you have to be prepared to cope with those changes while still being in control of the situation. Know your flash (and not just the pop-up one on your camera, if it has one!), know your lenses, know the limitations of your camera when it comes to digital noise...know it as well as possible beforehand!

-People management...I can't stress this enough. When I did my first wedding, this is where I was not prepared. I had the basics of my degree behind me so I knew my camera and equipment, I had several years of experience as a studio photographer and dealing with the general public...and none of this prepared me for being thrown into the mix of 200 relatives at the wedding. This is the big thing, this is what is difficult to learn outside of the pressures of a wedding, and this is why I suggest assisting before going out on your own. Unless you are in charge of the situation, you're going to have a very hard time organizing the crowd for the formal portraits...and that can spell disaster. Assist, and see how a seasoned pro works with the people at a wedding. It will be VERY valuable experience!

-Insurance. Insure yourself, your gear...pros have insurance for a reason.

It's a big undertaking and there are no do-overs if you get it wrong. That's a lot of pressure for one day, and it doesn't end there. I love it, though, and wish you the best of luck!

jaqian

cambo_gueno wrote:

how much are you charging? or are you doing it as a favour ?

Both really. It is a favour but I find people don't appreciate or take you seriously unless you charge them. So to make things official I'm charging €200 and they get all photos on a data DVD.

I'm putting together some options for getting their photos printed .They already have an album so just need to know how many photos it holds. I got a quote of €60 to have forty 10x8" prints so thats a start. If they want a 12x18" portrait its €15 or €13 for a 12x16" (frame separate). So they have the basics for under €300. Not bad really.

Borderfox

I get my 18x12's done in Harvey Norman for €10 while you wait...

spareman

jaqian wrote:

Both really. It is a favour but I find people don't appreciate or take you seriously unless you charge them. So to make things official I'm charging €200 and they get all photos on a data DVD.

I'm putting together some options for getting their photos printed .They already have an album so just need to know how many photos it holds. I got a quote of €60 to have forty 10x8" prints so thats a start. If they want a 12x18" portrait its €15 or €13 for a 12x16" (frame separate). So they have the basics for under €300. Not bad really.

€300 thats not bad, Im getting married next year and most photographers are asking closer to 2k.

Sebzy

Ok guys/gals

Anyone around dublin on monday evening the 5th i'll be around the city centre for a drink or two and would love to get a few heads together to discuss this whole wedding melarkey.

PS: Just finished sorting out the shots from the wedding at the weekend and I managed 516 keepers. So so so relieved. Bring on the Bride


Seb.

Borderfox

Congrats Sezby, thats too much choice for the Bride!! whittle it down to 20!

Paddy@CIRL

Booked in for one in September, hope to have a second body by then and a 10-20 WA.

Bricking it already

jaqian

spareman wrote:

€300 thats not bad, Im getting married next year and most photographers are asking closer to 2k.

Plus they'll be the start of my portfolio When I get the photos if you like them I'll do the same for you.

Fionn

i've heard 3k mentioned not too long ago!!

someone recently hinted at me re: a wedding!

but to be honest i really don't want the responsibility at present or the hassle so i hinted back that i'm not in the market for it at this time.

it'd be good experience to start off doing something like the brides place on the morning of the wedding shoot or just an assistant second camera thing at the main event.
I'd much rather have the opportunity to see how it's done a few times rather than getting a bad name as a crap wedding photographer.

Borderfox

Get about 20 Boardsies down to someones wedding and start clicking away, just say were from Hello magazine. That will get us all started in wedding photography..

Sebzy

Borderfox wrote:

Get about 20 Boardsies down to someones wedding and start clicking away, just say were from Hello magazine. That will get us all started in wedding photography..

LOL it's hard enough sneaking around alone. The most I've ever had at a wedding is two myself and a second shooter who's job it was to go high and shoot the chruch with a 70-200mm and then to tag along and make sure all the crap in the background was taken away (i always forget) It's like having a humab clone tool


Seb.

440Hz

rymus wrote:

banned until Monday

lmao!!

oohhh the double standards of humour on here!!

im glad i lost my sense of humour at the wkend

Fajitas!

Tbh Katie, that was a straight out insult...

440Hz

Im sure if search was working though.... im not saying anything about what was said... just that the 'humour' that goes for one doesn't always go for all!

Thats not just on here though... sorry, i should have left that bit out.

Im not condoning insults, just saying that the fine line between insults/sarcastic humour is a little selective sometimes. I should really have resisted a comment I guess, just reminds me a little of that infamous thread on here., But point taken Al

rymus

in that case, lets all trundle over to the UL board and insult the mod, I'm sure she wont mind in the slightest :rolleyes:

I'm sure you found the insult humourous.... but then it's not really your decision on how to deal with it, is it?

440Hz

UL people are lovely, they dont insult anyone!! Its a trouble free zone

No I didnt say I found it humourous, and I wasnt really saying anything about your decision... its your call afterall... I was more making the suggestion that if that insult was made to someone else it 'might' not result in a banning. But yeah, I understand why you would be pissed off, obviously.

Everyone is going to interpret something like that differently, I guess I would just have assumed it was a humourous insult. Seeing as you dont even know each other, not like there is any reason for it.

Anyway, I wasnt attacking your decision.. more pointing out the wrath of mod insulting, in SOME cases.

Morlar

Paddy@CIRL wrote:

Booked in for one in September,

Bricking it already

Same here - I might try borrow a 5d for it (hint hint fajitas : ) - I do plan on getting as many fall back shots in advance of it as I can (portraits and so on) - also going to the rehearsal - church - reception place and all that before hand to work out where to take the shots from and roughly what kind of light will be there at that time on the day of the event. If I mess this up I will have to leave the country (almost) so it is a fair bit of pressure to get it right.

Borderfox

Its just nerves Morlar, when you start taking pictures on the day you will be fine.

magicbastarder

Morlar wrote:

Same here - I might try borrow a 5d for it (hint hint fajitas : ) - I do plan on getting as many fall back shots in advance of it as I can (portraits and so on) - also going to the rehearsal - church - reception place and all that before hand to work out where to take the shots from and roughly what kind of light will be there at that time on the day of the event. If I mess this up I will have to leave the country (almost) so it is a fair bit of pressure to get it right.

are you being paid for it? i know it's not much consolation, but if not, you shouldn't feel under pressure to perform.

Funkyzeit

magicbastarder wrote:

are you being paid for it? i know it's not much consolation, but if not, you shouldn't feel under pressure to perform.

I've been booked for free for a wedding at the end of May. I'd like to think I'll be prepared and do myself justice but above statement is along my lines of thinking !

Morlar

magicbastarder wrote:

are you being paid for it? i know it's not much consolation, but if not, you shouldn't feel under pressure to perform.

I think if you agree to do it then you should put the pressure on yourself to get it right - or else just dont accept the job in the first place. Its going to be the couples main permanent record of a once in a lifetime event so regardless of how much money the photographer is being paid for it there is a responsibility on them to do the best they can to get it right.

In this case I am not taking money as it is a member of my immediate family but even if it wasnt family - if I accepted the job I would have a responsibility to get it right.

magicbastarder

i've been in a similar boat twice, weddings for friends.
of course you should do the best job you can, but don't brick it if you miss a shot or two.

DotOrg

All photographers will miss shots due to being in a different position, bad lighting, blinking people, and a multitude or other problems that can occur.

it's not good to miss shots due to batteries running out, wrong settings on your camera, changing lenses etc. That's why i always shoot with a partner, doubles the chances of getting all the shots wanted

Sebzy

Nearly missed the rings going on just last week. the priest decided to move the bridesmaids right in front of me had to quickly run around the front of the alter and shoot from center isle. Got great shots of the priestand the backs/sides of the B&G. A lot of the shots rely on luck as the B&G could of been facing straight up at the alter and standing close together which would of given me no way to getting the shot.

Here wait a sec going to post up a quick floor plan to explain

TADA

spareman

jaqian wrote:

Plus they'll be the start of my portfolio When I get the photos if you like them I'll do the same for you.

Im not getting married till July 2008, you should well have your portfolio done by then, Will give you a shout anyway, Would be interested in seeing the photo's anyway.

PaulieC

well, a friend of mine has decided to get married on the 24th of this month and myself and another friend have 'volunteered' to do the photographs.
Weeding photographers: what do I need? I have a 30D, 10-20, 28-135IS and 50 1.8 lens and a 430EX flash. If a particular lens is absolutely recommended, I can rent it. Apparently the church is quite dark.

Are Conn's the only shop that do rentals?

Sebzy

cambo_gueno wrote:

well, a friend of mine has decided to get married on the 24th of this month and myself and another friend have 'volunteered' to do the photographs.
Weeding photographers: what do I need? I have a 30D, 10-20, 28-135IS and 50 1.8 lens and a 430EX flash. If a particular lens is absolutely recommended, I can rent it. Apparently the church is quite dark.

Are Conn's the only shop that do rentals?

The above kit looks good just add
-off shoe flash Bracket
-Defuser
-tons of batterys
-fun.

PaulieC

I got some 2700 MaH batteries last week and am getting a Lumiquest diffuser next week, so I shoul dbe all set except for the bracket