Wedding Photography - how to books?

Sleepy

I've a friend who's a very good amateur photog that's starting to be asked to do weddings for other friends as favours at the moment, might be assisting her on one of them next year.

Can anyone recommend some decent technique books / on-line guides for wedding photography?

I'm thinking of something more focused on the posing of the bride & groom and their families etc. than on the organisation side of things as she's the sort who'll have plan's C & D at the ready besides just a plan B!

hoganpoly

Know your camera inside out and be able to adapt to any situation ,if not get a pro to do it

Sleepy

Well, not everyone can afford a pro (not quibbling with the prices pro's charge, I understand the economics of the business) and are happy to go with a good amateur who should be able to get enough decent shops.

The friend in question would know her camera inside out (as would I) and tbh, most pro's have specialities that they wouldn't be able to shoot professionally outside of. Was hoping that someone on here might have a few tips to give / links to share...

I've an upcoming wedding, which will be my first.

I'd imagine I'm more than capable for it, but the posing for group shots puzzled me a little, too. I did a Google image search for "Bridal Party" and got plenty of material though.


Other links that are handy (not in relation to posing, but weddings in general) are;

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/wedding-photography-tips-to-get-you-started

http://www.rokkorfiles.com/Wedding101-page1.html


and

http://weddings.about.com/od/photographer/a/Photogchecklist.htm


Out from that, I'd say visit the venues of the ceremony and reception before hand (preferably with someone you can get a few photos of). Thankfully my church will be nice and bright (unless we get some freak weather on the day) so I'm laughing.

Make a back up plan for a rainy day (can't take the shots outside).



I know that's not what you asked, and it's fairly generic advice that anyone will know, so to be more specific to your question on posing, i think the best thing you can do, is try to find someone who got married and had their ceremony/reception at the same places your friend will cover, and see if you can borrow their wedding album.

This way, if you can get one or two albums, you'll at least have a good idea what other pros did in the same locations. This way you can learn from what you feel the pro did right or wrong and see how he posed people and dealt with people.

mrboswell

hoganpoly wrote: »

Know your camera inside out and be able to adapt to any situation ,if not get a pro to do it

To be fair though, with the development of modern cameras, digital cameras (entry to prosumer level slr's) will do a decent job of taking pictures on auto.

The camera will probably get a good exposure 8/10 times. On that basis most people who can frame a photo well could get reasonable results. It's those 2/10 times that can cause problems and you wont be able to expose certain shots and use other techniques.
Some amateurs would manage a job better than some of the pros out there, even with the entry level slrs. I have seen some shocking stuff, but its worth considering than people are not as interested in getting a pro to do photos and are also not interested in an album.

We all know its not the same as getting a good pro but its all about the expectations of the couple and of course their budget.

@ Sleepy - If the couple are happy to let you at it knowing that you are not a pro then work away but (in the unlikely event of a disaster) its probably not worth losing a friend.

Sleepy

KKV - thanks for that, plenty of reading to be done there!

mrboswell, I won't be the principal photographer myself, a much more competent amateur with professional standard equipment (5D mk II & L Glass) will be. I'm just going to be assisting.

Borderfox

Have a look on Here Some nice stuff on there and very good for asking questions.

If you want a few ideas these can be handy just for jogging the memory Here

pullandbang

mrboswell wrote: »

To be fair though, with the development of modern cameras, digital cameras (entry to prosumer level slr's) will do a decent job of taking pictures on auto.

You aren't really suggesting that an inexperienced photographer shoot the biggest day of someone's life on Auto? :eek:
I would hope the tog has moved on from that......

mrboswell

pullandbang wrote: »

You aren't really suggesting that an inexperienced photographer shoot the biggest day of someone's life on Auto? :eek:
I would hope the tog has moved on from that......

So I believe...
Such problems arise when people have a neck like a jockey's B****x and nothing to back it up.

There is a recession on and people could take a chance when trying to save money...possibly with horrific results.

Sleepy

Borderfox wrote: »

Have a look on Here Some nice stuff on there and very good for asking questions.

If you want a few ideas these can be handy just for jogging the memory Here

That PicPockets app has some great ideas.

While I wouldn't advocate someone shooting a wedding on full-auto, with finances the way they are for most at the moment, I can certainly understand why that might hapen.