Wedding Photography.. Why am I so scared of it?

ps3man

This is something that has been on my mind for a while now, ill give a little background on my photography experience to give some context,

Have owned and used SLR's both film and digital for the best part of ten years. Have taken photos of plenty of events, birthdays, nightclubs, concerts, college paper etc but I am bored and want to move to the next step, but the thought of doing wedding photography scares the absolute bejaysus out of me, have had a few people ask me to do it, despite what some have offered me financially I can't do it.

I always would have thought it an art best reserved for photographers that really know their trade but having cruised around some forums and seeing what some people are paying (and being over the moon / delighted with) for photographers that really aren't that great, I'm no Steve mcCurry I might add, but still I keep getting that feeling, why aren't you doing that? Anybody else terrified of shooting weddings?

dirtyghettokid

yea, i don't like weddings. did one and said never again!
pain in the face. the risk of not getting "the shot" for the couple..

but i agree, that i see some wedding togs not providing decent results, and charging a bomb. it's not the actual taking pictures i'm afraid of, it's the pressure, and stress of the day itself that i want to avoid.

pete4130

They are busy, stressful, unenjoyable, time consuming, you're never happy with them. I hate doing weddings. Last one I did was April 2013 for a friend as a favour. Thats an even worse situation to be in.
I refuse payment so if they aren't happy then they got what they paid for….hopefully not at the cost of friendship.

I was unhappy with the images as I always am. They were delighted and in hindsight they did look good when put together as a package.

Effects

ps3man wrote: »

I'm no Steve mcCurry I might add,

He probably wouldn't be good at wedding photography either.

Weddings are stressful as it's a once in a lifetime event for two people and a hugely important one.
I've shot a couple and been really nervous about them. I think a lot of the stress comes from your critical thinking of your own photography. Other people who aren't photographers probably think it's great.
There are a lot of wedding photogs out there aren't that aren't great but people are happy with their service. A lot of it is down to their confidence in their own abilities. Even if those abilities aren't that great.

dirtyghettokid

yea, you are probably right about that effects.
one of my gripes from the wedding i shot, was all the other wannabe togs in their fam with P&S's that would copy poses, and literally stand in front of me, while i was framing a shot. :mad:

there is so much work that goes into a wedding, and so much time! hundreds of photos, so much PP, and that's after having to spend the whole freaking day with people that may or may not be irritating the shít out of you :P

btw, pete -- i liked those wedding photos that you posted that time!

squareballoon

I've shot a few and have another 3 lined up for this year. I agree that they're really stressful BUT if you've done event photography before you should be fine. It also really depends on the relationship you have with the couple. Once you meet them and chat to them about the day and what they like you will know what they're after. If you don't think it fits with the kind of pictures you're comfortable taking then they are better with someone else.

pullandbang

I always said I'd never weddings but shot my first on New Years Eve and absolutely loved every minute of it. I like shooting people so TBH I was in my element. Can't wait for the next one.......

Deadlie

The sheer amount of Cowboys in this field is staggering. I was at the rds Wedding Fair with the (soon to be) missus a while back, and bar two photographers, the quality was appalling. The amount of selective colouring or white vignettes on show was just ridiculous. It's an area where people are prepared to spend, but it would seem that people are just throwing their money about without researching, if they're taking on guys like that.


I've shot three myself and found them to be relatively enjoyable. They were long hauls, but I'm a softie at heart and thought they were quite nice.

ps3man

From conversations I have gathered with seasoned pro's what annoys them the most is getting everyone posed, when they have the pose right, all the distant relatives step in with their p+s's. I think what scares me the most is the thought that if I messed it up, whats my comeback? How do you recover from ruining somebody's day?

Effects

Deadlie wrote: »

The amount of selective colouring or white vignettes on show was just ridiculous

Loads of gen pop love selective colouring. It's like the whole HDR thing, people who aren't photographers think it looks amazing.

pixbyjohn

ps3man wrote: »

From conversations I have gathered with seasoned pro's what annoys them the most is getting everyone posed, when they have the pose right, all the distant relatives step in with their p+s's. I think what scares me the most is the thought that if I messed it up, whats my comeback? How do you recover from ruining somebody's day?

You won't ruin the day, stop worrying. But you must take charge and "command" the situation regarding all the other snappers. Tell your subjects to look at your lens first then tell them they can pose for the snappers after you get your shots. Be firm and confident.

Effects

ps3man wrote: »

when they have the pose right, all the distant relatives step in with their p+s's. I

And then a lot of them look at the point and shoots!

Borderfox

The first few are the hardest to get done, after that though you get into a rhythm and in the moments between the formulaic pictures that they expect you can really catch the unexpected pictures. I would really call a halt to too many group pictures and explain this to the couple when you meet them first, pita doing them all.

Reati

Deadlie wrote: »

The sheer amount of Cowboys in this field is staggering. I was at the rds Wedding Fair with the (soon to be) missus a while back, and bar two photographers, the quality was appalling. The amount of selective colouring or white vignettes on show was just ridiculous. It's an area where people are prepared to spend, but it would seem that people are just throwing their money about without researching, if they're taking on guys like that.

+ a million. I was shocked by how bad some of the "pros" were. I remember one where it was of the bride and groom together, and the focus was so off they were blurry. Another had the Bride and groom with their parents. One of the parents was mid blink and it was awful looking shock. Yet, this person had it out front and center as something they were proud of photo wise. Cowboys Ted!

And them all looking for a few grand a pop like!

AnCatDubh

sometimes you just need to do it. sure, you'll get better the more you do but you need to start somewhere.

there's a lot of sh*te gets talked about wedding photography. that is something to be fearful of. sure, it mightn't be your thing - but as Denis says - you might just love it.

sometimes you just need to do it.

I remember my first wedding.

For the whole day my stomache was turning. I couldn't settle and genuinely felt very uneasy through the whole thing. Barely got a wink of sleep the night before and on the way home, after having spent about 20 minutes in the hotel looking at photos on the back of the camera to reassure myself I did a decent job, I was excited, knackered, and elated, as I'd felt I did a pretty decent job.


Nowadays, with a few more weddings beneath my belt, I don't feel really any of that. I treat them as very important (it is a massively important day in two people's lives, and in their families lives, so you can't treat it like 'just another job', in my honest opinion), and I never take on a wedding where i think the people wont be happy with what I provide, etc. but I give books and bring the laptop and let people see full weddings I've shot. I am completely up front about my abilities and experience and what I do or don't do.

I find it helps massively and everyone's on the same page.


At the same time, I've come to realise that, when shooting a wedding, you're very much at the mercy of time. I did a wedding were I didn't get the group shot because, whilst getting ready to set it up, the priest ordered everyone out of the church because he had a christening on in a few minutes.

I've had weddings were the wedding car breaking down delayed everything and meant I had a total of about 2 minutes to do the bride and groom portraits.

I've had a wedding where the hotel threatened to cancel the meal (as if :rolleyes: ) if the couple (and bridal party) were held up by me any longer (what made it more annoying was that I wasn't holding them up at all, the hotel just decided to bring the meal forward an hour without telling anyone, including the couple themselves).


You can do your best and that's all. Make sure your bride and groom are reasonable people and they'll see that you're doing the best you can. I used to be very anxious and 'edgy' through weddings, constantly worrying. But now I just do my best and take a "roll with it" attitude.

"You can plan a pretty picnic, but you can't predict the weather", as the lyrics go.

pete4130

dirtyghettokid wrote: »

btw, pete -- i liked those wedding photos that you posted that time!

Thanks


I was happy with them in the end. Some of the ideas I had planned didn't work out at the time. I eventually put together a 20 page hard back photo book, I guess sort of like an album for them and they were so happy with it. All they wanted was for me to shoot the day and give digital images to them.

I think I still have a CF card floating around with some post wedding shots on somewhere they don't even know about…I'll spring them in time for their 1 year anniversary!

dirtyghettokid

what an awesome idea pete! that's real nice

--

my cousin is getting married this summer, and she booked a local (to her) tog to do her wedding, but i agreed to be a back up stealthy tog. i reckon that if i do a couple of events like that for free, there won't be any pressure, and i can get used to stuff like that. i defo don't want to be a wedding tog, but it would be nice if i could do it, if required, or if i wanted to.

pete4130

The 2nd last wedding I did was in 2009. They paid for a tog to cover it. I said I'd shoot some photos as a favour/fun. The official tog wasn't happy hearing I'd be there shooting.

On the day she was really unhappy I had more modern/better(?) gear than her and her 2nd shooter and "warned" me not to get in her way.

It wasn't long before my friend dropped me a message thanking me for taking photos ALL day and giving them the images they were most happy with. I saw the official togs photos and at best they were amateur...

dirtyghettokid

haha sour grapes!

well i don't intend on getting in the way of the paid tog, but i know that there'll be loads of cameras around, so i'll squeeze in some photo ops where i can.

Effects

My first wedding I stood on the bridesmaids dress as she was walking up the aisle. I was concentrating on the bride so didn't notice loads of people, including the bridesmaid, trying to tell me. Could have been worse, at least it didn't rip!

thebaz

Me as a full time wedding photographer would be disasterville , but do get asked to do the odd favour , done a few off the wall ones , i certainly didnt get rich but had a wild wonderful time - not sure what the results were like, but I was asked to do a few more - for me , I have to want to photograph the scene , whether its a wedding, a portrait or the street - if thers no passion I just can't do it, and it always always shows - so to answer the question , try it and try and enjoy it, as you say its not about money, cause if it was, like most things photography wise, expect to be let down -

ps3man

I have to say I wouldn't appreciate a family member or friend taking photos, not because of the risk of being upstaged, I'd rather get on with it, guests may not know who the actual hired photographer is and could be reluctant to pose again etc. there's no helping it I suppose but it would bug me. Does everyone start out shooting a friends or family's or do people just dive in and do it?

dirtyghettokid

ps3man wrote: »

I have to say I wouldn't appreciate a family member or friend taking photos, not because of the risk of being upstaged, I'd rather get on with it, guests may not know who the actual hired photographer is and could be reluctant to pose again etc. there's no helping it I suppose but it would bug me.

i don't know if your comment is directed towards me, but as i said i don't intend on getting in the way of the tog there. most family guests at weddings have cameras. when i got married, it was like a feckin paparazzi session the whole time.

from the photographers perspective; they would only get annoyed if i was getting in their way, but i'm going to be taking pics when the rest of the guests are, not when the photographer is. so why should there be an issue? because i have a dslr??

from my cousin's perspective, she is more than happy for me to take pics. she is glad that there'll be someone else there getting snaps, just in case.

Borderfox

I got quite a lot of really nice pictures when the couple were concentrating on the guests taking pictures of them, the wedding day is so fluid that you should try to turn an obstacle into your advantage.

dinneenp

Hi,
I'd say go for it!
A friend asked me two years ago to shoot his and I said yes. I've done two more as the offical photogapher and 1 more lined up for this year (all friends or family).

The first is a learning curve but once you're prepared, have a plan, list of photos, scouted the location and talked to the couple it's not that stressful.
I can understand that people who do it for a living think that it gets very routine, even boring as it's very repetitive and the pp time is massive.

Ideally if you're at a wedding where you're not the photographer make mental notes, watch the photographer. Even bring your camera and shoot some photos yourself as an exercise. Or ask to be the second photographer at a wedding to get the expierence.
here's photos from a few I've done.

There's loads of sites with advice for amateur wedding photographers, like this.

My main advice would be:
have two cameras
scout the location beforehand
talk to the couple- what type of photos they want, set expectations, key people to photo (besides them)
wear comfortable clothes and bring water
make a list of photos. sounds obvious but handy to have.
Good luck!

pixbyjohn

ps3man wrote: »

I have to say I wouldn't appreciate a family member or friend taking photos, not because of the risk of being upstaged, I'd rather get on with it, guests may not know who the actual hired photographer is and could be reluctant to pose again etc. there's no helping it I suppose but it would bug me. Does everyone start out shooting a friends or family's or do people just dive in and do it?

That's where you as the official photographer should be able to organise that. Lots of guests are going to take photos so you need to plan how to handle that rather being in an unappreciative mood.

Borderfox

It will be a long day if you get hassled over other photographers/guests at a wedding. My partner helped me on jobs organising some groups or just a second set of eye's

dinneenp

ps3man wrote: »

I have to say I wouldn't appreciate a family member or friend taking photos, not because of the risk of being upstaged, I'd rather get on with it, guests may not know who the actual hired photographer is and could be reluctant to pose again etc. there's no helping it I suppose but it would bug me. Does everyone start out shooting a friends or family's or do people just dive in and do it?

People WILL know who the photographer is. He/she will be the one moving and taking photos during the ceremony.

You just have to be assertive- e.g. for group photo say 'can everyone please not take photos for 2 mins. When Im done you'll all get a chance. Group- look at me please.'

Ask the groomsman to round groups up/help you get them organised...

Daveysil15

I've been asked a couple of times to do weddings but have turned them down. I wouldn't even know where to start TBH. I mostly shoot portraits and model portfolios; I've never done any sort of event photography and wouldn't even attempt to do a wedding. I'm just not interested in event photography.

My sister is getting married this year and of course she asked me to do the photography as she thought she'd be able to save money by doing so. I said no as I just wouldn't be comfortable doing it. She is after finding someone else who is an amateur with not much more experience than myself.

I'm just wondering has anyone ever done the second shooter thing? I've heard of people hiring 2 photographers in case one doesn't show up or is sick. My sister told me I can bring my camera and take some photos on the big day. I'd be terrified if the other photographer didn't show up though, and I'd be left in charge.

ps3man

I know this thread is donkeys old but for those of you still interested I have made my first kinda breakthrough. My girlfriends brother is getting married later in the year, they have a photographer booked for the brides house until dinner, I am going to go to the grooms house before the wedding and take some photos after the dinner. Also might squeeze a couple others throughout the day so long as I don't become a nuisance to the other photographer. Looking forward to see how it goes and to see how I deal with the stress of it.

SuperWoody101

ps3man wrote: »

I know this thread is donkeys old but for those of you still interested I have made my first kinda breakthrough. My girlfriends brother is getting married later in the year, they have a photographer booked for the brides house until dinner, I am going to go to the grooms house before the wedding and take some photos after the dinner. Also might squeeze a couple others throughout the day so long as I don't become a nuisance to the other photographer. Looking forward to see how it goes and to see how I deal with the stress of it.

I think that's the best way to get into wedding photography, I was asked last year to shoot a friends wedding but I told them no as I thought I was ready to shoot such a big event, they booked another photographer but asked me to take my camera along and take a few pics. I got onto the main photographer who was booked for the wedding and told him that I was asked to bring my camera along and was this ok with him (I also told him that I would not get in his way) he said that it was ok. So I took some shots, did not get in any ones way and I was happy with what I shoot and it turns out they used a lot of my images in there album. As soon as they put some of my images on Facebook I had a lot of people asking me to do photography at there wedding, I have now done two weddings and have two more to do in 2014 and 2 more booked for 2015. It's a lot of work but I do enjoy it. Best of luck to you and I hope it all goes well.

ps3man

SuperWoody101 wrote: »

I think that's the best way to get into wedding photography, I was asked last year to shoot a friends wedding but I told them no as I thought I was ready to shoot such a big event, they booked another photographer but asked me to take my camera along and take a few pics. I got onto the main photographer who was booked for the wedding and told him that I was asked to bring my camera along and was this ok with him (I also told him that I would not get in his way) he said that it was ok. So I took some shots, did not get in any ones way and I was happy with what I shoot and it turns out they used a lot of my images in there album. As soon as they put some of my images on Facebook I had a lot of people asking me to do photography at there wedding, I have now done two weddings and have two more to do in 2014 and 2 more booked for 2015. It's a lot of work but I do enjoy it. Best of luck to you and I hope it all goes well.

Yeah I think if I just took one on without any real experience i t would end in disaster. The wedding isn't until december so gives me time to get the last couple of bits of equipment I need for it.

SuperWoody101

ps3man wrote: »

Yeah I think if I just took one on without any real experience i t would end in disaster. The wedding isn't until december so gives me time to get the last couple of bits of equipment I need for it.

If you know of any wedding photographers ask them could you tag along with them for a few hours.

LUZ

are there many wedding photographers on boards?? just wondering if it would be good to have a place to share advice and photos,( but then again id hate a couple to google and find a load of their photos without knowing.)

dinneenp

I think there's a few. And I presume bride or groom wouldn't obect if photographer posts a link to their website with photos from weddings.

I'd be interested in hearing how people got into full time wedding photography, their experiences, thoughts & advice etc.. I've done a 6, will do some more and would consider getting into it more seriously.

SuperWoody101

I was asked to bring along my camera to a friends wedding (they had a pro also on the day) I took a few snaps and people seem to like them, I did a friends wedding after that and it went well and again people liked what I did, did another wedding after that but with a friend of mine and I found two photographers on the day a lot better for me and for clients as they get a lot more choice in images. We have another wedding tomorrow, one in Oct. and 3 booked for next year so it's going well. We are knew at it but we work well as a team and most of all the clients seem to like the end result.

ComeraghBlue

Slightly off top but Im looking for a photographer for my wedding in West Cork in 2015 and its very stressful just looking for one even.

I'm no professional myself but I can't find any that are actually good enough and fit my budget. Im certain I would never go into wedding photography after seeing how much they have to do in one day then the pressure on them to please people like me.

dinneenp

SuperWoody101 wrote: »

I was asked to bring along my camera to a friends wedding (they had a pro also on the day) I took a few snaps and people seem to like them, I did a friends wedding after that and it went well and again people liked what I did, did another wedding after that but with a friend of mine and I found two photographers on the day a lot better for me and for clients as they get a lot more choice in images. We have another wedding tomorrow, one in Oct. and 3 booked for next year so it's going well. We are knew at it but we work well as a team and most of all the clients seem to like the end result.

Are you a full time photographer? Or doing weddings on the side and do you have a website with wedding photos?

This is a link to photos from some of the weddings I've done. (I know I have to remove 80% of photos on that page; I'm displaying way too many, should just display my very best and if someone is interested can show them more.
I haven't used a flash and don't think I've missed not having one but it's the next thing I'm going to buy. Getting it specifically for weddings. Even though I said I didn't miss a flash I know it can help.

paulusdu

dinneenp wrote: »

Are you a full time photographer? Or doing weddings on the side and do you have a website with wedding photos?

This is a link to photos from some of the weddings I've done. (I know I have to remove 80% of photos on that page; I'm displaying way too many, should just display my very best and if someone is interested can show them more.
I haven't used a flash and don't think I've missed not having one but it's the next thing I'm going to buy. Getting it specifically for weddings. Even though I said I didn't miss a flash I know it can help.

Flash is a must at certain times of the year, when you are shooting in a dark church in November - feb on a typical winters day, its so dark that you either have to slow the shutter speed down so much you get too much movement in the images, or you have to ramp the ISO too high and get tonnes of noise. its a bit of a trade off, but yeap, grab a flash and there are lots of inexpensive ones too. You seem to be doing well without one as of yet though.

I started off doing one wedding where i was a guest, did 3 the following year, 16 the next year, now i'm working at it full time. working with another person does make a difference, even if they are just loading cards, charging batteries, changing lens, acting as a second set of eyes. It takes a lot of pressure off.

Sir Gallagher

I'm starting to get into it myself at the moment, have two booked for next year and just received another booking this morning for one in December. I have a few christenings under my belt, they were stressful enough themselves, but also great experience and a steep learning curve.

My question to people with more experience would be about pricing, i'm stressing at the moment because people are asking me for prices and i don't want to scare them off, on the other hand i dont want to rip myself off considering the amount of work involved. Also any technical tips would be appreciated e.g flash settings, lighting tips.

Daveysil15

Weddings in general scare me, let alone photographing them.

With regards to pricing, I wouldn't do it for anything less the 500 euros.

candytog

I started working as an image editor for a wedding photographer. That in itself was a good experience because I saw the format of the wedding day and how many images were taken, some of the difficulties etc. Then from there I was brought out as a second photographer on a few weddings. I must say I would strongly recommend anyone doing this if you can, as it's a great way to experience just how rushed a wedding can be, and how much the photographer has to do to ensure he/she gets the images. As a second shooter you are under far less pressure too.

What this also taught me was the guy I was working for was making a good living for being a pretty average photographer. His clients always seemed happy too even though some of the images would make me cringe. It gave me confidence that I was good enough to be a wedding photographer and set up my own business. Then I learned the next valuable lesson. Business.

It doesn't matter how good you are at photography, you need to get good at marketing, networking, business, asking for money, SEO, managing money, forgetting about that new body and lens because you have no money and so on. The reality is you need to accept that it can take nearly 5 years to get to a level where you can make a sustainable living. Wedding Photography is massively based on referrals, and those take years to build up. People are afraid of newcomers to the market and will often go with well established businesses for security.

Not meaning to put anybody off but shooting the wedding is the easy part!

Daveysil15

candytog wrote: »

I started working as an image editor for a wedding photographer. That in itself was a good experience because I saw the format of the wedding day and how many images were taken, some of the difficulties etc. Then from there I was brought out as a second photographer on a few weddings. I must say I would strongly recommend anyone doing this if you can, as it's a great way to experience just how rushed a wedding can be, and how much the photographer has to do to ensure he/she gets the images. As a second shooter you are under far less pressure too.

What this also taught me was the guy I was working for was making a good living for being a pretty average photographer. His clients always seemed happy too even though some of the images would make me cringe. It gave me confidence that I was good enough to be a wedding photographer and set up my own business. Then I learned the next valuable lesson. Business.

It doesn't matter how good you are at photography, you need to get good at marketing, networking, business, asking for money, SEO, managing money, forgetting about that new body and lens because you have no money and so on. The reality is you need to accept that it can take nearly 5 years to get to a level where you can make a sustainable living. Wedding Photography is massively based on referrals, and those take years to build up. People are afraid of newcomers to the market and will often go with well established businesses for security.

Not meaning to put anybody off but shooting the wedding is the easy part!

Yeah my sister got married recently and most of the photos were dreadful, but she seemed happy enough with them. In some ways the standard has dropped because there are so many photographers out there now.

candytog

I'll give my advice for anybody starting out with weddings. First of all meet the couple before hand and prepare a comprehensive shot list. Tell them about this ahead of time and make sure you get all the information as to what they want to get. If I feel they are asking too much I will tell them straight up that there simply isnt enough time. Couples ALWAYS underestimate how long things take. They think the ceremony will take an hour when in reality the bride will be 20 mins late, the greets will take half an hour and it'll take another 15 mins to get into the car!



Once you have your shot list plan it and bring it with you. This is very important for family photographs so they won't complain afterwards that "he never got my god mum" blah blah. If it's not on the list and they didn't ask you are covered! Often they will have asked for photographs of family members after the mass but then said people have fecked off to the pub. Again that's not your problem but you can tell the bride it's on the list and offer to do it later. cover yourself.

When you arrive at the house in the morning, leave your camera down when you walk in, chat have a coffee and relax. people will be nervous so don't come in firing candids like a lemon.

Ask the make-up artist and stylist to tell you when they are finished and THEN arrange the make-up/hair shot. This will win you major brownie points with everyone as it shows you know what you are doing.

Family groups can be a challenge, especially with older people and kids, you need to be firm, efficient, and quick AND keep talking to them so they don't move after the first shot. check your shots for blinkers and make sure you get them at least once so you can photoshop them later. I know some people may frown at this but otherwise you would need 50 shots per group. Also remember large groups in dark churches presents an issue. watch your depth of field and shutter speed and have lots of fresh batteries for your flash. Get one of those lambancy diffusers too they help.

The two most important people at a wedding are the bride, and the brides mother, remember that lol

I'm gonna leave this here for now because I could go on all night lol

laklaker

You shouldn't be terrified. If you feel terrified go team up with some photographers too. You will find it easy to manage your fear.

jldesign

One of the best Cork Wedding photographers I have seen is Majella O'Regan, Maybe you should look at her site for inspiration: majellaoregan.com

sheesh

I think you are right to be terrified I think it is a big responsibility you do not want to be 'that' Photographer who fecks up the photographs of a day that important. I would try to team up with someone who needs a decent second camera (which you are) you have done all the events stuff it would be no problem to you! once you see the lay of the land you will see what is required.

A guy I know started in my club as a beginner and is now doing a fair few weddings a year and at the start I did not particularly like his stuff but it has gotten really good since then.