Photographing a wedding, need some advice

m-i-m-m-

Well there good people. I'm photographing my sisters wedding in the next few months. It will be my first time photographing a wedding. It will be a very small affair, just close family, the wedding itself is taking place in a registry office, and will proceed on to a few other locations in Edinburgh.

It means alot to my sister to have me photograph the wedding, and me too, so I want to do the best job I can. I would describe myself as having a very solid understanding of photography, and have plenty of experience in landscape/concept styles. The technical side of things should be no problem to me.

The advice I'm looking for is practical tips that some of ye out there with experience in the wedding field may have. Things experience has given you insight into. Any little pearls of wisdom, or pointers. And also recommendations on the most usefull / your personal favorite lenses for this kind of work.

Any help is much appreciated!

Here's some of my work to give ye an idea of where I'm coming from visually.

secman

Judging by those excellent shots you will be fine, once you take control of the wedding and dictate the shots you want to get. Your only problem will be getting into the shots yourself ! Brsy of luck, love that first shot, really really nice.

Sabre Man

The PhotoTips podcast by BCPhoto gives advice on wedding photography in several episodes. You may get some inspiration and ideas from that.

Best of luck.

Fabulous pictures by the way.

Alltherage

One thing I will say is that you need to be mindful of the fact that as this is going to be your family and your sisters in-laws you're going to be a lot more comfortable working with your own. Don't let that be reflected in the shots you come away with. It's a trap a lot of wedding photographers who start on their own family will regret falling into.
If you find yourself shooting from an angle where somebody leaning into frame will ruin your shot then they probably will lean in, tell people beforehand if it looks like it's going to be an issue.
For the group shots tell everybody that they can have a chance at the pose after you've had it else you'll end up having people looking at 4 different cameras.
Lens selection, 24-70 as the workhorse but make sure that will work for the ring exchange / signing if not swap out before it gets there or have something longer on a second body to make those shots.

m-i-m-m-

secman wrote: »

Judging by those excellent shots you will be fine, once you take control of the wedding and dictate the shots you want to get. Your only problem will be getting into the shots yourself ! Brsy of luck, love that first shot, really really nice.

Thank you, yes I'm probably not going to be in as many shots as I would like! I will work around this as much as possaible, I'll have a designated helper on the day too.

Sabre Man wrote: »

The PhotoTips podcast by BCPhoto gives advice on wedding photography in several episodes. You may get some inspiration and ideas from that.

Best of luck.

Fabulous pictures by the way.

Cheers! Thanks for the tip I'll check it out

Alltherage wrote: »

One thing I will say is that you need to be mindful of the fact that as this is going to be your family and your sisters in-laws you're going to be a lot more comfortable working with your own. Don't let that be reflected in the shots you come away with. It's a trap a lot of wedding photographers who start on their own family will regret falling into.
If you find yourself shooting from an angle where somebody leaning into frame will ruin your shot then they probably will lean in, tell people beforehand if it looks like it's going to be an issue.
For the group shots tell everybody that they can have a chance at the pose after you've had it else you'll end up having people looking at 4 different cameras.
Lens selection, 24-70 as the workhorse but make sure that will work for the ring exchange / signing if not swap out before it gets there or have something longer on a second body to make those shots.

Excellent advice! Just what I'm looking for. I'll probably have a 24-70 and 70-200 2.8 with me on the full frame camera at least anyway... second body with a 50mm and 18-200.

toe_knee

I have only recently started into the wedding photography side myself and I have a schedule that I found on the internet somewhere that I can PM you if you want. I find its all about knowing where to be and when. The last thing you want is to be running around trying to get the shot. If you plan the day you will be a lot more relaxed.

Another thing I found that helped me relax was the fact that pretty much all shots can be re taken if missed originally. Like the kiss, putting on the rings etc. I worked with a wedding photographer as a second photographer for a few weddings and this was one of the first things he told me. Fortunately I never had to do it but it helped me relax knowing that I could.

The other piece of advice would be to have a second camera but I see you have that covered already.

One other thing I found out (not really photo related) bring some grub with you that you can eat on the go. Its a long day!!!


Enjoy and hope it works out

Lyaiera

secman wrote: »

Judging by those excellent shots you will be fine

I'm sorry that I have to call you out but this seems really disrespectful to the many excellent wedding photographers who have posted here throughout the years. It also seems really disrespectful to mimm. The photos they have shown are nothing like what a wedding photographer would take. They're high concept, digitally altered images. I could imagine a wedding being shot that way for a magazine but it's certainly not "wedding photography."

Wedding photography is not simply a case of being able to properly expose and compose a photograph. There's a reason why wedding photographers at their best command tens of thousands of Euros.

While mimm might be able to go in and take decent shots, that in no way means that their experience in their style will translate to wedding photography. Especially if the marrying couple are so serious about ensuring the photography is good as to hire a second shooter.

Wedding photography is a specialist skill. Just because you're a good photographer in no way means you'll be a good wedding photographer (in fact there's a debate to be had about being able to take a decent shot, and then the expertise it takes to specialise in more specific areas of photography.) The wedding photographry industry is bemoaning the fact that anyone with a digital camera (and it was brought up in this thread) somehow thinks they're capable of replacing someone who knows what they're doing. Mimm is a good photographer, but to say they'll "be fine" based on their other work belittles the hard work mimm will have to do and belittles the hard work and many years of expertise other photographers put into wedding photography.

toe_knee wrote: »

Another thing I found that helped me relax was the fact that pretty much all shots can be re taken if missed originally. Like the kiss, putting on the rings etc. I worked with a wedding photographer as a second photographer for a few weddings and this was one of the first things he told me. Fortunately I never had to do it but it helped me relax knowing that I could.

I hope the photographer was lying to you to put you at ease. I know of no bride (and quite a few grooms) happy to have a fake image of a significant moment. If a disaster happens: a memory card fails (why aren't they using a secondary memory card for backups) or the photographer falls in a pond I imagine most couples would be happy to retake one or two shots. It won't be an ideal but they realise freak events can happen and then a shot needs to be retaken. "pretty much all shots can be retaken" just seems like a casual answer. There's only one first dance, there's only one putting on of the rings, there's only one cutting of the cake. Those are the reasons you're hired. You have to get those shots, at a minimum and if you're commanding anyway of a reasonable price you're getting those photos with a certain sense of artistic integrity.

A marrying couple doesn't pay for posed photographs, and certainly not posed photographs that weren't directed by the photographer in the moment. A friend of mine didn't have a first dance, it wasn't for them. But at one point the band (friends of their's) called them up to dance for a song. It wasn't planned but the photographer got a shot of just them on the dance floor, standing off each other and preparing to dance. It wasn't on his list of "moments" he was good enough to get it. I'm sure if they didn't see a photo of that moment they'd have been fine but the fact that he did get it meant that they could look back on that dance as a very special moment. The photographer knew it was good because it's on his website now. That picture is going to get him work, because he's good at what he does. Posing that photograph because you missed the shot would have been ridiculous. The significance was in that split second, not just "You have to have photos and a photographer because that's what you do for weddings." These aren't just pictures to show off because they're the pictures you're supposed to have, they're pictures of a moment, of a feeling and of a situation between a couple.

toe_knee

To be honest I cant see how it is disrespectful to anyone to say the OP will be fine. Of course there are excellent wedding photographers out there who would do a better job.
The OP quiet clearly states that these are not wedding photos that he posted "I could imagine a wedding being shot that way for a magazine but it's certainly not "wedding photography." No one is denying that. The only way you will know if you will be any good at it is to do it. Every wedding photographer started somewhere.

On the second point I am not sure if the photographer told me that to put me at ease or not but it worked for me. Of course the shots are backed up on a secondary card but that only works if you get the shot in the first place. I agree that you want to catch the moment but disagree that most of the shots cant be re shot. If you have a good relationship with the couple it would be very easy to setup some of these shots in a round a bout way that they wouldn't be put off by it and might not even realise. Like I said I never had to do it and I never seen the other photographer doing it either. Example would be getting the couple to kiss during your posed shots after the ceremony. This is not something that would be unreasonable to ask for. The cutting of the cake is nearly always staged and done before anyone even enters the reception room. For the first dance OK couldn't really re shoot that but most else you could.

If you are more relaxed and prepared in your head the better chance you have of getting all the shots you need.

I have yet to meet an Irish wedding photographer who commands tens of thousands of euros and if there are I am sure they deserve it. Hopefully some day I will be in the same situation.

Anyway the OP was looking for some tips and advice to help him on the day of which you provided none. You sound like you have experience in the area so why don't you add to the post instead of being so negative.

secman

Cannot for a minute see how I was being disrespectful, the OP has been asked by his sister to shoot her wedding. As he is not a wedding tog he is looking for tips. He will invariably most likely get a different spin on his shots, that is not to say they will be bad shots, as he has , as shown by his sample shots a good level of ability. Of course there are a lot of extremely good hard working wedding togs all hustling in an environment where it is so hard to make a crust, there are also some lazy ones too.

toe_knee

Another thing to note is that there are advantages and disadvantages to doing family weddings. The advantage is that they are a lot more relaxed and comfortable with you which gives you a great opportunity to get candid photos. I find that these candid shots are the ones couples really enjoy.
The disadvantages are that everyone else are very relaxed and comfortable around you too which makes it more difficult to organise group shots.

One more thing is to scout the proposed locations before hand if possible.

toe_knee

Another thing to note is that there are advantages and disadvantages to doing family weddings. The advantage is that they are a lot more relaxed and comfortable with you which gives you a great opportunity to get candid photos. I find that these candid shots are the ones couples really enjoy.
The disadvantages are that everyone else are very relaxed and comfortable around you too which makes it more difficult to organise group shots.

One more thing is to scout the proposed locations before hand if possible.

dinneenp

There's many threads about this.
Have a look at

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.

One 'different' thing that I've done is put your camera on a tripod/monopod, camera on timer, stand behind/to side of alter, raise the camera up and take a photo of the people in the pews.

My main advice would be:
have two cameras (which you said you do)
scout the location beforehand, know what's the lowest shutter speed & highest ISO you can work with
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.
remember that you're the photographer. So you can control things
Try to get group shots at the church as it's harder to get everyone you need together at the ceremony.
Good luck!

Wabbit Ears

My advice from an experience shooting friends weddings is to, for the duration of the wedding, realise you are neither a guest, a friend or a sister, you are there to do a job, abeit an unpaid one.

You may be asked to avoid posed shots and do 'candid' or 'action' shots, do not fall for this, pay attention to admiral akbar, its a trap!! Have posed shots organised and, as stated already, locations etc all prepared and checked in advance, with a 'weather problem' backup plan.

When taking group shots be professional and stand firm, Lots of people will not treat you as the paid photographer and many will wreck your shots with flashes etc and by simply standing in front of you (this happens anyway but when your just seen as the siste/friendr and not the photographer, its worse). Dont be afraid to ask them to move, or hold off taking their shots until you get yours. Keep a close eye out for bastwards with their red light targeters, you will not be able to photoshop those off a white dress with ease!!!

Make sure everybody in the group shots is looking at you, with a paid photographer its difficult enough to get everybody looking at your camera, when you are a family member/friend your can drop in importance in their eyes and you can have people looking at their mothers, brothers, etc etc instead of you. You may have to actually say it, "stop looking at other people, look at me!!"

Dont forget to talk to the priest and know his house rules.

Know where the stairs to the church balcony are and ensure the door is easily openable and unlocked. If there are singers/musicians up there have a quick word about clearing the center to take the isle leaving the church picture.

leche solara

Wabbit Ears wrote: »

Dont forget to talk to the priest and know his house rules.

Know where the stairs to the church balcony are and ensure the door is easily openable and unlocked. If there are singers/musicians up there have a quick word about clearing the center to take the isle leaving the church picture.

The OP said its in a registry office

Wabbit Ears

Indeed, but it was more of a post about general lessons learned when doing friends weddings so I put it in there anyway. Never been to a registry office wedding so dunno what the etiquette for photography is, that would be a nice write-up if anybody does!!

OldGoat

Etiquette is the just the same for both a priest and a registrar, you talk to them beforehand.

tricky D

Might be an idea to get the usher onside to do some of the herding for you. Might be handy for seeking out those around the corner having a smoke or other required subjects who might be temporarily absent.

dinneenp

A few helpful links on this page.

Can you post up some photos afterwards or a link to some of them?

m-i-m-m-

Thank you all for the very helpfull tips and insights. Really helps with my research and planning! I'll post some pics afterwards indeed, with the Couples permission.

littlelulu

m-i-m-m- wrote: »

Thank you all for the very helpfull tips and insights. Really helps with my research and planning! I'll post some pics afterwards indeed, with the Couples permission.

Definetely get a list of the essential shots from the couple. I gave my photographer a list beforehand and only for she had that list, I would have missed some crucial shots e.g my friends etc. The couple won't think of those kind of things on the day so let them have it all thought out before. Otherwise they may regret not getting a specific pic

Have somebody organised to gather up the people for the next photo so that its just a case of some steppibg out and some stepping in. There is no time wasting at all then.

sarokeeffe

hi
just wondering could anyone recommend a good photographer for a wedding in cork. thanks

dakar

sarokeeffe wrote: »

hi
just wondering could anyone recommend a good photographer for a wedding in cork. thanks

Probably a good idea to post here:

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2055524252/

Mimm, you need 4 abilities to photograph a wedding:

1. Competent understanding of how to achieve a correct exposure (brightness/darkness).
2. Basic time-keeping ability (if the wedding ends at X, and the meal is at Y, Johnny has Z time to get A, B and C done).
3. Patience.


and the most important one:

4. Social skills (balancing assertive and light-heartedness. Tell people what they're doing, but word it nicely and cracking a joke or two won't hurt).


The portraits you posted in the OP are great shots, but it's like this: you have a time frame to take your photos. If you want to whip out a few lights, set up an elaborate pose, and do it in a very high-concept way, that's great, and I'm sure everyone will love it. But you'll do one, maybe two photos, and then it's meal time. You'll miss a load.

What you actually need to do, is hurry it all up, get the group shots done and try to disperse the crowd to the bar, go through a half dozen quick and easy poses with the bride and groom, and aim to get a decent level of quality in as many photos as possible.


If you give them one single great photo after the wedding - they'll kick the crap out of you.
If you give them a load of crappy photos after the wedding - they'll kick the crap out of you.


Getting the balance right is important. No one expects miracles, though. Especially if they know you've not done this before.

If you have, and if you haven't, if you can get, a lightstand, umbrella and off camera flash trigger. your portraits of the B+G will dramatically improve (don't care what anyone says about "natural" portraits, you dont know what the weather'll be like, the hotel is most likely gonna be pitch black on your sensor, and if you can avoid shooting everything at ISO6400 then that's a good thing). A light and umbrella will help beyond belief. Trust me on this.

At the same time, don't go mad bringing loads of studio gear and everything. Keep it simple and easy.


I'm probably just rambling now (I'm absolutely shattered) but i wish you the very best of luck with it man. My first wedding was almost surreal. Didn't quite feel right at all. Got a lot of great shots that I was thrilled with. Got a lot of crap ones that I deleted on the spot. So long as you cover the bases (ie; a photo of everyone so your mam and dad can talk about what Mary down the street wore to the wedding) you're grand.

m-i-m-m-

Deleted User wrote: »

Mimm, you need 4 abilities to photograph a wedding:

1. Competent understanding of how to achieve a correct exposure (brightness/darkness).
2. Basic time-keeping ability (if the wedding ends at X, and the meal is at Y, Johnny has Z time to get A, B and C done).
3. Patience.


and the most important one:

4. Social skills (balancing assertive and light-heartedness. Tell people what they're doing, but word it nicely and cracking a joke or two won't hurt).


The portraits you posted in the OP are great shots, but it's like this: you have a time frame to take your photos. If you want to whip out a few lights, set up an elaborate pose, and do it in a very high-concept way, that's great, and I'm sure everyone will love it. But you'll do one, maybe two photos, and then it's meal time. You'll miss a load.

What you actually need to do, is hurry it all up, get the group shots done and try to disperse the crowd to the bar, go through a half dozen quick and easy poses with the bride and groom, and aim to get a decent level of quality in as many photos as possible.


If you give them one single great photo after the wedding - they'll kick the crap out of you.
If you give them a load of crappy photos after the wedding - they'll kick the crap out of you.


Getting the balance right is important. No one expects miracles, though. Especially if they know you've not done this before.

If you have, and if you haven't, if you can get, a lightstand, umbrella and off camera flash trigger. your portraits of the B+G will dramatically improve (don't care what anyone says about "natural" portraits, you dont know what the weather'll be like, the hotel is most likely gonna be pitch black on your sensor, and if you can avoid shooting everything at ISO6400 then that's a good thing). A light and umbrella will help beyond belief. Trust me on this.

At the same time, don't go mad bringing loads of studio gear and everything. Keep it simple and easy.


I'm probably just rambling now (I'm absolutely shattered) but i wish you the very best of luck with it man. My first wedding was almost surreal. Didn't quite feel right at all. Got a lot of great shots that I was thrilled with. Got a lot of crap ones that I deleted on the spot. So long as you cover the bases (ie; a photo of everyone so your mam and dad can talk about what Mary down the street wore to the wedding) you're grand.

Absolutely excellent advice! Just what I'm looking for, thank you for taking the time to write it. Got 1,2,3 covered... 4 will be the real test. Lucky for me it's a small wedding, talking 20 people maybe so that should make managing everyone easier. If it was a full blown 200 guest white wedding I wouldn't have said yes. Thanks again great stuff. I've been considering my option re lighting so I'll look into it more.

the_syco

dinneenp wrote: »

My main advice would be:
have two cameras (which you said you do)
scout the location beforehand, know what's the lowest shutter speed & highest ISO you can work with
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.
remember that you're the photographer. So you can control things
Try to get group shots at the church as it's harder to get everyone you need together at the ceremony.
Good luck!

I second all of this. Along with the second camera, have spare batteries, memory cards, etc.

Also, have an idea of the weather for the day, and have a few locations that would look nice as a backdrop if it's sunny or miserable.

Misty Moon

littlelulu wrote: »

Definetely get a list of the essential shots from the couple.

This is a really good idea. At a friend's wedding once she was all stressed about making sure she had a picture taken with us (her schoolfriends) because her mum had warned her and warned her that it was something she regretted not doing at her own wedding. But my friend was worrying so much about not making the same mistake as her mum, she never thought to get a picture done with her friends that lived in the same estate as her, who really were far better friends than we were. So it's worth spending some time thinking about it ahead of time.

Deleted User wrote: »

So long as you cover the bases (ie; a photo of everyone so your mam and dad can talk about what Mary down the street wore to the wedding) you're grand.

Since it's not a big wedding it shouldn't be an issue for you but I'll mention it just in case anyway. My sister had a very low-key wedding, and didn't want any posed shots other than one of the couple at the registry office. Her hubby's cousin had a really good camera and was a bit of a hobby photographer at the time so they asked him to do the photos. He got some lovely shots but the only problem was that since he didn't really know anyone on her side, he didn't really bother taking many photos so she ended up with lots of photos of her mother-in-law, but very few of her brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles and old friends. So just be aware and try not to favour the people you know best when it comes to taking photos.

Good luck with it.

Gehad_JoyRider

I say look at some good wedding photographers blogs get an idea on what you want to get from the day in terms of photography.

My approach is fly on the wall avoid getting into conversations look after your job and shoot lots I know some people say over shooting is a little much but to be-honest I think over shooting is nesscerey. Try get good pictures in the early part of the day takes the pressure of.

Other then that avoid the tacky cheasy crap, for weddings yes loads of people think its great but in 50 years times they'll probably wish they had something that covers the day...

m-i-m-m-

Weddings coming up on Friday wish me luck! Had a look though many wedding portfolio's... Really like this guys work, he's Irish... condescendingly my sister knows him personally, but cant come close to affording his (justified) pricing.

If I can come even close to emulating his class (In my own way) I will be very satisfied... I release that I will be doing well to even come close, as this level requires ambulant skill and experience.

Something to note is that even a photographer of this level must start somewhere, he's first wedding was as a favor to a friend a few years ago, (one which my sister was in attendance at)

Thank you for all your Input :-)

http://www.savo.ie/

SuperWoody101

m-i-m-m- wrote: »

Weddings coming up on Friday wish me luck! Had a look though many wedding portfolio's... Really like this guys work, he's Irish... condescendingly my sister knows him personally, but cant come close to affording his (justified) pricing.

If I can come even close to emulating his class (In my own way) I will be very satisfied... I release that I will be doing well to even come close, as this level requires ambulant skill and experience.

Something to note is that even a photographer of this level must start somewhere, he's first wedding was as a favor to a friend a few years ago, (one which my sister was in attendance at)

Thank you for all your Input :-)

http://www.savo.ie/

Best of luck pal.

maddogcollins

Best of luck. I have my first tomorrow as well. Hope the weather clears a bit for us tho

run_Forrest_run

I have no advice to offer but just wanted to say, sweet Lord those pictures of yours are stunning.

DaireQuinlan

savo/eric/eas used to be a fairly regular contributer on boards

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/member.php?u=52659

Effects

m-i-m-m- wrote: »

Really like this guys work, he's Irish... condescendingly my sister knows him personally, but cant come close to affording his (justified) pricing.
http://www.savo.ie/

Every second photo has the same horrible scratch and dirt overlay/filter. Wouldn't be something I'd want to get back in an album.

m-i-m-m-

Hey Folks, few snaps from the day as promised! A mini album in the link... they have not been edited besides cropping and b+w processing. Love to know what ye think, thanks again for all the help! Rob.


Link to a quickly edited album:

https://plus.google.com/photos/110912146100466446904/albums/6011777680780280929?authkey=CJbW4LS98bmptgE


.

Wabbit Ears

Some really lovley photos there. Congratualtions!!!

m-i-m-m-

Wabbit Ears wrote: »

Some really lovley photos there. Congratualtions!!!

Thank you! Appreciate that

m-i-m-m-

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

I have no advice to offer but just wanted to say, sweet Lord those pictures of yours are stunning.

Thank you ;-)

AnimalRights

Pics are pretty decent, may be a few to many tilted ones but I love the noise/grain that I see in most.
What camera/lens did you use?

Oh the family wear the most unusual of beard styles.

m-i-m-m-

AnimalRights wrote: »

Pics are pretty decent, may be a few to many tilted ones but I love the noise/grain that I see in most.
What camera/lens did you use?


Oh the family wear the most unusual of beard styles.

Thank you.

Yes we like our beards me included!

This is just a quick sample album of a few images edited in 30 mins or so.... When I'm home I'll be doing a full edit, this being my first wedding I was just very excited to show some quick results.

Gear was:

5d mkiii
24-70mm 2.8
70-200mm 2.8

And a d90 with an 18-200mm, and 50 1.8

maddogcollins

Haven't got round to looking at images yet from the wedding but these are from the Photobooth at the afters. Good craic and happy enough with my first attempt at this.


Alot learned from the wedding day and looking forward to my next one already. I have never been as nervous in my life and I have danced in front of 30,000 people.

Great Photos M-I-M-M-

m-i-m-m-

Super stuff! Looks like a lot of fun :-) And thank you!