DaughterAlice

I will start this by saying that I am NOT a wedding photographer. I'm just a good friend with a camera, trying to save a friend the $$$ of hiring a pro. I want to do a good job for her! I've got a T3i, with a Tamron 18-270, and a 50mm prime (1.8). I also have an Allura flash to fit on my hotshoe (or I have a stand for slaving it). This is the total sum of my equipment.

I thought I would show up early enough to catch photos of the bride and/or groom getting ready, which is to happen in someone's house. I have no clue what the lighting will be like. I assume that the makeup artist will have a well lit mirror for working on the bride's face and hair. Some clever reflection pics would be nice. Close-ups of hands brushing hair, tying bowties, etc, might look nice too. The wedding takes place starting at 4pm, an east coast beach, so the sun setting opposite the water.

Advice? I tend to get stuck in manual. I could use a shooting mode. Shutter priority, perhaps? Probably using the 50mm for inside shots and the 18-270 for outdoors. Should I set the WB for auto? Or keep the outdoors photos on sunshine and test which (tungsten, etc) is best for indoors?

I suspect that your answers will get uber technical, but then you must remember my hardware limitations.

Oh, one more question! Would it be inappropriate to bring model release forms? I might not get anything good at all, or I could get some that are fantastic. Since I'm not charging, I would at least love to request the right to promote myself with this work. The last thing a bride and groom would want to do is sign forms for me, but they live in another state, so there wouldn't be another good opportunity.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Isn't there a wedding section?
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You sound like you've got most things set. Try looking around at other wedding pics if needed.

As for the release form, generally those are used when/if a pic is used for things where money is involved, copyrighted, underaged, or if you want to protect yourself should someone misuse the photo.

People at weddings generally know they will be in a photo somewhere so that doesn't matter.

Be sure to honor the photo requirements of the location. Ask if you have any "must have" shots. You might need to do them afterwards.

Bobbee

quick advice, start trolling You Tube for videos. Lighted mirror, have not seen one makeup person show up with one yet. Is there another photographer, is he/she shooting the prep photos. Tends to be tight in there. That is one place I would hate to have another person standing by me talking pictures. Also, everyone is all over the place. It is a crazy place. Plus the girls are 1/2 naked. Many times the don't raise an eye brow at the photographer, don't ask me why, but it happens, now you on the other hand................which may have them second think the photographer and then someone is pissed.

Lighting on a beach is a tough situation. Things are constantly changing. A mode could be your friend. Also, depending on the sun, You might have to compensate between the background and the subjects using your flash. Tricky in a wedding situation. Think lots of pressure, little time to do it and people want to go inside and start drinking and not be standing there while you fiddle with your camera.. Good luck on the release forms. All my paper work is done months in advance, when the B&G can think clearly.

Final advice, Just shoot what you can, hope for the best and remember, have a good time, your not getting paid.

Vickylou Loc: Surrey

In all honesty you are very brave. These photos are the bride and grooms memories forever and it is a big responsibility. I am an amateur and would happy take a few shots as a friend along side a pro photographer. I would never dream of accepting to photograph their special day. Hopefully a pro can give you some advice. It might be worth checking out the venue and having a plan of the kind of shots you have in mind. 50mm indoors depending on the space can be quite long, it may be worth considering renting a faster wider lens.

Definitely shoot in Raw, I would use a grey card and then white balance can be adjusted later.

I would shoot in manual especially indoors, you needs to be in control of shutter speed in low light to prevent motion blur.

Good luck. Hopefully an experienced wedding photographer can give you some advice.

hlmichel Loc: New Hope, Minnesota

Were you asked or did you volunteer? The expectations would be different in either case. In either case I would talk to them about what you are capable of and what they can expect.

The inside shots are easy--if the ceilings cooperate. Bounced flash with a flag of some sort to keep direct flash off of subjects http://neilvn.com/tangents/directional-light-from-your-on-camera-flash/

Personally, I've turned down every offer to save a friend money because I didn't feel I could deliver. Well, there was that one time I shot my sister-in-law's wedding--never again!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

If you are near this beach go there several times prior to the wedding. Be there at the time it will occur, unless it is still a long ways off then adjust your visit so that the sun is in the same position. Then take photos for the whole time the event will be and see what settings work. Take a friend to model. Indoors the 50 will be good, a bit long on a crop sensor camera though. Again set up the scenario in your house with someone to cooperate and see what works. All the advice in the world is worthless unless you practice before hand.
Good luck.Dluck. Don't promote yourself as a professional with a couple of one of photos of one event. Could get you into trouble.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Google has more info that you could read on the topic. You'll probably find little ideas that never occurred to you.

http://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=photographing%20a%20wedding%20on%20a%20beach

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Think about bringing extra batteries for your camera and flash. Extra cards also. Think about how you are going to change your lenses without sand etc getting in your camera . I think indoors you will need the 18-35 range of that 18-270. Photographers should not drink at weddings as they might go out of focus. I have done beach weddings and they can be awesome depending upon the light. Try for a sunset with the B&G. I would shoot in Aperture. You don't have time to keep checking your histogram and tweaking exposure. You will miss the action.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

You should probably post your question in the Wedding Photography forum section. The people there will be able to give you specific advice.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

I will offer only 2 problems, among the many more. On the beach in the evening,on tthe east coast means either you will be shooting into the sun, or the sun will be in the people's eyes. So wtch out for flare or squinting. For back lit, use fill flash, or have someone hold some kind of reflector. Better yet have the people side lit. Better yet-- leave the camera home, or develop a medical emergency, so you cant attend.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

As Vickylou stated, shoot in RAW if you have access to a PP tool like Lightroom. Shooting a grey card is also a good idea, but with RAW, you'll have a lot more leeway to correct color balance in Lightroom, Photoshop, On1, etc. If you don't have a program like Lightroom, DPP which came with your camera would serve. Also, protect your camera from sun and sand on the beach!

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

Chimp a lot and adjust on the fly.

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

Also, what is the back-up plan if the weather doesn't cooperate? Be ready to shoot indoors, likely in a church.

zigipha Loc: north nj

1. I would take most "important" pictures with the prime; the 18-270 is probably not as sharp.
2. Bring flash, use if off camera, use a diffuser and watch for shadows
3. exposure - if you are a a beach/outside, make sure the exposure is set for the people and not the entire scene; camera's light weighting could give you underexposed people.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

My advise, A bathing suit and a good excuse NOT to photograph the wedding.