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HELP!!! need tips for shooting a wedding!!
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May 20, 2017 05:57:37   #
GMCJim Loc: York Haven Pa
 
I am ALWAYS relaxed with my camera in hand. One other thing I did remember at both sister's weddings I carried a list of must have pics the bride requested. the one I shot 27 rolls of film! 4 of those in b/w at the bride's request. The maid of honor was terrific at drawing people towards the camera without making things look staged but help like her is probably a rarity.

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May 20, 2017 09:54:47   #
markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ
 
That is an excellent idea. I shot my best friend's 80th celebration part. My wife was the herder. Worked very well and allowed me to concentrate on exposure and composition.
Mark
BHC wrote:
Others have said it and/or inferred it; get a family member to do the herding and set up the guest shots. BUT, go one step further; inasmuch as the bride had the courage (nerve, gall?) to tap you as the photographer, she should have no trouble tapping another relative or friend (someone with a commanding presence) to be your assistant (herder). So talk to the bride and put the onus on her. Believe me, if you can just be expected to do the shooting and not the herding, your stress level will drop significantly. And if the herder doesn't perform, you can't be blamed; it was the responsibility of the bride and/or her designee.
Others have said it and/or inferred it; get a fam... (show quote)

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May 20, 2017 10:07:34   #
SS319
 
Have a friend assist you. As a photographer friend, you will not have the courtesy from other guests that a paid professional will have - when taking posed pictures you must take control - full control of the situation(but don't be a B---- about it). You can ask, but will not receive assurance that when you set up a shot, that you be allowed to get your shot BEFORE that person from the grooms side steps right in front of your camera to get his shot. Others with cellphones will change your posing, distract your clients, and walk into your picture, because they are much much more important than anyone else - even more important than the Bride.

Develop a list of shots that the Bride wants - on paper and have your assistant check them off when complete. There will always be one of the four (or six or eight) grandmothers that will have to go pee 2 minutes before you are ready for her ("assistant!"). For the posed formal shots, I always shoot from the largest group down to the Bride and Groom - that way, when I am finished with a part of the group, they can go get a drink. Don't bounce around on the bride's list - get all the shots that include grandma and then let her sit down or whatever.

On a given posting, take a bunch of shots, if there are children take three bunches of shots - you still may have to move a smile from one shot to the next. If you have a remote, use it and get out from behind the camera.

Remember, you will capture people having fun together, sharing future memories, that may not ever see each other again - and that is the best reason for calling the disassociated photography professional. That stress will remain until you have reviewed every shot and seen the quality of your work (with Film, that was days, now, only minutes to hours). On the other side of the coin, you will spend time and effort to get a group shot set up and carefully set your exposure and make sure everyone is smiling and before you can review the image on your camera back, your phone will ding as someone has put the image up on Facebook, and it will immediately get 84 likes and 14 shares - don't let it bother you - your images will end up on large format paper hanging on a wall long after their image is buried.

Have fun and enjoy the wedding

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May 20, 2017 19:44:14   #
tresap23 Loc: Texas
 
Pilot wrote:
Don't know if it's been mentioned yet but you might consider taking an extra
memory card and battery if you do the shoot. Not long ago a professional
photographer told me that these two items have been known to fail at the
most inconvenient of times.


Thanks for the tip! I do have extra batteries and will be buying extra cards as well.

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May 20, 2017 19:48:02   #
tresap23 Loc: Texas
 
SS319 wrote:
Have a friend assist you. As a photographer friend, you will not have the courtesy from other guests that a paid professional will have - when taking posed pictures you must take control - full control of the situation(but don't be a B---- about it). You can ask, but will not receive assurance that when you set up a shot, that you be allowed to get your shot BEFORE that person from the grooms side steps right in front of your camera to get his shot. Others with cellphones will change your posing, distract your clients, and walk into your picture, because they are much much more important than anyone else - even more important than the Bride.

Develop a list of shots that the Bride wants - on paper and have your assistant check them off when complete. There will always be one of the four (or six or eight) grandmothers that will have to go pee 2 minutes before you are ready for her ("assistant!"). For the posed formal shots, I always shoot from the largest group down to the Bride and Groom - that way, when I am finished with a part of the group, they can go get a drink. Don't bounce around on the bride's list - get all the shots that include grandma and then let her sit down or whatever.

On a given posting, take a bunch of shots, if there are children take three bunches of shots - you still may have to move a smile from one shot to the next. If you have a remote, use it and get out from behind the camera.

Remember, you will capture people having fun together, sharing future memories, that may not ever see each other again - and that is the best reason for calling the disassociated photography professional. That stress will remain until you have reviewed every shot and seen the quality of your work (with Film, that was days, now, only minutes to hours). On the other side of the coin, you will spend time and effort to get a group shot set up and carefully set your exposure and make sure everyone is smiling and before you can review the image on your camera back, your phone will ding as someone has put the image up on Facebook, and it will immediately get 84 likes and 14 shares - don't let it bother you - your images will end up on large format paper hanging on a wall long after their image is buried.

Have fun and enjoy the wedding
Have a friend assist you. As a photographer frien... (show quote)


Thank you, all very good tips and advice!! I am taking notes!! Appreciate the time you took to respond!

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May 20, 2017 19:56:38   #
tresap23 Loc: Texas
 
Photocraig wrote:
Some thoughts from the uncle with the BIG camera (good they don't know how OLD my 50D is !)
1) Stop stressing
2) Get all the back ups in line, batteries, memory cards etc. AND a second body that uses the same lenses and batteries and cards for it too. TESTED. Shoot for an afternoon with it so you're comfortable.. TESTED!!!!!!
3) Get a shot list that's approved by bride and groom. Heaven forbid you forget Auntie Marianne, the favorite aunt who's not in the blood relative chain, and you don't know.
4) Get, rent or borrow a collapsible diffuser in case you can't turn the subjects around away from direct sunlight--because you need the background to tell the story.
5) Recruit an assistant to "go for" stuff, hold the diffuser--a young relative who's interested. Also, send him/her out with a good smart phone to get the kids in attendance.
6) Recruit a senior family member assistant to assemble and line up the group shots--someone who knows who goes with who--besides you--and has mild drill sergeant qualities with charm.
7) Get "cues and clues" from the music provider-DJ or band for when the key dances like bride with Daddy etc. even for a 2nd wedding. Also they "Cue" other action like the garter & bouquet toss.
8) Be sure to get a good location portrait of the Bride and Groom. It gives them a break from the chaos and provides a great memory portrait. And teh clighe but poignant "Rings."

Read a few books,
Good Luck,
You'll likely keep your position as favorite Uncle and gain a special spot with the GROOM. I hear he owns a Liquor Store.

Have fun and don't miss the Crab, you'll have earned it! After having done a few like this, there is no limit to my admiration for the Pro Wedding Photographers--they earn their money.
Some thoughts from the uncle with the BIG camera (... (show quote)


Thanks so much! All very good advice and I am taking notes! I hope I will be the favorite Aunt though!! :) So much to remember. But it will be a learning experience for sure. I don't want to do weddings as a profession though. Way too much stress. I agree, I admire all Pro Wedding Photographers!! Think I will stick to nature (landscapes, architecture, birds, flowers etc.)

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May 20, 2017 20:03:23   #
tresap23 Loc: Texas
 
IBM wrote:
Your only taking pictures I take it , no computer work , I would get the camera cards 16 to 30 gb San disk get enough ,you don't want to
Run out . Take lots of pictures , when finished , you just past the camera cards to the happy couple ,or give to her or his parents, and now the rest is up to them , they will have 200 to 500 images on those cards maybe more , I take it you will be reimbursed for the Sandisk
Cards , I have done several weddings for co-workers, with a pentax 645 and and they payed for them when I give the rolls of film to them,
They got them developed , and contact sheets made , then picked out what they wanted to print , it worked out good ,
Your only taking pictures I take it , no computer ... (show quote)


Yeah, I plan on giving them the cards! LOL I will probably edit a few, because I can't help myself, but I am not quick enough or experienced enough yet, to give them the dreamy photos that they all seem to love from PP filters and special effects, etc.. I do the basics (crop, exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, a little clarity if needed) but I told my niece to learn PS or LR herself, so she can edit her favorites!! Takes a lot of pressure off of me, for sure!!

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May 20, 2017 22:46:07   #
DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
 
tresap23 wrote:
Yeah, I plan on giving them the cards! LOL I will probably edit a few, because I can't help myself, but I am not quick enough or experienced enough yet, to give them the dreamy photos that they all seem to love from PP filters and special effects, etc.. I do the basics (crop, exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, a little clarity if needed) but I told my niece to learn PS or LR herself, so she can edit her favorites!! Takes a lot of pressure off of me, for sure!!


If you give them the cards, make copies of the files for yourself. You can work on your postprocessing skills later.

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May 21, 2017 01:09:22   #
Pkfish Loc: Wilson Wy
 
Didnt read all the posts. But if it hasn't been mentioned yet you could sit down with the couple after you have gone through the shots and have them pick out what they like and send it off to a place like Bay Photo and they can make and print a very nice album for them. They can also adjust the shots if needed. That might give it a more professional feel in the end. You can also say if I didn't get it right I will do better on your next one. ( just kidding) Have Fun!

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May 21, 2017 14:45:38   #
tresap23 Loc: Texas
 
DirtFarmer wrote:
If you give them the cards, make copies of the files for yourself. You can work on your postprocessing skills later.



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May 21, 2017 14:47:07   #
tresap23 Loc: Texas
 
Haha, that is funny! I am definitely using that line!! Thanks for the tip on printing.
Pkfish wrote:
Didnt read all the posts. But if it hasn't been mentioned yet you could sit down with the couple after you have gone through the shots and have them pick out what they like and send it off to a place like Bay Photo and they can make and print a very nice album for them. They can also adjust the shots if needed. That might give it a more professional feel in the end. You can also say if I didn't get it right I will do better on your next one. ( just kidding) Have Fun!



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