Help wanted for Involuntary Wedding Photographer (Page 5): Ask what restrictions the officiant has for photography during the ceremony (i.e. don't stand behind them, etc.).

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

Ask what restrictions the officiant has for photography during the ceremony (i.e. don't stand behind them, etc.).

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

zumarose wrote:

I'm a hobbyist photographer. My friends ask me from time to time to shoot for pay. I always decline. Instead I offer to do the shoot for free and if they like the photos they can keep them. That's worked out well so far. Somebody wanted photos for their website. Somebody else wanted photos for their horse. All turned out fine. Takes the pressure off me and I stretch myself.

But wait! A young friend recently asked me to photograph her wedding. When my heart rate went back to normal I gave the best response I could. I was honored and would do it if she didn't have alternatives, but this was not a job for a friend. I went through every reason why. Told her about my specific objections and my limitations and that this was not false modesty but real reasons why I wasn't the right choice.
Fast forward. Well it seems that she doesn't have too many options because I just found out her entire wedding budget today and it won't stretch to a pro photographer.

She's getting married on a hilltop with a view for miles at noon in high summer in California. Reception and food outdoors and cake and dancing inside. About 65 people.

I'm going to do my best to accommodate her and I have a couple of months to prepare myself. I have two camera bodies, neither of which are full frame. I have some basic indoor lightboxes and a couple of deflectors. I've never been fond of zoom lenses and prefer prime. I have a Tamron 90 mm, a Tokina 11-16, a Nikkor 18-200 which for some reason is no longer autofocusing (I'll take it in to have it looked at) so I can only use it in manual mode, and a 35 mm 1.8 and 1.4. Looking over my glass inventory I see that I don't have a solid workhorse lens which can be easily adaptable to any situation. I'm willing to buy or rent such a lens. I adore my 1.4 but I don't need the low light feature outdoors. I think my wide angle could be good for a shot of the actual ceremony with about 40 miles of landscape behind it. But really thinking I need to have a goto lens for all purpose shots.
I'd love input and suggestions from people more experienced than myself.
What should I take or buy or use?
I am good with composition and decent in Lightroom. I'm thinking if I shoot in Aperture mode with a good basic lens I can deliver some good shots.
Please don't tell me to just say no. I tried that. I think if I don't step up to the plate we're relying on someone's Iphone. And I'm willing to work to hone my skills.
I have a personal photo blog at ordinarycapture.tumblr.com which should show what I've done in the past. Don't expect to get bowled over.
This person and her fiance are very dear to me and I'd like to step up for them. Thanks to all.

I'm a hobbyist photographer. My friends ask me fro... (show quote)

A couple of comments:

1) Keep the ambient light source off to the side or behind you when outside. Use a fill flash to keep shadows under control.

2) When inside use a fill flash or bounce flash to soften the look.

3) Be sure to put together a list of critical shots that the bride and groom want. Then fill in the portfolio with creative shots as you see fit.

Have fun!

bwa

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

zumarose wrote:

Thanks for all this. I have a decent Canon Point and Shoot. I'm going to give that to a friend to roam around with. I'm taking my lens in this weekend.

I was actually thinking of your other dslr camera (you can only use one at a time). That way the quality will be about the same.

I believe on both your bodies you can change the beginning of the file name to something like cam1 and cam2 or something that will identify the camera used. Or when downloading change the name at that time

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

charlienow wrote:

I was actually thinking of your other dslr camera (you can only use one at a time). That way the quality will be about the same.

I believe on both your bodies you can change the beginning of the file name to something like cam1 and cam2 or something that will identify the camera used. Or when downloading change the name at that time

Good point, but I would take it one step farther: make sure both cameras have the same date and time set. That way it makes it easy to sync the photos chronologically.
A few minutes difference can make you go crazy when sorting.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

The perfect background for a ring shot is the Bride's bouquet on her lap with her ring finger curved over his hand showing his ring. - dave

clherms

There is an awesome class on Creative Live on speedlights. I have learned so much from it and the class, when I purchased it, was $19. Totally worth it. (Speedlights 100 by Mark Wallace.). Not sure what it costs now but it is well worth $99, I thought.

High noon might be tough light, but Mark goes into so many different scenarios. What you learn will be well put to use.

I second the Nikon 800 Speedlight. I pick these up for around $150. Small learning curve, but there are videos out on how to operate.

Ask her to make you a list of all shots she'd like (groom and family, bride and family, etc.) with specific names and tell her she'll need to put someone who knows these folks in charge of rounding up those people and having them ready to step into the photo. That way you can focus on the shot and getting people posed.

I'd rent a good prime like a 105MM with macro for up close shots of the ring, etc. It will be a good portrait lens.

Make yourself a list ahead of time of any and all shots you would like to take adding the bride's list to this. Drag someone along to be your assistant and cross off shots as you get them.

Take multiple camera bodies and have them ready to go with different lenses on them.

You can probably fairly easily google a list of things to do and shots to have. You'll do great!! It will be a great learning exercise and your friend will be happy.

Kozan Loc: Trenton Tennessee

GoofyNewfie wrote:

Learning how to use fill flash outdoors can really... (show quote)

Very good advice. I would add, carry extra batteries and try to get the romantic shots. That's the ones they will cherish. Re-pose the kiss at the end of the ceremony with the official performing ceremony.

Make a list of the shots the bride and groom want taken and try to get them.

Good luck!

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

charlienow wrote:

I was actually thinking of your other dslr camera (you can only use one at a time). That way the quality will be about the same.

I believe on both your bodies you can change the beginning of the file name to something like cam1 and cam2 or something that will identify the camera used. Or when downloading change the name at that time

I think you can set the prefix to three letters, not four.

I frequently use two or three bodies. I used to change the name of the file on import to include an index number but with multiple bodies that didn't work well.

I download my files with a program called "Downloader Pro". You can set up a template for the file name and just give it a subject and it does the rest. My template includes the subject, the date, and the time. Since there's only one of me using two or more bodies, none of the shots on different cameras will have the same time. If you have several people shooting, you can put the camera model into the template, or if you are using more than one of the same model you can put the serial number into the template. That way you can tell from the file name which camera is being used. And since the date and time are in the file name, it's easy to arrange all the photos in chronological order (as long as all the cameras are synchronized to the same time).

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

Geez! I have shot a number of weddings and am glad I'm not doing it any longer. Were I in your situation, I'd certainly try to find a second shooter (maybe a student?). I found too much light in the wrong places to be the main problem in outdoor shoots and used a Singh Ray ND gradient filter and fill flash essential when shooting into the light (if you pose the subjects facing the light they will squint). Good luck!

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Kozan wrote:

Very good advice. I would add, carry extra batteries and try to get the romantic shots. That's the ones they will cherish. Re-pose the kiss at the end of the ceremony with the official performing ceremony.

Make a list of the shots the bride and groom want taken and try to get them.

Good luck!

While those shots are pretty standard for a wedding, I still think that the photos that will be most looked at in 50 years will be the family group shots. YMMV

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

GoofyNewfie wrote:

Learning how to use fill flash outdoors can really... (show quote)

The above is excellent advice.

Also, there are many photo books about wedding photography, and I'd certainly look through one or two of them, mostly for ideas on what setups and what spontaneous shots to look for. Don't be afraid to ask for lots of posed shots, and shoot in the shade to get wide open eyes - the flash will bring up the subjects.
.
I'd take advantage of one of the super fast lenses you already own to take a LOT of shots of the bride and groom, and of small family groups. Take lots of shots of everything you can think of - it's easy to get rid of the failures, but shoot every shot like it's the last one you'll ever take, then forget that one and do it again, and again, and again.

Best wishes for a good shoot, and to a long and happy marriage to the couple!

tonyjag Loc: Bolton, Ma.

GoofyNewfie wrote:

Good point, but I would take it one step farther: make sure both cameras have the same date and time set. That way it makes it easy to sync the photos chronologically.
A few minutes difference can make you go crazy when sorting.

Good advice! If you or an assistant use a phone, make sure that it is in sync too. And disable any set from GPS, which could affect each camera differently.

Quixdraw Loc: x

I did a number of weddings as a young photographer. Needed the money, but also did some as a sort of freebee at a local church. The happy couple got 2 36 exposure rolls and mailers at cost of materials. Stressful in every case. The only low stress one I have ever done was my son's several years ago - they had a Pro pair, mine were just frosting on the cake. One simple rule I would suggest is the rule of 2 - 2 cameras and 2 flash attachments, and preferably 2 SDHC cards in each camera set for back up. You might consider sitting down with the Bride & Groom and putting together a timeline and scenario of must have shots. Sometimes advance knowledge is critical. All the best of luck for a successful outcome!

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Gene51 wrote:

Don't do it. Suggest that she "crowd source&q... (show quote)

Yup! I have been photographing weddings for over 50 years and I am still at it.

I don't make a habit of posting here to discourage folks from experiencing new "adventures" in their photographic endeavors. Believe me, however, taking on a wedding assignment without lots of prior experience, training, professional mentoring and a proper breaking-in period is a MISADVENTURE in the offing. This is advice I often offer, problem is, most folks simply don't listen!

When I hear words like "I never use flash" and a smattering of advice on lens usage, gear requirements, old wedding "horror stories" and "I once did a wedding 30 years ago///" there are all danger signals to me.

Alright, folks will argue that wedding photography ain't brain surgery, nuclear physics, or rocket science- maybe so but it is a specialty that requires a compliment of important finite skill sets and seamless work methods that can't be acquired overnight. It's serious work, not always fun!

Y'all know what the officiator says at some weddings, something like "...speak now or forever hold your peace...", I have spoken and will now go away in peace.

Peace and love, brothers and sisters.

LiamRowan Loc: Michigan

zumarose wrote:

Indeed. I was there today at roughly the time of the wedding ceremony. I intend to go back a couple of times more up to a week beforehand to check out the weather and other variables. Thank you

Click "Quote Reply" when responding or no one will know which post you're responding to.

Great advice to visit the location a couple times, preferably at the same time of day as the wedding, and with different skies. Getting a ballpark idea of camera settings, light, framing, etc. will be invaluable. Everything happens so fast at a wedding -- the more stuff you need to figure out that has been done beforehand the better.