need beach wedding advice
May 14, 2016 09:23:18 #
May 14, 2016 09:56:38 #
If you shoot on the beach, in the sun, I would highly recommend using the flash to get rid of the face shadows due to the sunlight. Use just enough power on the flash to eliminate the shadows and you will get a great picture. There are no recommended settings, you have to see what works for you. Good shooting.
May 14, 2016 10:15:05 #
I will give you my take on this, do not do it. A wedding is not that serious till the couple begins to look at the pictures. Remember that it is an important day in the life of the couple.
I would leave wedding photography to a professional.
I would leave wedding photography to a professional.
May 14, 2016 10:25:00 #
May 14, 2016 10:29:58 #
I did a wedding on the beach in Tampa, and let me encourage you that you'll have a great time. Normally all weddings can be divided into the rehersal and rehersal dinner the night before, the wedding day to include ceremony and then the reception. In regard to settings I shot ISO 400 and set the camera on program mode. You will be shooting quickly with flash and you don't have time to fool with settings. I can say that probably 99.9% of all my shots were perfectly exposed. I also shot all photos indoor or out with flash. Outdoors you will find that there will be a lot of facial shadows so that is why I feel fill in flash is best. I shot the entire wedding with a 18-70mm lens so I would use the zoom and not use the 50mm. I also shot JPG and they came out perfect. You'll will have some time for some candids after the women dress where they are putting on makeup etc. All the women may arrive at the beach in a limo. If they do you may want to get a photo as they arrive together. After the ceremony I would recommend that you take the formal pictures on he beach. I looked at some wedding books and had about 25 various setups that I wrote down on a 3x5 card. (Bride & Groom different poses, Bride and Groom & best man/women, Bride & Groom and parents etc). In summary I would say have a plan and execute the plan. You'll do great.
May 14, 2016 10:50:08 #
Geee . . . shooting a wedding sounds so easy! Now I'm starting to feel bad about all those B&Gs paying me $4000. plus over the years, to spend just 6-8 hours with them. Maybe they just thought I was so good looking that it would be worth thousands just to have me around. 
May 14, 2016 12:02:44 #
If you are shooting indoors, get some sort of bounce diffuser to direct the majority of the light up and off the ceiling. This could be something like Gary Fong's Lightsphere or a white business envelope and a rubber band:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Fastest-Free-Flash-Diffuser/
OBTW, most of the Wedding Pros I have seen in action use the envelope method.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Fastest-Free-Flash-Diffuser/
OBTW, most of the Wedding Pros I have seen in action use the envelope method.
May 14, 2016 12:11:54 #
DaughterAlice wrote:
I will start this by saying that I am NOT a weddin... (show quote)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-118-1.html wedding section
May 14, 2016 14:02:15 #
DaughterAlice wrote:
I will start this by saying that I am NOT a weddin... (show quote)
I will assume your creativity. Yes it is appropriate to get there early and get photos of both bride and groom getting ready. Bridesmaids helping her fix her veil, etc.
If you have any idea of ever using any of the images, do not bring release forms. Get them signed ahead of time. That day is so busy for everybody that you will be an annoyance and may have reluctance that you would not otherwise. Also get a signed agreement, that you and yours are not liable if anything goes wrong. It's a beach, what could go wrong? Sand could get into the camera. You might drop it in the sand or even in the water. You might forget, in the pressure of your first wedding, to take a shot of "the kiss", etc. (Pros get all this wrapped up in their basic contract. You don't have a contract (Though you could) so you need to get it on paper.
Remember, if anything can go wrong, it will. And the bride and groom will blame you for it--even if you are friends.
Second. I would add two items, a flash bracket to get the flash off the camera, even a little. I would also add a Gary Fong Lightsphere--or a cheap knockoff. Gary is a big self-promoter, but he also does good work and the lightSphere is the best light modifier I've ever used, especially in daylight. Flash brackets go for $10-30 depending on brand and complexity. I have both a cheapo and a fancy one. I almost always use the $10 bracket.
May 14, 2016 17:08:02 #
I was a wedding photographer for over 30 years. Retired back in 93. You have gotten some good advice. So I will only add on the beach protect your camera. Fine blowing sand can play havoc with cameras. They do make bags that just your lens sticks out. You can even use a food baggy.
May 14, 2016 17:12:54 #
So, ya wanna save the happy couple some $$$? Well, spend YOUR $$$ to HIRE a PRO WEDDING PHOTOG for the wedding, as your gift to them.
May 14, 2016 17:23:14 #
Before the ceremony:
Hair styling
Children with the bride
Make up application
Bride hugging friends and family
The dress (on a hanger, draped over a chair, etc.)
Groom putting on tie
Bridal Accessories (shoes, veil, garter, rings, etc.)
Groom with his groomsmen
Buttoning the dress
Leaving for ceremony
Family/friends assisting bride
Other:
Putting on jewelry
Other:
Bride looking into mirror
Other:
Bride pinning boutonniere on father
Other:
Bride pinning corsage on mother
Other:
At the ceremony
Outside the wedding venue
Unity ceremonies or memorials
Special places at the wedding venue
Religious or cultural ceremony (Specify: )
Guests arriving
Religious or cultural ceremony (Specify: )
Groom greeting guests
Ring bearer
Honored family members being seated
Exchanging vows
Parents arriving
Exchanging vows close-up
Parents being seated
Exchanging rings
Bridesmaids entering
Exchanging rings close-up
Maid of Honor entering
The kiss
Flower girls entering
Crowd applause
Groom and his men entering
Bride and groom walking up the aisle
Crowd shots of guests
Bride and groom on steps outside
Officiant
Throwing of confetti or birdseed
Altar
Bride and groom being congratulated
Bride making her entrance
Bride and groom leaving the ceremony
Bride and parent walking down the aisle
Other:
Long shot from back of bride and parent
Other:
Parent giving away bride
Other:
Unity ceremonies or memorials
Other:
You’ll want to remember every part of your big day. Print this list for your wedding planner. Feel free to personalize this list with your own special requests.
Telephone
Website
Photographer’s Name
Company
2
Wedding Photography Checklist
Portraits
Bride, full-length
Bride and groom with flower girl and ring bearer
Bride and Maid of Honor
Groom with parents
Bride and bridesmaids
Groom with Best Man
Bride and parents
Groom with groomsmen
Bride and groom
Other:
Bride and groom with parents
Other:
Bride and groom with wedding party
Other:
Bride and groom with family
Other:
The reception
At the reception site
Cutting the cake
Table setting
Bride and groom feeding each other cake
Centerpieces
Toasts
Head table
Bride and groom toasting each other
Musicians or DJ
Signing the marriage license
Place card table
Bride throwing bouquet
Gift table
Groom getting bride’s garter
Bride and groom arriving
Garter toss
Bride and groom greeting guests
Getaway car
Bride and groom’s place cards
Bride and groom leaving reception
Wedding cake
Other:
Decor (Specify: )
Other:
Bride and groom mingling
Other:
Dinner service
Other:
Dancing, first dance
Other:
Dancing, general
Other:
Dancing, bride and groom with parents
Other:
Hair styling
Children with the bride
Make up application
Bride hugging friends and family
The dress (on a hanger, draped over a chair, etc.)
Groom putting on tie
Bridal Accessories (shoes, veil, garter, rings, etc.)
Groom with his groomsmen
Buttoning the dress
Leaving for ceremony
Family/friends assisting bride
Other:
Putting on jewelry
Other:
Bride looking into mirror
Other:
Bride pinning boutonniere on father
Other:
Bride pinning corsage on mother
Other:
At the ceremony
Outside the wedding venue
Unity ceremonies or memorials
Special places at the wedding venue
Religious or cultural ceremony (Specify: )
Guests arriving
Religious or cultural ceremony (Specify: )
Groom greeting guests
Ring bearer
Honored family members being seated
Exchanging vows
Parents arriving
Exchanging vows close-up
Parents being seated
Exchanging rings
Bridesmaids entering
Exchanging rings close-up
Maid of Honor entering
The kiss
Flower girls entering
Crowd applause
Groom and his men entering
Bride and groom walking up the aisle
Crowd shots of guests
Bride and groom on steps outside
Officiant
Throwing of confetti or birdseed
Altar
Bride and groom being congratulated
Bride making her entrance
Bride and groom leaving the ceremony
Bride and parent walking down the aisle
Other:
Long shot from back of bride and parent
Other:
Parent giving away bride
Other:
Unity ceremonies or memorials
Other:
You’ll want to remember every part of your big day. Print this list for your wedding planner. Feel free to personalize this list with your own special requests.
Telephone
Website
Photographer’s Name
Company
2
Wedding Photography Checklist
Portraits
Bride, full-length
Bride and groom with flower girl and ring bearer
Bride and Maid of Honor
Groom with parents
Bride and bridesmaids
Groom with Best Man
Bride and parents
Groom with groomsmen
Bride and groom
Other:
Bride and groom with parents
Other:
Bride and groom with wedding party
Other:
Bride and groom with family
Other:
The reception
At the reception site
Cutting the cake
Table setting
Bride and groom feeding each other cake
Centerpieces
Toasts
Head table
Bride and groom toasting each other
Musicians or DJ
Signing the marriage license
Place card table
Bride throwing bouquet
Gift table
Groom getting bride’s garter
Bride and groom arriving
Garter toss
Bride and groom greeting guests
Getaway car
Bride and groom’s place cards
Bride and groom leaving reception
Wedding cake
Other:
Decor (Specify: )
Other:
Bride and groom mingling
Other:
Dinner service
Other:
Dancing, first dance
Other:
Dancing, general
Other:
Dancing, bride and groom with parents
Other:
May 14, 2016 17:37:17 #
I am not a regular here, I just kinda wandered in.
I didn't want to start a brouhaha on the forum but wanted to add my thoughts.
If this is a young couple just starting out having a backyard wedding with 20 guests and a pot luck dinner, and there is absolutely no one else, go ahead and do your best.
If it's a more standard weeding, don't even think about it. It would be a huge disservice to the couple. It could also be devastating to you and any friendship you have with the couple.
You want to save them money cook the dinner.
While gear isn't everything you don't have the bare minimum, and you have clearly stated you don't have the experience. With this info it can't end well for anybody.
Please don't use this as an excuse to "get into the wedding business" and reconsider this.
Sam
I didn't want to start a brouhaha on the forum but wanted to add my thoughts.
If this is a young couple just starting out having a backyard wedding with 20 guests and a pot luck dinner, and there is absolutely no one else, go ahead and do your best.
If it's a more standard weeding, don't even think about it. It would be a huge disservice to the couple. It could also be devastating to you and any friendship you have with the couple.
You want to save them money cook the dinner.
While gear isn't everything you don't have the bare minimum, and you have clearly stated you don't have the experience. With this info it can't end well for anybody.
Please don't use this as an excuse to "get into the wedding business" and reconsider this.
Sam
May 14, 2016 17:43:52 #
Before the ceremony:
Hair styling
Children with the bride
Make up application
Bride hugging friends and family
The dress (on a hanger, draped over a chair, etc.)
Groom putting on tie
Bridal Accessories (shoes, veil, garter, rings, etc.)
Groom with his groomsmen
Buttoning the dress
Leaving for ceremony
Family/friends assisting bride
Other:
Putting on jewelry
Other:
Bride looking into mirror
Other:
Bride pinning boutonniere on father
Other:
Bride pinning corsage on mother
Other:
At the ceremony
Outside the wedding venue
Unity ceremonies or memorials
Special places at the wedding venue
Religious or cultural ceremony (Specify: )
Guests arriving
Religious or cultural ceremony (Specify: )
Groom greeting guests
Ring bearer
Honored family members being seated
Exchanging vows
Parents arriving
Exchanging vows close-up
Parents being seated
Exchanging rings
Bridesmaids entering
Exchanging rings close-up
Maid of Honor entering
The kiss
Flower girls entering
Crowd applause
Groom and his men entering
Bride and groom walking up the aisle
Crowd shots of guests
Bride and groom on steps outside
Officiant
Throwing of confetti or birdseed
Altar
Bride and groom being congratulated
Bride making her entrance
Bride and groom leaving the ceremony
Bride and parent walking down the aisle
Other:
Long shot from back of bride and parent
Other:
Parent giving away bride
Other:
Unity ceremonies or memorials
Other:
You’ll want to remember every part of your big day. Print this list for your wedding planner. Feel free to personalize this list with your own special requests.
Telephone
Website
Photographer’s Name
Company
2
Wedding Photography Checklist
Portraits
Bride, full-length
Bride and groom with flower girl and ring bearer
Bride and Maid of Honor
Groom with parents
Bride and bridesmaids
Groom with Best Man
Bride and parents
Groom with groomsmen
Bride and groom
Other:
Bride and groom with parents
Other:
Bride and groom with wedding party
Other:
Bride and groom with family
Other:
The reception
At the reception site
Cutting the cake
Table setting
Bride and groom feeding each other cake
Centerpieces
Toasts
Head table
Bride and groom toasting each other
Musicians or DJ
Signing the marriage license
Place card table
Bride throwing bouquet
Gift table
Groom getting bride’s garter
Bride and groom arriving
Garter toss
Bride and groom greeting guests
Getaway car
Bride and groom’s place cards
Bride and groom leaving reception
Wedding cake
Other:
Decor (Specify: )
Other:
Bride and groom mingling
Other:
Dinner service
Other:
Dancing, first dance
Other:
Dancing, general
Other:
Dancing, bride and groom with parents
Other:
Hair styling
Children with the bride
Make up application
Bride hugging friends and family
The dress (on a hanger, draped over a chair, etc.)
Groom putting on tie
Bridal Accessories (shoes, veil, garter, rings, etc.)
Groom with his groomsmen
Buttoning the dress
Leaving for ceremony
Family/friends assisting bride
Other:
Putting on jewelry
Other:
Bride looking into mirror
Other:
Bride pinning boutonniere on father
Other:
Bride pinning corsage on mother
Other:
At the ceremony
Outside the wedding venue
Unity ceremonies or memorials
Special places at the wedding venue
Religious or cultural ceremony (Specify: )
Guests arriving
Religious or cultural ceremony (Specify: )
Groom greeting guests
Ring bearer
Honored family members being seated
Exchanging vows
Parents arriving
Exchanging vows close-up
Parents being seated
Exchanging rings
Bridesmaids entering
Exchanging rings close-up
Maid of Honor entering
The kiss
Flower girls entering
Crowd applause
Groom and his men entering
Bride and groom walking up the aisle
Crowd shots of guests
Bride and groom on steps outside
Officiant
Throwing of confetti or birdseed
Altar
Bride and groom being congratulated
Bride making her entrance
Bride and groom leaving the ceremony
Bride and parent walking down the aisle
Other:
Long shot from back of bride and parent
Other:
Parent giving away bride
Other:
Unity ceremonies or memorials
Other:
You’ll want to remember every part of your big day. Print this list for your wedding planner. Feel free to personalize this list with your own special requests.
Telephone
Website
Photographer’s Name
Company
2
Wedding Photography Checklist
Portraits
Bride, full-length
Bride and groom with flower girl and ring bearer
Bride and Maid of Honor
Groom with parents
Bride and bridesmaids
Groom with Best Man
Bride and parents
Groom with groomsmen
Bride and groom
Other:
Bride and groom with parents
Other:
Bride and groom with wedding party
Other:
Bride and groom with family
Other:
The reception
At the reception site
Cutting the cake
Table setting
Bride and groom feeding each other cake
Centerpieces
Toasts
Head table
Bride and groom toasting each other
Musicians or DJ
Signing the marriage license
Place card table
Bride throwing bouquet
Gift table
Groom getting bride’s garter
Bride and groom arriving
Garter toss
Bride and groom greeting guests
Getaway car
Bride and groom’s place cards
Bride and groom leaving reception
Wedding cake
Other:
Decor (Specify: )
Other:
Bride and groom mingling
Other:
Dinner service
Other:
Dancing, first dance
Other:
Dancing, general
Other:
Dancing, bride and groom with parents
Other:
May 14, 2016 17:56:53 #
twowindsbear wrote:
So, ya wanna save the happy couple some $$$? Well, spend YOUR $$$ to HIRE a PRO WEDDING PHOTOG for the wedding, as your gift to them.
If you want to shoot weddings my advice is to hook up with a pro. They all would like to have a helper come along. You could give your service for free just to learn the ropes. Ive seen very good photographers mess up a wedding just because they didn't know how to handle people. I only had one year in collage when uncle sam sent me on active duty. But the one year that I did get included a class in child sociology. I found that people are just big kids. And in the navy got me even more ready to deal with people. Treat them the way you want to be treated. A good photographer is only half of a good wedding photographer. You must be a people person. When I retired I advertised for someone to come with me to learn the wedding photography business. I only got one call, and that was from a guy that wanted to make a magentic sign for my car. You cant teach anybody if they don't want to learn.
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