Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Well, I knew it would happen someday...I was asked to be the main photographer for a friend's wedding yesterday. Before I get the proverbial, "Don't do it" responses, I've already told them where I typically stand on the subject. I'd be happy to do it but only as an assistant to someone else. I know my skills and equipment are more than suitable for this casual wedding (outdoor at a vineyard) to be the lead, so I haven't fully declined doing it...I have the week to think about it. :roll:

The Saint KK4GO Loc: Florida

Get your feet wet :)

herb99m Loc: Georgia, USA

I have agreed from time to time to be a "candid" photographer with nice results. Focused on getting shots of the guests and their reaction to the Bride's entrance, the parents and other guests, etc.. Never wanted the responsibility of the money shots. In any case, it has always worked out ok.Good luck.

Ken Shilkun Loc: Central Texas

Will you be working for no fee?
You could work out an arrangement with the photographer you seconded. By deferring to a local professional will help the profession.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

If your not getting paid then no one can rightfully complain if you don't do a good job. Then again, if there is an offer to compensate you, IMHO I don't think its right to accept money for something that you've never done before, unless you've worked as an assistant at wedding photography for awhile.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

probably wouldn't charge them if I did it on my own...call it a wedding gift...


Here's the one I shot as an assistant...
http://douthittfamily.smugmug.com/2012/July-2012-Ben-and-Alisha

Robert B Loc: Lawrenceville, GA

I used to shoot casual weddings back in the good old days of film. I would sweat bullets until I got the film back,processed, printed. With digital, where you can see what you get, shooting today is pretty risk free. The key to a shooting a weeding for me has always been to take a lot of candid shots in addition to the formal ones. Clients love quantity. They want to see who was at their wedding when they look at the photos twenty years later. I would shoot everything and everybody and give them a photo of every shot. This was basically how I made money through college. The only time I ever got a complaint was when I left someone out.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

Nicely done - obviously, you know what you're doing so what's the issue?

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

this is for a good friend at work, the other couple I didn't meet until right before the wedding, and I was just the assistant. the main photographer had to deal with the bride and family members and making sure all the shots were "checked" off the list.

Thank you, BTW...

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I'd definitely be an informal "fill in" shooter with no pressure and no expectations...

No matter what you come back with or not come back with...you win.

nekon Loc: Carterton, New Zealand

Photographing a wedding is a wonderful experience-every photographer should photograph at least one wedding-you meet some wonderful people-Here to help is my wedding photography crash course:

Wedding Photography


EQUIPMENT LIST

 TWO CAMERA BODIES THAT SHARE THE LENSES

 TWO FLASHES (STROBES) PLUS CABLES, ETC.

 18MM-55MM ZOOM-FOR GROUPS

 50MM STANDARD LENS F1.8 OR EVEN BETTER F1.4-FOR LOW-LIGHT SITUATIONS

 TRIPOD FOR FORMAL PHOTOS

 LENS HOODS TO CONTROL FLARE

 LARGE CAPACITY DIGITAL STORAGE CARDS, (EXPECT TO SHOOT AT LEAST 1000+ IMAGES PER WEDDING)

 AT LEAST TRIPLE BATTERIES AS YOU THINK YOU WILL NEED

 TWO WHITE REFLECTORS

 DIFFUSION (SOFT-FOCUS) FILTER


 NOT ESSENTIAL, BUT HANDY FOR CANDID‟S AND FROM BACK OF CHURCH IMAGES, 70MM-300MM ZOOM LENS

Note: A second photographer is always best; one can concentrate on the formal images and the other on the candid images. It is also advantageous to have an assistant to round up the various people that are needed.


You must have a timetable to work from, or you will fail miserably, and must always remember:

 THE BRIDE IS NEVER ON TIME

 CARS ARE SOMETIMES LATE ARRIVING

 MINISTERS WILL OFTEN TALK FOR LONGER THAN EXPECTED

 TRAFFIC MAY BE CHAOTIC

 SOMETHING MAY HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN SOMEWHERE

 MURPHY, BEING THE PATRON SAINT OF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS, WILL NO DOUBT ENSURE THAT IF ANYTHING CAN GO WRONG-IT WILL, AND USUALLY AT THE MOST INOPPORTUNE MOMENT. ALLOW FOR PLENTY OF TIME FOR EACH SECTION OF THE SHOOTING SCRIPT.

PLANNING SESSION

Planning is crucial, so make sure that time has been allowed for photography, and travelling to each location. It is also crucial that if the wedding is of a specific ethnic nature, that you discuss the entire process with the parents and bride and groom, to determine if there will be any changes necessary in your modus operandi due to protocol or religious beliefs. The last thing you want to do is to offend anyone!

WHO IS PAYING?

 FIND OUT WHO IS PAYING FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHY, BECAUSE THE PERSON FOOTING THE BILL IS THE CLIENT, AND NEEDS TO BE CONSULTED. IF THE BRIDE‟S PARENTS ARE PAYING, AND WANT NICE, CLASSIC PORTRAIT SHOTS OF BRIDE & GROOM, AND THE BRIDE WANTS CROSS-PROCESSED, ARTY, OR BLACK & WHITE IMAGES-YOU HAD BETTER GET NICE SAFE PHOTOS FOR MUM AND DAD AS WELL! OBVIOUSLY THE ARTY STUFF IS BEST DONE IN POST PROCESSING RATHER THAN IN CAMERA, AND IS OBVIOUSLY A GOOD REASON TO SHOOT RAW, AS IT REDUCES THE NUMBER OF SHOTS, AND THE COMPLEXITY DURING THE WEDDING EVENT OF NOT HAVING TO SWITCH CAMERAS OR CHANGE THE MODE OF OPERATION OF THE CAMERA.

 IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO FIND OUT AND DETERMINE EXACTLY WHAT THE CLIENT WANTS, AND IS EXPECTING TO GET. QUITE OFTEN PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY WANT-UNTIL YOU HAVE SHOT IT. DO NOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN, DISCUSS A TYPICAL SHOT LIST WITH THEM AND GET AGREEMENT, EVEN A SIGN OFF ON THE SHOTS IF YOU CAN.

O WHAT YOU DON‟T WANT TO HEAR IS: “WE DIDN‟T WANT HALF OF THIS STUFF, WE WANT A REFUND!!!”


Whoever is paying, make sure you get paid up front. It is usually best to ask for your daily rate photography fee on signing the contract and the balance seven days before the wedding date. (This saves you wondering if and when you are going to be paid, and saves you chasing clients for payment.) I also only charge for the day’s photography up front-prints are priced separately - I take around 2000 shots per wedding, and shave these down to around 500 and put as proofs on CD‟s made to show to my clients-then they can choose what they want for their albums.

B. WORKING WITH SCHEDULES AND TIMETABLES

Once you have found out what is wanted and who is paying, start working out your shooting schedule. I usually type these out and give to attendants in the bridal party, to organize everybody for their photo to save time.
PRINT A SCHEDULE ON SMALL CARDS FOR YOUR POCKET WHILE ARE SHOOTING, SO YOU KNOW WHEN THE NEXT SEQUENCE IS DUE.

 LET YOUR CLIENTS KNOW THAT FORMAL PHOTOS OF THE BRIDAL PARTY SHOULD TAKE BETWEEN ONE TO ONE-AND-A-HALF HOURS.-ANY LONGER WILL DRAG THE PROCEEDINGS, AND ANY LESS TIME WILL LIMIT THE NUMBER OF SET-UPS WANTED.

 SUBTLY POINT OUT THAT THE GUESTS SHOULD BE ADVISED OF WHAT IS GOING ON.

 IT IS IMPORTANT TO LET THE CLIENT KNOW THAT IF THEY CUT YOUR TIME, YOU WILL NEED TO CUT THE AMOUNT OF PHOTOGRAPHY TO SHOOT.

PROTOCOL AND FAMILY POLITICS

 YOU NEED TO TREAD VERY CAREFULLY WHERE FAMILY POLITICS ARE CONCERNED, AS YOU SET UP GROUPS- EX-WIVES VERSUS NEW WIVES, STEP-CHILDREN, AND RECENTLY DIVORCED COUPLES. BETTER TO LET PEOPLE SORT THEMSELVES WHERE THEY WANT TO BE, AND THEN JUST ARRANGE SET-UPS ACCORDINGLY.

 IF EVERYONE, GUESTS INCLUDED, KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS, AND WHEN, AND WITH WHOM, IT WILL ALLEVIATE, THE BRIDE‟S AND GROOM‟S STRESS, YOUR STRESS, AND YOU WILL GET RESULTS THAT PLEASE YOUR CLIENTS.

 ONCE PLAN “A” ( BEAUTIFUL SUNNY DAY, NO WIND,) IS IN PLACE, WORK OUT ALTERNATIVES- “B”; “C”; “D”; ETC., YOU NEED SOMEWHERE TO PHOTOGRAPH IF IT‟S RAINING, SNOWING, GALE-FORCE WINDS ETC., AND A CHOICE OF IDYLLIC LOCATIONS.

BRIDE’S HOUSE
Get to the house early, showing you are organized and professional. The Bride may be very nearly ready, and being the early bird may give you a chance to get things in order without rushing. Confidence is the keyword, so compliment the Bride, say she looks nice, and has nothing to worry about (Do not, under any circumstances tell her she is beautiful, because, if she isn’t, she will know, and this could turn her against you.)
IF YOU CAN HELP THE BRIDE AND HER FAMILY TO BE CALM AT THE HOUSE, THE TONE OF THE WHOLE WEDDING WILL REFLECT ON THIS.

Let the family know what you are going to photograph outside the church, or wedding venue.

Check your shot list!

C). CHURCH OR WEDDING VENUE

 GET TO CHURCH OR WEDDING VENUE AS SOON AS YOU CAN TO GET SET UP FOR WHAT FOLLOWS.

 TALK TO, AND PHOTOGRAPH THE GROOM.

 TALK TO MINISTER/CELEBRANT, CHECKING ALL IS OK, USE/NON-USE OF FLASH, ETC.,

 WAIT OUTSIDE FOR CARS TO ARRIVE

 WHILE THE CEREMONY IS TAKING PLACE, LOOK AROUND FOR PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES-IS THE BRIDE‟S MOTHER CRYING?

FATHER CRYING OR SMILING?

Once the vows have been made, register signed, etc., Bride and Groom will walk down the aisle, or things will just finish. This can be an awkward moment-one of two things usually happen:

a) The Bride & Groom will be surrounded by guests, and if there are lots of guests the crowd may take a time to clear.

B) (USUALLY AT CHURCHES) WHEN BRIDE & GROOM COME OUT THERE IS NO-ONE AT FIRST, THEN ALL GUESTS FILE OUT SLOWLY AND STAND AROUND THE COUPLE LOOKING AT THEM.

Some guests will want to take photographs at this point, so set up the shot and let them fire away, after you. Work with these people throughout the day, and some of these people could be your next client.
START THE FAMILY PHOTOS, BEGINNING WITH THE BRIDE‟S SIDE, THEN THE GROOM‟S, THEN ALL THE FRIENDS AND HANGER‟S-ON, THEN CHECK YOUR SHOT LIST TO MAKE SURE IT IS COMPLETE.

d). THE FORMAL PHOTOS

After all the ceremony kerfuffle, the bridal party will want to relax a bit, maybe have a drink and relax for a few minutes, while you are getting ready. But when you are ready, you need to get them back on track to get all required images done on time Bride and Groom, at this point, aren’t usually the problem, it’s generally the best man wants another beer, or someone gets loud. You need to gain control of this.
IF THERE ARE CHILDREN IN THE PARTY, PHOTOGRAPH THEM FIRST, AS THEY HAVE A VERY SHORT ATTENTION SPAN.
NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS HERE, STAY CALM, EVEN WHEN THINGS GO WRONG, KEEP CALM YOU WON‟T GET GOOD PHOTOS IF YOU ARE STRESSED.
WHEN YOU THINK YOU HAVE FINISHED, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR SHOT LIST! BETTER ALSO CHECK WITH BRIDE AND GROOM THAT YOU HAVE ALL THEY WANTED, OR IF YOU WERE PRESSED FOR TIME, THAT YOU HAVE THE SET-UPS THEY WANTED THE MOST.
Now you have to get back to the reception before the wedding party gets there.

E). MOCK CAKE CUTTING

• THIS IS DONE WHEN BUDGETS ARE TIGHT, AND YOU AREN'T REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE RECEPTION. HOWEVER IN MOST SITUATIONS YOU WILL NEED TO POSE THIS TOWARDS THE END OF THE RECEPTION.

F). THE RECEPTION

 BEFORE THE BRIDE AND GROOM ARRIVE AT THE RECEPTION VENUE, BE READY TO CATCH THEM ARRIVING.

 THINGS THAT USUALLY HAPPEN AT RECEPTION ARE: (IN ANY ORDER): SPEECHES, TOASTS, FOOD, AND THEN THE FIRST DANCE. WHILE THERE ARE POTENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHY OPPORTUNITIES, DON‟T EAT, OR DRINK, JUST IN CASE YOU MISS SOMETHING WORTHWHILE.

 BEFORE LEAVING BE SURE THAT THE BRIDE, GROOM AND WHOEVER IS PAYING FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHY, HAVE ALL THE SHOTS THEY WANTED, AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT YOU CHECK YOUR SHOT LIST ONCE AGAIN.

G). AFTER IT ALL
GET THE FINISHED PRINTS TO THE BRIDE & GROOM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THAT‟S JUST GOOD BUSINESS, IF THAT IS WHAT YOU HAD AS DELIVERABLES. YOU WILL WANT THEM TO SEE THE PRINTS WHILE THE DAY WILL STILL BE FRESH IN THEIR MEMORY! DO NOT GET CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF ANY DISPUTES. CD‟S ARE ALWAYS TO BE DELIVERED TO THE MARRIED COUPLE, AND NOT TO ANYONE ELSE (UNLESS ARRANGED OTHERWISE). IF SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE BRIDE & GROOM IS PAYING FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHY, IT SHOULD BE EXPLAINED TO THEM BEFOREHAND THAT THE BRIDE & GROOM GET THE CD‟S! OR IF YOU HAVE ARRANGED TO PUT THE IMAGES ONTO A WEBSITE SUCH AS SMUGMUG, EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PRINTING/DOWNLOAD.
When sorting out the finished images, take out the ones that aren’t up to par, do not allow any image that you would not want folks to see to be allowed on the web site or to be printed

THE PHOTOGRAPHY

A BLOW BY BLOW ACCOUNT OF A TYPICAL WEDDING

 HAVE YOUR SHOOTING SCHEDULE CARDS (SHOT LIST) ON A LOOP OF STRING

 HAVE YOUR FLASH/STROBE SET TO ¼ ISO (FOR FILL-IN, OR ALL OUTDOOR PHOTOS IF YOU WANT TO PLAY SAFE, USE AT FULL ISO FOR INDOOR SHOTS)

 AN 18-70MM ZOOM LENS ON CAMERA

1. AT GROOM’S HOUSE

 GROOM, GETTING READY,

 GROOMSMEN, PLAYING AROUND

 GROOM, IN MIRROR

 GROOM DRESSED, GQ POSE, JACKET OVER SHOULDER

 GROOM FULL LENGTH

 GROOM WITH MOTHER CLOSE-UP

 GROOM WITH FATHER CLOSE-UP

 GROOM WITH BOTH PARENTS FULL LENGTH

 GROOM WITH BOTH PARENTS CLOSE-UP

 GROOM WITH GRANDPARENTS FULL LENGTH

 GROOM WITH GRANDPARENTS CLOSE-UP

 WITH SISTERS

 WITH BROTHERS

 WITH IMMEDIATE FAMILY

 GROOM AND BEST MAN FULL LENGTH

 GROOM AND BEST MAN CLOSE-UP

 GROOM AND BEST MAN SHAKING HANDS

 GROOM AND ALL GROOMSMEN

2. AT BRIDE’S HOUSE

 BRIDE DRESSING

 MOTHER HELPING WITH VEIL

 MOTHER/MAID OF HONOR ADJUSTING VEIL

 BRIDE LOOKING IN MIRROR

 BRIDE WITH MOTHER LOOKING IN MIRROR

 BRIDE PUTTING ON GARTER

 BRIDE PUTTING ON GARTER WITH BRIDESMAIDS LOOKING ON

 BRIDE FULL LENGTH

 BRIDE HALF LENGTH

 BRIDE CLOSE-UP

 BRIDE WITH MOTHER CLOSE-UP

 BRIDE WITH MOTHER FULL LENGTH

 CORSAGE BEING PINNED ON MOTHER

 BRIDE WITH FATHER FULL LENGTH

 BRIDE WITH FATHER CLOSE-UP

 BRIDE PINNING-ON FATHER‟S BUTTON-HOLE

 BRIDE WITH BOTH PARENTS, FULL LENGTH

 BRIDE WITH BOTH PARENTS, CLOSE-UP

 WITH GRANDPARENTS CLOSE-UP

 WITH GRANDPARENTS FULL LENGTH

 WITH SISTERS

 WITH BROTHERS WITH IMMEDIATE FAMILY

 BRIDE AND MAID OF HONOR FULL LENGTH

 BRIDE AND MAID OF HONOR. CLOSE-UP

 BRIDE WITH ATTENDANTS

 BRIDE WITH FLOWER GIRL/RING BEARER

 BRIDE LEAVING HOUSE WITH PARENTS AND BRIDESMAIDS

 FATHER HELPING BRIDE INTO LIMO


AT THE CEREMONY

 GROUPS OF GUESTS AND EVERYBODY

 FLOWER GIRL WALKING DOWN AISLE

 RING-BEARER WALKING DOWN AISLE

 MAID OF HONOR WALKING DOWN AISLE

 BRIDESMAIDS WALKING DOWN AISLE

 FATHER WALKING DOWN AISLE WITH BRIDE

 FATHER “GIVING BRIDE AWAY”

 BRIDE & GROOM EXCHANGING VOWS

 BRIDE AND GROOM EXCHANGING RINGS

 THE KISS

 BRIDE SIGNING REGISTER

 GROOM SIGNING REGISTER

 BRIDE AND GROOM WALKING BACK DOWN AISLE

 BRIDE AND GROOM OUTSIDE CHURCH

 BRIDE AND GROOM GETTING INTO LIMO

FORMAL PHOTOS

 BRIDE ALONE FULL LENGTH

 BRIDE ALONE ¾

 BRIDE ALONE CLOSE-UP

 BRIDE ALONE HEAD SHOT

 BRIDE ALONE PEEPING OVER FLOWER

 BRIDE & GROOM KISSING

 BRIDE & GROOM FULL LENGTH

 BRIDE & GROOM CLOSE-UP

 GROOM FULL LENGTH

 GROOM ¾

 GROOM CLOSE-UP

 CLOSE-UP OF RINGS

 GROUP SHOT OF BRIDE & BRIDESMAIDS

THE RECEPTION

 WEDDING PARTY ANNOUNCED

 BRIDE AND GROOM ANNOUNCED

 BRIDE & GROOM‟S FIRST DANCE

 WEDDING PARTY DANCING

 BRIDE‟S DANCE WITH FATHER

 GROOM‟S DANCE WITH MOTHER

 BEST MAN TOASTING BRIDE & GROOM

 BRIDE & GROOM TOASTING EACH OTHER

 THE CAKE

 BRIDE & GROOM POSED AT CAKE

 CUTTING CAKE

 BRIDE & GROOM FEEDING EACH OTHER CAKE

 THROWING BOUQUET

 BOUQUET CATCH

 GROOM TAKING OFF GARTER

 GROOM THROWING GARTER

 GARTER CATCH

 BRIDE & GROOM WITH CATCHERS

 GUESTS LEAVING

 POSED DEPARTURE OF BRIDE & GROOM ( KISSING, WAVING ETC.,)

 BRIDE & GROOM LEAVING RECEPTION VENUE

 BRIDE AND GROOM LEAVING IN LIMO

 CLOSE UP OF INVITATION

 PICTURE OF BAND OR DJ

STANDARD WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRACT

Wedding date_____________
BRIDE‟S NAME____________________ PHONE:______________
ADDRESS ____________________________
GROOM‟S NAME________________________ PHONE:_____________
ADDRESS ____________________________________
ADDRESS AFTER WEDDING _________________________________

1. This constitutes an order for wedding photography. All original images remain the intellectual property of Your name The client agrees that editorial use of photos and/or advertising use by Your name is acceptable unless otherwise noted. Your name may make use of these wedding photos for samples to show future customers.

2. ALTHOUGH ALL CARE WILL BE TAKEN WITH THE NEGATIVES AND DIGITAL IMAGES TAKEN AT THE WEDDING, YOUR NAME LIMITS ANY LOSS, DAMAGE OR FAILURE TO DELIVER PICTURES FOR ANY REASON, TO RETURN MONIES PAID ( EXCEPT FOR SCHEDULING FEE )

3. UPON SIGNATURE, YOUR NAME RESERVES THE TIME AND DATE AGREED UPON, AND WILL MAKE NO OTHER RESERVATIONS FOR THAT TIME AND DATE. FOR THIS REASON, SCHEDULING FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE, EVEN IF DATE IS CHANGED OR WEDDING CANCELLED FOR ANY REASON.

4. A SCHEDULING FEE IS DUE ON SIGNING THIS CONTRACT; THE REMAINING BALANCE TO BE PAID 7 DAYS PRIOR TO WEDDING DATE.

a) All terms of this agreement are understood and agreed upon.

AGREED PRICE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY $_________________________
SIGNATURE OF PHOTOGRAPHER:________________________________
SIGNATURE OF SIGNING PARTY__________________________________
ADDRESS_______________________________________________
DATE________________


Copyright: © Kenneth William Caleno (Dip Phot) 2010 and beyond

Philipschmitten Loc: Texas

OK good stuff but here is my rant....

As a Wedding Photographer of 35 years we hear alot of, " We don't need a photographer, Uncle Billy or cousin Joe Bob has a fancy digital camera and we got him to take pictures. " Then we get phone calls like, " Our cousin shot our wedding and the pictures didn't turn out, can you fix them?"

That is what is wrong today...too many wanna-bees out there taking paying wedding jobs.

I guess we all had to start somewhere though, so the best of luck to you.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Just remember to listen to the family and make sure you get all the pictures that are important to them. Nothing worse than missing something they thought was importatant. My daughter just got married and I had to hire a photographer he's a friend and very good but he did miss a few things. Just keep your head in the game

wrr Loc: SEK

nice, thanks for sharing this information.

djtravels Loc: Georgia boy now

Go for it. I got shots at my grandson's wedding that no one else thought about. Not great, but never there again. DJT