bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Some tips for shooting your first wedding
Feel free to add to this list. These are not in order, they are as I think of them.
1.Double up. Things break, and they always break at the worst time. You don’t have to buy 2 camera bodies and 2 of everything at first. Renting is affordable from many places, including many camera shops. (especially at the beginning) The best advice I can give is to try to have identical camera bodies, or at least 2 models with the same control layout.
2 Know thy camera. I encourage our apprentices to practice changing settings with the camera body under a blanket, so they can change settings on the fly if/when needed. I also suggest that people turn off their review and don’t rely on checking every single shot afterwards. I check every so often, or if the light changes. Weddings are fast paced, even if you aren’t shooting constantly, you don’t want to be reviewing photos when some really special moment happens.
3. If at all possible start as a second shooter for someone who has experience. This is how I started, and of course you don’t HAVE to start this way, but it really helps with confidence, learning how to handle people, and not being under so much pressure the first several times.
4. Get liability insurance. OK, so you think you are only going to do one wedding, and then never again. It is still a risk to not be insured. People will trip over you, equipment, or you may even hit someone with your lens. Some ideas on where to get affordable liability insurance will be in a future post.
5. If you plan on charging, you’d better get set up to pay taxes. Either pay it as “additional income” on your individual taxes, or if you plan to set up a business, do it right. In my area, and others that I know of. Some of the Craigslist photographers look everywhere to find “occasional wedding photographers” and turn them in for failure to pay taxes, or failure to have a business license. They do this for rewards, or just to keep the competition low. My guess is that many of these people are doing the exact same things that they are turning people in for.
6. Bring your “superhero kit” Mine has grown from experience, but here are a few items that I bring. Needle and Thread, white chalk to cover up heel marks or stains on a dress, a comb and brush, granola bar for me….or for someone in the bridal party if they get light headed. Some juice (for the same reason), a button. (yes, bustles break) All you have to do is get out the superhero kit and help avoid a “disaster,” not only will the Bride and groom be thrilled, but the story of how you “saved the wedding” will get out, and you’ll get more jobs.
7. Get to the venue beforehand, and practice (hopefully the same time of day) I’ve rarely come across a situation where the Venue, Church/Park/Hall wouldn’t let me get in to take a few test shots. (if possible, bring a friend or family member, and have them wear a white shirt, and black pants) Yup, you need to make sure that you can nail the lighting on the dress, as well as the tuxes, that’s why you want your “stand in” to wear black and white.
8. Make a shot list. At your first wedding, you will be nervous. Work with the bride and groom to come up with a list of "must have" shots for the wedding. This isn't really for newbies. I still make a shot list before every wedding, and I've shot weddings over 30 years.

Those are a few, have any to add?
bk

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Thank you for sharing.

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

Great list, agree with everything on it. I would add to shoot RAW for one. More flexibility is afforded with a RAW file than a jpeg when it comes to tweaking in post production. I also use relatively small size media (4-8 gb) and change cards often. My reasoning is simple, I don't want all my eggs in one basket should something get corrupted or lost.

I really like the idea of a supportive group for wedding photographers, old and new alike. Glad to be a part of it.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Thanks, and welcome aboard.

I do agree with both your suggestions. Getting really hard for me to find 4gb cards. Do you have a good (read...CHEAP) source for smaller cards? I've been using 8gb cards, and only partially filling them, but "running out of room" is a great reminder to change them more often.

I also shoot raw. Sometimes I get ticked that it takes some more time for editing, but when it saves my bacon because of being able to recover a shot, I'm thankful I use it.

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

Raw has saved me once or twice also. Sometimes, although I am rather comfortable working under the pressures of a wedding, I neglect to worry about WB or screw up an exposure. It's nice to be able to fix that and save a photo or two when needed.

I googled 4gb cards, and got many hits. I use primarily Sandisk or Lexar cards and haven't had an issue with a card for years. Maybe I'm lucky, I don't know. I'm sure my time will come, as I know cards do fail on occasion. You should be able to find what you need online at adorama, amazon, B&H (all my favorite stomping grounds).

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

got burned with Sandisk once, ordered 4 online. All 4 were bad. I'm guessing they were knockoffs. I try now to always buy locally, so I can return. And ALWAYS format and test all cards before the wedding.

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

Just curious skidooman, when you say you change your media card (4gb or so) do you take the time to put the card in the plastic holder or jus quickly put the card in your pocket? During a wedding I'm sure you are aware of the time and need to hurry somewhat when changing out the card.
If you do not use the plastic card holder, have you ever had any problems with the card getting static electricity on the media points? And loosing data?
Thanks
Dave

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I can't answer for Skidoo man, but my answer is that I have a card wallet that accepts 12 cards. I keep 6 in one side marked "blank" and the other are where I put the "used" cards. Generally, I have enough time to swap out cards, because I keep tabs on when the card is getting full, and have done enough weddings in 30 years that I know when a "lull" in the action is coming up. Since we always have 2 photographers, sometimes 2 plus the "intern", I'm pretty confident that if I happen to be changing a card, someone else will probably get the shot. Normally, there are enough shots in a wedding, that if one is missed, it isn't the end of the world.

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

Thanks!

Good information too.
I too have card wallet, but it does not do a good job of keeping the cards secure.
Thanks again
Dave

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

I keep them in the plastic cases, always. I'm always concerned with dust (I use cf cards) getting in them. With regard to swapping out cards, I'll change to new ones for formals, then ceremony and reception. The key is to not get stuck with little memory left on the card. Knowing when to change them at the best times comes with experience I think.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I have to admit, after switching to just SD cards, I sure don't miss the CF cards at all. Much easier to get nice memory wallets that hold all the cards for the day in one place.