Geofw Loc: Thornton Cleveleys UK

I have read many time on here about people being asked or volunteered to take photographs at a wedding and always thought never, never for me.

And now

I have been volunteered to take informal / behind the scenes photographs at a friends daughter's wedding.
SWMBO has kindly volunteered me plus they are special friends, so what can I do? Apart from run a mile!
There will be a professional photographer for the formal photographs, with me clicking away in the back ground.
I plan to introduce myself to the photographer and explain what I have been asked to do and hope he/she does not mind.

I have a Canon 7D mark II with a variety of lenses
EFS 18-55mm f3.5-5.6
EF 50mm f1.8
EF 70-300mm f4-5.6
28-200mm f3.8-5.6
10-24mm f3.5-4.5
70-200mm f2.8

I have never done this type of photography before. I am more a wildlife and landscape type of guy, so would appreciate any advice from fellow "Hoggers".

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Your best bet would have been to run away, run away. However, you're sort of saved by the fact that they have a primary wedding photographer.

I'd actually contact that photographer (prior to the wedding) and introduce yourself. Then, let it be known what you've been asked to do. (Pray that you will be told that the photographer will handle everything). In case you are approved to shoot as a second unit photographer, make sure you have a complete understanding of what the primary photographer is going to be doing, and when.

Do your best to take photos, if it comes down to that. Do even a better job of staying out of the way.

Additionally, being a wildlife photography enthusiast might come in handy.
--Bob

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

After running that mile, you will be all warmed up and ready to shoot anything, anywhere!!!
But if your photography sucks....., well....., it will still suck!! :lol:
SS

Bill_de Loc: US

Do the best you can. Have other guests email you their photos, even cell phone photos. You will have plenty to work with. Just edit judiciously.

--

PaulR01 Loc: West Texas

Take your 50 and 70-200 and leave everything else at home. Be prepared for low light situations. Some of the best pictures are the ones no one is posing for. Watch the kids, there impulsive actions can be what people remember the most about a wedding. Get the interactions between the close family members. Your roll for the wedding is what's called a second shooter. Make friends with the payed photog and make sure to give them room to do their job. I am a sports shooter myself and did a second shooter roll last weekend with a 7Dii. You will do fine. Might even do better on some stuff than the paid photog because you are free to roam and probably got more money invested in gear than they do.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

If there is a pro photographer shooting the wedding, this should not be a problem, providing the bride or groom are the ones who asked you. Nobody else has any standing to ask. Not even if her parents are your very best friends. Tell them you need to clear this with not only the bride and groom, but the professional photographer as well. If either of them object, you MUST stand down and don't do it.

If they do not object, stay behind the scenes let the pro do their work. Remember they are responsible to create memories to last a lifetime, don't get in the way of that.

I've ran into people like this that were very respectful, and I had no issue allowing them alongside, or behind me. I even asked them to take a few photos for me that I might use on my site. I've also ran into a$$ that think they have a right to screw up a wedding, costing me shots, and copying everything I did.

As far as the equipment it would depend but I would use longer focal length lenses since you will be behind, way behind the scenes. the 70-200 2.8 is good in medium and far ranges. If I'm the photog, you're not getting any closer to them than the 200 anyway. If you did you would just be in my way.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

Think of the guests as wildlife. Watch and wait for your shots using your 70-200. - Dave

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I don't see anything about a flash among your equipment. You will need one, especially for behind the scenes shots and anything not during the actual ceremony. In addition, a flash bracket of some kind to get the flash above the camera a bit, and ability to bounce if there is a low ceiling or a diffuser of some kind. Even if you are shooting outdoors, a little flash fill will help. And if you are not up to speed with using a flash, practice beforehand.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

I do not see the problem with running.

Someone volunteers me???

Wow!

I'll slap the guy first then flatly refuse. I don't care if it is 'my friend'. They know better than this anyway.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

:thumbup: :thumbup:

tramsey Loc: Texas

This happened to me a little over a year ago. The main photographer was in a car accident a week before the wedding. I ended up being the photographer to a huge wedding. I didn't have any idea what to do. I talked to the photographer in the hospital and the minister. The couple were very good friends of mine but I was so busy taking pictures and figuring out what to do next, I didn't have time to do anything else; it was very hectic. They are still my friends and they were over joyed at what I had done but I'll never ever take a camera to a wedding or reception.

Take the 50 and either of the 200 zoom lens, make sure you have plenty of battery power and memory. I wished I had a small step ladder to shot over the people for several different shots.

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

For the few weddings I get invited to (children or grandchildren of friends), I always take my camera. I always take pictures with it, trying to keep out of the way of the primary photographer. I get shots that (s)he doesn't because they're working on the group shots or whatever. I always introduce myself to the primary photographer and present my card so they can get in touch with me. Some of them have used my photos, most just ignore my presence among the 97.3% of the other guests who have their cameras or phones in continuous operation during the wedding.

My rules for taking photos at a wedding are simple: no flash during the ceremony, and let the primary guy do the group shots (and other shots that require setup). (flash is probably essential at the reception -- there's a lot of dancing and the lighting is generally low. I use bounce flash as much as possible there).

I take the shots I get, process them and put them onto a web page. I send the B/G (and parents) the link. If they want to use the pictures they are free to do so.

I don't want the job as the primary photographer. To do that would take away from my enjoyment of the event. I enjoy taking the shots I do take but I stop occasionally to remember I'm a guest at the wedding, not a worker.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

it is always a good time to learn something new, who knows, you may even enjoy it.
get together with the primary photographer and have them advise you as to what you may need to be the best that you can be.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Substitute a borrowed Nikon (or any other make) body for your Canon body. When you get there, none of the lenses will fit. Ah, shucks; gee whiz. Sorry folks. My bad! :wink: :oops: :lol:

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I have photographed weddings for over 15 years. The key is back up batteries for your flash, extra cards,
and be relaxed and interact with the people and capture what is going on. Put your antenna up and tune into and capture the action.Check the contract they have signed for the "Formal Photographer" I did not have it in my contract but many photographers put in that they are the only photographer.