So excited- going to shoot a wedding in June
Nov 17, 2018 18:06:27 #
Just wanted to share with everyone that I was asked to do a wedding and I agreed pending the details. I must be crazy- I shoot birds! Normally I would emphatically say NO but this time I didn't. It will not be a typical wedding.
It's a very special occasion outside of the fact it's a wedding. Two wonderful people getting a second chance at love after each taking care of their spouses during their long respective illnesses and passing. Both the to be groom and bride are in their late 70s/early 80s.
The venue is Colorado Springs probably in front of the chapel on the AF Academy grounds (he is an Academy grad). There is a week long AF Academy reunion prior (which my husband and I will attend)- chance to reconnect to old relationships.
I will be using the Fuji camera with the Nikon as a backup. I plan to use at least one of the film simulations including the new cinema like one with Raw as a backup.
Please only positive replies. I know all the pitfalls to well- Hints are appreciated.
It's a very special occasion outside of the fact it's a wedding. Two wonderful people getting a second chance at love after each taking care of their spouses during their long respective illnesses and passing. Both the to be groom and bride are in their late 70s/early 80s.
The venue is Colorado Springs probably in front of the chapel on the AF Academy grounds (he is an Academy grad). There is a week long AF Academy reunion prior (which my husband and I will attend)- chance to reconnect to old relationships.
I will be using the Fuji camera with the Nikon as a backup. I plan to use at least one of the film simulations including the new cinema like one with Raw as a backup.
Please only positive replies. I know all the pitfalls to well- Hints are appreciated.
Nov 17, 2018 18:11:03 #
Wonderful. You won’t have to remove the wrinkles in pp, will you? Jk. Have a blast, and you’ll do a great job.
Nov 17, 2018 18:15:05 #
Sounds very good. Enjoy the experience, and no doubt, you will do a great job.
Nov 17, 2018 18:24:36 #
I’ve done quite a few weddings. The most enjoyable was a couple who met because both husbands coached their kids’ baseball team. The wife of one passed away and the husband of the other later on. The least stressfull wedding I ever shot!
Do you know how to shoot fill-flash?
You may need it outside, at least for candids, despite the daylight conditions.
Your new Fuji X-T3 is capable of high speed sync with the right flash, so shooting in sunlight wil be easier.
Nice venue!
My cousin used to be a chaplain at the academy.
Do you know how to shoot fill-flash?
You may need it outside, at least for candids, despite the daylight conditions.
Your new Fuji X-T3 is capable of high speed sync with the right flash, so shooting in sunlight wil be easier.
Nice venue!
My cousin used to be a chaplain at the academy.
Nov 17, 2018 19:19:31 #
No shouldn't have to do that! I told my husband maybe this will be my jump start into "sunset" weddings.
mcmama wrote:
Wonderful. You won’t have to remove the wrinkles in pp, will you? Jk. Have a blast, and you’ll do a great job.
Nov 17, 2018 19:21:17 #
Thank You. I think it will be fun and not all that stressful. They don't have the stamina to stretch it out all day :)
Kmgw9v wrote:
Sounds very good. Enjoy the experience, and no doubt, you will do a great job.
Nov 17, 2018 19:28:38 #
Funny I was just thinking about this very thing! Yes I have used fill flash before when I did Senior pictures and some portraits. But that was several years ago. With all the information out there and practice practice practice I should be able to get it right. I want to do something a little different and some video as well. If I could swing it I think it would be really special to have the 56 mm f 1.2 Fuji lens- maybe I will think about renting it . Colorado Springs in June is quite sunny in the morning with possibility of showers in the afternoon. Something to think about. Thanks.
GoofyNewfie wrote:
I’ve done quite a few weddings. The most enjoyable... (show quote)
Nov 17, 2018 19:30:33 #
suntouched wrote:
Funny I was just thinking about this very thing! Y... (show quote)
That 56 is on my list if I totally switch to Fuji
Nov 17, 2018 19:32:05 #
Sun Touched,
Tis is one I'd do, also. Your work is terrific and if you can capture birds, even just on a post, you should be able to keep up with the folks at a wedding. And especially since the Bride and Groom seem to be past their track star days, as am I. Having done some of these as an amateur, I can't over emphasize a shot list. And a guest list. No matter how well you know the people, you can never anticipate ALL the must haves. And I suspect some of 'em may be pretty young.
This sounds like a lovely low key event that will be as heart warming as it will be fun. I couldn't imagine a more beautiful or meaningful setting.
I 100% agree on the fill flash. Also, I've seen wedding photographers who have used slave flashes (speedlights) on light stands to fill dark backgrounds if there will be any. A light stand is $20, an old manual flash with a diffuser like a Stofen is 20-50, and an optical trigger if not built in is $10. A Yongnuo is $65 new and Amazon Basic is even less. If I were nearby, I'd lend you mine. I've also used this same light with a black card taped to the side facing the camera, positioned out of the frame, as a hair/separation light when doing the group photos. It may be overkill for this, but it is a suggestion. There's always the voice operated flash and blood version of someone holding the flash and pointing it for you.
Shoot on slow multi shots improving your chances of avoiding closed eyes or the distracted looking away one of my dearest relatives has such a habit of doing.
Enjoy the reunion and the wedding.
As your Air Force friends will avow, there is never too much fuel, ammunition or altitude and for you, batteries and memory cards.
Say Cheese BURGER!
C
Tis is one I'd do, also. Your work is terrific and if you can capture birds, even just on a post, you should be able to keep up with the folks at a wedding. And especially since the Bride and Groom seem to be past their track star days, as am I. Having done some of these as an amateur, I can't over emphasize a shot list. And a guest list. No matter how well you know the people, you can never anticipate ALL the must haves. And I suspect some of 'em may be pretty young.
This sounds like a lovely low key event that will be as heart warming as it will be fun. I couldn't imagine a more beautiful or meaningful setting.
I 100% agree on the fill flash. Also, I've seen wedding photographers who have used slave flashes (speedlights) on light stands to fill dark backgrounds if there will be any. A light stand is $20, an old manual flash with a diffuser like a Stofen is 20-50, and an optical trigger if not built in is $10. A Yongnuo is $65 new and Amazon Basic is even less. If I were nearby, I'd lend you mine. I've also used this same light with a black card taped to the side facing the camera, positioned out of the frame, as a hair/separation light when doing the group photos. It may be overkill for this, but it is a suggestion. There's always the voice operated flash and blood version of someone holding the flash and pointing it for you.
Shoot on slow multi shots improving your chances of avoiding closed eyes or the distracted looking away one of my dearest relatives has such a habit of doing.
Enjoy the reunion and the wedding.
As your Air Force friends will avow, there is never too much fuel, ammunition or altitude and for you, batteries and memory cards.
Say Cheese BURGER!
C
Nov 17, 2018 19:39:33 #
Thank you so much for those tips- just what I was hoping for! A shot list- I can go over that with them well before the event. Closed eyes- I'll be watching.
Slave flashes- hope not to have to get into that. I did that for real estate pictures- but it has been awhile. I will find out soon what the schedule will be and where events are to take place. Then I will know what to expect.
Batteries and memory cards- check!
I wondered about the guest list myself.
Glad I have 6 months to prepare
Slave flashes- hope not to have to get into that. I did that for real estate pictures- but it has been awhile. I will find out soon what the schedule will be and where events are to take place. Then I will know what to expect.
Batteries and memory cards- check!
I wondered about the guest list myself.
Glad I have 6 months to prepare
Photocraig wrote:
Sun Touched, br Tis is one I'd do, also. Your work... (show quote)
Nov 17, 2018 21:44:49 #
Nov 17, 2018 21:55:36 #
Good idea- I will be able to do that. Thanks.
BebuLamar wrote:
I would say check out the location before hand and take test shot.
Nov 17, 2018 23:21:15 #
Even at a small comparatively casual wedding, things can begin to move very fast so you don't want things to get away for you so here's a few tips.
Have a meeting with the couple and make certain that you have a game plan as to everything that will transpire during the event. Try to work out a bit of time to make a few formal portraits and groups- time between the ceremony and the party. Once the festivities get started it hard to regroup. Get a list of VIPs, a who's who of the guests and bridal party.
Practice your FAST "candid" shooting techniques. If possible, get in some practice. Cover a birthday party or a similar event just to get a few hours in. Dry run your flash fill technique and make sure you have a nice lighting ratio between daylight and the flash.
You can use a second light for portrait effects or to open up dark backgrounds when work indoors or outdoors at night. If, however, you find the multiple light method too cumbersome, unmanageable as to unwanted shadows or the lights getting into your field of view, it's better to opt for a single light method adn concentrated on getting lots of good formal and spontaneous shots. This, of course, is you decision- you know your own level of experience.
If you decide to use multiple flash- do a dry run in advance- perhas in a local church or hall- just to get a feel for the system. With ligh stand or a mobile second ligh on a monopod, you will have to DRAFT an assistant!
Don't forget a spare camera and flash, los of batteries and extra memory cards.SHOOT LOTS!
Good luck and do enjoy the experience!
Have a meeting with the couple and make certain that you have a game plan as to everything that will transpire during the event. Try to work out a bit of time to make a few formal portraits and groups- time between the ceremony and the party. Once the festivities get started it hard to regroup. Get a list of VIPs, a who's who of the guests and bridal party.
Practice your FAST "candid" shooting techniques. If possible, get in some practice. Cover a birthday party or a similar event just to get a few hours in. Dry run your flash fill technique and make sure you have a nice lighting ratio between daylight and the flash.
You can use a second light for portrait effects or to open up dark backgrounds when work indoors or outdoors at night. If, however, you find the multiple light method too cumbersome, unmanageable as to unwanted shadows or the lights getting into your field of view, it's better to opt for a single light method adn concentrated on getting lots of good formal and spontaneous shots. This, of course, is you decision- you know your own level of experience.
If you decide to use multiple flash- do a dry run in advance- perhas in a local church or hall- just to get a feel for the system. With ligh stand or a mobile second ligh on a monopod, you will have to DRAFT an assistant!
Don't forget a spare camera and flash, los of batteries and extra memory cards.SHOOT LOTS!
Good luck and do enjoy the experience!
Nov 17, 2018 23:22:58 #
suntouched wrote:
Just wanted to share with everyone that I was aske... (show quote)
Although I don't generally like to do weddings, I have done several. However, you will be in a totally beautiful environment, in a totally beautiful city, have beautiful backgrounds, and have demonstrated your considerable talent on this site. All I can say is enjoy the event, I'm sure you will do well!
Nov 18, 2018 03:30:33 #
Since they are a very senior couple, it's doubtful the pace will get ahead of you and look at the bright side, you won't have the bride's mother demanding this shot or that shot. My only "advice" is, don't do it alone; have at least a second shooter. There's more to a wedding than the bride and groom.
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