mrchunko

Today I am venturing into photographing what was described to me, initially, as a "small, informal, family wedding with immediate family attending and a minimum of fuss and bother." That was an attractive and mildly challenging offer until in the last two weeks the guest list has virtually quadrupled, there are now six or seven bridesmaids and accompanying groomsmen, and who knows what other surprises await me when I arrive at the church this afternoon. I am not afraid of photographing anything, and I accepted this assignment via the groom's mother, with the understanding the "small and informal," would be the order of the day. The groom is a good friend of mine, and I do not want to disappoint, but I really wish someone would have advised me that the bride cannot say "no," to family members and sundry acquaintances who want a piece of the action. I would like to get to the end of the day saying that I achieved success and have done as much preparation as I can. Connecting with the wedding party is a huge emotional boost; this crowd, however, treated me like a door knob. No one greeted me, welcomed me, or asked who I was, nothing. Whether or not I get a piece of cake at the reception is of no importance. I want to get home with my life and my body intact. I seek no advice, just airing what I think is something common to people who love photography: folks who appreciate your photographs of street life and vintage cars think you are qualified to capture these important life moments. For the record, I have photographed one other wedding, an outdoor affair that could have easily been recorded by a high school kid with a cell phone. Well, here goes. Thanks to one and all who have responded to my questions and concerns on other topics -Have a tremendous day, everyone!

bleirer

You have no hope of emerging unscathed, just remember to take the lens cap off and put film in the camera.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

And/or to have sufficient batteries and memory cards properly inserted into the camera.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

For future consideration...In my wedding days (about 350-400 range) reason I seldom accepted weddings of family or friends. Strangers will treat you as the professional photographer, to others you are just a friend or relative with a camera. With strangers changes like this would be added to their cost, with F&F difficult to do.

BillFeffer Loc: Adolphus, KY

Did weddings for years. Treatment ranged from being treated like a guest to complete disrespect and rudeness. The stories I could tell! So, I am sure, could anyone who shot more than a few weddings.

TBerwick Loc: Houston, Texas

Your experience was commonplace, unfortunately. After many years my usual description was either "pushing string up a hill" or "akin to herding cats."

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

...treat all weddings the same...”small, informal family gatherings”...and you’ll have great shots...and you need to introduce yourself to the family...”hi...I’m uncle chunko”...and everybody will be more relaxed...and remember... A photograph is a reminder of something you never want to forget...good luck in your mission...

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

ONLY PROFESSIONALS SHOULD PHOTOGRAPH WEDDINGS. NOW maybe you have learned your lesson.

retiredsgt Loc: Red Lion Pa.

You ARE the Photographer ! You take charge of the Photography ! Whether anyone "likes you, or says, "HI" is of no concern. You are being paid to photograph. Not "Taste the Wedding cake". If you are concentrating on the Bridal Party and especially, the Bride and groom, You should not have enough time to think about eating! Grow up ! If you want to be treated as a family friend who likes the icing on the cake, don't even think about calling yourself a Wedding Photographer !
Okay, Bartender, NOW, that the wedding party is over, How about a Pint of Guinness ?

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Whenever I have seen a post here from an amateur saying that he or she has been invited to take pictures of a wedding my answer to it has always been DO NOT DO IT. A wedding is a serious matter and it is a very important day for the couple. Think that they will be showing those images not only to family but also to friends for quite some time.
I have always recommended to those with no experience to let a professional do the job. For those who are in the process of entering the wedding photography world my recommendation has always been to join a professional wedding photographer as an assistant just to learn. Do not make the mistake of charging for your services, you are there to learn.
It takes time to learn all of the tricks involved with wedding photography but only a couple of hours to ruin what could otherwise be a long lasting treasure for the couple.

CWGordon

I shot weddings when I was young (Canon F1). It was exciting, but scary. I decided it was too stressful, stopped doing’em in the 70’s, turning down anyone who asked. Tactfully, of course. A few years ago I got roped into doing it for an in-law. I was really not happy about it. Photography is supposed to be fun, after all! Well, I got there and started taking the pictures requested. It started turning into fun. Having a playback screen helped a lot. As I continued to relax I had more and more fun. I got some really good pictures, too. I enjoy seeing them framed, hanging in their house. All in all, a good experience.
I hope you will find some joy in such exercises.

BrHawkeye

As an amateur photographer (who has sold a few photos over the years) I've photographed several weddings over many years. I favor candid photography over posed photos though I handle both at weddings. My favorite wedding to photograph was in an Alaskan bar where folks playing pool and drinking carried on as usual as the wedding proceeded. My most recent wedding was just a couple weeks ago. Two of us with Canons did the heavy-duty photography. There was a fixed video camera for the ceremony and reception. Several of the guests took cell phone photographs and one was live-streaming the ceremony on Facebook for the bride's mother who was unable to attend. I've photographed weddings with professional photographers and with other amateurs over more than 50 years. Even at royal weddings, I don't think professional photographers can expect to have the field to themselves nowadays.

nikon123 Loc: Toronto, Canada

I have recently accepted a request to shoot a wedding where the guest list is a maximum of 60 people. The couple only want photographs of the wedding party in a park setting before the ceremony and at the ceremony. I guess that I am 'professional' in that I teach photography, display and sell images. However, photography is a hobby/passion and was not my career. I am anxious about the assignment but know that I will produce images that the couple will treasure. I recently posted a request for recommendations on lenses to use. The responses and the articles that I have read give lots of recommendations. I shoot with a Nikon D500. I will take the following lenses with me: Nikon 20-35 f/2.8, Nikon 50 f/1.4, Nikon 85 f/1.8, Nikon 24-120 f/4 and perhaps Nikon 70-200 f/4. The list is too long but I am concerned about missing opportunities; although changing lenses is time consuming. I will have to settle on a particular lens for the ceremony and just go with that. Comments welcomed.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

t mordem.Sucked in, like a sink hole. Please post a post mordem.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

I shot about 50 weddings long ago, and I was treated as an honored guest at all of them. Probably the result of being in rural Maine. People are mostly just nicer there than in metropolitan areas. And arguably best of all, I had cake to take home!

For people shooting now in metro areas, the rudeness could be a reflection of the general lack of civility our country has come to. The way I describe it is everyone is in a bubble with their cell phone, with no regard for what goes on and who-does-what outside the bubble. It's a cryin' shame.

Maybe you should wear one of those big yellow buttons that reads like this one....

>>> Alan- aka Cranky Old Guy.