Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

OK, against my better judgement, I have agreed to shoot a wedding for my cousin’s son’s wedding. Please don’t tell me it’s a really bad idea and that I should offer to pay for a professional photographer. I know you all mean well. I’ve already done that. As a bit of background:
I recently took a series of photos at another wedding (as a guest … they also had a professional photographer) and sent them out to a number of relatives. This groom to be (this August), his fiancée, and his parents looked at the photos and called me and begged me to shoot their wedding. I said no, no, no and downplayed any expectations, but to no avail. They loved the photos that I did as a guest at another wedding, so I just don’t see a way out of this without jeopardizing our relationship. No, I’ve not shot a wedding before. I’m mostly a landscape and street photographer.
So, I’m going to go ahead with this, and here is where I would appreciate any help and insight you could provide:
I currently own a Fuji X100V (fixed 35mm FF equiv, 26mp camera) and a Fuji X-T2 (24mm MILC camera) with plenty of zoom and prime lenses. The X100V has a leaf shutter, enabling me to fill flash up to 1/4,000 of a second. I have just a little experience using flash outdoors or indoors.
The wedding will be at my cousin's house (with a huge backyard). The ceremony will take place in the afternoon in the backyard, and reception will be in the backyard and also inside the house. Probably around 40-50 people. Lots of young adults and laid back relatives.
What I’m trying to figure out is, which camera do I use? Do I use both? What focal lengths? All the photos that I took at the other wedding as a guest was with my X100V, using fill flash with the built-in camera flash. Do I use one camera for outside and one camera for inside the house? The X100V has a built in digital teleconverter for 50mm and 70mm (in addition to the 35mm) which I can easily change. Which flash unit (if any) should I buy? I’m looking at Nissin and Godox TTL flashes (and my head is spinning). I realize if I use a flash I will have to practice quite a bit for it to become second nature to me (I have 4 months before the wedding). I plan on shooting in RAW + Jpeg, and use PSE and Luminar for post processing.
As you can see, I have some decisions to make before I start practicing. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I've found from event shooting, you need to have confidence in posing people and quickly getting a group of people to get together into the frame and not needing to wait for you to fiddle with your camera.

Regarding wedding, find all the standard poses / shots you need to capture, from the place settings, first dance, rings, to earlier and the getting dressed and the whole family gathered shots.

I have a Nissin flash for one of my cameras, it's everywhere as good as my Canon's except not being as sturdily built. That shouldn't matter for your 1ish day need. But yet, get one and start practicing.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

Thanks for your advice! I also did see a list of recommended wedding shots recently posted here on UHH and made a copy of it. I think I'll just go ahead a get a flash unit.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Just a couple of quick suggestions:

1) take both cameras. You didn’t mention what lenses you have for the X-T2, but I would take 1 or 2 fast prime lenses for indoor shots without flash such as a 23 f2 for groups and a 50 f2 for everything else. If you’re using a flash indoors, you can substitute a slower zoom such as a 16-55 or 16-80.
2) make a list of the key classic shots (such as those that Paul mentioned) plus a list of the formals (and who should be in each). Delegate a member of the wedding party to assemble the individuals for the formals so that all you have to do is shoot.
3) get an external flash (other than the on-camera) from a company such as Godox and practice both outside fill flash and indoor bounce flash
4) take plenty of batteries for both the cameras and flash and plenty of SD cards.
5) visit the venue before hand to get a feel for the exposure/lighting and check in with the minister/priest officiating and find out what type of photography they find acceptable.

There’s lots more, but that’s a start… the real pros here will add lots of important hints.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

It's been many, many years since I shot a wedding but the one thing that I really wished for was a second camera body because I was constantly changing lenses. If I were to do one today I have 2 camera bodies. One would have the 70-200 and the other would have the 24-70. I would probably have the 15-30 and the 90 mm macro along for a few specialty shots.

Good luck and try to have a good time along the way.

Dodie

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

Someone once asked me to do photos of a wedding I was conducting. I laughingly asked, "Shall I hide the camera under my robe?" I found that restaging the wedding to provide better photos than trying to catch snapshots during the service, especially disturbing flash photos. Almost all the couples agreed to this. And if others want to take pictures they can, too.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

Interesting! Thanks.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

Thanks. I have the 16mm f2.8 and 35mm f2 primes. I'll also probably use my 16-80mm f4 zoom. I love your idea of delegating a member of the wedding party to assemble members for the formals.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

Thank you, Dodie! I appreciate it.

User ID

Discussions or advice about gear are pointless blather. No gear required.

Get unroped, or kill yourself. Not joking. Really hoping you choose to live, but its all beyond my reach.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

?? Thanks?

Boris77

Get an assistant who is willing to learn what is needed (with you) and has some skill in herding (posing, if you prefer)
people into position. I photographed a couple of weddings in my foolish days, and the biggest problem was keeping track of were I needed to be, when.
Boris

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

Thanks, Boris!

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...I’ve not shot a wedding before. I’m mostly a landscape and street photographer..."

Fredrick did you sign a contract delineating the scope of coverage and the actual deliverables required?
That would be your initial task for accepting an event. Once you have a contract in hand please consider hiring a second shooter with considerable experience in bridal/weddings/events etc.

While lots of folks on UHH will offer advice/suggestion please realize that without posting imagery to corroborate their inferences their advice is hearsay i.e. unsubstantiated... enough said.

There use to be some very talented Lady Wedding Photographers on UHH who posted in People Photography Forum albeit they have all departed long ago and moved onto Wedding Wire. If you are at a loss to find an experienced second shooter look to Wedding Wire... there you'll find the top talent in your market.

Please keep in mind that her Wedding Day is likely the most important "event" in a women's life.
Screw it up and you may have to live with that horror the rest of your life.
Hire an experienced second shooter Fredrick... please...

Hope this helps Fredrick or is at least food for thought.

(Download)




(Download)


(Download)

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

Thomas, I will definitely give your suggestions serious consideration, and will look at Wedding Wire. Thank you!