peterjoseph

I would like to share this experience i had in the nineties. I had to take photos of 127 children receiving Holy Communion for the first time . I had to capture the precise moment when the priest gave Holy Communion on the tongue. There was just about 5 seconds gap between two children. There was no option of retake and if I missed even one it was bad, very bad not an option either.
I used 36 exposure film and no time to rewind and load,so used 4 cameras. As soon as the film was over picked up another camera and continued.
The flash had to be ready with a very fast recycling time. I had a flash with fraction power but had a big bracket to attach to the camera and since I had to use 4 cameras that was out. So I used a small flash and fast film. It never let me down.
Another problem was all the cameras had manual winding so as soon as a photo was clicked had to remember to wind instantly. Then click at the right moment. It has to be a reflex action.
I did not miss a single shot and did this not once but many times.
But i have to confess,it was a challenge,not an easy job and lots of tense moments.
I would love to hear about your difficult but unforgettable experiences.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Congratulations! I avoid stressful situations like that. I once photographed a relative's wedding, and that turned out fine.

pdsdville Loc: Midlothian, Tx

Photographing a wedding for a friend back in the 70's. Down to my last frame and they wanted a group shot with about 50 people in the shot. You know you usually have someone move, sneeze, etc. I stressed that I would strangle anyone who moved, counted down from three, took the shot on two, and got everyone perfect. Brides husband had warned me that not making the shot would bring down the wrath of his bride.

ELNikkor

Same type scenario as the communion, but numerous graduation ceremonies. At the practice, emphasized that the graduate had to grasp diploma, shake the hand, look at the College President, smile, wait for the flash, all at the same time. Had several loaded cameras with Sunpak flashes ready to go. Can't remember ever missing a shot. Being at the graduation practice proved crucial to the success the next day. (Being at the rehearsals to the 50 weddings I shot was also invaluable.)

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

I was once in a church also. It was very difficult.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I do not want to come off as some kind of "MACHO MAN" wise guy or hero but I never found any normal photographic assignment especaill difficult or unforgeable in a negative way, especially in social, family, wedding, special occasion, photography, etc. Well at least in civilian life.

I do not usually care to share my actual "war stories" but I did serve in the Vietnam (conflict) war and while shooting aerial reconnaissance from the open door of a gunship, on several runs, we were fired upon by the bad guys- NOT GOOD! Good thing, I was concerned about the exposure settings for Aero- Ektachrome Infrared film to keep my mind off the situation. A can tell y'all that before the third flight, I made sure to visit the LATRINE well in advance. GOSS!

After returning to the world, I worked for a while as a press photogher, and as the new guy on staff, I got all the riots, fires, political commotions, etc- never disturbed me. Then I went back to studio work, portraiture, family stuff, and commercial work. Nervios brides, drunken guests, screaming babies, helicopter mothers, fussy art directors, and MOSTLY many pleasant and lovely experiences- never a problem!

As for religious functions, I've probably been in more churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples than a clergyman. I might be the only Jew who can recite the entire Nuptial Mass. I can interpret Hebrew prayers and blessings and I am working on my Arabic. I have covered, weddings, funerals, first communions, baptisms, Bar Mitzvahs, and Conformations- no sweat!

As for those first communions- those kids never looked great with their tongues sticking out. Receiving the blessing with Holey Water works out better.

I never ran out of film or cards or go stuck wiht defective gear- I always overkill with spares. The only thg that might suddenly die is me- it's an age thing! If that happens, at least, I won't be around to suffer the consequences- most folks will not speak ill of the dead. Anyway- my assistant can pinch-hit!

My clients can cooperate (most will) or not- I can work around that. If plans go sideways? I can usually right the ship. Folks can yell at me, call me names, or throw me out, just PLEASE don't shoot at me! I find that rather perturbing!

clemente21

Also at a wedding job, my first. Needed to take the required wedding party, families, etc. photos at the church right after the wedding ceremony. I allowed about 30 mins. to set up the lights and arrange everyone for the various poses as I was working alone. However, the priest overextended his sermon and left me with about five minutes to do all that.

The guests and musicians for the next wedding had already started to arrive. And the wedding coordinator was literally breathing behind my neck, telling me repeatedly that I had no time. I forged ahead and swiftly got the job done. I succeeded because everyone cooperated, I was thoroughly prepared for what I wanted and the equipment was ready to go.

Learned it takes a special breed of photographers to do this thing.

rcorne001 Loc: Cary, NC

Wow - the stories I bet you could share. I believe it would be quite interesting to sit down with you and hear some of your experiences.

Dannj

Give credit to the Holy Spirit😇

Dannj

I did a wedding for a friend…it was the second for each, both parties were widowed. I was reluctant but she didn’t want to do the whole bride thing, just capture the occasion, so I agreed. Even under those circumstances I shot about 8 or 10 rolls at the church and small reception hoping to get enough worthy of keeping. When I dropped the film off I picked up a number of rolls from a recent vacation only to find out there was a problem with my camera that ruined some shots and I sweated out the three days until the wedding photos were ready. Fortunately, very few of the wedding photos were impacted. In my initial panic I didn’t notice that the bad vacation photos were all outdoors on bright, sunny days and as the wedding day was overcast and windy I shot almost entirely indoors.

Bubbee Loc: Aventura, Florida

You are amazing! And you share your knowledge so generously here on this Forum! Thank you!

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

Clients will sue you if you screw up or equipment fails. If you are a pro, carry spares of everything and PPA insurance for those very rare instances.

Family and friends won't attack you financially, but are likely to hate you forever, if something happens to the photos. Even if you are working for free or cost of materials. No insurance for that. I spent years perfecting my craft and luckily never had a major incident. Best advice? Refer your family and friends who need a wedding photographer to a local pro with good reputation.

I've had hundreds of clients over the years, but a limited number of family and friends.

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

Have done commencements as a two man crew. Both with cameras pre-focused on the officiant. Metz 60 series flashes, which are massive workhorses and fairly quick recycling if not used at full power. We simply shot a 36 exposure roll, steped aside for the other photog, rewound and reloaded, dropped the film in pre-labled bag. MY partner Used a Nikon D-90 and I an EOS 10, both with 85mm lenses. Same requirement, catch moment of handshake and handing off of diploma. We'd ask the principal to hold the grads hand until the flash.

I always went to wedding rehearsals when possible. I could get an idea of who mom and pop were, siblings, attendants, and chat with the pastor if I had never met him or her to find out if their were certain rules to obey. Catholic churches often prohibit posed photographs taken on the dais. One priest would gradually, as he finished up the rites, nudge whomever was on the dais into a compact group and allow me on quick shot of the entire party. His other rule: Shoot all the flash photos you want, but don't shoot into his eyes and make him unable to read the sacraments. Not a Catholic, so I don't know the proper terminology. One caveat: You are a guest in that church. Be reverent and accommodate whatever requests are made of you by the priest, pastor or rabbi.

Though rehearsal are usually held at night, you could still get an idea of possible problems. For instance, we have two Air Force bases here and lots of retired officers. Many weddings held in both base chapels. The smaller and prettier of the two had deep blue stained glass windows which would serieously screw with ambient light shots on sunny Saturdays. A good thing to know beforehand.

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

Re: your Vietnam experience. Unnerving when those dots of daylight suddenly appear in the skin of the Huey.