dspoon2 Loc: Rockwall TX

This may be a bit lengthy so bear with me. I am very much a novice at wedding photography having done only 1 last september. You can review the results at davespoonerphotography.zenfolio.com The gallery is entitled "The Wedding"..catchy, huh? Prior to doing the wedding I researched and did my homework and went in prepared for any eventuality as far as equipment both primary and backup. The bride and groom were very pleased with the results and I felt like this was something I would like to do more of but feel strongly I need to upgrade my skill level and equipment. I am planning on taking some wedding photography courses, probably from Kelby training. My equipment for now is Canon T2si, Speedlite 430ex, Canon 85mm/f1.8, Sigma 17-70mm f2.8 and of course the kit lens that came with the camera. I also use a tripod and monopod.
I also have access to 3 very good camera stores here in the DFW metroplex that rent good equipment.
I am very serious about this endeavor and would really appreciate your input

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

This may also be lengthy...Having viewed your wedding photos, I would suggest that you work on composition in your subjects and choices of backgrounds. Also, get your flash off camera and create some depth.

You are getting great expressions from the participants, but some of your posted views are off center, people cut off, backgrounds that don't contribute to the story or are distracting.

When contemplating the shot, pick apart the background before you focus on the subject matter. If the subject matter can be moved, move it or them. If it can't be moved, move yourself and explore as many angles you can, then move again to make sure there isn't a better view. Capture all these angles and compare how they affect composition.

Example, the photo of the groom pleading in front of the others. Imagine pulling them away from the walls so the walls can go out of focus and shoot from a very low angle up from the groom to the bulk of the middle person... or shooting down from over the groomsman to the groom.

Wedding photography is a serious endeavor and you should make sure you cover yourself not only with backup equipment and skills, but legally as well. Good luck and have fun

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

I'm not a wedding photographer but read some tips. Before the wedding, go to the Church at the same time of day the wedding will be held. Check out the surrondings in the Church...what type of lighting, stain glass windows ect. Do the same with the hall the reception will be held. Become familier with your surrondings before the event. Good luck!

tramsey Loc: Texas

The one that you have to please is the bride so ask her what shots she specifically wants: the kiss, the throwing of the bouquet, cutting of the cake and what at the reception, etc.
Go to the top of this page, in the blue you will find 'SEARCH' click on it and in the window put wedding or how to take wedding photos or something along those lines. What will come up are the discussions that we have had on this subject, Good Luck :thumbup:

dasloaf

This is the best thread on Wedding photography that has run on the board! Please read and learn! Just like the rest of us have learned! this is one of the most heated debated topics on the board!

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-38544-1.html

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

Expressions are great, so you obviously are able to connect with your clients,,,,that's a biggie. You need to get your flash off camera (an off shoe cord) and diffused (wedding guy recommends a Light scoop by genius) a great product for sure (and you don't need a bracket for it either). Stofen omnibounce is another option. Of all the diffusers out there, those are the two (in order) I would recommend. I also think some of the photos are cropped a bit tight, loosen them up a bit for later cropping/printing.

Wedding photography is not for everyone,,,and dasloafs recommended link is a good one (well written and spot on). Personally, I use a shot list, I know others that say they don't need one. To each his own, but I like knowing I didn't miss something the couple wanted by using a shot list.

Many photographers can make a living doing weddings with a few specific lenses,,these are the must haves IMHO.

24-70mm f2.8
70-200mm f2.8
85mm or 100mm f2.8

Notice these are all fast glass, and for good reason. Low light in churches that won't allow flash during ceremony.

Your camera is a fine camera, but something that handles high iso noise would be a recommended upgrade.

Wedding photography is hard enough,,,,the right equipment will help improve your results. Posing is another element that is overlooked by some. Learning some basic tweaks when posing goes a long way in making someone look their best. Grab a book about wedding posing at the library and check it out, you won't regret it.

There is always room for improvement in my wedding work, and I am constantly reviewing my own and others work so I can continue to improve. The day I think I know enough about wedding photography is the day I stop doing it. Good luck.

Martys Loc: Lubec, Maine

I posted this one last July, is long but hopefully some interesting tidbits?
***************************************************

Not So Obvious,.....Wedding Day Solutions

I wanted to post something a little different about photographing weddings. Although I'm long retired from photographing weddings
(30 +/- years for studios and myself)
I wanted to post a few personal services I always provided at weddings which I hope some may find interesting.
It's a long read,....but an interesting approach I used that proved very rewarding.

First thing, early on at every wedding was to help out everyone involved at the house and put them at ease.
Small things like checking ALL the unopened flowers the flourist just delivered,...remove ALL water globules from the
flower stems and pat them DRY before giving them to the brides maids and bride,...thus avoiding immediate
water stains on their dresses and panic results.

I always carried certain essentials with me that many times saved the day.
Example,...sewing kit with a needle already threaded with white thread,.......lots of safety pins
(yes, safety pins,...they save more disasters than you know),....also,...elastic bands,.....extra boutineer pins,.....mints,...
spare AA batteries,...(not for me,..but..for family members if thier cameras died),...small price for good PR),....
White chalk,..yes,....chalk will quickly cover a scraped white shoe or bridal dress skuff mark),.....a hair brush, comb and
small hand mirror,.....saves the brides day when doing indoor or outdoor portraits,.....spare shoe laces,.....
Bobby Pins is a real biggy,...when a bride can't find her bobby pins,..a photographer has big problems,..and....make sure
you have black, brown and white ones) A spare hankerchief for sobbing mothers, brides or even dads,.
Ive seen that many times.
Are these things normally thought of items a photographer carries to a wedding NO,.....but take it from me,..
At the end of the day,....I was remembered and appreciated for solving some rather trivial disasters.
Just because I thought ahead and carried these items that easily fit into your camera bag or pocket.

The entire cooperation of a wedding party or family can hinge on being helpful at anytime during the wedding day,
These small trivial items if not available at the critical times and places,.....can result in upset brides, brides maids,
ushers, family members,...NOT TO MENTION the entire time frame of tightly scheduled events during the wedding day.
These small items have NOTHING to do with photography,....
but they sure have a lot to do with any unexpected happenings during the day,...ESPECIALLY
everything prior to the ceremony....and the cost is minute and immaterial,..but the recognition from people involved
who are anticipating everything, who are nervious and tense is immesurable.
Yes, the photographer deals with much more than this,....But I just wanted to mention these suggestions, ones that
are never even thought of or considered by photographers.

During weddings,....Always watch where the day gets bottlenecked,....where a family or bride needs something,...
no matter how trivial it seems. Pay attention and carry these small items with you,... and before you know it,...
you'll be circumventing many little neusances that would otherwise create and become BIG wedding day problems.
The BIG and I mean BIG reward are...a group of people who will bend over backwards to work with you all day....
and lots of happy faces,....and great bridal expressions in all your photographs.
Think about it.

Now,....here's a true Story:....a little wordy but read on,....

At one studio I worked for, I had requested to photograph a black wedding for a change of pace.
The studio complied,.....
I arrived early as usual at the brides house that day,...helped out, took the routine bride/bridesmaids/family
getting ready shots,...everything was unfolding just as it should,..that is,.......until the limo did not show up to take
everyone to the church,...15 miles away.
Amazingly the bride and her family remained quite calm.
I employed family members with cars to shuttle everyone to the church,...."whew",...disaster avoided.
Everyone got to the church on time, the ceremony went off perfectly,...
When the bride and groom exited the church,........low and behold,..the limo was waiting outside to
drive them to their reception.
[I'm quite sure the limo driver forfitted any payment in light of the embarassing mistake]

Anyway,.....I went on to the reception to prepare for the required bridal party formal photography.
I arrived well before the limo and awaited the bride and groom for formal pictures.

Here's where the unexpected happened,.....
The bride and groom arrive and the bride is crying uncontrollably.
She was calm when the limo didn't show up at the house,...when I expected her to cry.
what could she be crying for now????

Turns out when the bride exited the limo,...the toe of her shoe snagged the lining of her wedding gown,...
ripping open the front of her beautiful gown. She was devistated to say the least,....definitely not presentable for
the required formals photography.
It was now my call,...
I immediately went to the bride and assured her,..... I would take care of everything,....I led her to a comfortable chair,
sat her down, immediately went to my camera bag, took out a hand mirror, a hair brush and my needle and thread.
I gave the bride the hand mirror and brush saying,...you just pretty yourself up a bit while I do this,...
and I immediately dropped to one knee in front of the bride and started sewing and mending her gown.

Did I have everyones attention ?????....the brides family, brides maids and the ushers watched me in disbelief
I even surprised myself. Not only did this work,...but the Best Man walks over to me as I'm kneeling there sewing
...He points at me and very loudly says to everyone,....My Man,....This is My Man,..will you look at My Man
sewing the brides dress.
I got a standing ovation and the bride was now laughing and crying simultanously tears of happiness.

As a result,...I don't think I've ever had a more cooperative wedding group to work with,...we had a lot of fun doing
the formal photography and everyone that day ,...addressed me as "My Man"
The remainder of the reception went perfect and on time too.
After the last bridal dance was over,... I went to say thank you and goodbye to the wedding party,
I was surrounded by the brides maids and got big hugs and kisses from each,........it was me crying now,
pleasant tears, making new acquaintances and sharing in that little bit of extra effort that bonded us as one
for a short several hours I will never forget.
What turned that day around had nothing to do with photography.
Just wanted to share that story,..it is true, I promise.
Martys

CrystalI

Some really good tips for wedding photography are to meet with the bride and groom, they all have a set of ideas that they think are standard take for granted the photographer will do them shots that may not be in your plan unless you speak with them and incorporate their desires. Make suggestions of shots you think they would like and explain your expectations to them as well. They need to know that to get the best photographic memories they HAVE to cooperate with you. Dress appropriately do not show up in jeans and a jacket you may be caught in a guest picture and you then have ruined their shot. Try to have an associate shot with you if possible to split up the view points. I always attend the rehearsal before the wedding and go to the reception venue to plan out where I should be to get the best shot and to see if there is a special part of the ceremony a ritual that is specific to this wedding that may not be done in others. I bring some props for posed pictures to give the bride and groom some fun pictures that their friends may not have thought of. I enjoy weddings but they are not the easiest venues due to the excitement of the guest trying to get their own shots and now with the use of IPADS to take pictures it is more challenging but that is how you get better.

clicktime Loc: Yucca Valley Ca.

Kelby training- Wedding and Portrait Classical lighting and posing. This is a very good video to learn the classic lighting and poses.

dspoon2 Loc: Rockwall TX

I am very, very grateful to each one of you!!!
I am going to print this all out and add it to my wedding preparation binder (along with my copies of wedding photography 101 by Nick Smith)...I'm an old boy scout who still wants to "be prepared"

Have a great week end

Hiskid.58 Loc: Erie, PA

First of all, make sure you know your equipment! If you get any new stuff, get used to it before the wedding. Second, I suggest checking out your local library for books on wedding photography. I have gotten several out from our library and have learned a great deal from them. I have found a couple that I liked enough to purchase them. Have fun, you can never learn it all, so keep paying attention and learning more.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

My man, that is a great story. I am watching this thread closely as I am doing my second wedding in June. Your story brings to light the importance of the wedding ceremony itself and the photographer is also there to assume some ownership in how successful everything comes together. Even if it is on the emotional side.

dspoon2 Loc: Rockwall TX

Boy that's customer service!!! Thanks for sharing

dspoon2 Loc: Rockwall TX

Great customer service...above and beyond the call

thanks for sharing

Larrie Loc: NE Ohio

Just remember at receptions, as photographer, Sometimes YOU ARE the Master of Ceremonies. Wedding ceremonies generally don't require invitations. If you are serious about doing weddings then go and observe as many as you can in as many churches in a fifty mile or more radius. While there, learn to identify problematic situations or lighting in each location. Think of ways to address them. Watch the hired gun and learn from him. Hell! take a P+S and act like a neophyte and ask him questions when he's not busy. If his Ego's big enough he'll give away the farm! If the church has a basement check it out too! Many are used for receptions. Know any newlyweds? Ask to see their album. Compare your work to the top dogs. Odds are they will leave you in the dust. If you learn to pick a good photo apart to see what makes it good then you need to figure out how they did it.
Enough advice now for critique. Wedding : I saw some good work on the specialty shots like the wine and glasses. Look for more ideas. Some of your poses were unique but many were underexposed, had problems with both shadows and burned out highlights. I agree with everyone's critique so far especialy being aware of your backgrounds. You really need to get windows out of your backgrounds. You also need to get your flash off camera and learn how to use it for fill both indoors and out. Get a good flash meter. I actually looked at all all your other work and found some good stuff but also found a lot that suffered from under/ over cropping, lack of cropping, poor composition and all to often heavy handed post processing. Many of your portraits exhibited lack of awareness of light and fill were reminiscent of snap shots. I've got a computer full of these shots but I critique each one and try to learn from my mistakes.