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Wedding Photography
I've been asked...
Dec 16, 2020 12:15:35   #
DavidInTX Loc: Dallas, TX
 
To be the wedding photographer for my nephew in late February - i couldn't say 'No' - suggested he consider a professional but betting it will be me.

I have a Nikon D850 / 70-200 / 24-70 / Nikon Strobe & Einstein so hoping i'm OK hardware wise - also have a Mirrorless that can use as a backup.

I did a google for a list of wedding shots that should be taken - sort of like getting a drink from a fire hydrant have no idea which one(s) are correct and which ones are not.

Can anyone here share or point me towards a checklist of shots I should be sure to take/get should i be the chosen one? Also - any other pointers would be appreciated.

David

Reply
Dec 16, 2020 12:21:50   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
Use the search box on UHH for "wedding", you'll get plenty of feedback.

Reply
Dec 16, 2020 13:03:02   #
Jimmy T Loc: Virginia
 
DavidInTX wrote:
To be the wedding photographer for my nephew in late February - i couldn't say 'No' - suggested he consider a professional but betting it will be me.

I have a Nikon D850 / 70-200 / 24-70 / Nikon Strobe & Einstein so hoping i'm OK hardware wise - also have a Mirrorless that can use as a backup.

I did a google for a list of wedding shots that should be taken - sort of like getting a drink from a fire hydrant have no idea which one(s) are correct and which ones are not.

Can anyone here share or point me towards a checklist of shots I should be sure to take/get should i be the chosen one? Also - any other pointers would be appreciated.

David
To be the wedding photographer for my nephew in la... (show quote)


These ideas were gleaned from the UHH wedding site from another MUCH WISER & EXPERIENCED UHH member than me.
I apologize for not remembering their name to give them credit.
Ask (in advance) for someone ("key grip") to take a copy of this list and check them off as they are completed.
Also ask your "key grip" to arrange the group shots, adjust ties, etc.
For group shots take PLENTY of shots of the same group as someone ALWAYS has their eyes closed!
For the ceremony, reception, etc. scout the locations and take test shots at each location, lit the same as you will find on the big day.
Extra camera or camera body, fresh spare, and memory cards.
Remember that there will ALWAYS be "o'-bye the ways", and etc's.
My best advice is to "Run-David-Run" and do not do it!

Some Possible Wedding Poses:

1. At groom’s house
 Groom, getting ready,
 groomsmen, playing around
 Groom, in mirror
 The groom dressed, GQ pose W/Jacket over the shoulder
 Groom full length
 Groom with Mother close-up
 Groom with Father close-up
 Groom with both Parents full length
 Groom with both Parents close-up
 Groom with Grandparents full length
 Groom with Grandparents close-up
 Groom with Sisters / Brothers
 Groom with immediate family
 Groom and Best Man full length
 Groom and Best Man close-up
 Groom and Best Man shaking hands
 Groom and all Groomsmen

2. At the bride’s house
 Bride dressing
 Mother helping with veil
 Mother/Maid of Honor adjusting veil
 Bride looking in the mirror
 Bride with Mother looking in the mirror
 Bride putting on garter with Bridesmaids looking on
 Bride full length
 Bride half-length
 Bride close-up
 Bride with Mother close-up
 Bride with Mother full length
 Bride pinning corsage on Mother
 Bride with Father full length
 Bride with Father close-up
 Bride pinning-on Father’s button-hole flower
 Bride with both Parents, full length
 Bride with both Parents, close-up
 Bride with Grandparents close-up
 Bride with Grandparents full length
 Bride with Sisters
 Bride with Brothers with immediate family
 Bride and Maid of Honor full length
 Bride and Maid of Honor Close-up
 Bride with Attendants
 Bride with Flower Girl/Ring Bearer
 Bride leaving the house with Parents and Bridesmaids
 Father helping Bride into the limo

The ceremony
 Flowers
 Singers
 Groups of guests and everybody
 Flower Girl walking down the aisle
 Ring-Bearer walking down the aisle
 Maid of Honor walking down the aisle
 Bridesmaids walking down the aisle
 Father walking down the aisle with Bride
 Father “giving the Bride away”
 Bride and Groom exchanging vows
 Bride and Groom exchanging rings
 Bride and Groom kiss
 Bride signing register
 Groom signing register
 Bride and Groom walking back down the aisle
 Bride and Groom outside the church
 Bride and Groom getting into the limo

Formal photos
 Wedding party in place (front & back)
 Bride alone full length
 Bride alone ¾
 Bride alone close-up
 Bride alone headshot
 Bride alone peeping over flowers
 Bride and Groom kissing
 Bride and Groom full length
 Bride and Groom close-up
 Groom full length
 Groom ¾
 Groom close-up
 Close-up of rings
 Group shot of Bride & Attendants/Bridesmaids
 Groom & all Groomsmen
 Group shot of the entire family

The reception
 Wedding party announced
 Bride and Groom announced
 Bride and Groom's first dance
 Wedding party dancing
 Bride's dance with Father
 Groom's dance with Mother
 Best man toasting Bride & Groom
 Bride & Groom toasting each other
 The cake
 Bride & Groom posed at cake
 Cutting cake
 Bride & Groom feeding each other cake
 Throwing bouquet
 Bouquet catch
 Groom taking off garter
 Groom throwing garter
 Garter catch
 Bride & Groom with catchers
 Guests
 Posed departure of Bride & Groom (kissing, waving, etc.)
 Bride & Groom leaving reception venue
 Bride & Groom leaving in a limo
 Close up of invitation
 Picture of Band or DJ

Smile,
JimmyT Sends
Good Luck!

Reply
 
 
Dec 16, 2020 15:48:06   #
DavidInTX Loc: Dallas, TX
 
Thank you - very helpful

Reply
Dec 17, 2020 09:22:53   #
Dannj
 
Jimmy T wrote:
These ideas were gleaned from the UHH wedding site from another MUCH WISER & EXPERIENCED UHH member than me.
I apologize for not remembering their name to give them credit.
Ask (in advance) for someone ("key grip") to take a copy of this list and check them off as they are completed.
Also ask your "key grip" to arrange the group shots, adjust ties, etc.
For group shots take PLENTY of shots of the same group as someone ALWAYS has their eyes closed!
For the ceremony, reception, etc. scout the locations and take test shots at each location, lit the same as you will find on the big day.
Extra camera or camera body, fresh spare, and memory cards.
Remember that there will ALWAYS be "o'-bye the ways", and etc's.
My best advice is to "Run-David-Run" and do not do it!

Some Possible Wedding Poses:

1. At groom’s house
 Groom, getting ready,
 groomsmen, playing around
 Groom, in mirror
 The groom dressed, GQ pose W/Jacket over the shoulder
 Groom full length
 Groom with Mother close-up
 Groom with Father close-up
 Groom with both Parents full length
 Groom with both Parents close-up
 Groom with Grandparents full length
 Groom with Grandparents close-up
 Groom with Sisters / Brothers
 Groom with immediate family
 Groom and Best Man full length
 Groom and Best Man close-up
 Groom and Best Man shaking hands
 Groom and all Groomsmen

2. At the bride’s house
 Bride dressing
 Mother helping with veil
 Mother/Maid of Honor adjusting veil
 Bride looking in the mirror
 Bride with Mother looking in the mirror
 Bride putting on garter with Bridesmaids looking on
 Bride full length
 Bride half-length
 Bride close-up
 Bride with Mother close-up
 Bride with Mother full length
 Bride pinning corsage on Mother
 Bride with Father full length
 Bride with Father close-up
 Bride pinning-on Father’s button-hole flower
 Bride with both Parents, full length
 Bride with both Parents, close-up
 Bride with Grandparents close-up
 Bride with Grandparents full length
 Bride with Sisters
 Bride with Brothers with immediate family
 Bride and Maid of Honor full length
 Bride and Maid of Honor Close-up
 Bride with Attendants
 Bride with Flower Girl/Ring Bearer
 Bride leaving the house with Parents and Bridesmaids
 Father helping Bride into the limo

The ceremony
 Flowers
 Singers
 Groups of guests and everybody
 Flower Girl walking down the aisle
 Ring-Bearer walking down the aisle
 Maid of Honor walking down the aisle
 Bridesmaids walking down the aisle
 Father walking down the aisle with Bride
 Father “giving the Bride away”
 Bride and Groom exchanging vows
 Bride and Groom exchanging rings
 Bride and Groom kiss
 Bride signing register
 Groom signing register
 Bride and Groom walking back down the aisle
 Bride and Groom outside the church
 Bride and Groom getting into the limo

Formal photos
 Wedding party in place (front & back)
 Bride alone full length
 Bride alone ¾
 Bride alone close-up
 Bride alone headshot
 Bride alone peeping over flowers
 Bride and Groom kissing
 Bride and Groom full length
 Bride and Groom close-up
 Groom full length
 Groom ¾
 Groom close-up
 Close-up of rings
 Group shot of Bride & Attendants/Bridesmaids
 Groom & all Groomsmen
 Group shot of the entire family

The reception
 Wedding party announced
 Bride and Groom announced
 Bride and Groom's first dance
 Wedding party dancing
 Bride's dance with Father
 Groom's dance with Mother
 Best man toasting Bride & Groom
 Bride & Groom toasting each other
 The cake
 Bride & Groom posed at cake
 Cutting cake
 Bride & Groom feeding each other cake
 Throwing bouquet
 Bouquet catch
 Groom taking off garter
 Groom throwing garter
 Garter catch
 Bride & Groom with catchers
 Guests
 Posed departure of Bride & Groom (kissing, waving, etc.)
 Bride & Groom leaving reception venue
 Bride & Groom leaving in a limo
 Close up of invitation
 Picture of Band or DJ

Smile,
JimmyT Sends
Good Luck!
These ideas were gleaned from the UHH wedding site... (show quote)


And each of this times 5 or 6?😳

Reply
Dec 17, 2020 12:12:46   #
Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada
 
Jimmy T wrote:
These ideas were gleaned from the UHH wedding site from another MUCH WISER & EXPERIENCED UHH member than me.
I apologize for not remembering their name to give them credit.
Ask (in advance) for someone ("key grip") to take a copy of this list and check them off as they are completed.
Also ask your "key grip" to arrange the group shots, adjust ties, etc.
For group shots take PLENTY of shots of the same group as someone ALWAYS has their eyes closed!
For the ceremony, reception, etc. scout the locations and take test shots at each location, lit the same as you will find on the big day.
Extra camera or camera body, fresh spare, and memory cards.
Remember that there will ALWAYS be "o'-bye the ways", and etc's.
My best advice is to "Run-David-Run" and do not do it!

Some Possible Wedding Poses:

1. At groom’s house
 Groom, getting ready,
 groomsmen, playing around
 Groom, in mirror
 The groom dressed, GQ pose W/Jacket over the shoulder
 Groom full length
 Groom with Mother close-up
 Groom with Father close-up
 Groom with both Parents full length
 Groom with both Parents close-up
 Groom with Grandparents full length
 Groom with Grandparents close-up
 Groom with Sisters / Brothers
 Groom with immediate family
 Groom and Best Man full length
 Groom and Best Man close-up
 Groom and Best Man shaking hands
 Groom and all Groomsmen

2. At the bride’s house
 Bride dressing
 Mother helping with veil
 Mother/Maid of Honor adjusting veil
 Bride looking in the mirror
 Bride with Mother looking in the mirror
 Bride putting on garter with Bridesmaids looking on
 Bride full length
 Bride half-length
 Bride close-up
 Bride with Mother close-up
 Bride with Mother full length
 Bride pinning corsage on Mother
 Bride with Father full length
 Bride with Father close-up
 Bride pinning-on Father’s button-hole flower
 Bride with both Parents, full length
 Bride with both Parents, close-up
 Bride with Grandparents close-up
 Bride with Grandparents full length
 Bride with Sisters
 Bride with Brothers with immediate family
 Bride and Maid of Honor full length
 Bride and Maid of Honor Close-up
 Bride with Attendants
 Bride with Flower Girl/Ring Bearer
 Bride leaving the house with Parents and Bridesmaids
 Father helping Bride into the limo

The ceremony
 Flowers
 Singers
 Groups of guests and everybody
 Flower Girl walking down the aisle
 Ring-Bearer walking down the aisle
 Maid of Honor walking down the aisle
 Bridesmaids walking down the aisle
 Father walking down the aisle with Bride
 Father “giving the Bride away”
 Bride and Groom exchanging vows
 Bride and Groom exchanging rings
 Bride and Groom kiss
 Bride signing register
 Groom signing register
 Bride and Groom walking back down the aisle
 Bride and Groom outside the church
 Bride and Groom getting into the limo

Formal photos
 Wedding party in place (front & back)
 Bride alone full length
 Bride alone ¾
 Bride alone close-up
 Bride alone headshot
 Bride alone peeping over flowers
 Bride and Groom kissing
 Bride and Groom full length
 Bride and Groom close-up
 Groom full length
 Groom ¾
 Groom close-up
 Close-up of rings
 Group shot of Bride & Attendants/Bridesmaids
 Groom & all Groomsmen
 Group shot of the entire family

The reception
 Wedding party announced
 Bride and Groom announced
 Bride and Groom's first dance
 Wedding party dancing
 Bride's dance with Father
 Groom's dance with Mother
 Best man toasting Bride & Groom
 Bride & Groom toasting each other
 The cake
 Bride & Groom posed at cake
 Cutting cake
 Bride & Groom feeding each other cake
 Throwing bouquet
 Bouquet catch
 Groom taking off garter
 Groom throwing garter
 Garter catch
 Bride & Groom with catchers
 Guests
 Posed departure of Bride & Groom (kissing, waving, etc.)
 Bride & Groom leaving reception venue
 Bride & Groom leaving in a limo
 Close up of invitation
 Picture of Band or DJ

Smile,
JimmyT Sends
Good Luck!
These ideas were gleaned from the UHH wedding site... (show quote)


The list and the time it took you to help a club member is great. A big thank you and I usually don't shoot weddings.

Reply
Dec 19, 2020 20:14:10   #
E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
 
Danger! Proceed with caution!

OK, I don't want to scare or discourage you- just wanted to get your attention with that opening line HOWEVER:

I can't disagree with that list as far as who's- who at a wedding and the folks and family members that should be included in a Wedding coverage. The must-have pictures are listed! Problem is, that list dates back to a time when every picture was kinda posed throughout the entire wedding day day. Suggestions as to full length, close up, etc. may not apply. Nowadays wedding shooters plan for a formal session, an interlude where posed, casual and romantic images can be made, but much of the day requires a photojournalistic approach, some fast shooting and always being in the right place at the right time and catching spontaneous moments and emotional content. You are always working in a limited window of opportunity so there is no time to fumble with settings- you gotta know exactly what you are doing and be able to anticipate action before it occurs.

So...my question is, aside from following that list, can you do what I have described above? I am not implying that you can't- I don't know.

Oftentimes you will have to work under difficult available light situations where flash is prohibited in some churches. When you can use a flash- how's your flash technique- bounce, modified, multiple lighting, flash-fill, etc.? How's your portrait light methods? Posing, gown draping, veil, train and flowers management skills? Do you know how to light for detail in a white wedding dress?

Since you had to ask for a list of shots, I assume you have no experience in wedding photography. All I can tell you is that even a small family wedding can be a daunting photographic experience for an inexperienced or uninitiated shooter.

I have given this kinda advice in the past and folks don't listen to me. I have over 50 years of experience and have shot literally thousands of weddings and other celebratory family events and I suppose I can do a wedding coverage in my sleep. Nonetheless, I have had days when I know I should have listened to my grandmother and become a doctor, an accountant or a plumber.

Now- having written all of that, I am here to help you if you need a few tips or specific advice on any kinda shot you need to take. I just feel it would be irresponsible of me to encourage something that will bring about aggravation. OK- it ain't rocket science or brain surgery- not about life and death. I often say, however, I would rather re-enlist in the army and go back to Vietnam than have a disappointed bride on my case. No kidding!

Some folks (brides, groom, parents, etc.) may not put too much priority on the wedding photos and assume that an avid hobbyist with a good camera can do the job to their satisfaction and say they ain't all that fussy. After the wedding, however, many of them turn into aficionados and critics of fine photography and the trouble ensues if they are dissatisfied.

If there's no way they are gonna consider a professional or if it just is not in their budget- you are elected and I am sure you will work hard and do the best that you can.

So...Good luck- bless you for helping out the family and let me know what I can do to help you!

Ed

Reply
 
 
Dec 19, 2020 21:38:31   #
Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada
 
E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
Danger! Proceed with caution!

OK, I don't want to scare or discourage you- just wanted to get your attention with that opening line HOWEVER:

I can't disagree with that list as far as who's- who at a wedding and the folks and family members that should be included in a Wedding coverage. The must-have pictures are listed! Problem is, that list dates back to a time when every picture was kinda posed throughout the entire wedding day day. Suggestions as to full length, close up, etc. may not apply. Nowadays wedding shooters plan for a formal session, an interlude where posed, casual and romantic images can be made, but much of the day requires a photojournalistic approach, some fast shooting and always being in the right place at the right time and catching spontaneous moments and emotional content. You are always working in a limited window of opportunity so there is no time to fumble with settings- you gotta know exactly what you are doing and be able to anticipate action before it occurs.

So...my question is, aside from following that list, can you do what I have described above? I am not implying that you can't- I don't know.

Oftentimes you will have to work under difficult available light situations where flash is prohibited in some churches. When you can use a flash- how's your flash technique- bounce, modified, multiple lighting, flash-fill, etc.? How's your portrait light methods? Posing, gown draping, veil, train and flowers management skills? Do you know how to light for detail in a white wedding dress?

Since you had to ask for a list of shots, I assume you have no experience in wedding photography. All I can tell you is that even a small family wedding can be a daunting photographic experience for an inexperienced or uninitiated shooter.

I have given this kinda advice in the past and folks don't listen to me. I have over 50 years of experience and have shot literally thousands of weddings and other celebratory family events and I suppose I can do a wedding coverage in my sleep. Nonetheless, I have had days when I know I should have listened to my grandmother and become a doctor, an accountant or a plumber.

Now- having written all of that, I am here to help you if you need a few tips or specific advice on any kinda shot you need to take. I just feel it would be irresponsible of me to encourage something that will bring about aggravation. OK- it ain't rocket science or brain surgery- not about life and death. I often say, however, I would rather re-enlist in the army and go back to Vietnam than have a disappointed bride on my case. No kidding!

Some folks (brides, groom, parents, etc.) may not put too much priority on the wedding photos and assume that an avid hobbyist with a good camera can do the job to their satisfaction and say they ain't all that fussy. After the wedding, however, many of them turn into aficionados and critics of fine photography and the trouble ensues if they are dissatisfied.

If there's no way they are gonna consider a professional or if it just is not in their budget- you are elected and I am sure you will work hard and do the best that you can.

So...Good luck- bless you for helping out the family and let me know what I can do to help you!

Ed
Danger! Proceed with caution! br br OK, I don't w... (show quote)


Your the best Ed. Be safe out there and happy holidays.

Reply
Mar 10, 2021 21:54:45   #
Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA
 
I had the same thing 2x
If you know lighting you’ll be fine.
As to poses and the shots to take you could do what worked for me.
Tell the bride/groom that they are responsible for the poses and places to shoot. You are only snapping pics.
Suggest that they visit local wedding photography sites for ideas. Ask that they tell you in advance what they want so you can prep.
Bring several cards and snap when you see something.
Make it clear several times that they are responsible for the composition.

Reply
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