davidf_logan Loc: Logan, Utah

This is excellent advice. It is a good idea to announce in advance to all guests that Cassidy is the official photographer.

I would also suggest doing a practice run in advance -- no need to ask the guests, but just get a few friends and parents together. Anticipate poses.

Have a look at guides to posing -- Jasmine Star has some good advice although some of it is by subscription which is not worth it given Cassidy's setup.

When doing group shots build up by adding people a shot at a time. For example, bride+groom + parents, then add in next closest relatives, etc.

As others have noted, the main limitation is the battery life of the camera and, being a Kodak FZ53, it doesn't have an easily replaceable battery. I would suggest buying a second (and maybe a 3rd) used camera on ebay if $ are an issue. Depending on how much time (to get used to the camera) and money Cassidy has it might be an idea to buy a different camera and spare batteries, e.g., a used NEX.

Good luck to Cassidy!

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

My goodness! I can tell you from 58 years of shoot weddings, theses are not the "people skills" that are required. What's next- a course in marshall arts- kickboxing?

Yes, one needs to direct and take control of many situations but professionalism and courtesy work best!

I've covered some pretty rowdy celebrations and nowadays, I need to contend with the "cellphone paparazzi" but there are civil ways of working around obstacles. Maybe I have an advantage because I am big and ugly (an old man with a grey beard), however, my daughter is pretty and a good director and is one of my best shooters.

Nobody likes a "wedding dictator" - you get more with honey than with vinegar.

davidf_logan Loc: Logan, Utah

I looked at the manual and the battery is removable by the look of things. So it would be a good idea to carry some spare charged batteries.

blanam Loc: Detroit

Cassidy,

You have received a lot of excellent suggestions, so I'll try to not be redundant.

The harsh reality is the camera you have is a nice Point and Shoot camera.

The FZ53 can take decent pictures outdoors, but inside will be challenging if the light is not sufficient.
* the internal flash isn't real strong,
* It has no resource for external flash,
* it has no manual/semi manual shooting modes such as Program, Time, Aperture, Manual. So, the best you can do to influence the outcome is to select one of it's "Special Option" (Scene) modes:
* Beach, Fireworks, Fish-Eye Effect, Landscape, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Panorama, Party/Indoor, Portrait, Snow, Sports, Sunset. I would highly recommend that you read the operations manual and become familiar with switching between these different scene options and using the flash.

The other control you have over the camera's auto system is what's known as "exposure compensation" which allows you to force the camera to think brighter or darker. Get familiar with this and practice its use (again, see the manual).

As I mentioned, your "built in" flash is not very powerful. It will have little effect if the subject is beyond 12' away.

Typically, you'll shoot singles and couples with the camera held in a vertical orientation (portrait)/bigger groups or scenery in a horizontal orientation (Landscape). For single and couples portraits you want to try to stand back 8' - 16' (if possible) and Zoom in to capture the amount of the subject(s) you desire. Keep in mind that if the faces have poor lighting that requires the flash, you won't be able to get back very far, as the flash will become ineffective.

FYI, your camera at 16' distance to subject provides the widest (horizontal) Field of View of ~4.5', so you can move physically forward and zoom in or out from there for the composition you want.

One last note: Although, you'll may want to get in tight to emphasize the subjects, make sure you leave some room around the outside of the subjects, i.e., don't get in too tight, as they may desire PRINTS later and you'll not have enough edge room to match the aspect ratio of the desired print (8x10, 5x7, 4x6, 3x5).

Good luck. Have fun.

LMGaar Loc: Baton Rouge, LA

With your camera model 'Kodak fz53' make sure you have lots of extra batteries and a few SD Cards. Take lots of pictures, more than you need, that way you are sure to get some good ones. "Secret: even pro photographers seldom get a great photo on the first shot. Many take 1500 to 2000 photos and get 35 good ones out of that. Be creative and shoot with your heart; relax and have fun with it.

Pepsiman Loc: New York City

Get a extra battery or 2..

Garson Loc: Tampa, FL

Cassidy:
You have received many great suggestions. I would ask your folks what they actually want and suggest that candids may be the way to go with a few posed shots. I am an older man, but was 14 when my Mom and future Stepdad asked me to film their wedding. I took some stills and a roll of 8mm movies as well, popular at the time. They are far from professional, but even though my parents passed a long while ago, all of us in the family still enjoy looking at them - especially where my Mom is carrying one of my sisters (4 years old) under her arm because she had gotten into some sort of mischief at the lunch reception.

Oh- arrange for someone else to take a few pictures so you can in them as well. (In my case, I didn't and am the missing family member at my parents' wedding - LOL!)

Most of all - enjoy and take time to be part of the festivities.

one_eyed_pete Loc: Colonie NY

Cassidy, I looked up a review of your camera and they said a current smart phone may capture better images. Looking over some of the images you've posted I think you want images like the "leaves" or the "basketball Hoop" rather than the "baseball" or "banana", which are simply not in focus/sharp. I don't know if you used your phone or camera for which images but if your phone is recent it may actually be a better choice to use for the wedding. You have the creative "eye" and seem to really enjoy photography. I suggest your images might be improved by cropping in tighter on the main subject. I encourage you to shoot and study everything you can get your hands on.

Morry Loc: Palm Springs, CA

If you can look at other married couples wedding albums and see photos that you like but hadn't thought of yourself . . . make note of it and use it yourself. Good luck.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Here's one of the best international wedding photographers that I personally know. Perhaps his site might give you some ideas.
http://bradfordjones.com/
--Bob

Dannj

Good advice generally but did you read the post?

DJon41 Loc: Utah

Best to take a backup camera. If using separate flash, take a backup for that, too. Extra batteries are a must--check the charge the night before.
Don't get the backs of people's heads -- wait until they are facing you. Check which guests your parents want in the pictures.

Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA

Hello Cassidy
At what beach in Jersey is the wedding going to be?
I did a couple in the Cape May area last year. Piece of cake.
This isn't the typical wedding shoot that you hear of here.
Get more info and provide some more details including location and time of day
We can show you how to plan. You'll also get plenty of pointers for good reading material on proper use of light etc.
You'll do fine. The first thing you did right was start asking now, and not in September :)

Mustang1

There is no external flash for the Kodak FZ53 camera. It has a zoom lense and a built-in flash. Those are the parameters, or limitations available. Just get in there and shoot. Remember to leave room in the viewfinder above the head and feet when taking full head-to-toe shots in case an enlargement is needed. Have fun . . . fellow photographer.

blanam Loc: Detroit

Good suggestion to make sure he includes himself in some of the PICs. A mistake I frequently make.