DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

Dear Cassidy,

I think it's very sweet that you are going to take the photographs at your parents wedding and I'm certain that what ever the outcome they will LOVE them. My suggestion to you is first don't stress about it. Try and enjoy the experience of the wedding because I know that's what they really want. You are young and just starting out learning about photography and all of it's exciting possibilities.

I suggest you Google wedding photography and visit other photographers websites. You can even look at mine if you like - just click on my UHH profile name and click on the link and if you like you can send me a message in the website also by clicking "Contact"... or just click or copy and paste the link below.

Next - YouTube! YouTube! YouTube!:-). Not only wedding photography but photography in general and start feeding that young mind the knowledge you will need to succeed in this business. I'm actually amazed at the images I'm seeing from younger photographers these days - they tend to see things that us oldies don't.

Last - Take a photography class at school or join a club.

Remember - have fun and don't sweat it out, your parents know your just a beginner. Their are allot of seasoned photographers on this site and you will get some very, direct and sometimes blunt answers but don't let that discourage you. Keep asking questions and welcome to UHH.

dbreslinphotography.smugmug.com.

ssohl717

My only advice is to be sure to get pictures of the family, especially the older generation who may not be there for future gatherings. Check with your parents who they want to be sure to have photos of beforehand. Good luck! Remember any photos you take will be more than if you weren’t doing it.

Sinewsworn Loc: Port Orchard, WA

Lol!

Winslowe

Main Photography Discussion is non-specific. The Wedding Photography section is all about wedding photography:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-118-1.html

JIM H Loc: Broad Channel NY

while your camera is a point and shoot. I looked up the manual for it and it has some interesting modes and settings. Like Portrait Mode, It might be good for wedding pictures. get the manual and learn how to set up the camera and use the different settings. Like was stated here look up weeding pictures to see what might work for you family's plans . Then practice Practice Practice. get some friends to pose like the bride and groom, wedding party members , and Take pictures change the poses and the camera settings work with the lights and review your pictures to see what worked best , this way you will not be going in cold to do something you have never done before. study, learn, practice, wish you much succus.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Cassidy:
Good luck, and enjoy yourself!
Now, I can see that you have received a lot of great equipment advice.
So the most important advice I can give you is to develop a shot list for each location.
Next, is to shoot as MANY of the shots ahead of time that you can. You want to enjoy yourself too.

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.
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.

Some Possible Wedding Poses:
(Cut and paste & use as you see fit)

1. At the 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, You Can Do It!

blanam Loc: Detroit

Good list.
I would expand on the rings: rings alone, rings on each hand, both hands with rings.
Not sure if Cassidy is still following all of this, but if not we're all getting retrained. :-)

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

What a great quote and so true.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Well said Mr. Shaprio and good luck to this young person.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...ya gotta start somewhere, what better than family?! I say go for it!

RolandDieter

Something else to do ... let them know you haven't done this before and cannot guarantee the results. Also, do some practice shooting of them in poses that could be similar to those you will be taking. You and they can both review them to get an idea of what you will be getting. If you are not happy with the practice shots, keep trying. If they are never happy with them advise them to find a professional wedding photographer. You should be able to find some that are at least decently good at it, hungry and not too expensive. You could also do the hire as a wedding present.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Try going on-line to wedding photographer websites or help sites. There are a wealth of ideas from actual professional wedding photographers who make a living shooting weddings.

Good luck!

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Remember, this guy's 15 years old and it's his parents getting married. I'm sure they know he hasn't been running around doing weddings before.

Also the wedding's on a beach and the reception in a fire station. Doesn't sound to me like its going to be very formal. Practice shots, OK. Good idea.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

It is not my intention to discourage anyone wishing to take on a challenge. As I am not a professional photographer, I would like to place this into perspective (No Pun Intended). This is a honor to be selected to photograph. However I feel you would be best suited as a guest to enjoy the festivities. That doesn’t mean don’t bring your camera. You can use your camera to capture candid photos. Often they are more unique and are worthy to place in a separate album just for the happy couple. Having a pro do the wedding can show you what makes a quality photo. The pro will teach you so that you may actually get an apprenticeship with them. That is a finer honor. Please notice that I did not write anything about your abilities. After all, who am I to judge someone I have not met or seen their work. I wish you luck and want to impart some candid ideas for you to consider. Photograph everyone possible especially those who are more mature. Their memories last forever. Photograph the happy couple with plenty of sunsets. Light up the couple with reflectors, golden is best. Monochrome makes nice artistic shots especially with a great deal of contrast. Photograph the couples hands double exposed over them looking down in front of them at their hands. Finally since the reception will be in a firehouse, have people gather behind the couple in front of the house.

Dannj

A voice of reason!🤪
I “get” all the well meaning advice from the pros out there but not every wedding is an extravaganza. This definitely appears to be a low key event for family and friends. Sure, they want pictures to capture the event and spark some memories down the road and Cassidy will do just fine.