My first (and last) Wedding photography experience - update (Page 3): Rongnongno: I used to photograph weddings -- dozens, if not a hundred. Your experiences bring back memories...

DHooch

Rongnongno:

I used to photograph weddings -- dozens, if not a hundred. Your experiences bring back memories because I went through the same things.

I could write a book on the weird stuff that happens at weddings. I experienced fights, had to drive the Bride and Groom to the reception when the wedding party left without them. One Groom did not want his photo taken. One Bride started to change from her street clothes into her wedding dress, with the help of her mom. I excused myself before she got too far undressed.

There were so many more memories, both good and bad. I could never photograph weddings, again (too old) but I don't regret that I did.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

I volunteered to be an assistant to a wedding photographer. I never worked so hard in all my years and I was accustomed to manual labor in the trades. We started early in the morning and I rolled into my driveway around 1:00 a.m.

He had a list of the staged photos that the bride and groom agreed on and it was up to me to see that the fine folks that were to be in those shots were there and ready. That was the most frustrating thing that I had ever done. I'd get one or two to be there and by the time I rounded up the others, one of them would be gone. I went off to find them and when I came back with them, another or so had left. Getting a church full of cats would have been far easier to control.

JeffL Loc: New Jersey

If you corralled into shooting a wedding for a friend or relative, forget about being a guest at the wedding. You will not enjoy the event. My preference is to take photos as a back up to the professional. Sometimes I was able to get photos that they missed; right place, right time. Just stay out of their way.

rcorne001 Loc: Cary, NC

As a rule, I NEVER do weddings. The only exception was for a friend who assured me it was not going to be a formal affair. In fact, it took place on two pontoon boats tied together on a lake. Bride and groom dressed in what I would call business casual. No coats or formal dress. After docking a few family shots and I was done. I only did it with the condition he never tell anyone I did it! Many kudos to those who can do a good job and handle all of the "stuff" that takes place.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

george19 wrote:

Great feedback!

I was asked to do a prom shoot back in May, last minute when the pro backed out.

I picked the time and location, about 100 shots in an hour, came out just fine…glad it wasn’t a bigger affair.

Now I know…never to weddings.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

Fredrick wrote:

Thomas. I did appreciate your input back in April,... (show quote)

Thomas and others well versed in wedding photography gave sound advice. I've seen many on here asking that stupid question, "how do I shoot a wedding" and those of us who are professionals in that branch, always give the same advice, don't do it, or at least get experienced help as a backup.

I am assuming you did not get a backup because of the cost, since there is no other rational reason not to. I am others told these people who want to do a wedding, to also have backups of everything. You had a flash failure; did you have a backup flash with you? If you did, then there was no need of panic, you simply swap out the flash. Since you did panic and luckily got things working, I am assuming you did not have a backup, to save the day.

You are very fortunate that you got it working, what would you have done if it had totally failed, especially at a critical time like at the end of the ceremony, if the light was too low for available light shots? You could have ruined that couple's magic once in a lifetime day. Thankfully that did not happen. However, now you know why all the experienced photographers, who took time out of their day to help, told you all the things they did. Now it all makes sense to you.

What will you tell the next person who asks this same silly question, will you say go for it, or will you tell them to heed the words of wisdom from those who have warned against it in the past? People need to get over the fact that they feel honoured that someone things they are good enough to cover their wedding (assuming they are not wedding photographers, of course) and just tell these poor uninformed B&Gs to go out and find a pro to cover that extremely important day of their life.

They are not doing themselves, nor the poor photographer being asked to pose as a wedding photographer on the day, any favours by acting as one, and may well ruin their own very special day. I can assure you, when that happens, the B&G will never put the blame on themselves, but will forever more blame that silly photographer who tried to be the expert on the day, with no experience whatsoever.

They may say they are fine with the fact that the photos did not turn out so well, but secretly, they will blame that photographer, forever more, behind closed doors. It never ceases to amaze me that we never hear couple asking someone who makes nice cupcakes, to take on the challenge of making their wedding cake, yet they always ask someone who takes some nice snaps, to be their wedding photographer.

Tom W Loc: Lincoln Co, WA

More than 50 years ago, I was the photographer at my step sister and her groom's wedding. I'd been friends with the groom since childhood. Of course, this was still the days of film. I shot several rolls with my Exatka gear but rather than have the film developed and doing any editing myself, I gave the film to the bride and groom. They were pleased with the result. It must have been an OK way to do it seeing as how we've always had a very close relationship with them. My wife and I have been together over 52 years now, and Chris and Mary for 51 years. Lots of couples can't say this regardless of how much the wedding cost. Many years later I was videographer at my son and daughter in laws wedding. Not the only photographer there by any means. They too are still very happily married and are now grandparents themselves. Life has been good to us. I would not want to photograph weddings on a regular basis though.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

camerapapi wrote:

"If your images have been accepted by the couple you did your job. Now you know what to expect when shooting a wedding besides the responsibilities implied.

Well we must assume that the bride and groom know what a good wedding photograph is, of course. Many people seem to think if a photo is sharp, that it is great. They often, if not mostly have no idea about proper lighting, correct posing, composition of a good photograph, group posing etc.

The people that can tell you if the wedding shots were good or not, are those that do wedding photography as a profession. If the person that has just shot a wedding feels their work is acceptable as good wedding photography, then we would all love to see a selection of their photos from that day, posted here for us to see what a great job they did. Anyone no willing to do that must secretly feel they did not really do as good a job as they had hoped, and don't want to show off their work in the same way that they will happily show us a photo of a bird or tree or flower, that they took.

Now there are a number of occasions when an inexperience wedding photographer has done a great job, I've seen it a few times, so it is not an impossible task. However, for the most part, what these people think were good photos, would not live up to that standard, if judged by true wedding photographers. So, let's all look forward to seeing some examples of what was produced at this latest wedding shoot.

It would simply be best for all those who may pose the silly question in the future, about taking on a wedding job, to just let it slip by and be a guest and enjoy the wedding. Tell the B&G thank you, but no thank you, because a proper wedding photographer will do a better job. That will save the potential of a disappointment for the B&G and the photographer, from ever happening.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Fredrick wrote:

Back in April I posted a topic looking for input/feedback on a wedding I had (reluctantly) agreed to do for one of my wife's nephews. It occurred this past Sunday, in Santa Barbara, CA. Here's an update on that experience:
I have a new found respect for all wedding photographers! I really had no idea how much work was involved in shooting a wedding! While it was an exhilarating experience, it was absolutely exhausting! Granted, I was going through a learning curve, however, standing on my feet (at age 77) for 10 hours (with one 20 minute break for dinner) did take a toll at the end of the night. I took 560 pictures, and after a first pass have done an initial culling down to 310 pictures. I edited 5 pictures of the ceremony today and sent them off to the bride and groom, and they loved them! So, I can now relax a little and go through the process of editing the entire set. I'll probably send them 200-250 pictures when I'm done.
If you might recall, I was told that there would be about 40 people at the wedding and reception...there were 105 people! I did go to the home where the wedding and reception was to be held the day before at the same time as the ceremony the next day, which really helped with me understanding the lighting and places to take the formal pictures, etc. All the family members who said they would help coordinate family members for group pictures...didn't! Thank God for my wonderful wife, who was my assistant and really saved the day!
After taking my first set of formal pictures, my on camera Nissin flash mysteriously stopped working. I totally freaked out into a cold sweat. I changed batteries, but it still wouldn't work. Then I remembered my old adage "when in doubt, re-boot." I turned my camera off, then back on and everything worked fine after that!
Am I satisfied with all the pictures I took...no. In reviewing all of the pictures on my laptop, I saw obvious composition issues I wish I not not made, but fortunately I took enough pictures so I could discard the ones I didn't like. I found myself running around like a maniac to get certain shots. Once the bride and groom kissed, they immediately started walking back up the aisle, and I had to literally quickly run up the aisle in front of them and quickly turn around to get one shot, which fortunately came out pretty good.
The last three hours (8pm-11pm) of the reception was in the dark outside, and the on camera Nissin flash on my Fuji X-T2 and the in camera flash on my Fuji X100V worked surprisingly well. I had very little experience with doing flash photography, so I'm glad that worked out. For all you Fuji shooters out there, I did shoot jpeg and RAW, and used the Pro Neg HI film simulation mode for my jpegs, which I thought came out pretty good.
Two of my wife's cousins approached me during the reception about doing their daughter's upcoming weddings, and I politely but affirmatively said "no." I will leave that to the younger wedding pros!
To all of you who initially responded back in April, thank you again! Your input really did help me!
Once I'm done editing, I'll post a couple of the wedding photos in the Wedding Discussion group.

Back in April I posted a topic looking for input/f... (show quote)

I only did one wedding for a friend's daughter. I did good and they loved all my photos, but I will NEVER do another one! It's way to much work and people bump you and get in your way. I told them I had never shot a wedding, and they should get a pro. They did hire a second person for videography and he had an assistant using a camera. My friend did get his money's worth and used mostly the pro's photos, and some of mine.

I like to have fun in my photography and this was not fun. Wedding Photographers do not get paid enough, nor respected enough for what they do and have to put up with.

Glad youi did well and learned a lesson as I did!

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

frankraney wrote:

I only did one wedding for a friend's daughter. I ... (show quote)

Once again, we see the truth about the photography. Thanks for posting your response Frank and I'm glad you got through it okay. With that said, the couple said they loved your photos, however, they clearly did not love them more so or even as much as the pro that did the video and photos alongside you. If they had done, they would NOT have chosen mostly the pro's photos.

The truth is really in what they did, as to what they said regarding your photography on the day, as to whose work they really preferred. I am not saying this to belittle you, you did the best you could in an area you had no experience in. I was a wedding photographer for years and know what that entails. I would not accept a job to do a shoot of something I had no idea about, I must say, you are braver man than me. You have joined the ranks of those who tried and now know better. We appreciate your comments and hope others thinking of taking on such a job will think twice.

ronsipus Loc: Mission Viejo, CA

Fredrick wrote:

Back in April I posted a topic looking for input/feedback on a wedding I had (reluctantly) agreed to do for one of my wife's nephews. It occurred this past Sunday, in Santa Barbara, CA. Here's an update on that experience:
I have a new found respect for all wedding photographers! I really had no idea how much work was involved in shooting a wedding! While it was an exhilarating experience, it was absolutely exhausting! Granted, I was going through a learning curve, however, standing on my feet (at age 77) for 10 hours (with one 20 minute break for dinner) did take a toll at the end of the night. I took 560 pictures, and after a first pass have done an initial culling down to 310 pictures. I edited 5 pictures of the ceremony today and sent them off to the bride and groom, and they loved them! So, I can now relax a little and go through the process of editing the entire set. I'll probably send them 200-250 pictures when I'm done.
If you might recall, I was told that there would be about 40 people at the wedding and reception...there were 105 people! I did go to the home where the wedding and reception was to be held the day before at the same time as the ceremony the next day, which really helped with me understanding the lighting and places to take the formal pictures, etc. All the family members who said they would help coordinate family members for group pictures...didn't! Thank God for my wonderful wife, who was my assistant and really saved the day!
After taking my first set of formal pictures, my on camera Nissin flash mysteriously stopped working. I totally freaked out into a cold sweat. I changed batteries, but it still wouldn't work. Then I remembered my old adage "when in doubt, re-boot." I turned my camera off, then back on and everything worked fine after that!
Am I satisfied with all the pictures I took...no. In reviewing all of the pictures on my laptop, I saw obvious composition issues I wish I not not made, but fortunately I took enough pictures so I could discard the ones I didn't like. I found myself running around like a maniac to get certain shots. Once the bride and groom kissed, they immediately started walking back up the aisle, and I had to literally quickly run up the aisle in front of them and quickly turn around to get one shot, which fortunately came out pretty good.
The last three hours (8pm-11pm) of the reception was in the dark outside, and the on camera Nissin flash on my Fuji X-T2 and the in camera flash on my Fuji X100V worked surprisingly well. I had very little experience with doing flash photography, so I'm glad that worked out. For all you Fuji shooters out there, I did shoot jpeg and RAW, and used the Pro Neg HI film simulation mode for my jpegs, which I thought came out pretty good.
Two of my wife's cousins approached me during the reception about doing their daughter's upcoming weddings, and I politely but affirmatively said "no." I will leave that to the younger wedding pros!
To all of you who initially responded back in April, thank you again! Your input really did help me!
Once I'm done editing, I'll post a couple of the wedding photos in the Wedding Discussion group.

Back in April I posted a topic looking for input/f... (show quote)

I had a similar experience and was happy to say I had done my first and last wedding.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Lucian wrote:

Once again, we see the truth about the photography... (show quote)

This is why I told them to hire a pro and I would shoot for the learning experience, and boy was it!!! For me, it was not camera settings or control but knowing what and when to shoot and people always ignoring the camera and getting in the way and bumping you. A good photographer not only has to understand what to shoot, how to pose, etc, but also has to know and understand, control the situation, and have a good assistant that does a lot of this seamlessly.

Now, kids' parties are another thing. I love these and love wandering around taking photos and talking to and meeting the parents, always with camera ready and eyes always panning to get the once-in-a-lifetime shot. I very seldom shoot posed photos, unless asked to do so. I don't do these anymore, I'm getting to old and to many visits from Arthur Itis. He won't leave me alone and keeps getting in my way!

TBerwick Loc: Houston, Texas

I quit herding cats a number of years ago, after shooting about 200 weddings. I never had a particular problem with the bride or groom but seemingly none of the attendees would adhere to allowing me to pose the shots and take the flash photos without them blasting away. I sometimes did 3 light setups with old style remote triggers but had to abandon that since the looky loos were continuously discharging my slaved units. To this day I don't miss my decision to quit.

ELNikkor

Glad it worked out for you! Back in the day, I shot about 20 weddings with a Nikon FM/FE a 50mm and 200mm lens. Most were on Kodacolor 100 and using a Sunpak bracket mount flash. Sometimes I'd put Ektar 1000 in the FE & used the 200mm lens to shoot the ceremony from vantage points around the church. Never had a disaster, but it was tiring, and yes, never again!

spaceytracey Loc: East Glacier Park, MT

Fredrick wrote:

Thomas. I did appreciate your input back in April,... (show quote)

Thank you, Fredrick! I was about to make similar remarks but decided to just move on & not aggravate myself. So happy that your wedding shoot turned out well.