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"Good luck" with what WHEN ??!??!? Do you think that best wishes can change the past ?

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clemente21

While it is true that the endeavor will come with its share of responsibility, the key is to be prepared. Be ready and you’ll be fine.
On my last wedding I had allocated 30 mins. for group photos inside the church, but the priest was on a roll. He left me six minutes for all the group photos while the coordinator for the next wedding was breathing behind my neck and next guests started to arrive. I did well because I was prepared, knew what to do and moved everyone quickly -no assistance.
Here are some tips that might help:

• Be the first one at the venue. Stand at the entrance if you have time. It helps build rapport with those you don’t know. You don’t have to shake hands with everyone, but a simple hello goes a long way to make them comfortable for posing later on. Also, pictures of the groom/bride as they arrive help to develop the story.

• Bring a small step ladder. It provides a different angle and will help photograph the groom/bride among the crowd.

• Wear comfortable shoes. You might be on your feet for a while.

• Will your camera work with low light? Will you need to rent equipment? Will your gear handle a large group?

• If you are working alone and you miss a photo, don’t sweat it. Just make sure you get the key ones.

• Keep track of how many exposures you have left.

• Cellphones, ipads, etc. will get on your way. Be nice and handle it like a seasoned pro.

• Put some aspirin and an energy bar in your camera bag, just in case.

• Battery packs for camera & flash help taking photos for an extended time.

• Have someone you trust to help you, perhaps a close family member. Those associated with the wedding are in party mode.

• Attend the rehearsal, if there is one. It helps find out where you will stand, what will happen, etc.

• Good luck and have fun. Let us know how it went. Show some pics!

bobfitz Loc: Kendall-Miami, Florida

No advice on this or any other forum can prepare you for the situations that may present themselves at a wedding. I It can be pleasant and organized or chaos. I had photographed many weddings and thought I had seen it all until I
took an assignment with a poolside reception. The two families hated each other, and one side never showed up for the reception. The bride's side showed up but broke into fights before dinner and began throwing each other into the pool, including the bride. At another time I took an assignment to photograph a Marine officer's wedding. To make a long story short, all of the groomsmen, groom and the groom's father had been drinking all night. OMG!!! Enough said. At another, an elderly man insisted on dancing every Polka and collapsed and died on the dance floor. Needless to say, I soon, thereafter, got out of the wedding business. Good luck.

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

Obviously, this is a revival of an old post. My bad for not paying attention to the original dateline.

This is an oldie but a goodie because it attracted the usual amount of disdain for wedding photography. I always respond to questions regarding wedding photography because it was my entry level into professional photography and although nowadays my work is mostly in the industrial and commercial fields, my established business still offers the service.

I have alas enjoyed the work- it is a bit challenging and very rewarding IF you know exactly what you are doing. Folks in this forum tend to post all wedding "horror stories", however in 60 years on the j aspect of the job, I have encountered very few problems, serious issues, or interference. If the photographer consults carefully with the client, well in advance, and involves PEOPLE. Sometimes PEOPLE do silly things and cause a bit of chaos. That can happen at any event- an office party, a convention, a sports competition, or even a funeral Folks can drink too much, become emotional, or have altercations. The "crazy" great-uncle or grandpa can over-exert himself at a birthday party and unceremoniously drop dead. Bad things happen and are not exclusive to weddings and most folks are not "crazy"! They are usually hospitable, cooperative, and kind to each other and their photographer.

There is not all that much interest in wedding photography on this forum. I manage a "wedding photography section which is very poorly trafficked. There is an occasional post there. At least, as manager, I get to remove obnoxious inappropriate, or mocking posts.

I can tell y'all this. If any of y'all spent a few months working with an experienced and savvy wedding shooter, even if you have no interest in shooting weddings, you would learn a lot. There are many quests posted on this site about dynamic range, and selective focus. bokeh, fast shoot techniques, portraiture, depth of field, flash exposure and techniques, flash fill, available light, macro imaging, and more. You would be surprised- plus good manners and compassion for others!