Cherokee Wedding (fast advice please) (Page 2): Thank you.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

minniev wrote:

Find out from the bride or someone she refers you ... (show quote)

Thank you.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Random thoughts.

Ask what will happend during the ceremony. What happens ahead of the ceremony, if anything. Is there a reception? Find out what objects will be used and see if you can get shots of them before the event. Find out who is important to the ceremony, since it may not be mother of the bride etc. It may be clan leaders or shaman or some other individual or group not involved in modern weddings.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

Here is a youtube of Cherokee wedding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOHJrS-neTk

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

[quote=robertjerl]#1 ask to talk to someone and get an outline of what happens, in what order and esp what "not to do" at each stage. If someone has an album of a past wedding ask to see it and make notes.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

houdel Loc: Chase, Michigan USA

cactusflower wrote:

Lots of information available heren http://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=cherokee%20wedding%20traditions

Need to leave the "s" out of "https" when posting links so they will be active....

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

GENorkus wrote:

Thanks to everyone so far. br br As for a flash,... (show quote)

Fill flash might be appropriate in bright sunlight/shadow situations to even out skin tones. Or a Reflector held by your assistant. Just something to consider having available. If there are sacred objects do try for close ups of them.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

GENorkus wrote:

My intentions were to attend my friend's tradition... (show quote)

Every had Venison? :thumbup: :?

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

lamiaceae wrote:

Every had Venison? :thumbup: :?

Yes. If I have a choice I'd rather not eat it.
:?

Anne

What a wonderful celebration to share with them. I was asked to photograph annual pow-wow 3 years ago and did. It was a cultural experience I will not forget. The first thing I did was to ask what part of the ceremonies were sacred and if photography was permitted. After meeting with several tribal chiefs I felt better able to do what was expected and to respect the customs of the various tribes. My event was a 2 day event and each day presented different dances and ceremonies. I found that many of the attendees wore original dress and head pieces. The native clothing is beautiful and definitely pieces of art. I found that asking before touching or examining the hand-work rewarded me with more opportunities for photographing then I expected. I also created a dvd with images for them to have and reprint as they needed or wanted. I found the experience very rewarding.rewarding.

Nightski

wilsondl2 wrote:

Have an agreement with your friend that if he wants you take pictures and certain shots that all will cooperate with you. I did an East Indian Wedding that I had a list of shots wanted and cooperation was zero. One of the hardest days I spent in my life. - Dave

Sometimes even when they promise to cooperate, they don't. This is why seasoned pros are worth every penny they earn. They know how to deal with situations.

Oh .. I did use flash. I had been doing photography for about a year and a half when I was talked into doing a wedding. The flash worked pretty well outdoors as fill light. I was pleased with those results. Indoors it was a nightmare because I didn't understand how to avoid ugly shadows.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Irrespective of being a Choctaw wedding, are the parents of the bride and groom still alive? If so, be sure to get photos of the parents with their child. I do not have a photo from my wedding with just my parents and now that they're both gone, it's something I do wish I had. I've retrieved scans of the negatives from our wedding and am going to do a full size book, which we never had done, and this really stuck out to me. Ofc, build from there, with the bride and groom and both sets of parents. You might also do individual shots of both sets of parents. Believe me, these will be valued in the future.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I would suggest checking out the wedding photography section, and check out some of the earlier posts that have a lot of useful info for newbies as far as suggestions, etc.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-118-1.html

Keep in mind, they know you aren't a pro. Enjoy the day, and unless the official specifically says "no flash" I'm fairly certain that it will be OK, as long as you aren't taking thousands of photos during the actual ceremony. Even in church weddings, they are getting more lenient, mainly because even if the official tells us not to use flash, 1/2 the guests will be flashing away with their smart phones and point and shoots. Any more, most of my pastor's tell me to just keep it from looking like a disco, and flash is fine. :-)

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

GENorkus wrote:

My intentions were to attend my friend's tradition... (show quote)

I'm part Cherokee and in the past my relatives told me that Indians don't want their photos taken because they are "graven images" that have been tribal council-forbidden since photography began. My grandmother was 50% Cherokee and we only have two candid photos of her she didn't know about from throughout her 86 years of life. Maybe your friends are more progressive than that but you should check before shooting anything if you're going to be on Cherokee property.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

marcomarks wrote:

I'm part Cherokee and in the past my relatives told me that Indians don't want their photos taken because they are "graven images" that have been tribal council-forbidden since photography began. My grandmother was 50% Cherokee and we only have two candid photos of her she didn't know about from throughout her 86 years of life. Maybe your friends are more progressive than that but you should check before shooting anything if you're going to be on Cherokee property.

I thought the same thing but was corrected by a history major who also happened to be half Cherokee and half Chipawa. His information was backed up by se real other Native Americans.

Basically the story about no photos of Indians when unknowledgable white men twisted the truth about water and shiny reflections of Indians.

From that when photography was in its infancy, a real picture of an Indian was hard to get and early photographers claimed it was forbidden. This was very far from the truth.

Reality, most early photographers could not speak an Indian from any tribe and the person's who could wanted money for their ability.

When someone tried to take a photo, the Indians did whatever they could to mess up the photo unless they were paid.

From historic photos, to me it seemed to back this claim up. Besides, the ones going to the wedding are fine with photos of them. But I'll still ask.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

marcomarks wrote:

I'm part Cherokee and in the past my relatives told me that Indians don't want their photos taken because they are "graven images" that have been tribal council-forbidden since photography began. My grandmother was 50% Cherokee and we only have two candid photos of her she didn't know about from throughout her 86 years of life. Maybe your friends are more progressive than that but you should check before shooting anything if you're going to be on Cherokee property.

I thought the same thing but was corrected by a history major who also happened to be half Cherokee and half Chipawa. His information was backed up by se real other Native Americans.

Basically the story about no photos of Indians when unknowledgable white men twisted the truth about water and shiny reflections of Indians.

From that when photography was in its infancy, a real picture of an Indian was hard to get. Early photographers claimed it was forbidden. This was very far from the truth.

Reality, most early photographers could not speak an Indian from any tribe and the person's who could wanted money for their ability.

When someone tried to take a photo, the Indians did whatever they could to mess up the photo unless they were paid.

From historic photos, to me it seemed to back this claim up. Besides, the ones going to the wedding are fine with photos of them. But I'll still ask.