Wedding photo request
Jan 20, 2016 12:24:37 #
If you had a really sharp knife would you try taking out her appendix?
What did she ever do to you to deserve your demonstrating that (at this point) you don't know how to photograph a wedding? A lot happens--it happens fast and you would be in water over your head-- by all means learn to photograph weddings--but for now stick to your first impulse
Stan
What did she ever do to you to deserve your demonstrating that (at this point) you don't know how to photograph a wedding? A lot happens--it happens fast and you would be in water over your head-- by all means learn to photograph weddings--but for now stick to your first impulse
Stan
Jan 20, 2016 12:55:22 #
khuntersr wrote:
Everyone agrees, don't do it
Silly. Have you ever seen a subject on UHH where everyone agreed. :roll: :XD:
Jan 20, 2016 13:02:44 #
ddonlewis wrote:
I've done numerous weddings and I love to do them.... (show quote)
This is one of the more reasonable responses. In the case of the OP, and myself, we have not done "numerous weddings" and look only at the hazards and pitfalls and possible disappointment. I enjoy shooting "events" in part because if I blow a few shots or even the whole event, no big deal because there were no great expectations involved.
It's great that you are doing what you love but I'm at a point in life where I don't want to go pro or take this on as a first time effort.
Jan 20, 2016 14:13:08 #
Do you love your Sister? Do you love your Niece?
Do you envision growing into old age with a truly healthy and caring relationship with them?
These and other questions must be anwered before even getting into the photography questions?
I once heard of a wedding where the hosts gave each guest disposable camera's (no flashes - daylight wedding outdoors).
Heard that turned out very well. The camera's were collected at the end of the event and the hosts had the film developed.
I'd be tempted as my wedding gift to take a box of disposable camera's and pay for the developing. The resulting wedding pictures might be a pleasant surprise, and surely comical in some cases.
Do you envision growing into old age with a truly healthy and caring relationship with them?
These and other questions must be anwered before even getting into the photography questions?
I once heard of a wedding where the hosts gave each guest disposable camera's (no flashes - daylight wedding outdoors).
Heard that turned out very well. The camera's were collected at the end of the event and the hosts had the film developed.
I'd be tempted as my wedding gift to take a box of disposable camera's and pay for the developing. The resulting wedding pictures might be a pleasant surprise, and surely comical in some cases.
Jan 20, 2016 14:17:42 #
Los-Angeles-Shooter
Loc: Los Angeles
BE AFRAID. BE VERY AFRAID.
I've done lots of photos at weddings but I wouldn't want to be THE photographer for the event.
I've done lots of photos at weddings but I wouldn't want to be THE photographer for the event.
Jan 20, 2016 14:19:15 #
Kuzano wrote:
I once heard of a wedding where the hosts gave each guest disposable camera's (no flashes - daylight wedding outdoors).
I once heard of a wedding where the hosts gave each guest disposable camera's (no flashes - daylight wedding outdoors).
I had a wedding last April and the bride did just that. she cleared it with me worrying it would be disruptive. I told her give the cameras out. they will not get in my way.
18 cameras were put on the tables. At the end of the night we found 14. They went on their Honeymoon, I took the cameras and had them processed. On return she went to get them and had the option to refuse. She kept two envelopes. the reset were all crap. I had went back to the store before she picked them up and they let me look through them. They were bad!! I have a wedding coming up where they will use the cellphone app to upload pictures from the wedding as they are snapped. Will see how this turns out.
Jan 20, 2016 14:38:00 #
jelecroy wrote:
Yesterday I received a call from my dear sister, w... (show quote)
Offer to be the second shooter.
Jan 20, 2016 14:42:02 #
SharpShooter wrote:
Is this a 25 guest wedding in Las Vegas or a 500 guest wedding in a cathedral?!?!
Lazy is NOT the same thing as afraid!!! :lol:
SS
Lazy is NOT the same thing as afraid!!! :lol:
SS
Not all pros have a check list that has much depth....outside of the wedding party they are pretty much relying on the family to provide a list.....and then , in the excitement of the moment miss some shots .I would hire a Pro for the wedding and You could take care of the "Family" shots.
Just a thought.....I have found from my own experience that it works pretty well,since you would be more familiar with the guests and what pictures should be taken.
Jan 20, 2016 14:52:54 #
photophly wrote:
Not all pros have a check list that has much depth....outside of the wedding party they are pretty much relying on the family to provide a list.....and then , in the excitement of the moment miss some shots .I would hire a Pro for the wedding and You could take care of the "Family" shots.
Just a thought.....I have found from my own experience that it works pretty well,since you would be more familiar with the guests and what pictures should be taken.
Just a thought.....I have found from my own experience that it works pretty well,since you would be more familiar with the guests and what pictures should be taken.
Each wedding I do I provide a shot list to the B&G. At the end there is space to add their own requirements that may not be on the list. This is also a way of judging if there is enough time between wedding and reception to 'get it done'. Otherwise we improvise on scheduling. Multiple copies of this are brought to the wedding. One in my pocket, one in each of my assistants pockets and one for the person the bride has designated as the coordinator and an extra copy for the venue coordinator. Although she gets this in an EMAIL from me. Prior to the wedding my assistants are tasked with getting the extra shots, on and not on the list. Cake, tables, flowers, etc. We check off as we work. Never miss a shot. At least not the ones requested.
Jan 20, 2016 15:21:23 #
Bobbee wrote:
Each wedding I do I provide a shot list to the B&a... (show quote)
Sounds like a very Professional operation and You have it all covered....my compliments on your attention to detail.....I'm sure your clients are very satisfied.
Jan 20, 2016 15:25:37 #
jelecroy wrote:
Yesterday I received a call from my dear sister, w... (show quote)
No,you are NOT being lazy..... just politely explain to her why..... see the other previous posts by others.
Just remember that you will probably be damned if you do or damned if you don't!!!
Jan 20, 2016 15:26:56 #
JustMePB wrote:
No,you are NOT being lazy..... just politely explain to her why..... see the other previous posts by others.
Just remember that you will probably be damned if you do or damned if you don't!!!
Just remember that you will probably be damned if you do or damned if you don't!!!
Amen.....
Jan 20, 2016 17:40:13 #
jelecroy wrote:
Yesterday I received a call from my dear sister, w... (show quote)
If you are not comfortable doing it, don't. Rest assured, if you make one mistake, it will be all your fault for ruining the special day.
Jan 20, 2016 18:06:27 #
photophly wrote:
Not all pros have a check list that has much depth....outside of the wedding party they are pretty much relying on the family to provide a list.....and then , in the excitement of the moment miss some shots .I would hire a Pro for the wedding and You could take care of the "Family" shots.
Just a thought.....I have found from my own experience that it works pretty well,since you would be more familiar with the guests and what pictures should be taken.
Just a thought.....I have found from my own experience that it works pretty well,since you would be more familiar with the guests and what pictures should be taken.
When I attend an event, I'm either the official photographer, or I take NO camera at all. I'm either the pro, OR a guest, but never both!!
You're suggestion they pay a Pro, but, your suggesting the the pro is probably not gonna be competent enough and that the OP go and sweep up and clean up after him, since he'll miss shots! Pros don't miss shots, or they shouldn't BE getting payed!!
So now we've got the Pro AND the OP getting in his way along with all the other cell phones and tablets and P&S's?!?! :lol:
I suggest the OP either step all the way into the street, or stay on the porch where he belongs! No need to play photographer that day if he has already declined the invitation.
If they had already budgeted for a professional photographer, then why did they even bother asking?? Just my 2 cents!!! :lol:
SS
Jan 20, 2016 18:21:32 #
seahawk505
Loc: Albuquerque, New Mexico
I'm going to offer a different opinion that those so far in the thread. The EXACT thing happened to me recently...my sister announced she was getting married, and my wife and I agreed to attend (she lives in Florida and we live in New Mexico). Soon thereafter, she asked if I would bring my camera along, which I would have anyway...so I said yes. I told her I'd be glad to fill in with candid shots, etc. above and beyond the wedding photographer. She said, "well, we'd like for you to be the official photographer." Other key data: I am in my 70's and my sister and new husband are both in their 80's. I would consider myself an avid amateur, with a recently renewed interest in photography since my recent retirement.
I was somewhere between "freaked out" (because of many of the reasons cited by other UHH's in this thread) and anxious in a good way for the challenge. My equipment is: Canon 70D with 18-135mm kit lens and 85mm f/1.8 portrait lens + a 600 EX/RT SpeedLite with a Gary Fong diffuser. I did a bit of reading on key shots, and came with gear in hand to the rehearsal the night before the wedding. This was a small wedding, and obviously not the first for these two widowers. My sense is their request was not cost-driven, as much as it was "experience-driven" - have been through many weddings of their children and grandkids.
The first thing I realized is that the sanctuary for the ceremony was extremely dark with a high dark ceiling, and even tho' the wedding planner said flash was OK (the wedding was at dusk), everyone else thought it would be intrusive. So for actual ceremony shots, I used the portrait lens (thank goodness I brought it) without flash. For posed family group shots, I used the zoom with flash. Since the high, dark ceiling was not conducive to bounce, I fashioned a reflector from paper and secured it atop the SpeedLite - this gave me enough light to get adequate shots. I had worked out a shot list with the wedding planner, who was most helpful and supportive. The reception was easier to shoot with bounce flash. In a relatively short time, I shot over 400 pictures - many bracketed clusters for insurance. After culling the selections, about 100 made the final cut.
I've attached three representative pix - they may not professional quality, and I doubt I'll be shooting any weddings in the future. However, everyone seems to be pleased with the results. I did some editing on my Mac using the Photos app editing tools, along with some plug-ins from MacPhun. I posted the pix on Shutterfly for attendees and other family/friends to see, download and print as they desire.
I did not "miss" the festivities because I was working. Actually, it was a great way to meet my new brother-in-law's family. Would I do it again, and would I recommend it to you? My vote would be for "it depends" - I'm certainly glad I played this role in my sister's wedding.
I was somewhere between "freaked out" (because of many of the reasons cited by other UHH's in this thread) and anxious in a good way for the challenge. My equipment is: Canon 70D with 18-135mm kit lens and 85mm f/1.8 portrait lens + a 600 EX/RT SpeedLite with a Gary Fong diffuser. I did a bit of reading on key shots, and came with gear in hand to the rehearsal the night before the wedding. This was a small wedding, and obviously not the first for these two widowers. My sense is their request was not cost-driven, as much as it was "experience-driven" - have been through many weddings of their children and grandkids.
The first thing I realized is that the sanctuary for the ceremony was extremely dark with a high dark ceiling, and even tho' the wedding planner said flash was OK (the wedding was at dusk), everyone else thought it would be intrusive. So for actual ceremony shots, I used the portrait lens (thank goodness I brought it) without flash. For posed family group shots, I used the zoom with flash. Since the high, dark ceiling was not conducive to bounce, I fashioned a reflector from paper and secured it atop the SpeedLite - this gave me enough light to get adequate shots. I had worked out a shot list with the wedding planner, who was most helpful and supportive. The reception was easier to shoot with bounce flash. In a relatively short time, I shot over 400 pictures - many bracketed clusters for insurance. After culling the selections, about 100 made the final cut.
I've attached three representative pix - they may not professional quality, and I doubt I'll be shooting any weddings in the future. However, everyone seems to be pleased with the results. I did some editing on my Mac using the Photos app editing tools, along with some plug-ins from MacPhun. I posted the pix on Shutterfly for attendees and other family/friends to see, download and print as they desire.
I did not "miss" the festivities because I was working. Actually, it was a great way to meet my new brother-in-law's family. Would I do it again, and would I recommend it to you? My vote would be for "it depends" - I'm certainly glad I played this role in my sister's wedding.
Family picture, post-ceremony
Couple leaving the reception
Priest pronouncing them man & wife
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