LOL!!!!Well put. I did stand back also. I was told by my sister, the Mother of the Bride, to get into peoples faces. NOPE. Not me. I was also told to stand where I wished. Including on the alter with the Bride and Groom...NOPE. That isn't what I want to do.

I do like the fact of jumping in, but I also know that I am NOT a professional.

Thank you very much for the support and advice.

The bride was VERY proud of her flowers. Hence, wanted lots of photos of them. Sigh. So flowers excluded from a Wedding is not a very good idea. However, I do appreciate the advice. As it was my first day with the new camera, and having not been able to take ONE photo the previous day. I will not allow myself to be in that position again...(or try my best. I did take over 1000 photos, with many of them showing just what you have advised. I was tossed in the water with the sharks! LOL. However, I did have my Husband video taping the whole wedding, and my son close to the alter for the closeups. The quality of the shots was so high that the cropping for a supposed close-up shot was fantastic. Thank you so much for you advice. As a novice to Wedding's I need the advice and consider myself a willing student!

Thank you so much for the advice!

Oh, yes on the Mirror. I have a few more. One with the Mom and Daughter looking in the mirror. One with the Bride's reflection ONLY in the mirror. I suppose this being the first wedding I have done. I now know why I was told to just Jump in and get it over with. NOW I know. (or think I do....and that is where we get into trouble!)

Yes the colors were a little odd...LOL. Orange and Egg Plant. I took over 1000 photos. I am sure I got just about every angle and sitting that anyone there could think of. However.....I really do see the flaws. I am very grateful for the imput!

You have NO IDEA what this comment means to me!!! Thank you so much, from the bottom of my stressed heart!

The wedding is now a memory. I wasn't able to get into the Church until the NIGHT BEFORE. I added my son and his camera to the mix. Good thing. Because as ready as I "THOUGHT" I was. The lighting was 70's all the way. YELLOW lighting. I could hardly believe my eyes. The White balance was nearly IMPOSSIBLE to adjust. To add insult to ingery. My Main Camera, Sony A series decided to take this oppertunity to "freeze". Yeah......dead camera. I had tons of lighting, batteries, bounce screen, Flash, and only a Film camera, Sony small digital, and I was basically Nailed for the Rehersal Photos. Good thing my son was there with his Cannon. SOOOOO on Friday night, 9:30pm, I was off to purchase a new camera. Great....doing Free Photographs for my Nieces wedding has now cost me almost $ 1,000. I went to sleep that night KNOWING I had NO idea how to use my new Cannon Rebel T3. As I was finally able to fall asleep, the battery had not yet charged.
I will be posting wedding photographs, which turned out "not bad". I was also asked to do another wedding......

I can honestly say, and this goes along with ALL the GREAT advice I received, if I never see another wedding it will be too soon! However it IS next Summer....and the MORE I look at the photograph.....I just may DO IT! LOL.

Was able to get some random church shots


Had a few of these, however should have Policed the area. Next time I need to view the surrounding area better.






Was able to get ALL the traditional photos


As a fun addition, after formal, I had the group "act up"!

Very NICE!

I am so encouraged! AND now with all this great information, I think I just may be successful! I will be posting photos at the end of October of this event. Keep the information coming. Things I wouldn't have thought of and are essential are now on my list.

And "fivedawgz", thank you so much for keeping my feet on the ground.

You have all been so helpful! I am so thankful for all your good advice! AND am so blessed to have found this forum!!!

I agree with the advice about the "dark" door! Thats what I thought too! Nice to know I am on the right track. Yes less valium and more breathing and prayer!
Please keep all the advice coming! I am willing and able to learn from all your good advice!

Oh!!! No it is beautiful! I just landed on the topic and saw how beautiful the shot was. I sure would NOT like to see her in the middle of the photograph! All that said, BEAUTIFUL, and now I get it! I came in on the end of the Movie....(Not unlike me!).

Your story is perfect. The landing and out of control way before you get your "feet".
I will look more before I chime in!
;)

LOL, this was my thought also. I was just going to grab a ladder and stand on my roof. I think I can swing it from here in Oregon....LOL

Photos up for review soon......

After much debate and a little eatting of humble pie, I have decided to be "one of" the Photographers at my nieces Wedding. (against the better advice of a very smart Forum friend).
Since I usually do Nature and Still Life, what are the minimum requirements for this "Indoor" activity. The Church is well lit, it is an early afternoon Wedding. I am given the "position" of Balcony......Hummmmm.

I am also given the responsibility of formal after ceremony shots. As the bride is hard to get hold of, I have researched the "suggested" shots for Weddings. I will however probably head to the Dr's office for a Vallium prior to the big day.

As one of THREE asked to do photographs, the sole responsibility does not begin and end with me. However I do want to do the very best I can for her.

Other than running the other way screaming, any other advice I can take with me on this very.....uh.....Special and memorable day?

I have a Sony A100 digital slr, 28-300 , 28-100, 70-210, 50, and a fisheye adaptor. I also have a film camera Minolta Maxxum 70001, and a lower quality digital camera.

I do have extra battery for the Sony. However the flash department is in need of a lot of advice.

I have a heavy duty tri-pod and a helper.......

I have attached a photo of the Church for any advice on "outdoor photographs"

After joining Hedgehog, I have gained so much knowledge and respect for the forum followers!

thank you all in advance!

I personally would rather see where the Merganser is going rather than where it's been. I understand the lure of getting the water movement, perhaps a little more of the scene on the right of your photo? I can only HOPE to shoot something that beautiful!

I now have a new word to use! "Photoshoptographer"!

This is great! LOL. I think that the others have said it all.

Keep shooting and "tweeking".