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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Absolutely Terrified!!!
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 05/17/2005 05:11:53 PM · #26
Ok thanks for all the advice so far...!!!

Does anyone have any links to maybe sample photos so I can get some ideas?
 05/17/2005 05:31:55 PM · #27
Take a look at this one, it's by far the best I've seen. //www.fotoverdi.com/
 05/17/2005 05:34:56 PM · #28
Well, I just did my first wedding last Saturday. It was for my future son-in-law's Sister. They had seen my work so I was asked if I would do it. Well I said off course I would and it was my wedding gift for them.
How did I find it?
They asked me to be at the brides house for 8am to take informal photos, yeh that was easygoing and very enjoyable. Then the coach and 4 horses turned up to take them to the civil ceromany. It was pretty restricting at the civil ceromany, no photos during but I was allowed to take the signing of the register etc. Then it was out in the Garden to take a group photo (I had to climb a fire escape). Of course they were running behind because most of the guests just wanted to get a few drinks down them and not that interested in having a group photo! Ok we leave the civil ceromany and its off to the church for a blessing.I found it hard work trying to organise them outside the church with the bells ringing (they were LOUD) and everyone trying to do their own thing, getting in the way and such. You had to have eyes everywhere! From the church it was back to the hotel for the sit down meal and the evening reception and more photos. It was a very long day.

Did I enjoy it - yes
Was it stressful - at times a little
Would I do it again - Yeh - the experience was worth it
What I learned - I should have taken my son to assist in getting the people organised - they were a pain at times!

So I started at 8am and finished shooting around 8.30pm - it was a long, but very enjoyable day.

Message edited by author 2005-05-17 17:44:59.
 05/17/2005 05:39:51 PM · #29
Its great to hear others experiences. I'm glad this one won't be all day for sure, but I am taking off work early because I'm sure I'll be sick with nerves by that time...LOL
 05/17/2005 05:50:01 PM · #30
Sounds like people are giving you good advice!! I don't know if you're on a Mac, or a PC...but if you're on a Mac, you should look into iPhoto if you don't already have it. If you do, you can create and order albums straight from that program. Lets you put in captions and such and order pics on the pages....kinda nice. Generally is about $75 for a 40 page album I think...but might be something that you and some friends might want to go in on as a wedding gift....using your pics of course!

The checklist is DEFINITELY a good idea....those are the key moments that many people want captured.

But I think there is another aspect to weddings that photographers who are also friends see more of....those little looks that the couple gives each other when no one else is looking. Or the other friends who are having a really great time and just beaming because they're proud this couple is getting married. There's something to be said for having some nice candid shots mixed in with the posed stuff :-)

And take the advice of extra memory cards pretty seriously :-)
 05/17/2005 05:58:05 PM · #31
Originally posted by MikeOwens:
So I started at 8am and finished shooting around 8.30pm - it was a long, but very enjoyable day.


I've never started before 10:30am. And luckily most weddings won't require a group shot of all the guests..they're definetly stressful.

Just to back-up what Ladyhawk22 said about candids, definetly go this route. Traditional wedding photography started making it's way out about 5 years ago (as a guess). If you are relaxed enough, my advice is to focus less on posing and spend more time getting a feel for the day and the people. Goooooooood luck! Weddings can be a lot of fun!!!!!
 05/17/2005 06:05:20 PM · #32
I agree with the don't delete until you can see them on the computer. I know an assistant is very important. At my son's recent wedding my wife was montereykiddos assistant. I know that more cards have been mentioned, although montereykiddo was the prime photographer I still shot 1.5 gig of photos. If you don't have a way to download while shooting, get more cards.

05/18/2005 10:35:05 PM · #33
If you get time? Try and go along to the locations at roughly the time of day that you will be shooting. This will give you an idea of where the sun will be etc ... and if you take someone with you, set up a few test shots to help you on the day. And maybe give the bride a call and ask HER what she expects of you.
 05/18/2005 10:45:24 PM · #34
I shot a wedding in December with both my little point and shoot Olympus C4000Z and a film camera. My advice is to take two cameras (borrow your boyfriends if you can) you never know when a camera will go kapooey on you. We shot everything outdoors, the weather was beautiful and most of my shots came out great. Some of my images are in my better photo gallery. Good luck!!!!

TAKE LOTS OF BATTERIES!

Message edited by author 2005-05-18 22:48:50.
 05/20/2005 02:08:39 AM · #35
I have found myself in about the same situation. I was told a family member was getting married "next week" and I said that would give me a chance to try out my new camera and suddenly right there at the ceremony I became "the" wedding photographer just because my camera looked more expensive than anyone else's. It was the first SLR I ever bought and I didn't know much about it. I ended up photgraphing two more weddings after that of family and friends almost by accident. You need to be honest with them about your camera & skill level and if it's the same as it was with me, they will just appreciate that you did this for them. You know we are usually our own worst critiques. They are still complimenting me on the photos I took and I see plenty of room for improvements. At one wedding my cousin had actually hired a photographer for $1800 but said she preferred most of mine, I had the advantage of knowing the family and instinctively knowing what shots they would appreciate. Which brings me to the candid photos. In one case I handed my sister a point and shoot and told her to go shoot "whatever". This gave me a back up and lots of photos to choose from and she actually shot one of my favorite candid photos of that wedding. I had next to no experience in all cases but they wouldn't have had the memories I caught if I hadn't been there, so they were happy, and that's what counted. Look at websites and books for poses and bring a list of the shots you need to get so you will remember to get them. Good Luck, and just have fun!!
 05/20/2005 03:11:53 AM · #36
First...DON'T PANIC.

Second, by the sounds of it you're getting very good advice. I've taken pictures at one friends wedding (90% of my shots were candids). There was a professional there though for the posed shots. I mainly did it for fun and had a blast.

Now I have another friend that wants me to take pictures for her, but I'm moving and won't be here for it.

I think you're going to do great. Just be upfront about that your camera is not a professional camera and you are not a professional photographer. If you can play up these "negatives" but still keep them upbeat a little,when it comes time for them to actually see the pictures they should be very pleasantly surprised with what you can do. But most of all......

DON'T PANIC
 05/20/2005 08:15:48 AM · #37
You should be fine. From the sounds of things. A memory caerd for a wedding photographer? Thats one heck of a bargain. It dosn't sound like they have much money to hire a "proffesional". I would guess they see this as asking you for a favor from a freind who knows there way around a camera better than most. Singsunshine inform them that you don't have the proper eqipment to pull this off to your satisfaction, and that this would be your first attempt at somthing like this. As they know you'll do your best but that you can't garantee the perfect wedding shots, I don't think either party will be disapointed.
 05/20/2005 08:29:19 AM · #38
Just convince your friend that her daughter at 18 is too young to get married and that she should wait till she is at least 30. By that time you will have up graded to a better camera and have gotten a lot more experience under your belt
 05/20/2005 08:31:50 AM · #39
I'd also stop by your local film place and grab 3-4 disposible cameras. Both Kodak and Fuji have versions that come with a free CD option. This gives you a little more responsiveness if your shutterlag becomes an issue. Toss them into a small bag and carry it with you. If the ceremony goes fine, then give a camera to a couple of guests and encourgage them to shoot interesting candids as a gift for the couple.

When you get the cameras developed, ask for CD and develop only. Shouldn't cost you more than $4.50 US per camera (if you got the cameras with the free CD.)

Clara
 05/20/2005 08:56:55 AM · #40
Originally posted by singsunshine:
Ok so I got a call yesterday and a friend of mine wants me to take pictures at her 18 yr old daughters wedding this friday night!!

OMG! is what is going thru my head!!! Now if you all will look and see the camera I have and you will all notice this is nothing extravagant for sure. It is a good camera and I love taking pictures with it don't get me wrong (DustDevil bought it for me :) he is so wonderful!) but it really is just mainly a point and shoot camera, which works well because that is about all I know how to do!LOL

So I am feeling very inadequate to say the least.... Can anyone give me some suggestions on how to deal with lighting, and I guess any other aspects that I'm not going to have much control with my camera?

If you want to send me your camera for the weekend for me to borrow I'll entertain those ideas as well :)!


If you feel inadequate and you think this is out of your range it would be better to say that to your friend than take the chance of spoiling this most important day. It is better to bow out now than take the chance of loosing a friend.
 05/20/2005 10:13:05 AM · #41
Thank you soooo much for everyone's excellant advice. Well today is the day!!! I went and took a couple of practise shots last night in the church so I could see how the lighting and stuff was going to be. They are having a lot of candles and I think that is going to hurt me more than help for sure, any suggestions on how to deal with that? I think I will go buy a couple of disposables just in case, thats a good idea.
 05/20/2005 10:14:45 AM · #42
I want to go buy a new camera this afternoon and take pictures with it and then take it back saturday and say "Oh it wasn't really what I wanted" LOL
05/20/2005 06:47:52 PM · #43
Well by now the wedding is probably over, sorry this is late. I wanted to suggest a tripod as being a must have for the low light candle situation(you'll know next time) Hope everything went well, the main thing is you did a service for your friend, got some experience and hopefully had fun!
 05/20/2005 06:53:29 PM · #44
She stole my tripod :( Wanted to use my camera but she couldn't figure it out. I would help her and take back up photo's but I have children and really did not want to drag them to a wedding for people I do not even know.

Will just have to wait and see how they turn out. The test ones last night were so blurry and out of focus it was unbeliveable.
 05/20/2005 07:26:21 PM · #45
at that point, claim soft focus (tongue in cheek)

I hope everything went well
 05/23/2005 10:23:47 AM · #46
Well its over!

This is the first time I've had a chance to get back on here since the wedding. It was truely an experience! I did actually have a good time. I took DustDevil's tripod as he mentioned which helped tremendously! I got some really good shots and some really crappy shots but over all I was pleased with my work. I edited the pics off and on all weekend and gave the mother of the bride the CD with the final work. She was very impressed and was very very thankful.

To the technical eyes here in DPC my shots are probably going to get laughed at but all that matters is that the bride and groom really liked them and I actually enjoyed doing it (once the stress was over).

I'm at work at the moment but I'll have a chance to post some of the pics this afternoon for sure. Thanks again for everyone's support!
 05/23/2005 10:27:22 AM · #47
Please do post your shots so we can all learn from your experience - and give you some hearty "well dones."

Congrats on a successful outing!
 05/23/2005 10:32:30 AM · #48
Originally posted by singsunshine:
She was very impressed and was very very thankful.

Excellent, well done!
 05/23/2005 10:35:01 AM · #49
Originally posted by singsunshine:


but all that matters is that the bride and groom really liked them and I actually enjoyed doing it (once the stress was over).



That's what counts! Good job, looking forward to seeing some of the shots.
 05/23/2005 11:05:14 AM · #50
Glad to hear! I've been wondering how it went!
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