Another First Wedding Shoot thread.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/21/2010 06:26:19 PM · #1

A sister of one of my friends is getting married in one month and I was asked (originally to be the second shooter) to shoot the wedding.

I was very happy to do this (for a fee of course) but now that I am likely going to be the only shooter I have come here. I have no experience shooting weddings and I have been up front and honest in that regard to the bride and she still seems to want me. The wedding is a bit of a rush job, they got engaged in September and are getting married in November. Because of that I think she may feel as though she can't find a professional photographer (plus the original first shooter doesn't seem to have a website or any shots online and I don't believe that she has done a wedding). So I am meeting with her tomorrow and will again stress the fact that I have ZERO experience shooting weddings. I am very comfortable with the posed shots afterwards and I believe I can do a satisfactory job during the wedding but I have a few questions if she does decide to go with me.

My equipment I have:
Canon 7D
Canon 5DMII
Canon 70-200 2.8 IS
Sigma 10-20
Canon 100mm 2.8 macro
Canon 50mm 1.8
~~Canon 28-135~~ not even going to bother taking that out of the trunk
Two 430EX flashes with radiopoppers
28" Softbox
2 small umbrellas
8gb CF card
4gb CF card

What I would like to rent or buy
at least two more 8gb CF cards
canon 24-70 or 17-40

The wedding will be inside but the other shots will all be outside (wedding permitting) She also seems to think an hour will be enough time between the wedding and reception to do the shots she wants. I will be informing her that I will not be able to get all the shots she wants in that time frame. I am thinking of asking her if we can meet the day or week before to get shots of the bride and groom (not sure if that is something people normally do or not) So any tips? Advice? Should I just bail? I will have a full contract that will be signed before the wedding.

Thanks

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/21/2010 07:18:00 PM · #2

Equipmentwise I think you`ll be fine. The 430 are a bit of a concern but generally you should muddle through with them - take plenty of batteries though. Get more CF cards if you can - they are dirt cheap at the moment so get a couple of 8gbs at least, if not then shoot in SRAW on the 5D2 to conserve a bit of space (but without sacrificing dynamic range).

It would be nice to see something like a 24-70 2.8 in there, or the Tamron/Sigma equivalents - these lens are worth their weight in gold at a wedding.

Shooting the B&G beforehand yes if you mean in an `engagement shoot` kind of way - no if you mean you want them to get dressed up in their wedding outfits - at least not here in the UK. By all means meet them at the venue and have a look round for good places to get the portraits - it will also relax all of you and make things a lot more comfortable in the long run. Other than that, have fun - its hard work but can be a blast - and a great feeling when they see their shots and love them!! (which I am sure they will).

Keep us updated!

david_c

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

10/21/2010 07:18:07 PM · #3

Originally posted by jminso:

My equipment I have:
Canon 7D
Canon 5DMII
Canon 70-200 2.8 IS
Sigma 10-20
Canon 100mm 2.8 macro
Canon 50mm 1.8
~~Canon 28-135~~ not even going to bother taking that out of the trunk
Two 430EX flashes with radiopoppers
28" Softbox
2 small umbrellas
8gb CF card
4gb CF card

Holy s***, Josh...are you going to bring three assistants to help you carry all that stuff? :-D

I'll let the real photogs 'round here give you the sage advice, but I will say this: the wedding I did, the 28-135 was my main lens. Wide enough to get some decent group images (even on my 1.6x body), zoomy enough to grab some nice candids. I think, though, if you do rent the 24-70, that lens will be your go-to.

pixelpig

Sony Alpha a55

Sony DT 1.8/50mm SAM

10/21/2010 07:20:59 PM · #4

Is there a wedding rehearsal? You can go to that, & do some rehearsal yourself. You could maybe get your own 2nd shooter, too. And someone to herd the people around for you would take a lot of stress out of it. [eta] Good luck!

Message edited by author 2010-10-21 19:24:24.

10/21/2010 07:56:34 PM · #5

I survived my wedding shoot a couple of weeks ago. So all I have to say is: if I can do it, anyone can!!

However, I agree with simms, I used primarily the 28-75 2.8 sigma (I couldn't afford the canon, it was more than 2x as much.

However, it was outside, and was a small venue, so I didn't need the reach. Though I used my 100-400 to go in really close for the exchange of the rings.

Find something to weigh down your light stands. I wasn't used to light stands and umbrellas in a wind, so we ended up putting my camera bag on one of the legs and I kept watching it out of the corner of my eye. It was very distracting wondering the whole time whether it was going to blow over.

Actually check your list of shots that you want to get. I thought I had everything covered, but there were so many shots, I didn't bother with my check list. I forgot a "hands & rings" shot.

I also forgot to sync the time on my cameras. I saw this suggestion somewhere, and didn't bother doing it. They were only about 5-7 minutes off, but I couldn't remember the exact order of the ceremony, and it took awhile to get the pictures in order since I occasionally switched cameras during the ceremony.

I forgot to take a picture of the string ensemble that was playing.

I forgot to tighten the legs on my tripod. The little wrench thingy fell off someplace, and I knew that my tripod needed tightening. But since I don't use it that much, I forgot, and one of the legs kept slipping.

Those were my notes of what I forgot/should have done differently.

oh, remind the bride to lower the bouquet when she walks down the aisle. Girls get nervous and end up with the bouquet in front of their chest. This blocks the gown and looks stupid. They should rest their forearms on their hip bones. I knew this even before I was a photographer, because my mom did flowers for wedding for many years. I heard her tell brides over and over, but I forgot to tell my bride.

Don't forget a diffuser if you have to have the flash on the camera.

That's my incredible store of knowledge from doing 2 weddings: one 14 years ago, and one two weeks ago.

10/21/2010 08:15:46 PM · #6

Originally posted by pixelpig:

Yeah I will be able to get a feel for the place before hand as well as outdoor locations and also back up indoor spots in case of poor weather

Originally posted by david_c:

LOL, I have one friend that helps with carrying stuff. I have a nice camera sling for the 5D and 70-200 and the 7D with wider lens will be around my next so not a big deal during the ceremony. The assistant will be a necessity after with the soft box and umbrella.

Originally posted by vawendy:

I survived my wedding shoot a couple of weeks ago. So all I have to say is: if I can do it, anyone can!!

However, I agree with simms, I used primarily the 28-75 2.8 sigma (I couldn't afford the canon, it was more than 2x as much.

I also forgot to sync the time on my cameras. I saw this suggestion somewhere, and didn't bother doing it. They were only about 5-7 minutes off, but I couldn't remember the exact order of the ceremony, and it took awhile to get the pictures in order since I occasionally switched cameras during the ceremony.

oh, remind the bride to lower the bouquet when she walks down the aisle. Girls get nervous and end up with the bouquet in front of their chest. This blocks the gown and looks stupid. They should rest their forearms on their hip bones. I knew this even before I was a photographer, because my mom did flowers for wedding for many years. I heard her tell brides over and over, but I forgot to tell my bride.

Don't forget a diffuser if you have to have the flash on the camera.

That's my incredible store of knowledge from doing 2 weddings: one 14 years ago, and one two weeks ago.

Thanks Wendy, I wouldn't of even thought of syncing the clocks, or the bouquet. I will have a list (that is one of the reasons for the meeting tomorrow).

I was hoping to be a second shooter but ~~I think~~ I know I will do a better job then if she went with a craigslist $500 photog.

Leica 35mm f/2.0 Summicron V4

10/21/2010 08:25:05 PM · #7

Originally posted by jminso:

I was hoping to be a second shooter but ~~I think~~ I know I will do a better job then if she went with a craigslist $500 photog.

You just need to hire a second shooter. I'm available for heaps of money. :)

Message edited by author 2010-10-21 20:25:12.

pitrpan

Leica M8

10/21/2010 08:35:26 PM · #8

Hi!

Having had done a few weddings last year, let me tell you -- It's lots of fun!
The photos will come out great. You have more than enough equipment.
I did my weddings with a D80, a (rented) D700, a 17-55 f2.8 and an 85mm 1.8..
You have MORE than enough equipment.

If I could give you some advise.....
Follow the bride, and make her feel 'special..'
Joke with them, be flamboyant (as much as possible) and make their day memorable.

Nobody likes having their photos taken, so if they feel comfortable with you (and you with them), their posture will be much more natural than if you were 'posed' in an unnatural, uncomfortable way.

Remember to take the 'required' shots.
(ie, bride with parents, groom with parents, bride and groom with her parents, bride and groom with his parents, bride with bridesmaids, groom with best man... ... etc)..

After that, follow the bride, take photos, and have fun!

If I could give you some advise....
Try to get another memory card.. Especially if you shoot raw images.

Ask them what kind of photos they'd like, if there are any special requirements (if she wants a photo with her grandma alone, for example, or any other close friends)..

Not much more I can say..... Definitely meet with them before the wedding day.. Crack a few jokes.. &c..

10/21/2010 08:48:06 PM · #9

Originally posted by pitrpan:

If I could give you some advise....
Try to get another memory card.. Especially if you shoot raw images.

That is one thing I will def do. I do shoot RAW so with what I have now I would only be able to hold about 500 photos. I think I need two more 8gb cards to be safe, maybe more...

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

10/21/2010 09:07:46 PM · #10

Originally posted by jminso:

Originally posted by pitrpan:

If I could give you some advise....
Try to get another memory card.. Especially if you shoot raw images.

That is one thing I will def do. I do shoot RAW so with what I have now I would only be able to hold about 500 photos. I think I need two more 8gb cards to be safe, maybe more...

I bought a 32 Gb Extreme SanDisk (60 Mb/s). It held around 1300 photos, nice write speed (not the best, but I could shoot 15-20 frames at 10 fps before it would slow down). I was extremely happy with it.

alanfreed

Nikon Z9

10/21/2010 09:42:52 PM · #11

A couple thoughts...

Like others have said, a shorter zoom lens is a big help. My 17-55 is on my camera a good 90% of the time at a wedding. Don't overwhelm yourself with equipment... keep it simple. Stick with your 70-200... the 10-20 could come in handy for some fun shots... and a mid-range zoom. I know that when I have too much stuff in the trunk, it just gets too cumbersome when you're trying to get from place to place and keep up with the pace of the day.

Having said that, I'd also question whether to bother with a softbox and other external lighting. You're going to find that you're rushed to get these things set up, torn down and moved around. For a first wedding, I'd go with a Gary Fong Lightsphere and be done with it, rather than try to mess with those lights. Nowadays, I do usually use a extra lighting for the family shots between the ceremony and reception, but it's not super necessary. A diffuser and flash really work just as well, and saves time.

Speaking of saving time... I ask brides to come up with a list of the specific shots they want between the ceremony and reception. Having that list is super valuable in terms of making the best use of that time. You'll need to keep people together and be authoritative during that time. Uncle Bill will undoubtedly try to wander off for a smoke or something.

When I get that list from the bride, I rearrange it so that the largest numbers of family members are shot first, and then I narrow it down to just the bridal party. That way the grandparents, siblings, cousins, blah blah blah, can head off to the reception without having to wait around.

Anyway... I'm sure you'll do great! Just try to relax, have fun with them, and you'll do fine. It seems like people always come up to me at the reception and tell me I'm "doing a great job," which I always find funny since they haven't seen a single picture. But they tell me that because I keep things moving along, and I make every effort to be pleasant and fun with them.

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/22/2010 04:28:09 PM · #12

Originally posted by vawendy:

Originally posted by jminso:

Originally posted by pitrpan:

If I could give you some advise....
Try to get another memory card.. Especially if you shoot raw images.

That is one thing I will def do. I do shoot RAW so with what I have now I would only be able to hold about 500 photos. I think I need two more 8gb cards to be safe, maybe more...

I bought a 32 Gb Extreme SanDisk (60 Mb/s). It held around 1300 photos, nice write speed (not the best, but I could shoot 15-20 frames at 10 fps before it would slow down). I was extremely happy with it.

32GB? You ever heard the one about putting all your eggs into one basket? I shoot on 8GBs, with a 32GB SD in the second slot - that way I have RAW files written onto two cards and a bit of a safety net in case any of the 8GBs decide to go to CF card heaven.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

10/22/2010 04:35:47 PM · #13

Originally posted by Simms:

Originally posted by vawendy:

Originally posted by jminso:

Originally posted by pitrpan:

If I could give you some advise....
Try to get another memory card.. Especially if you shoot raw images.

That is one thing I will def do. I do shoot RAW so with what I have now I would only be able to hold about 500 photos. I think I need two more 8gb cards to be safe, maybe more...

I bought a 32 Gb Extreme SanDisk (60 Mb/s). It held around 1300 photos, nice write speed (not the best, but I could shoot 15-20 frames at 10 fps before it would slow down). I was extremely happy with it.

32GB? You ever heard the one about putting all your eggs into one basket? I shoot on 8GBs, with a 32GB SD in the second slot - that way I have RAW files written onto two cards and a bit of a safety net in case any of the 8GBs decide to go to CF card heaven.

I was afraid of that, as well. But it was cheaper than 2 16s, and in 6 years of digital photography, I've only had one bad card, and that was in the very beginning. Probably dumb, but I figured it was a pretty good track record.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

10/22/2010 04:38:19 PM · #14

If there's an open bar, have a drink for me!