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10/29/2004 08:26:30 PM · #1 |
i have assisted 3 weddings so far , now , through my friend , i have someone asking me to cover her wedding in july nest year.
please help. how should i react , what should i present and how much should i quote. if this works out , this would be my 1st wedding shoot.
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10/29/2004 08:53:57 PM · #2 |
i would be interested in some responses also. Im shooting my first wedding tomorrow for friend of mine.
James |
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10/30/2004 12:15:12 PM · #3 |
I've done several weddings - enjoyable if you're fully prepared. Here's what I do to avoid disasters.
Concentrate, but don't worry too much - loads of guests will have cameras, so if you do delete all images the couple will be able to cobble together an album anyway. Dress smartly - you need to look professional. Take charge, especially when other people are trying to take photos. Remind people that you're the official photographer. Tell people that there will be time for them to get their shots in when you've finished.
But don't go overboard
Meet the couple a few weeks in adavnce - discuss and write down exactly what they want - you might need to make some suggestions. Check out all locations in advance - houses, church and hotel for reception.
1. Bride, bridesmaid and family pre-church; and groom, best man and family pre-church. If you can take these sets at their houses it frees up a lot of time, and there are no other competing photographers. You also get these important people before they drink too much. Great shots too - I've taken brides-to-be in their pyjamas, and grooms when they're desperately trying to sober up.
2. Pre service - arrival of groom/best man and bride/bridesmaid - this can be hurried. But while you're waiting you can take pics of guests. Great time for candids too - hats blowing off, kids running around
3 During the service - ask in advance if photos will be allowed. You might be surprised. At one wedding the priest called me forward to take photos - I was totally unprepared for this and I had to get the couple back into the church later to retake this part.
4. After the service - you should have organised a time alone with the couple. This can be done in the church, outside, or at the reception. Start with the couple, add the minister, then add parents, then bridesmaid and best man.
5. At the reception - speeches, cakes, bridal waltz, etc.
Have a great day, and don't forget to post the pics for us to see.
Ian |
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10/30/2004 12:21:17 PM · #4 |
Also remember that not every shot you take will be art. You have the advantage of digital so use it. Shoot everything that LOOKS interesting and then shoot more. The couple is going to want a "story" of their wedding, most likely, and you need to not have huge lapses where you didn't see a blue ribbon image. :) I'll probably end up putting some of my documents online as well, if you want to use them.
M
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10/30/2004 01:02:57 PM · #5 |
one thing I found in my research is to get a check list of photos to take. I am shooting my first wedding today and gave a list similar to this Photo list and had them chose which poses they wanted.
Also ask the bride/groom to provide one person to help wrangle people up for the posed shots and to help keep track of which shots have been done. This is helpfull because the wedding party knows the other people better than you do.
James |
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10/30/2004 01:29:59 PM · #6 |
I've shot dozens of weddings this year and I've yet to be to one that wasn't stressful. Usually the bride (well, mother of the bride) is really stressed. Even when they're your friends, there's still pressure.
For your first wedding, well, I did my first wedding for free (close relative). Lots of things go wrong, do take a list, be creative but keep some standard shots in mind to definetly get:
rings
full length of bride and groom smiling into the camera (every mother's dream)
bride's hair/shoes
if you really wnat inspiration you can try WEDDINGS which is who I work with..visit "clients" to see my work.
Best of luck! Take lots of shots and constantly be thinking - and checking your cam settings! |
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10/30/2004 01:32:18 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by jab119:
Also ask the bride/groom to provide one person to help wrangle people up for the posed shots and to help keep track of which shots have been done.
James |
YES! I stipulate this to all my clients. I have an assistant who keeps track of what's been done, but the client is responsible for making sure everyone is there. I waive that responsibility at our first meeting. (I saw a photographer being sued on TV for not getting all the family shots).
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10/30/2004 04:18:23 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by GoldBerry:
... - and checking your cam settings! |
Lori, I am curious as to whether you shoot on automatic or manually.
(I am going to do a wedding next September, and am trying desperately to "master" the manual settings on my camera so I know what the heck I am doing.)
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10/30/2004 04:20:37 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by lhall:
(I am going to do a wedding next September, and am trying desperately to "master" the manual settings on my camera so I know what the heck I am doing.) |
Understanding manual is a good thing. Using it on the fly to capture action shots is difficult. I use Av mode and set it to give me the best shutter speed I can - less blurries and at F4 and ISO 800, typically enough light in most churches, etc. :) I wouldn't use M mode during action - but I use M in studio all the time.
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10/31/2004 08:28:17 AM · #10 |
anuy help in rates , i mean how to charge
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10/31/2004 11:12:03 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by lhall:
Originally posted by GoldBerry:
... - and checking your cam settings! |
Lori, I am curious as to whether you shoot on automatic or manually.
(I am going to do a wedding next September, and am trying desperately to "master" the manual settings on my camera so I know what the heck I am doing.) |
The most important things is to understand how the different mode settings affect how your flash operates. Especially if you want to do things like dragging the shutter. |
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10/31/2004 03:47:10 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by lhall:
Originally posted by GoldBerry:
... - and checking your cam settings! |
Lori, I am curious as to whether you shoot on automatic or manually.
(I am going to do a wedding next September, and am trying desperately to "master" the manual settings on my camera so I know what the heck I am doing.) |
The most important things is to understand how the different mode settings affect how your flash operates. Especially if you want to do things like dragging the shutter. |
@mavrik: Thanks so much for your comments!
@Spazmo: Looks like I have quite a learning curve ahead of me. I am "iffy" on how the mode settings affect flash, and furthermore, I've never even heard of "dragging the shutter"! I think I need to invest some time in some good tutorials for these things. Thanks so much for bringing these things up. |
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