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07/12/2011 05:29:26 PM · #1 |
Hey all
Well uhmm now that I've landed a gig as a wedding photog's assistant, and this is wedding season so I'm sure others can benefit too from the replies to this thread. I'll be second camera so there isn't the same onus on me as my boss, who will be doing most of the formal shots
What are your basic rules for shooting weddings? Comfy underwear and shoes, check. Appropriate attire in terms of clothes, check. Spare camera body, batteries and cards, check. Don't chimp, check. Don't drink booze (or only a token amount to salute the marrieds).
But how about situations where, say, you're trying to shoot kids and one is ruining the shots? Surely you can't just sit there and let them spoil everything. And ditto other camera-shy attendees. Pursue them at your own risk, or don't even bother?
I'm sure my new boss will have his own advice too, but just trying to get a general feel for how things tend to go. |
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07/12/2011 05:34:10 PM · #2 |
Pack a tranquilizer dart gun for the misbehaving kids. Either that or some sort of barbiturate spray... I'm sure everyone will thank you.
As for the camera shy ones, just encourage them to drink heavily - that should reduce their inhibitions sufficiently to ensure some great photo ops.
(Seriously though, congrats again on your new job!) |
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07/12/2011 05:36:13 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Cory:
Pack a tranquilizer dart gun for the misbehaving kids. Either that or some sort of barbiturate spray... I'm sure everyone will thank you.
As for the camera shy ones, just encourage them to drink heavily - that should reduce their inhibitions sufficiently to ensure some great photo ops.
(Seriously though, congrats again on your new job!) |
+1
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07/12/2011 05:39:28 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by Cory:
Pack a tranquilizer dart gun for the misbehaving kids. |
And also for the video person that won't get out of the way because they feel they're more important. |
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07/12/2011 05:49:05 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by bmartuch:
Originally posted by Cory:
Pack a tranquilizer dart gun for the misbehaving kids. |
And also for the video person that won't get out of the way because they feel they're more important. |
Umm, having shot ooodles of wedding videos in the past I take exception to that comment. Video shooters might be in the photog's way because their busy getting 30 shots per second vs the photog's single image but they have to put up with a nuclear explosion of strobelight and a thunderous shutter release every time the photog fire's their shutter. |
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07/12/2011 05:56:08 PM · #6 |
If you're two photographers and the Wedding Guest From Hell arrives in all the fiery fanfare that may well accompany such people, then the emergency only tactic may be for one of you (probably you, as camera II) to take WGFH aside and explain that you're doing a little extra thing for the wedding album, with interviews and photo-series of individual guests...
Thus leaving camera I to get on with the job in hand and a better shot at it. |
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07/12/2011 06:46:18 PM · #7 |
Just to necro up an old thread, but there is some nice jaded advice here and here
And a spoof self promotion how to video here
There is another great thread form way back where a member ripped on a guest shooter who overstepped, then the guest joined and the fur flew. I can't seem to find it but for a nice lesson in how not to diffuse a situation, it was a great read. Anyone remember the thread?
Message edited by author 2011-07-12 19:11:32. |
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07/12/2011 06:49:09 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by raish:
If you're two photographers and the Wedding Guest From Hell arrives in all the fiery fanfare that may well accompany such people, then the emergency only tactic may be for one of you (probably you, as camera II) to take WGFH aside and explain that you're doing a little extra thing for the wedding album, with interviews and photo-series of individual guests...
Thus leaving camera I to get on with the job in hand and a better shot at it. |
That's actually some very good advise, remember that your job is to ensure a smooth production as much as it is to "get the shot" just ask yourself what you'd want as the primary then make it happen.. Of course, talking with your new boss for a few hours first might really help you to nail down his desires and pet peeves.... |
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07/12/2011 06:53:35 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by hawkeyefilms:
Originally posted by bmartuch:
Originally posted by Cory:
Pack a tranquilizer dart gun for the misbehaving kids. |
And also for the video person that won't get out of the way because they feel they're more important. |
Umm, having shot ooodles of wedding videos in the past I take exception to that comment. Video shooters might be in the photog's way because their busy getting 30 shots per second vs the photog's single image but they have to put up with a nuclear explosion of strobelight and a thunderous shutter release every time the photog fire's their shutter. |
Boooo video! :) |
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07/12/2011 07:57:36 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Cory:
Pack a tranquilizer dart gun for the misbehaving kids. Either that or some sort of barbiturate spray... I'm sure everyone will thank you.
As for the camera shy ones, just encourage them to drink heavily - that should reduce their inhibitions sufficiently to ensure some great photo ops.
(Seriously though, congrats again on your new job!) |
Those by far have to be the best suggestions I've ever heard. Where can I find barbiturate spray?
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07/12/2011 08:02:36 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by monster-zero:
Originally posted by Cory:
Pack a tranquilizer dart gun for the misbehaving kids. Either that or some sort of barbiturate spray... I'm sure everyone will thank you.
As for the camera shy ones, just encourage them to drink heavily - that should reduce their inhibitions sufficiently to ensure some great photo ops.
(Seriously though, congrats again on your new job!) |
Those by far have to be the best suggestions I've ever heard. Where can I find barbiturate spray? |
Owing to the highly illegal nature of such a substance, I suspect you'll likely need to manufacture your own. Still might be worth the trouble :)
I did however just run across something Snaffles might really want to read:
//www.canonrumors.com/2011/06/bh-launches-a-wedding-photography-guide/ |
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07/12/2011 08:56:04 PM · #12 |
Back to the videographer comment.....
I was recently at a wedding with both a pro photog and a pro videog. The Photog was like a ninja. Never ever saw her. She managed to capture dozens of amazing moments. The Videog however, was constantly in the way. Blocking the guests view of the ceremony, reception and dance. And at the end of it all, the video was terrible despite his self imposed "best view possible".
IMHO, whether a photog or a videog, you should be somewhat invisible. What's the value of having your once in a lifetime event captured at the expense of the enjoyment of your guests?????
Just seems silly to me.
Message edited by author 2011-07-12 20:58:38. |
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07/12/2011 09:02:02 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by glockguy:
Back to the videographer comment.....
I was recently at a wedding with both a pro photog and a pro videog. The Photog was like a ninja. Never ever saw her. She managed to capture dozens of amazing moments. The Videog however, was constantly in the way. Blocking the guests view of the ceremony, reception and dance. And at the end of it all, the video was terrible despite his self imposed "best view possible".
IMHO, whether a photog or a videog, you should be somewhat invisible. What's the value of having your once in a lifetime event captured at the expense of the enjoyment of your guests?????
Just seems silly to me. |
No doubt, this is great advice... Be invisible. |
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07/12/2011 10:30:09 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by snaffles:
I'm sure my new boss will have his own advice too ... |
That's probably the only advice you should plan on following ... ;-) |
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07/12/2011 10:38:39 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by glockguy:
IMHO, whether a photog or a videog, you should be somewhat invisible. What's the value of having your once in a lifetime event captured at the expense of the enjoyment of your guests?????
Just seems silly to me. |
As long as the B&G like your style and understand how you operate, you should shoot the way that gets the shots, in the style that you shoot. Hiding in the corners of rooms may work for some, and being up close and personal works for others.
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07/12/2011 10:45:16 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by glockguy:
IMHO, whether a photog or a videog, you should be somewhat invisible. |
My most amazing wedding photographer moment I have been witness to was watching a phauxtographer walk backwards ten feet in front of the bride and her father as they walked down the isle, using his flash all the way and stopping to chimp half way down ,making the bride stop on her way to the alter. The most amazing level of self absorption yet witnessed. Don't do that.
Message edited by author 2011-07-12 22:46:20. |
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07/13/2011 12:13:28 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by Cory:
Originally posted by glockguy:
Back to the videographer comment.....
I was recently at a wedding with both a pro photog and a pro videog. The Photog was like a ninja. Never ever saw her. She managed to capture dozens of amazing moments. The Videog however, was constantly in the way. Blocking the guests view of the ceremony, reception and dance. And at the end of it all, the video was terrible despite his self imposed "best view possible".
IMHO, whether a photog or a videog, you should be somewhat invisible. What's the value of having your once in a lifetime event captured at the expense of the enjoyment of your guests?????
Just seems silly to me. |
No doubt, this is great advice... Be invisible. |
Actually I have been invisible in the past, when I worked as an extra in Vancouver. You were *warm background* and nothing more. You wore neutrals, no logos, no white/black/red unless told to do so or dressed by wardrobe.
And yep  GeneralE, I'm sure the bossman will give me ample advice in this area. Just curious to see what else people might say. |
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07/13/2011 08:29:04 AM · #18 |
in the words of  debitipton, "see, but don't be seen"
don't overshoot. if you have the hammer down in burst mode and crank out 300 images an hour, somebody's got to look at them, and when they do, they'll probably only find 30-40 good, unique images which probably could have been captured with maybe 75 frames. be judicious with your clicks.
no matter how tired, hot, and worn out you are, keep smiling.
no matter what comments you get about your gear ("that looks expensive", "that's a nice camera"), smile and say, "why thank you! I just LOVE it! it's one of my favorite tools for helping me get my job done!"
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