First Wedding, tips? - DPChallenge Forums

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

06/07/2006 11:17:07 AM · #1

Hey guys! Im shooting my first wedding this saturday :)... I would love to get some tips (my first wedding I attend lol), I believe its going to be outside.

Thanks!

AlexSaberi

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

06/07/2006 11:20:14 AM · #2

well for me I have learnt that you have to be firm with your decisions.

Be the boss and you'll get the best shots.

Also confidence is the key.

Nitrox

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

06/07/2006 11:26:54 AM · #3

Take more than one camera body. Don't even agree to shoot the wedding without more than one camera body. Just ask the photographer that was at the wedding I attended this past Saturday. 10 minutes into the ceremony her camera body died and she did not have a backup.

gaurawa

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/07/2006 11:29:43 AM · #4

go out and have a look at the location before saturday. where the sun is, shade and any good backgroung you want to use ?

quiet_observation

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/07/2006 11:32:56 AM · #5

Take a look at Barbara Warren's website.

Prof_Fate

06/07/2006 11:36:50 AM · #6

if you're going as a guest have fun.

If you're the primary photographer - get sick and don't go, then change your name and move away. i say this because a wedding is one of the most important days in your life (if you're the one getting married) and if you have no clue what to shoot 4 days before the wedding you shouldn't be shooting a wedding.

Otherwise, shoot RAW only, the 17-40 lens is a good one, perhaps the 105 you have as well. Take 3 to 5 Gb of CF cards.

Makka

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

06/07/2006 11:37:43 AM · #7

Make sure you have plenty of batteries etc, both for the cameras and flashes. Plenty of memory cards to store photos. I always shoot a wedding in RAW so normally keep about 7 megs of cards with me (just in case). Relax but try and be straight forward with what you want done in terms of any posing and be aware of what photos they would like taken aswell.

dassilem

Nikon D90

06/07/2006 12:00:49 PM · #8

elsapo...There is no doubt that you will take marvelous pictures....(I dare not even comment here as you have more talent in your little finger than I have all combined)..

But I am concerned that you are not only shooting your first wedding but you have never ATTENDED ONE?

Please do alot of research before Saturday. I'm sure your clients are going to get marvelous creative photos from you, but there are traditional shots that you need to be aware of. What seems boring to us need to stand the test of time and please the 'family'...

Edited: at risk of being one of the following mentioned 'condescending attitudes'....of which I hope I was not. I just wanted to stress that its hard to anticipate something in which you are not familiar with.
Good luck.....and I would love to see your shots...

Message edited by author 2006-06-07 15:18:54.

oOWonderBreadOo

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

06/07/2006 12:04:39 PM · #9

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

If you're the primary photographer - get sick and don't go, then change your name and move away. i say this because a wedding is one of the most important days in your life (if you're the one getting married) and if you have no clue what to shoot 4 days before the wedding you shouldn't be shooting a wedding.

everybody has to start somewhere and he is just asking for a few tips. Justin- you're a fine photographer and you'll do very well. Don't sweat it! If you are the primary photographer make sure you have two bodies. You can rent one if you need to :0)
Good Luck!

GoodEnd

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/07/2006 12:12:00 PM · #10

Be cool!
I had your experience too. But relax. It´s the best counsel I can give.
Think before push the shutter release. Remember to expose to the white! The bride dress needs to be plenty of details. This is the hardest thing to do. My rule is to get one hour before the event with a white black reflective cloth and whitebalance my camera,measure the lights and pratice with the place, then format my card and wait for the moment.

Remember the necessary pictures:
1-Bride and Groom alone, with ambient, with friends and ceremony.
2-Beste friends, the entrance, parents and family
3-Especial moments, the preach, the rings, the girls with flowers and rings.
4-the exit, the fugue car

Try to view beforehand the program to the event to anticipate lighting and framing. Don´t be afraid to move yourself to capture the best angle. In doubt take a picture (in RAW ,if not any). Be discrete and certify that you can use a sppedlight in the place. If you can use it, put in manual mode as you camera and bouce it to ceilings or walls to difuse it, or use an omnibounce.

Prof_Fate

06/07/2006 12:24:34 PM · #11

Originally posted by oOWonderBreadOo:

I spoke with the bride from my last wedding last night - they just got back from their honeymoon and I wanted to make sure they knew the proofs are up and they can see them OK. She was very happy, and had stopped at a friend's house on the trip home and had seen the pics sunday night. She thinks they're great and that's what counts - BUT her friend got married last fall and got someone cheap 'I can do it - let me try' type of person and she has crappy wedding pics (her opinion, i have not seen them) and is very disappointed and has cried several times over this - she can't do her wedding over again so the 'crappy pics' are what she and her family and children will have to live with.

There is more responibility taking wedding pics than most people will admit. I know many photogs that got out of it cause of the stress and pressure - which i thought was nuts - until i began shooting weddings (alone and for money) - now i understand the stress and it sucks.

The day after the wedding - all the planning and spending, the food and decorations, the limo and DJ - are all gone and forgotten. The photographs she has forever. If they are'nt good she'll will get mad at you everytime she looks at them.

Message edited by author 2006-06-07 12:24:47.

Kaups

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/07/2006 01:51:44 PM · #12

I'm always interested to hear about people doing their first wedding. I like to look at their portfolio and read others' suggestions.

Then I saw who posted this and realized what awesome wedding pictures someone will have because look who's doing them! You'll do awesome.

mpeters

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

06/07/2006 02:18:25 PM · #13

All comments so far have been right on, especially take Guarawa's advice and prescout the location, at the same time of day during which you will be taking the pictures. And, shoot RAW if you have the memory cards. If you dont have the cards, buy, borrow, or steal so you have plenty of memory (5G min), IMO.

Just shot my first one as a primary photog for my cousin last week. Its a lot of work and hard to relax, but you know all the technicals so just dig in, try to anticpate the action, be firm but fair with the group photos and you'll do fine.

Also, browse websites and go to barnes and noble/borders and look through some books. I found it helped get my mind working prior to the actual event.

Good luck,

mark

quiet_observation

Canon EOS-7D

06/07/2006 02:22:36 PM · #14

On this website there is a pdf document "The Wedding Hand Guide for Beginners".

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

06/07/2006 02:49:48 PM · #15

Justin, you do amazing work, especially for someone your age. I'm glad to see your talents getting used professionally. You'll probably be nervous as hell, but take deep breaths and retain your confidence. Don't let any condescending attitudes here or elsewhere disrupt your confidence. Every wedding photographer has their first gig, but it's usually not their last.

Don't forget to stay hydrated, and eat a good meal before the wedding so you have ample energy. You should be provided a meal too at the reception (but don't count on it), just be discreet about it. Get a few shots of them at the table (not with their mouth full of course) and then slip into the shadows for a few minutes to refuel. It's good to keep a power-bar or Snickers in your bag, just in case.

Keep your finger on the shutter button, always ready for that spontaneous shot. Sometimes the candids are more treasured than the more formal shots. Have somebody familiar with everbody in the wedding party help gather up the party, or at least keep them close-by to keep things moving. If you're not familiar with what different shots to get (and there are a lot of them) I found this guideline that might help. I didn't have time to go through it all, but looks good for the most part. It might seem tacky, but print out a small copy and keep it in your pocket for a (discreet) reference if needed.

Use the talents given to you, and I'm sure you will do fine. Best of luck.

General

Kodak Z7590

06/07/2006 03:01:00 PM · #16

Best of luck, dont let pressure of your first wedding shoot affect you, just saw your portfolio. You know your stuff.J

Just hope bride doesnt see you before she says "I do" and runs with you and leaving the groom at altar.
Just Chill

Message edited by author 2006-06-07 15:05:56.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

06/07/2006 03:09:43 PM · #17

Thanks everyone for the support, advise and tips! I really do appreciate it.... Im definetly getting more nervous every day lol...I can't answer/thank everyone right now but here are a few:

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

"If you're the primary photographer - get sick and don't go, then change your name and move away. i say this because a wedding is one of the most important days in your life (if you're the one getting married) and if you have no clue what to shoot 4 days before the wedding you shouldn't be shooting a wedding."

I have researched a lot, also I asked the father (person who hired me) to make a list with all the photos they must have (other than the candids ofcourse). So I do have a pretty good idea of what its going to be like.

Originally posted by gaurawa:

go out and have a look at the location before saturday. where the sun is, shade and any good backgroung you want to use ?

great idea! thank you ;)

Originally posted by dassilem:

But I am concerned that you are not only shooting your first wedding but you have never ATTENDED ONE?

I was also worried, but the person who hired me knows, that was the first thing I told him. He wanted me anyways :)

Originally posted by Telehubbie:

I found this guideline that might help. I didn't have time to go through it all, but looks good for the most part. It might seem tacky, but print out a small copy and keep it in your pocket for a (discreet) reference if needed.

Thanks fot that guide :) and all your other advise

mpeters

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

06/07/2006 03:12:37 PM · #18

Oh, and one more thing...

Wear a black shirt or at least one which doesn't show sweat rings :)

dassilem

Nikon D90

06/07/2006 03:25:38 PM · #19

I edited my original response for fear of being at risk of being one of the following mentioned 'condescending attitudes'....of which I hope I was not.

elsapo....It sounds as though you have all your bases covered...all that is left is to relax.

please show us your shots...I would love to see what you do for the couple.....I wish I had your talent.

And General had a very good point too! Don't run away with the bride!!

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

06/07/2006 03:28:33 PM · #20

Originally posted by dassilem:

I edited my original response for fear of being at risk of being one of the following mentioned 'condescending attitudes'....of which I hope I was not.

No, sorry about that, just a blanket statement.

Fujifilm XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS

06/11/2006 05:23:19 PM · #21

Hey guys :).. I was able to get trough the wedding, and let me tell you it was one of the hardest things I've ever done! It was an outside wedding on a 100 degree day with un-even lighting, the brides dressing room and other places inside where tiny so I didn't have much space to work with, so I was very very nervous. I think I did a pretty good job for being my first wedding under those conditions.

Here are the first set of shots (yes they are small but I don't want to take up my portfolio space) i'll have another set later( cause theres many many more)

let me know what u think

kyebosh

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 80-200 f/2.8L

06/11/2006 05:29:38 PM · #22

they look pretty darn good if you ask me!

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

06/11/2006 05:32:20 PM · #23

They look great to me. I am fearful also as I have my first wedding to do in Novemeber. But at least I have time to plan.

buzzrock

Fujifilm X-M1

06/11/2006 05:56:15 PM · #24

From what I can tell from the small size, they look very proffesional.
When I first saw this thread there wasnt any doubt I had that you were going to do well.

Nice Job.