This August, I will be the main photographer at my nephew's wedding, eek! I have enlisted 4 family members to be my back up photographers. I feel so honored to have been asked to do this but I must admit....it's a lot of pressure! I'm a confident nature/landscape photographer and I have lots of experience capturing special family moments including baptisms and wedding showers but wedding photography is a whole separate ball game!
I've been studying lighting & set up techniques of some of my favorite wedding photographers that I follow online (I got married a few years ago so I did a lot of research). But...I was wondering if anyone had tips or must have gear ideas to share with me. There is a camera company nearby that rents high end lenses etc. which is really great!
I always take three lenses and two bodies, I recommend a 50mm prime, a 70 -300mm and a wide angle for large group shots I have 10 - 20mm sigma for this, I work with another photographer and we arrange who is doing what beforehand ie details work, candids, portraits, official shots etc etc, I also have at least a couple of one to ones with the couple beforehand to make I get and understand what they are after, and lastly I will take time out to check all the venues I will be attending and introduce myself to the key people vicar etc, hope this helps
Here's my first tip... DON'T DO IT!
OK, you are going to do it despite that bit of advice so here are a list of tips (in no particular order)
(a) Talk to the bride and groom and find out what they want. Write it down so that no-one forgets what has been offered / asked for.
(b) Plan all your likely shots well in advance. On the day there is a lot to squeeze in and your timing has to be spot on.
(c) Know your camera gear inside and out (cameras, lenses, flashes ancillary things like softboxes)
(d) Make sure that you have shed loads of batteries and spare cards
(e) Try to have a second camera body
(f) Make sure that you have a selection of lenses for the task in question.
(g) Take control - you only get the chance to do the shots once. I had hell's own job trying to get three bridesmaids in one place!
(h) Prepare for all eventualities (Rain, hail, power failure, feuding families!)
(i) Visit the venue before hand to see what the lighting is going to be like, where people will be standing, where the best spots for photography will be etc.
(j) I asked the bride to tell all of her friends that as official photographer I was the one to take the photographs and wouldn't appreciate guests barging in front of me with their iPhones - I used this Youtube clip to prove my point http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vR4LeL0yzE
I think that is the bulk of what I can think of. If anything else comes to mind, I'll let you know! Did I say DON'T DO IT!?
Be prepared not to use flash if the ceremony is indoors. When I officiate weddings indoors, flash is not allowed because of the distraction it creates. Your other shooters should now this also. Remember the wedding is not about the photographer. I have seen several weddings get distracted because of newbie photogs. It would be good if could be the second or third shooter for an experienced wedding photog before you do this wedding.
That is awesome!! I wish I had advice to give, but I have never done anything like that myself. I wish you all the best on your first wedding shoot! So exciting. :)
@griff I have some of the gear you listed and can easily rent a few more lenses if needed. I didn't think about introducing myself to the key people, I will have to remember that. Thank you!
@steampowered I like your sence of humor and tips! I asked the Bride & Groom to start thinking about what type of poses, portraits and group shots they would like so that I would be better prepared and keep things running smoothly. I will be sure to talk with them about the guests that barge in for the shot - that's very important. I've seen a lot of bad pics like that on Facebook! I've only had my new camera for a couple of months and use it everyday so that I can be sure to know it inside and out before the big day!
@dejongdd Thank you for including the link - I found lots of other great tips there!
@chapjohn Thank you! Luckily the wedding will be held outside in a rustic setting. They will have a big tent in the event that it rains. I contacted a pro photographer friend of mine (he does portraits) to see if he had any wedding photographer friends that I might be able to shadow a few times to learn some techniques. I hope to hear back soon.
@dandelionmama Thank you for your enthusiasm!! I am very excited but also a bit nervous.
The biggest tip I have is to make sure your camera does not make noise. I recently went to a wedding and the camera was just click, click, click, click and I actually could not hear the ceremony. I actually emailed my photographer for my own wedding to confirm that we will not be hearing a"clunky camera shooting" sound for my own wedding.
Also get a list from the bride and groom of what shots they must have from getting ready, group shots, photo locations, etc. Try and get the bridesmaid and bride and then the groom and groomsmen done before the ceremony, so the couple have time to enjoy their photos.
When my son was married this past July we did all the formal shots before the wedding - the photographer we selected works as part of a two person team with his wife. In part we selected the photographer because of his wedding portfolio and knew he would do a good job. He asked us ahead of time to provide lists of who we wanted in the group pictures. We had pics taken of the bride and groom getting ready - some really lovely shots. One thing we didn't think of is that the photographer doesn't know who your close friends and relatives are - so aside from the formal shots, some of the relatives and close friends are not in many of the pictures. Establishing who is who ahead of time is really helpful.
As an aside note, some of my favorite pics from the wedding are the candids taken prior to the ceremony when we were getting ready - have some lovely ones of myself and my son. The candids are my favorites because they capture natural moments not posed.
This from the perspective of mother of the groom vs the wedding photographer.
I usually ask for a contact person that knows the family and friends well to gather people ahead of time to help move this portion of the shooting along quicker....
@2014throughmylens Tiffany is right, this will make your job less stressful. It can be hard work gathering people together. I had someone once and they were really shy and quite, it made my job twice as hard and was a nightmare organising a large wedding party as well as shoot a wedding.
When you're doing the group shots, don't allow anyone else to take photos of the group at the same time - if you do, everyone ends up looking at different cameras and it looks a bit odd!
@2014throughmylens That is great advice, and I'd add to assign someone to rally folks for you because they know them and don't mind being the "heavy" in those situations. For my own part, having a list is best as the others suggested, but provide the times people need to be at certain places for group shots (or the other things on the list) so they know where and when they are needed for the photography (so wedding party can get a timeline of the photos and be ready). Have that assigned person also ask everyone to step aside until you are done too. Have a great time!
@jennifer365 Hi Jennifer and I face this dilemma last summer and like you had the same questions and panics but in the end it came together and the bride and groom were delighted. Rather than complicate matters with a long list I will offer some simple must haves. First a checklist of the must have shots. Second a good relationship with the bride and groom and a single go to person for when you are doing the formal group shots. Third, you will need only 2 camera bodies and 2 lenses, preferably the same body with the settings on the 2 exactly the same and a 24-70 F2.8 and 70-200 F2.8 This should give you all the range you should need and allow you to shoot in low light if required as flash may be a no go in the church. You will need a flash for the group shots as you may end up indoors if the weather doesn't work out as its the one thing that you cannot control. For the wedding I shot we had all sorts of plans for outdoor shots but the weather was horrendous and we ended up having to take the formal shots in the foyer of the reception which was dark and cramped but I had practised my flash work in advance and it was the best thing I had ever done. I could go on but the last thing I will say is ENJOY!! If you want to know anymore please just ask, and I can let you see the results as they are on my Facebook page.
Regarding the Must Have list --
*ask bride/groom to asign a person they can rely on to gather the people and go off away from the rest of the guests
*put the responsibility on that person to be sure all wanted shots that have bend listed are done
*if there are grandparents there, take a couple shots of them alone - it will be nice for all family members (especially down the road)
*ask the bride and groom to have an announcement made that no other pictures be taken while you are doing the Family Shots. People can do their own after you are done with the group.
*take getting ready pictures
*take the back of the ladies; as they are walking away or just together (detail of back of dresses and hair styles)
*take pics of shoes: jewelry , etc.
The ladies spend plenty of time and money - they will enjoy remembering with close up shots (even if not used in the bride album)
*have fun and smile to put others at ease
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OK, you are going to do it despite that bit of advice so here are a list of tips (in no particular order)
(a) Talk to the bride and groom and find out what they want. Write it down so that no-one forgets what has been offered / asked for.
(b) Plan all your likely shots well in advance. On the day there is a lot to squeeze in and your timing has to be spot on.
(c) Know your camera gear inside and out (cameras, lenses, flashes ancillary things like softboxes)
(d) Make sure that you have shed loads of batteries and spare cards
(e) Try to have a second camera body
(f) Make sure that you have a selection of lenses for the task in question.
(g) Take control - you only get the chance to do the shots once. I had hell's own job trying to get three bridesmaids in one place!
(h) Prepare for all eventualities (Rain, hail, power failure, feuding families!)
(i) Visit the venue before hand to see what the lighting is going to be like, where people will be standing, where the best spots for photography will be etc.
(j) I asked the bride to tell all of her friends that as official photographer I was the one to take the photographs and wouldn't appreciate guests barging in front of me with their iPhones - I used this Youtube clip to prove my point http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vR4LeL0yzE
I think that is the bulk of what I can think of. If anything else comes to mind, I'll let you know! Did I say DON'T DO IT!?
@griff I have some of the gear you listed and can easily rent a few more lenses if needed. I didn't think about introducing myself to the key people, I will have to remember that. Thank you!
@steampowered I like your sence of humor and tips! I asked the Bride & Groom to start thinking about what type of poses, portraits and group shots they would like so that I would be better prepared and keep things running smoothly. I will be sure to talk with them about the guests that barge in for the shot - that's very important. I've seen a lot of bad pics like that on Facebook! I've only had my new camera for a couple of months and use it everyday so that I can be sure to know it inside and out before the big day!
@dejongdd Thank you for including the link - I found lots of other great tips there!
@chapjohn Thank you! Luckily the wedding will be held outside in a rustic setting. They will have a big tent in the event that it rains. I contacted a pro photographer friend of mine (he does portraits) to see if he had any wedding photographer friends that I might be able to shadow a few times to learn some techniques. I hope to hear back soon.
@dandelionmama Thank you for your enthusiasm!! I am very excited but also a bit nervous.
As an aside note, some of my favorite pics from the wedding are the candids taken prior to the ceremony when we were getting ready - have some lovely ones of myself and my son. The candids are my favorites because they capture natural moments not posed.
This from the perspective of mother of the groom vs the wedding photographer.
*ask bride/groom to asign a person they can rely on to gather the people and go off away from the rest of the guests
*put the responsibility on that person to be sure all wanted shots that have bend listed are done
*if there are grandparents there, take a couple shots of them alone - it will be nice for all family members (especially down the road)
*ask the bride and groom to have an announcement made that no other pictures be taken while you are doing the Family Shots. People can do their own after you are done with the group.
*take getting ready pictures
*take the back of the ladies; as they are walking away or just together (detail of back of dresses and hair styles)
*take pics of shoes: jewelry , etc.
The ladies spend plenty of time and money - they will enjoy remembering with close up shots (even if not used in the bride album)
*have fun and smile to put others at ease