Quick question for help really... I've been asked to shoot my bf's sister's wedding in June (I know it's a long way off) but I was wondering if anyone could recommend a lens for wedding photography since I'll have to save up :) I currently shoot with a sony if that's any help whatsoever?
But yeah I have no idea where to start really.. I only have a sony 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 and Tamron 70-300 f/4-5.6 :)
Ok first ask yourself if you can really shot the wedding... if you feel you can and you will not risk the friendship... I would say you don't need anything special... but you do need back-ups of everything... what happens if midway through the wedding you camera dies you better have a back-up body... and you don't have time to change lenses... so you better have two bodies to start with and back-ups of those bodies... after that it is all style... do you prefer long lens for cans or short port lens for flash ports or ultra wides for group shots or lots of story....
and do you have a method of back-up the photos during the day so none are lost (eye-fi card to a laptop would be easy).
After that just make a list of all the photos you NEED to get... google it... there are about 30 (Kiss, Dance, cake, ect)
but as to your question you don't need any ONE lens... nor a certain speed... you have been asked because they like your photos... whatever equipment you have now has been producing those images... thus you have the basics of what you need...
@icywarm oh god now you've made me more nervous! When I was asked I said I didn't want to do it anyway; since I was only just starting out and didn't even know fully how to work manual!
But since it's family and they insisted; I feel like I really have to.. They don't actually want a professional photographer for some damn reason.. but I feel they have to have at least something...
Jordan pretty much answered all of the question... the only thing I'd like to add is where is the wedding going to be and time of day? Sometimes inside ceremonies (and the reception) can be rather dark, and flash isn't allowed in some churches, so you might want to look into acquiring some faster lenses (rentals work for this! or friends with gear!) so you can shoot with available light. Also, a flash that can be used off camera is key. Not that you'd be using it off the camera (just wanted to describe the flash in a way everyone would understand... Nikon calls them speedlights, but I have no idea what other brands call them), but being able to bounce the flash is key to nice looking photos (straight on flash pics are no no's for weddings).
If you're set on getting a new lens, I'd look something in the mid range focal lengths and f/2.8. I don't know what Sony offers, but Nikon's 24-70mm f/2.8 is LOVED by wedding photogs.
hey danielle! my recommendation is to get a 50mm lens to go with what you already have. it's really inexpensive and is a great portrait lens for close up pics of the bride and groom as well as group shots. i would also recommend that you start combing some of the wedding photo groups on flickr. look for different images and styles you like and start saving them so you can print them out as a cheat sheet on the big day. you can also look at exif information on flickr so you'll get a better idea what lenses were used.
you can also rent any equipment that you don't have for a low cost.
don't stress too much about it. i've seen some really bad wedding photography that people have paid tons of money for. just have fun and don't stress about it. they asked you for a reason...just make sure you set the appropriate expectations up front!
@daniellestarr@kellitolocka@hmgphotos I actually would not shot in M-mode... personally... I worry more about comp of my photos and let the camera do the work... same with focus... don't get me wrong sometimes you need M, but as a wedding photog you are often too busy applying touch-up make-up, acting as a shrink, traffic cop, first-aid person that I don't want to have to worry about it... I would just set my camera to have a fixed ISO range of (100-800), set my +/- to -.66, and goto town in P (so I can do adjustments on the fly if I NEED to)
Just to add to all of the above... shooting a wedding is not easy work. Expect long hours, and people who don't want to cooperate as well as other guests who might think they are photographers, and so get in your way of your shots.
I think the 50mm prime lens is a very good idea, but you also need a zoom lens that can go from wide to quite far - more than the standard 18-55mm.
Remember you are there to take the photos, so if it means you need to get closer to bride & groom, then by all means do it.
Get a list of the standard "must have" photos, and start practicing those on friends/family. You need to be able to work fast and think on the spot. Your biggest problem will be lighting, and you need to be able to work in whatever available light there is. A speedlight flash is great as well - just remember to use diffusers and/or to bounce the flash. You also need to be very comfortable with exposure - especially because of the dark suit of the groom and the white dress of the bride.
If I was feeling uncomfortable or not confident enough - I wouldn't do the shoot. Sometimes family think they can get "free" photos because you're doing photography yet they still have high expectations... so just be careful. :)
I was asked to shoot a friend's wedding - I said no. I didn't want to risk loosing a friend if the photos didn't turn out. In the end the compromise was that I did reception shots - but they still hired a professional photographer who could "deliver" for the ceremony, portrait session and roaming the reception. This might be a good idea for you too, especially if you feel nervous - you're friends will get your photos plus those of a pro if yours don't pan out. Means less stress for everyone :)
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and do you have a method of back-up the photos during the day so none are lost (eye-fi card to a laptop would be easy).
After that just make a list of all the photos you NEED to get... google it... there are about 30 (Kiss, Dance, cake, ect)
Did I say have back-ups yet?
But since it's family and they insisted; I feel like I really have to.. They don't actually want a professional photographer for some damn reason.. but I feel they have to have at least something...
If you're set on getting a new lens, I'd look something in the mid range focal lengths and f/2.8. I don't know what Sony offers, but Nikon's 24-70mm f/2.8 is LOVED by wedding photogs.
you can also rent any equipment that you don't have for a low cost.
don't stress too much about it. i've seen some really bad wedding photography that people have paid tons of money for. just have fun and don't stress about it. they asked you for a reason...just make sure you set the appropriate expectations up front!
I think the 50mm prime lens is a very good idea, but you also need a zoom lens that can go from wide to quite far - more than the standard 18-55mm.
Remember you are there to take the photos, so if it means you need to get closer to bride & groom, then by all means do it.
Get a list of the standard "must have" photos, and start practicing those on friends/family. You need to be able to work fast and think on the spot. Your biggest problem will be lighting, and you need to be able to work in whatever available light there is. A speedlight flash is great as well - just remember to use diffusers and/or to bounce the flash. You also need to be very comfortable with exposure - especially because of the dark suit of the groom and the white dress of the bride.
If I was feeling uncomfortable or not confident enough - I wouldn't do the shoot. Sometimes family think they can get "free" photos because you're doing photography yet they still have high expectations... so just be careful. :)