I know I haven't been too active on 365 lately, but as the year comes to an end the last minute projects pile on.
I've been scoping the scene and still looking at everyone else's pictures and I must say that I am impressed and very inspired! There's such talent on here, I hope everyone continues on for a round II.
I've come to all you lovely people today/night to ask for your help!
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
It's something I'm personally considering getting into (not professionally of course, but rather to experiment with and also as a side job) and knowing that a handful of people (or more) on here do, do wedding photography, I have some questions for you! I want to do at least one or two weddings this summer, so having some background information would really help.
Here we go:
1. How does one get into wedding photography?
How do you let people know that, "hey, I do weddings as well". "Call me up because I do weddings"
2. How much do you suggest charging?
Do you break it down per hour? Is it a fixed fee? What if traveling a long distance is involved? What about the photographs afterwards- print them off? Burn on CD(s)?
3. How long can one except to be there?
Full day, half day? Two days maybe even?
4. I know about pre-wedding works, getting ready and what not, but when it comes down to the actual ceremony- is standing in the middle of the pews and getting close to the bride and groom whilst vows are being exchanged really acceptable?
5. How does the actual day work?
There's obviously meeting the bride and groom in the morning, but then there's obviously a couple of hours of free time- are intimate bride/groom pictures taken then?
6. Tell about your wedding experience- good? bad? Why, why not?
7. Finally, what are some little tips and tricks you suggest?
... I just booked wedding shoot. I suggest going to the reception hall the night before and get certain shots before the place is packed with people and trashed. I recommend having an assistant or second shooter also (one for bridal party before ceremony and one for the grooms) or you will be doing a lot of running around.
I won't be standing in anyone's way, I plan to be moving side to side during the vows and kiss while keeping low and shooting upwards towards the subjects.
Be sure to get shots of the bouquet and guest book and anything else that looks cute.
If you have two cameras, I suggest using a 35mm 1.8 lens on one and either a 50mm 1.4 or 85mm on the other. Also, I personally try to stay away from using Flash while shooting this close so a fast lens is a must.
Go to youtube.com for good poses
I don't do wedding photography, but I've been looking for a wedding photographer. If I were you, I'd call wedding photographers/look at web sites and get prices and details from them, as if it would be your wedding. That way you can get an idea of how people charge and what's included. The couple we were looking at charged by 6 hours, by the day, for one person, or for both. It included an engagement session in the fee, but you can charge more for that if you'd like.
Also, what area are you in, because we're looking for a photographer, since I can't shoot it myself :)
oh i was hoping this thread would be full of wonderful tips and information for me to use aswell, i have been asked by a friend to be second photographer at her wedding in about 5 weeks and i'm nervous as hell, she wants me to do the ones of them getting ready as the other photographer is just doing the ceremony shots and formal pics after i think, i figured i will get all the candid ones of the guests while he does the posed stuff
@meshinka Thank you so much for your advice, it's been extremely helpful!
A secondary shooter is a perfect idea- using that I've actually emailed a couple of local photographers who I know shoot weddings, and asked to job shadow/be their secondary shooter to help and learn. Thank you for your tips!
@triciaanddazzle Thank you, I'll definitely look up wedding photographers to get a feel of what they do/their rates :) And unfortunately I'm in Toronto, Canada! So unless there's a small chance you're having your wedding up here :) Because I would LOVE to shoot it!
If not, I hope you have a magical day nonetheless and congratulations :)
Firstly, you have PLENTY of time to prep so you can be ready and good to go on the big day.
Like the above mentioned, look up wedding photography on google or check out wedding photographers sites to see what they do.
I recently shot a pre-prom and I think the key is to be a little fly on the wall!
Introduce yourself to everyone, "Hi I'm Sally and I'm your photographer today, don't mind me!" so they can all know who you are and be somewhat comfortable around you.
Help out a little with the bride/groom/brides maids etc- drop some compliments; if you like their dresses or make up, let me know! Start little conversation, jump in on conversation- comfortability is key!
If you're not good with talking to people, think about it this way- they don't know you! They don't know that you're shy or timid, so don't worry about it! And best part- you'll never see them again. So do as you wish and be as outgoing as you can!
Also, CONSTANTLY take pictures, even if their dumb or out of focus- you can delete them later, it's fine.
With everyone getting ready, stick to the candid shots and try not to let everything be super posed. Every so often, ask for people to turn and smile to you. Get group shots, single shots, friends together etc.
Take pictures of the little things as well, (like mentioned) used a lens capable of giving you a shallow DOF- f/2 and under!
I think you'll do a magnificent job! You definitely have the talent, I believe in you.
Let me know how it goes afterwards, send me some pictures as well, I'd love to see how it all turns out- stefanieneves@gmail.com
I hope this kind of helps :) And sorry for the long read hehe
1. It wasn't that hard for me. I already had a photography business, and found that people just called me and asked about weddings. I told them I wasn't currently shooting weddings. Then I met a wedding photographer at a friend's wedding when I grabbed two shots of my own, and she saw me and asked to see them. She asked me if I'd mind if she added them to the album, so I emailed them to her, and she used one on the cover. She then called me and asked me to second-shoot for her. At first I declined, but she kept asking, and eventually I agreed. After a couple of weddings, she started pushing me to do my own weddings. Now we second-shoot for each other (and have shot around 30 weddings together, as well as our own seperate ones). All I did was add a wedding section to my website, and the inquiries started flooding in, but I was already booking them before that, because of my regular work. So, in short: get a website!
2. I quote specifically for each client, but I have a starting price of $3k. For that, they get me and a second shooter, from the getting ready in the morning / early afternoon through to about a half hour at the reception. They also get an online gallery, and a professionally printed album. They receive a discount on prints and canvasses (and other items), but no digital negatives. They can pay me to stay for the reception (extra $500 - only me), extra album pages in sets of 10 etc. If from the start they want album, canvasses etc, I create a collection at around $6500 that includes digital files printable up to 8x10/8x12. I had one couple book that within ten minutes of me showing up for a preliminary appointment. I suggest having at least three "packages" - most people will buy the middle one. If people start buying the top one, make a new top one that's worth even more. A $10k-ish top package is not a crazy thing to have. If travelling, add that into the quote, and include accomodation / meals if required.
3. For a normal, western culture wedding, I allow from around 10am through to the start of the reception, which is usually around a 7pm or so departure. But this varies depending upon the service commencement time. Typically, where I am, weddings are at about 2 or 3pm. I've started as late as 1pm, and as early as 8am. If you ever do an Indian wedding, allow three days.
4. Get in there and get your shot. Obviously, don't annoy everyone, but don't stand back because a guest is taking a photo either - it's your shots they're paying for, so make sure you get them (guests can wait). I get right in the middle of the aisle at times (especially for the rings and the kiss), but I duck down. You also need to be aware of any pro video people, but they are usually switched on and won't set up in such a way that they'll be recording you darting in and out to get your shots. If you work the edges, the aisle, and around the back to about 11 and 1 o'clock you should be fine, depending on the environment, as long as you keep some distance when up the front.
5. I find there's not much free time. If you're shooting the boys, you're basically getting them getting ready, and then following them (or darting ahead of them) to the church. If you're shooting the girls, you're at the hairdresser/makeup salon, then wherever they are getting dressed (not always in that order), and then following them to the church. If you're lucky and things are running smoothly, you may get a half hour between hair and dresses to go and grab some lunch. Don't count on it - take plenty of drinks and snacks in your car (but be careful to not gulp or you'll be looking for a restroom at the worst possible moment).
6. Weddings are stressful. For most photogs, anyway. You are going non-stop, and often trying to keep to a schedule that it seems others are trying to destroy. You are fighting light, intoxicated bridal party members, controlling mothers, rain, wind, guests who will try to shove you out of the way so they can take photos, guests leaning over your shoulder to take the shot you just spent five minutes setting up (hint: ban other camera users in your written contract), other wedding parties at your locations, closed roads (I had this at my last wedding, for four blocks around the church!), crying flower girls and ring-bearers, and pretty much everything else you can think of at one time or another, all the while having to make everyone look like movie stars. I even had a whole bridal party vanish on me at one wedding, for nearly an hour, because they decided to go and buy more champagne (and left their mobile phones in their car) - you can imagine how stressful that was. But, all those things can make it exciting too. They can provide you with unexpected, glorious moments - opportunities to capture something the clients will treasure for the rest of their lives. It's fantastic, but isn't for everyone.
7. Slow. Down. You can take twenty shots on motor-drive and pick the best one, or you can take your time to frame your shot, set everything just right, and then pick the right moment to get your shot (the half-smile, the hand-fidget, the pensive look that's gone in half an instant). You'll not only get better shots, but you'll save yourself a whole lot of time in post-processing. And trust me when I say you could be doing one-hundred or more hours of that after a wedding, with album design and all. Fix the little things before you take the shot - it is quicker than trying to fix them in Photoshop. I quite like the old expression, "Take care of the little things, and the big things will take care of themselves." Pay attention to backgrounds. Pay attention to changes in light. USE light - it's ALL about the light! And don't forget to take a few shots for yourself - if you see something you just love, take a moment to shoot it, even if it has nothing to do with your clients.
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I won't be standing in anyone's way, I plan to be moving side to side during the vows and kiss while keeping low and shooting upwards towards the subjects.
Be sure to get shots of the bouquet and guest book and anything else that looks cute.
If you have two cameras, I suggest using a 35mm 1.8 lens on one and either a 50mm 1.4 or 85mm on the other. Also, I personally try to stay away from using Flash while shooting this close so a fast lens is a must.
Go to youtube.com for good poses
Also, what area are you in, because we're looking for a photographer, since I can't shoot it myself :)
A secondary shooter is a perfect idea- using that I've actually emailed a couple of local photographers who I know shoot weddings, and asked to job shadow/be their secondary shooter to help and learn. Thank you for your tips!
@triciaanddazzle Thank you, I'll definitely look up wedding photographers to get a feel of what they do/their rates :) And unfortunately I'm in Toronto, Canada! So unless there's a small chance you're having your wedding up here :) Because I would LOVE to shoot it!
If not, I hope you have a magical day nonetheless and congratulations :)
Firstly, you have PLENTY of time to prep so you can be ready and good to go on the big day.
Like the above mentioned, look up wedding photography on google or check out wedding photographers sites to see what they do.
I recently shot a pre-prom and I think the key is to be a little fly on the wall!
Introduce yourself to everyone, "Hi I'm Sally and I'm your photographer today, don't mind me!" so they can all know who you are and be somewhat comfortable around you.
Help out a little with the bride/groom/brides maids etc- drop some compliments; if you like their dresses or make up, let me know! Start little conversation, jump in on conversation- comfortability is key!
If you're not good with talking to people, think about it this way- they don't know you! They don't know that you're shy or timid, so don't worry about it! And best part- you'll never see them again. So do as you wish and be as outgoing as you can!
Also, CONSTANTLY take pictures, even if their dumb or out of focus- you can delete them later, it's fine.
With everyone getting ready, stick to the candid shots and try not to let everything be super posed. Every so often, ask for people to turn and smile to you. Get group shots, single shots, friends together etc.
Take pictures of the little things as well, (like mentioned) used a lens capable of giving you a shallow DOF- f/2 and under!
I think you'll do a magnificent job! You definitely have the talent, I believe in you.
Let me know how it goes afterwards, send me some pictures as well, I'd love to see how it all turns out- stefanieneves@gmail.com
I hope this kind of helps :) And sorry for the long read hehe
Email me as well, tell me how everything went! stefanieneves@gmail.com
I hope it all goes well for you, you'll do so well :)
1. It wasn't that hard for me. I already had a photography business, and found that people just called me and asked about weddings. I told them I wasn't currently shooting weddings. Then I met a wedding photographer at a friend's wedding when I grabbed two shots of my own, and she saw me and asked to see them. She asked me if I'd mind if she added them to the album, so I emailed them to her, and she used one on the cover. She then called me and asked me to second-shoot for her. At first I declined, but she kept asking, and eventually I agreed. After a couple of weddings, she started pushing me to do my own weddings. Now we second-shoot for each other (and have shot around 30 weddings together, as well as our own seperate ones). All I did was add a wedding section to my website, and the inquiries started flooding in, but I was already booking them before that, because of my regular work. So, in short: get a website!
2. I quote specifically for each client, but I have a starting price of $3k. For that, they get me and a second shooter, from the getting ready in the morning / early afternoon through to about a half hour at the reception. They also get an online gallery, and a professionally printed album. They receive a discount on prints and canvasses (and other items), but no digital negatives. They can pay me to stay for the reception (extra $500 - only me), extra album pages in sets of 10 etc. If from the start they want album, canvasses etc, I create a collection at around $6500 that includes digital files printable up to 8x10/8x12. I had one couple book that within ten minutes of me showing up for a preliminary appointment. I suggest having at least three "packages" - most people will buy the middle one. If people start buying the top one, make a new top one that's worth even more. A $10k-ish top package is not a crazy thing to have. If travelling, add that into the quote, and include accomodation / meals if required.
3. For a normal, western culture wedding, I allow from around 10am through to the start of the reception, which is usually around a 7pm or so departure. But this varies depending upon the service commencement time. Typically, where I am, weddings are at about 2 or 3pm. I've started as late as 1pm, and as early as 8am. If you ever do an Indian wedding, allow three days.
4. Get in there and get your shot. Obviously, don't annoy everyone, but don't stand back because a guest is taking a photo either - it's your shots they're paying for, so make sure you get them (guests can wait). I get right in the middle of the aisle at times (especially for the rings and the kiss), but I duck down. You also need to be aware of any pro video people, but they are usually switched on and won't set up in such a way that they'll be recording you darting in and out to get your shots. If you work the edges, the aisle, and around the back to about 11 and 1 o'clock you should be fine, depending on the environment, as long as you keep some distance when up the front.
5. I find there's not much free time. If you're shooting the boys, you're basically getting them getting ready, and then following them (or darting ahead of them) to the church. If you're shooting the girls, you're at the hairdresser/makeup salon, then wherever they are getting dressed (not always in that order), and then following them to the church. If you're lucky and things are running smoothly, you may get a half hour between hair and dresses to go and grab some lunch. Don't count on it - take plenty of drinks and snacks in your car (but be careful to not gulp or you'll be looking for a restroom at the worst possible moment).
6. Weddings are stressful. For most photogs, anyway. You are going non-stop, and often trying to keep to a schedule that it seems others are trying to destroy. You are fighting light, intoxicated bridal party members, controlling mothers, rain, wind, guests who will try to shove you out of the way so they can take photos, guests leaning over your shoulder to take the shot you just spent five minutes setting up (hint: ban other camera users in your written contract), other wedding parties at your locations, closed roads (I had this at my last wedding, for four blocks around the church!), crying flower girls and ring-bearers, and pretty much everything else you can think of at one time or another, all the while having to make everyone look like movie stars. I even had a whole bridal party vanish on me at one wedding, for nearly an hour, because they decided to go and buy more champagne (and left their mobile phones in their car) - you can imagine how stressful that was. But, all those things can make it exciting too. They can provide you with unexpected, glorious moments - opportunities to capture something the clients will treasure for the rest of their lives. It's fantastic, but isn't for everyone.
7. Slow. Down. You can take twenty shots on motor-drive and pick the best one, or you can take your time to frame your shot, set everything just right, and then pick the right moment to get your shot (the half-smile, the hand-fidget, the pensive look that's gone in half an instant). You'll not only get better shots, but you'll save yourself a whole lot of time in post-processing. And trust me when I say you could be doing one-hundred or more hours of that after a wedding, with album design and all. Fix the little things before you take the shot - it is quicker than trying to fix them in Photoshop. I quite like the old expression, "Take care of the little things, and the big things will take care of themselves." Pay attention to backgrounds. Pay attention to changes in light. USE light - it's ALL about the light! And don't forget to take a few shots for yourself - if you see something you just love, take a moment to shoot it, even if it has nothing to do with your clients.
And have fun. :)