I am photographing my first wedding in about 3 weeks and would love some advice as I haven't really done much work with people and could really use some tips
I think you are really brave to be doing a wedding if you haven't done much work with people. Good luck. I did the photos for my nieces wedding a couple of years ago. The only advice I can give is take lots and lots of photos, watch what is in the background, and beware of shadows over faces!!!
I'm sure more experienced photographers will be more helpful than that!! :)
I photographed a friend's wedding around a year and a half ago. Leave your camera on AV Priority so you only have one setting you need to fiddle around with regularly (excluding white balance, etc). If you're not the main or only photographer then focus on photos that may get missed - the bridesmaids having a giggle during the formal photos, the parents playing with kids, etc.
mmmmm I am not sure where to start.... What you have signed up for is a great honor and responsibility so good for you.
Can you give me a better idea of the type of wedding. Is it inside, outside, day time, night time.... Are you going to photograph the entire day or just the ceremony.
Each of these have their special challengers so the more information you can give me the better I can direct you.
If you can, go to wherever the wedding and reception is going to be held in advance. That way you can scout out posible photo op spots (trees, boulders, flower gardens, lakes, etc). Knowing where these things are and using them as colorful backgrounds is always a plus.
Since you are the only shooter, don't ignore other the guest and family in favor of just the bride and groom. Try to get at least one shot of everyone. They are all part of the experience.
Keep an eye out for the children.Some of your best shots may be catching them and their reactions to the goings on.
Bring lots of flash cards, extra batteries, and an extra camera of you have one.
It is only very small about 15 people all up, it's outdoors, daytime, the ceremony is at 12 and I will be doing the entire day from the hair and make-up to after the ceremony, there is no reception... I have previously taken photos at the beach they are looking at getting their photos done at so I know the area pretty well... and the couple have 4 kids so I will try focus on them a bit too
At our wedding, the photographer did a group shot but shot from above with everyone doing a cheer, arm up in the air type shot... it's really cool and I love that one.
I've been asked to do two in the last two weeks and I just say no because I don't want the pressure of bitchy brides ... but then again I'm heading to FNQ for three weeks working in the art of photography ... maybe the two wedding would be easier?
I don't have a bitchy bride for this one fortunately lol, shes pretty grateful that I'm not going to charge her what a professional would... I am just a little bit unsure on what to charge at all, I know it's going to be a fair bit of work and time editing so I don't want to sell myself short but I don't want to charge too much for it either
@jes1526 Good Luck to you!!! Be sure to be aware of the lighting in the location where you are going to shoot and maybe do some practice shots with a mock couple. I haven't done any weddings or work with people for real (yet) but that's how i would approach it. I see people do that on Craiglist all the time....looking for couples for test shots for a wedding at a location. That can work 2 fold, they can get portraits done, and you can can get wedding practice shots. just an idea. Looking forward to seeing some of your work.
I did my first (paid) wedding last November. My basic tips are to practise portrait photography as much as possible before hand, as those are the most important photos to capture. Practise low light photography if the wedding is in a church and be sure to scout your formal photo location before hand. One thing I did which I found very helpful was write down pose ideas before hand. On the day you don't have time to work our pose ideas and the couple will be relying on you to talk them through the shoot. Have ideas in your head already.
I had an assistant (my sister helped me out) and that was very useful. She maid sure I did all the important shots (we made a list beforehand) and didn't miss important people out. She kept track of pose ideas and all that sort of thing, so all I had to do was shoot the pics.
It was a very stressful day and so tiring, but the bride and groom were ecstatic with the results so it was all worth it! :)
We had a smaller wedding many years ago (almost 38) and my friend's brother took all the pics. He did a fabulous job but we were all so intent on getting picsof everyone that was in attendance and some effect-type shots of my husband and I that we neglected to get one decent front shot of the two of us together! We have ones of us looking at each other, etc. but missed one of the most obvious shots! HA...just sharing. Good luck! Even thought it's a small wedding, it's moments they'll remember forever.
Hi, wedding photography is actually my job and I'm currently as a WPPI member as well....
Beside all technical issue, such as lighting, which lens you will choose to use,etc. I think you may try to think about, In case if you getting marry soon, what will you expect your own wedding photographs to be. And then, you try to take those photo that you want to have. I think it is the most easiest way to understand what wedding photographer is doing.
Do lots of research. See the venue. Talk to the minister or registrar.
Make sure you know what the happy couple want.
Take 2 of everything. Have some jokes ready. Watch out for all the white on the dress. Back all the cards up at least twice. Shoot in RAW for more options later on. Get a 50mm f1.4 lens for portraits in low light.
I’ve never done wedding photography…but I just got married so I’ll try to approach this from the other side.
We hired a young, inexperienced photographer because we liked his particular style. By and large we were very happy with what we got, however there were a few things missing that we really wanted either through him not listening to us (his fault) or by us not being clear enough in what we wanted (our fault).
So my advice is, before you even pick up a camera, make sure you’ve spent some time with the couple talking to them about what they want. Maybe they won’t think of telling you some things so ask lots of questions, bring sample shots or shots from wedding magazines and ask which ones they like and why. Make sure you listen to their answers, write it down, use a dictaphone, whatever. Don’t be afraid to impart your own personal style but make sure you also give them what they want.
It's a moot point and I'm sure you already know it, but dress appropriately, be on time and try not to boss any guests around and you’ll be fine :-)
I'm doing my first wedding in June. I got married in May '10 and used a friend of a friend to photograph my wedding. Looking back here are a few tips that I am going to apply when I do my friends wedding.
1. have a mtg with the couple and discuss what they want. ie formal shots, candid, a mixture
2. How long do they want you there? from the bride getting ready through to the evening? or just the ceremony and reception. This will give an idea of how much time you will spend photographing and work involved in post processing.
3. Be firm with guests for formal shots. the photographer for my wedding wouldn't say anything so it was left to the best man to tell ppl when to shh and look at the camera. This was stressful for me as the bride! I'm going to make sure that for the formal shots I can get everyone into position fairly quickly so there's less chance of ppl looking the wrong way etc.
4. Try to blend in. It going to be hard with a camera in your hand but I am going to aim to try and hide behind other ppl or just take snapshots whilst ppl aren't looking for those special moments.
5. I've said to my bride that I will put the pictures onto a cd for her once they have been sorted. I have also said that I will look at any offers I have (canvas prints, poster prints etc) and pass them on to her so she can order the pictures herself.
I hope this helps and I know most of this may have been covered by yourself or other ppl. Good luck with it and show us the results!!
i think you'll do great.Just capture what you feels like.All the precious moments.Try different angles & take alot of photos so you can choice the best.
And watch wedding shots on YOUTUBE.Try to copy some of the best ideas & tada! you are done.Good luck
I have done a few weddings as a second photographer and of late a few as the main and only photographer.
I asked the couple to cut out of magazines shots they liked and that they would like for their wedding. This gave me an idea of the style they preferred. Informal, high key, etc. I also asked they to cut out photos that they did not like -avoid those then.
Secondly - don't tell them how many pictures you took - then they want to see all of them, including the 50% that's not that great. I Shoot 100 plus per hour so I give them 40 - 50 photos for every hour shooting. you want to leave a good impression.
Some of the best shots that the couple's love was ones that I planned ahead of time. It has been mentioned before but do scout out the venues beforehand and any place of interest between church and reception. Then practice beforehand to get lighting etc.correct.
Lastly -TAKE CHARGE -be in control of taking pictures
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I'm sure more experienced photographers will be more helpful than that!! :)
mmmmm I am not sure where to start.... What you have signed up for is a great honor and responsibility so good for you.
Can you give me a better idea of the type of wedding. Is it inside, outside, day time, night time.... Are you going to photograph the entire day or just the ceremony.
Each of these have their special challengers so the more information you can give me the better I can direct you.
Since you are the only shooter, don't ignore other the guest and family in favor of just the bride and groom. Try to get at least one shot of everyone. They are all part of the experience.
Keep an eye out for the children.Some of your best shots may be catching them and their reactions to the goings on.
Bring lots of flash cards, extra batteries, and an extra camera of you have one.
I had an assistant (my sister helped me out) and that was very useful. She maid sure I did all the important shots (we made a list beforehand) and didn't miss important people out. She kept track of pose ideas and all that sort of thing, so all I had to do was shoot the pics.
It was a very stressful day and so tiring, but the bride and groom were ecstatic with the results so it was all worth it! :)
Good luck!
http://365project.org/discuss/articles/1207/wedding-photography-advice
http://365project.org/discuss/tips-n-tricks/1156/wedding-advice
http://365project.org/discuss/general/8276/shooting-first-wedding-ever
http://365project.org/discuss/general/1903/wedding-photos-help
Beside all technical issue, such as lighting, which lens you will choose to use,etc. I think you may try to think about, In case if you getting marry soon, what will you expect your own wedding photographs to be. And then, you try to take those photo that you want to have. I think it is the most easiest way to understand what wedding photographer is doing.
Make sure you know what the happy couple want.
Take 2 of everything. Have some jokes ready. Watch out for all the white on the dress. Back all the cards up at least twice. Shoot in RAW for more options later on. Get a 50mm f1.4 lens for portraits in low light.
We hired a young, inexperienced photographer because we liked his particular style. By and large we were very happy with what we got, however there were a few things missing that we really wanted either through him not listening to us (his fault) or by us not being clear enough in what we wanted (our fault).
So my advice is, before you even pick up a camera, make sure you’ve spent some time with the couple talking to them about what they want. Maybe they won’t think of telling you some things so ask lots of questions, bring sample shots or shots from wedding magazines and ask which ones they like and why. Make sure you listen to their answers, write it down, use a dictaphone, whatever. Don’t be afraid to impart your own personal style but make sure you also give them what they want.
It's a moot point and I'm sure you already know it, but dress appropriately, be on time and try not to boss any guests around and you’ll be fine :-)
1. have a mtg with the couple and discuss what they want. ie formal shots, candid, a mixture
2. How long do they want you there? from the bride getting ready through to the evening? or just the ceremony and reception. This will give an idea of how much time you will spend photographing and work involved in post processing.
3. Be firm with guests for formal shots. the photographer for my wedding wouldn't say anything so it was left to the best man to tell ppl when to shh and look at the camera. This was stressful for me as the bride! I'm going to make sure that for the formal shots I can get everyone into position fairly quickly so there's less chance of ppl looking the wrong way etc.
4. Try to blend in. It going to be hard with a camera in your hand but I am going to aim to try and hide behind other ppl or just take snapshots whilst ppl aren't looking for those special moments.
5. I've said to my bride that I will put the pictures onto a cd for her once they have been sorted. I have also said that I will look at any offers I have (canvas prints, poster prints etc) and pass them on to her so she can order the pictures herself.
I hope this helps and I know most of this may have been covered by yourself or other ppl. Good luck with it and show us the results!!
And watch wedding shots on YOUTUBE.Try to copy some of the best ideas & tada! you are done.Good luck
http://www.all-things-photography.com/wedding-photography-tips.html
I asked the couple to cut out of magazines shots they liked and that they would like for their wedding. This gave me an idea of the style they preferred. Informal, high key, etc. I also asked they to cut out photos that they did not like -avoid those then.
Secondly - don't tell them how many pictures you took - then they want to see all of them, including the 50% that's not that great. I Shoot 100 plus per hour so I give them 40 - 50 photos for every hour shooting. you want to leave a good impression.
Some of the best shots that the couple's love was ones that I planned ahead of time. It has been mentioned before but do scout out the venues beforehand and any place of interest between church and reception. Then practice beforehand to get lighting etc.correct.
Lastly -TAKE CHARGE -be in control of taking pictures
Hopes this helps
Enjoy