Hi Everyone!
i'm looking for some feedback on your tips/trick and all that jazz when it comes to shooting weddings. This is the area of photography that i see myself doing as a career in the future, and would love to get advice from those who have done it here and now. I have shot one "wedding" before (my friend refers to it as her elopement ceremony...) and was just hired to shoot another one this may.
anything you have to say, from ways to shoot, equipment/lenses to use (i shoot a nikon, and have access to two camera bodies i can use in may) and ways to make the neccesary shots look more than amazing, i'd love to hear it :)
I havent done any weddings really, just some snaps for friends but i recently got married and our photographer wasnt too flash so i can give you a few hints on what not to do.
Practice taking shots of different body types and see how they work together. I am short and fat and my husband is tall our photographer kept putting him on the step above me making me look like a dwarf. She also kept asking me to lay my head on his chest and look up, all you can see is chin and flabby neck. Side on faceing each other hugging just emphasised how big i am. These are the same poses as most shots in her portfolio, they looked good on skinier brides but verry bad on us.
You also need to be bossy and not worry about yelling to be heard, at the right times. A friend had a photographer that yelled and told everyone what to do after the church and they got some great shots of everyone who attended and of the couple showered with petals. My photographer told us what needed doing then we had to try and yell and get people organised. Not what i wanted to be doing 15 mins after saying I do, i had better things to do. Also we got a nice shot of every one but you can only see the front row and the tops of heads behind, and we got no shower of petals shot, which i had specifically requested.
You should try to get to know the couple before hand, have a few meetings and keep in touch by email, asking how the plans are going. The bride and groom will feel more comfortable around you you will get to know what they like and as a bonus know more what to expect on the day with regards to their plans.
Try and get a schedual, most brides have one written down.
Make sure you have a lens with a wide aperature, 1.8 is best, so you dont have to use flash in low light situations. All my ceremony shots have the blue flash tinge and a heavy shaddow that ruins them and look a little like what my uncle took.
With group shots it is always a good idea to take 3 shots in quick succession so that if none of them is good you can photoshop peoples faces to get one shot with everyones eyes open and no strange looks. This is especcially handy for shots of every one who attended as trying to get one shot of 50 people each with a smile and eyes open is pretty trcky.
I have done several weddings. Here is what I experienced. At first I did it as a gift
then I was told I was silly doing that and I could make money at it. I only had hard film camera's at the time. I got album supplies from (A I ) . After I started being hired to do weddings things changed for me. It went from being a (fun) thing to being a major responsibility. Quite a bit more pressure when you HAVE to get it right. I will admit now though that the digital process is a lot more reliable, and fewer bad things can happen, and corrections can be made. I don't want to discourage you, just use the up to date equipment. Good Luck with your endevor
I do it for a living. So much to say, no time to write right now. I love talking weddings, though, and I love sharing my little experiences and things I've picked up along the way. If you have specific questions, feel free to shower them on me! emily@redleafphotographync.com
wow lauren, thanks for the input from the bride's perspective. that's really helpful :)
and if i think of anything specific, i'm sure i'll shoot you an email one of these days emily :)
My friend was recently married and had pics done which were less than desirable. What stands out in my mind is the placement of the bride in all shots. In one shot the bride (who battles her weight daily) was posed next to the long food buffet! Why would you need a picture of such? Food pics do not require people. And, her reception shots were almost all of the one guy who was drunk and dancing like a fool. Many family members who were present did not end up in any of the pics.
@Lauren, it's a shame that you didn't get someone who could show your body in a better perspective. Working with body types should be the first priority in photographing a bride. I hope you at least got some nice head shots of your beautiful red hair and darling freckles!
I would suggest taking Emily up on her generous offer and also read everything you can get your hands on. This is a huge responsibility. The one big tip I would make is either you or the bride & groom ask someone to take the 'casual' shots. Shots of the wedding but more specifically of the reception. Try to have them get at least 1 picture of every person there, or at least have them in one shot. The wedding day is so hectic and goes so fast that the bride and groom miss a lot. If there are casual pictures taken as well as the formal pictures that you are doing then they will have a great record of their day. They might also want to ask a friend to take a video too. All of these ideas will allow you to focus on your job, to get the best formal shots of their day.
HI! I have recently gone full time as a photographer but have been shooting for many years. I absolutely LOVE doing weddings. It is the happiest day and I love the emotions that run through. That is what I try and photograph - the relationships. I love doing a more photojournalistic and creative style.
The more you do the better to get experience. Try and find a photographer near you that might mentor you - you could go along to a shoot and take some photos and help assist. I did a few weddings for little pay when I started out just to get a nice portfolio going. I read everything I can about weddings and how to photograph them. I always try new and creative ways to shoot.
I think it is really important to be pretty good at photoshop. It is essential to stay competitive.
Feel free to check out my website at www.kellycanovaphotography.com and write anytime with questions kelly@kellycanovaphotos.com.
Good luck!
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I havent done any weddings really, just some snaps for friends but i recently got married and our photographer wasnt too flash so i can give you a few hints on what not to do.
Practice taking shots of different body types and see how they work together. I am short and fat and my husband is tall our photographer kept putting him on the step above me making me look like a dwarf. She also kept asking me to lay my head on his chest and look up, all you can see is chin and flabby neck. Side on faceing each other hugging just emphasised how big i am. These are the same poses as most shots in her portfolio, they looked good on skinier brides but verry bad on us.
You also need to be bossy and not worry about yelling to be heard, at the right times. A friend had a photographer that yelled and told everyone what to do after the church and they got some great shots of everyone who attended and of the couple showered with petals. My photographer told us what needed doing then we had to try and yell and get people organised. Not what i wanted to be doing 15 mins after saying I do, i had better things to do. Also we got a nice shot of every one but you can only see the front row and the tops of heads behind, and we got no shower of petals shot, which i had specifically requested.
You should try to get to know the couple before hand, have a few meetings and keep in touch by email, asking how the plans are going. The bride and groom will feel more comfortable around you you will get to know what they like and as a bonus know more what to expect on the day with regards to their plans.
Try and get a schedual, most brides have one written down.
Make sure you have a lens with a wide aperature, 1.8 is best, so you dont have to use flash in low light situations. All my ceremony shots have the blue flash tinge and a heavy shaddow that ruins them and look a little like what my uncle took.
With group shots it is always a good idea to take 3 shots in quick succession so that if none of them is good you can photoshop peoples faces to get one shot with everyones eyes open and no strange looks. This is especcially handy for shots of every one who attended as trying to get one shot of 50 people each with a smile and eyes open is pretty trcky.
That is all i can think off. Hope that helps.
then I was told I was silly doing that and I could make money at it. I only had hard film camera's at the time. I got album supplies from (A I ) . After I started being hired to do weddings things changed for me. It went from being a (fun) thing to being a major responsibility. Quite a bit more pressure when you HAVE to get it right. I will admit now though that the digital process is a lot more reliable, and fewer bad things can happen, and corrections can be made. I don't want to discourage you, just use the up to date equipment. Good Luck with your endevor
and if i think of anything specific, i'm sure i'll shoot you an email one of these days emily :)
@Lauren, it's a shame that you didn't get someone who could show your body in a better perspective. Working with body types should be the first priority in photographing a bride. I hope you at least got some nice head shots of your beautiful red hair and darling freckles!
Butterfly...
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The more you do the better to get experience. Try and find a photographer near you that might mentor you - you could go along to a shoot and take some photos and help assist. I did a few weddings for little pay when I started out just to get a nice portfolio going. I read everything I can about weddings and how to photograph them. I always try new and creative ways to shoot.
I think it is really important to be pretty good at photoshop. It is essential to stay competitive.
Feel free to check out my website at www.kellycanovaphotography.com and write anytime with questions kelly@kellycanovaphotos.com.
Good luck!