Saturday I shot my first wedding - it was an interesting experience. The bride asked me to come early to do some "before" shots. Although I arrived at 3:30, she didn't begin putting her dress on until 4:40 and the ceremony was supposed to start at 5pm! Needless to say it was late. The room she had wanted to use was literally orange - terracotta walls and a horrible yellow glowing ceiling light! There was a big sliding glass door but we couldn't open it because all the guests were on the other side. I suggested we move to the living room. The light was much better but the room was rather cluttered and also contained a lot of orange/yellow items. Luckily a B&W conversion along with other editing buttons improved the situation. Another obstacle was her mother's finger - she had a giant bandage on it after cutting it the day before. Getting shots of her tying up the dress were rather tricky to say the least!
After this shot and a few others we moved to the front yard with her parents and sisters. Took a handful of rushed "stand in a line" group shots. At this point we were about 15 minutes past due so everyone went off to get lined up for their entrance. I said I would be right back after switching my lens. I was literally gone 3 minutes (if that) and when I walked to her mother's backyard the bride was at the alter! I was in SHOCK! I swear they must have run around the side of the house and marched straight up in a sprint. So... no walking down the aisle images!!
The drama continued after the ceremony when myself, the bride, groom and their 4 children (ages 7-10) and a mother in law headed to a local beach to do some more formal images. Getting four children to look and smile at the same time was nearly impossible. One was in tears most of the time for some unknown reason. The mother in law stood behind me yelling at the kids to smile and threatening to not let them have cake if they didn't cooperate. I managed to get a handful of decent shots but it was by far the most difficult session I've ever had.
It was a long afternoon but I did have fun and learned a lot.
You poor thing, that sounds like an awful experience. Did you have to stay for the reception? I am sure your images are all beautiful and she will be happy with the photos.
This shot has great light and looks lovely. Sounds like a hurried and stressful experience
What was she thinking! Not your problem tho! Hope things improved x
@nicolecampbell@brigette I was there five hours in total. It was a very casual backyard affair. I spent time visiting with the family (I taught the bride and her younger sister years ago) and stayed to eat and then took a few cake pictures. The bride was totally relaxed and happy with everything then and with the images I've sent so far. I was pleased she was enjoying herself.
oh my kim, sounds like a stressful experience! i can well imagine the tensions for you, having been asked to take pictures informally (there was an official photographer as well) at a couple of friends' weddings. i'm sure i couldn't cope with being the main person! the light in this image is just gorgeous, and i'm not surprised to hear she's happy with your shots, knowing what a talented photographer you are - haven't forgotten the delightful prom images you posted recently :)
You did an awesome job with this kim . Really awesome. I love the light and you have kept some lovely detail in the dress. Can you clone out the cushion / towel on the left hand side as it sort of catches the eye. I do love the photo even with the cushion . Well done on your wedding shoot 😀. Oh and the bride looks like Gerri Halliwell ( former spice girl)
I have to say that when you said you were shooting a wedding I thought "oh dear". Your story is so typical of weddings and their ups and downs (and ins and outs). They are always chaotic and you need to be in ten different places at once. This is a gorgeous photo, I know your shots are all incredible! You know now why Annie Leibovitz literally has twenty assistants for her shoots. Smile!
Oh my goodness, sounds quite an ordeal. I'm sure you will have wonderful images for the bride and groom despite the difficult conditions. This shot is lovely :)
This is not only lovely, it is different than many I have seen. Weddings are difficult! The child was crying because it was a wedding! I'm sorry they didn't cooperate with you more but I am sure you got some great shots.
What a shame - but I think the bride will probably still remember it as the happiest day of her life and that is the tale which I imagine your photos will tell.
A pretty shot of the bride, and I'm sure her relaxed nature made the experience better for you, the guests, and the happy couple than it could have been otherwise. Years ago, my husband and I built up a side business as wedding videographers, which we did for about five years. We were self-taught, but were able to produce some great videos at modest prices that the couples were thrilled by -- all except the one "bridezilla" that was a nightmare to work with and bitterly complained that we missed an important shot of a special pillow, which ruined the entire video in her view. I had fun reading your narrative of your experience, and as you can see it brought back a lot of memories!
I think you've done an amazing job at making a yellow and orange room look like a wedding studio! I agree with Phil H if you can get rid of the blanket/pillow it will make an excellent picture stunning. The light is wonderful. My husband was a mobile DJ for years and he could tell you a few wedding stories as well! They are unpredictable but it sounds like your bride is happy-go-lucky and will not miss what you didn't get and will love what you did. Great job all the way around!
What a beautiful image! I loved how you used the side lighting to to get the dress and her expression so well! Weddings are so much work but the results are so much fun to go through.
You have captured the excitement in the faces and the person in the background and the light shows the dress beautifully. I cant imagine going through all that stress without doing a runner! I wanted to laugh and cry at your description at the same time. you have to have a fav for perseverance alone.
The lighting is lovely in this shot. This wedding sounds very stressful, you were very brave to be the photographer. It doesn't sound easy with the brightly coloured room either.
So enjoyed your story - reminds me of why I continue to say no when people ask if I'd shoot a wedding for them - scares the heck out of me! You did amazingly well - with an obviously quite relaxed bride - the b&w shot you've posted is great. Love how you caught the light on her face.
oh, kim, i admire you for getting through that experience. the mother in law behind you yelling was the pits. if it was me, i'd have smacked her outright! hahaha! i've been asked to photograph a wedding a few times, having seen my photographs. but knowing that i don't have a good knowledge of my equipment and my short temper, i wouldn't do it. i could probably be a still photographer or do headshots but even that would really stress the heck out of me. why, i stress myself even when i'm doing my selfies! :-D if you were near me, i'd probably would've referred them to you. great shot with this one, and i agree that the blanket would have to "go". great job you did. kudos!
Your experience is one very important reason why I would never attempt to do a wedding. Way to many variables to have to deal with! I image with your talent as seen in this photo you did well! I was asked twice to do Senior pictures and that was enough excitement for me. A FAV for all that you had to deal with!
Oh dear poor you ... I have been asked to do wedding photo's and so far I have turned them down .. flattered that they ask but just do not want that preasure ... lets hope they are happy with your shots..
Well done for continuing on under difficult conditions. I have so much admiration for wedding photographers. If this photo is anything to go by, I am sure she will be very happy with what you have from the day. Great image.
Sounds as if you were stuck in the wedding from hell! Well done you for sticking it out! A job as a wedding photographer always seems like it would be a nice thing to do, but I think in reality, it would be incredibly stressful! Working with the general public can be very rewarding, but equally can be an absolute nightmare ( I know, I work with them!) This is a great shot & I'm sure the others will be just as good.
I have shot a couple of weddings but never had this kind of experience. Yikes! At two of the weddings I was there 2 hours before the ceremony, I told them I had to have a very strict timetable to get the shots they wanted. And it worked out okay but I do not really care for shooting weddings either. One wedding the bride wanted her group shots in an area where the setting sun was behind them..talk about blown out and shadowed faces. I won't do it again.
Great lighting in this one! The thought of doing wedding photography (I did it once for a friend as my gift to them) makes me shudder. You are brave to take it on!
Wonderful light in this shot. I really enjoyed your candid recounting of the whole "wedding" shoot. You are very brave. I agree about the blanket. Now that I learn about the bandaged finger, I can see it but it is not at all distracting. The crying kid part sounds difficult!!
WOW! What an experience! If this is a good example of what you DID get, then they're sure to be pleased! You earned your pay on this occasion to be sure!
What was she thinking! Not your problem tho! Hope things improved x
There is no way I will do weddings, way to stressful!
I'm full of admiration for you, well done on getting through the experience intact. I hope you got some cake :-)