Asked to do a wedding

rikki1q

rikki1q

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Rik
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Im sure this is a common problem as friends and family think "ooohhh they have a camera with lenses that change they must be good" so they ask you to do things. Now i have been asked by a good friend to do his wedding photos as he is a bit skint paying for the rest of it he is only after looking at the camera smiling kinda pics nothing fancy and i reckon i can handle that.

My problem is what do i need? and when do i snap?

At the moment i have a nikon d40 the kit lens and a 55-200mm i should imagine im gonna be needing a tripod but will i need a flash if so is the sb 600 gonna be up to the task.

and second when do i take the pictures its a civil ceremony so are there any really important things i need to take pictures of them doing as the first dance is about as much as i can remember from weddings (must avoid the bar)

any advice would be ace

thanks in advance

rik
 
You need a lot more than equipment - and you don't appear to have it! Tell him to get a pro! Is he getting a friend to do the catering? Or a friend to drive the car? Then why skimp on the pictures - they'll be around a lot longer than almost anything else from that day!
 
My first question is have you thought long and hard about this? If he is a mate, and you don't get it right, it could cause a falling out of major proportions. I understand that he is saying he just wants smiling at the camera type shots and that he is skint [aren't we all] but, and please dont take offence, for someone that asking what a lens hood is for, I would be worried that perhaps you might be letting yourself in for something you will struggle with. PLease, I am not trying to rain on your parade, and if you do it, would certainly wish you the very best of luck, I am just suggesting erring on the side of caution. ;)

However, do a forum search on wedding photography, there are many threads with loads of good advice on what you need, the standard shots, and so on.

My own advice - read up as much as you can and get as much practice in as you can in the meantime.
 
I'm always suprised when people skimp of the photography at a wedding. Other than the Rings and the Certificate it's usually the only part of the day that will last the entire marriage. Trusting the photos to a mate just becasue he has a "posh" camera is a brave (or stupid) thing to do and in IMHO you're a brave (stupid ;)) man to say yes.

However, back to your original question.

What you have will produce decent pics (if you are a good photographer) however, consider what will happen if your D40 packs up on the day - unlikely but murphy's law will apply if you haven't thought about this (perhaps camera hire is the way forward - and get your mate to pay!!)

As for what to shoot take a look about as there are lists available from Pros of the shots that will be expected - if you run through with the B&G beforehand and agree what they want and then shoot those.

Some registrars (& vicars) don't allow photos until it's all over and if they do it's a cardinal sin to use flash, so you may need the high ISOs to cope with the interiors (ideally a f2.8 lens that you don't have). Ask the B&G to confirm with the location & registrar what the rules are before you go to avoid disapointment. When flash can be used the SB600 will be fine (just bounce it, or Stofen it for best results), but again what happens if it dies.

When it comes to the first dance it's best to use avaialble light to capture the mood and this is where you might need to get a new lens - a 50mm f1.8 is cheap (£75) and ideal (on the D40 you'll need to manual focus though).

If you go ahead with it - good luck :thumbs:
 
To be honest i have already said all that to him and he does not really seem to concerned and yes im a complete amateur i will admit !

lol but my question still stands and id appreciate some input :) and i do have until july next year to get some practise in

cheers

rik
 
Recently did cousins wedding(same thing, you're family and you have a camera, you take our pictures! Like its that easy!!!) Mine was a good irish catholic church wedding. First have way too much memory/battery power. (check out sevendayshop.com for cheap deals) 2-def bring tripod. 3-check out venue and location for group shots in advance (have an indoor option - rain!)4- talk to priest/minister couple days before. They like it and cant help. 5-get to brides in the morn. Give them a time frame so they are ready for ya. Try to get to venue early for shots of the boys and guests. Both situations make great shots.
6-All attending should be inside when bride arrives - takes pressure off. Shots of guests/ boys will give you guide for exposures.7-get flowers/kids/bridesmaids etc. 8-get exchanging of rings & vows/the kiss etc.9-other shots: get up high if ya can during the"other" bits of the service. Couple coming out of venue, the car, the parents/families etc.

Seriously check out venues in advance for exposure ideas. Try not to use flash. use tripod. Think the whole day thru and make a list of what you want to get. Eat a good brekkie, no matter how nervous you are - its a long day! And yes stay away form bar!!!(hipflask!!!)

Hope this helps. You have a decent kit. Plus if its a favour then they can't expect a "Hello" shoot. Make all details clear in advance to couple (write it down for them) Time frame, what they can expect from you, any costs etc (will save a whole lot of hassle later)

Best of luck. Let us know how it goes!
 
rikki1q said:
To be honest i have already said all that to him and he does not really seem to concerned

i do have until july next year to get some practise in

cheers

rik
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ricki show him really awful photos, that may make him rethink
you can borrow some of mine if it helps:D.

meanwhile get practicing and the best of luck.
 
I know your fancy must be tickled by that 'request', Rikki. Your ego will be hard pushed to refuse. But refuse it you must. For the couple's sake. There is an awful lot of emotions involved with wedding photos. The photog gets only ONE opportunity to get it right. Get it wrong and you're pooped. But what's more important: they are pooped! And those photos will have to last a lifetime, or even longer!

You want the responsibility of a wedding photo disaster?
(And you'll be reminded the rest of your life of this 'episode' . . . )
 
Good luck - you're braver than I am, I've turned down 5 weddings this year. Although, professionals and non-skimping are not always that great either. We paid £800 for our photos (photos only, no album) and some of the pictures our mates took came out better, in fact, one of them we got blown up and framed. One word of advice, if they have a beautiful 12th Century Church with great doors and backdrop etc, don't take their main B&G photos with their heads nearly at the top of the frame blocking out all the church and a third of the photo at the bottom being the brown grass of summer 2003! Try not to have a domestic with your spouse in front of the wedding party and have a couple of bottles of water on hand for the bride as she might get thirsty. (Just some advice from a Bride's point of view rather than a tog)
 
W.Smith said:
I know your fancy must be tickled by that 'request', Rikki. Your ego will be hard pushed to refuse. But refuse it you must. For the couple's sake. There is an awful lot of emotions involved with wedding photos. The photog gets only ONE opportunity to get it right. Get it wrong and you're pooped. But what's more important: they are pooped! And those photos will have to last a lifetime, or even longer!

You want the responsibility of a wedding photo disaster?
(And you'll be reminded the rest of your life of this 'episode' . . . )
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Personally I'd say this and other comments telling the original poster not to do it are forgetting something. If the guy getting married isn't going to pay a pro, why shouldn't the poster have a go for him? At the end of the day even if they're not perfect, it's better than nothing. And who says ( without ever seeing any shots taken by the poster ) that he/she isn't a natural?

As long as the the couple getting married are fully aware of the risk in not paying a pro, and are OK with that, then I don't see the problem.
 
wgdbradley said:
Oh god, look what youve started. The pro wedding togs will be out in numbers battling to defend their reputation and failing to give any advice...
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Need glasses, wgb? The advice is: DON'T DO IT!
You can yell at a pro photog, even haul him/her into court if you must. But what's gonna happen to the relationship – for life! – when a friend or relative føcks up? Want to risk that? Is that worth it?
 
Dont put yourself under the pressure of doing the Wedding, if you dont have the gear and are unsure then dont do it.
 
The worst thing i can see provided the B&G are happy you are a complete novice and may balls it up is that you are the one forking out for all the new kit and lenses while they get cheap/free wedding pics taken. Other than the experience you end up worse off.
 
Here is what I take on a Wedding shoot.

Canon 1DS MK2
Canon 1D MK2N
Canon 20D (in the car if needed)
Canon 24-105 F4 L IS USM
Canon 17-40 F4 L
Canon 70-200 F2.8 L IS USM
Sigma 24-70 F2.8 EX DG (in the car if needed)
Canon 580 EX Flash with Stofen fitted
Canon 430 EX Flash with Stofen fitted
Tripod ( in the car if needed)
Canon high speed flash pack
Monopod ( in the car if needed)
A big bag

I have the back up function set on with both 1 series camera's and shoot RAWS on the compact flash with a RAW back up on the SD card.
 
im in the same predicament.

a friend of mine's parents have asked me to do the photography at their wedding.
Already told them that i am an enthusiast and cant guarentee the same quality as a pro but as they told me... they are pensioners on a budget and every pro photographer is very much out of their price range.

so im spending every spare minute of every day doing my research and doing test pictures (when i get my camera back from repair lol)

although i admit a pro should always be the preferred option on your big day, but sometimes, in my case, it may be the only way people can get a photographic record of their big day.

lisa :)
 
rikki1q said:
i do have until july next year to get some practise in
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If you're gonna do it, there's not much we can say to stop you.

Spend every spare moment getting used to your camera and how to shoot with it (especially with the flash). You need to know it inside out and back to front with your eyes closed. I was at a wedding the other day as a guest and the "pro" missed a vital moment - the releasing of 2 doves representing the bride's parents who were both dead - because he had his camera set on the wrong shutter speed :eek: This was the same "pro" who flashed away during the ceremony :bat: (cardinal sin) with direct flash in a room with a beautiful white ceiling perfect for bouncing :shake:

Remember that Wedding photographs are about people, so if you aren't good at people photography then this is your time to get good, read everything you can about people photography, portraiture, how to make people look good in photos etc. If you aren't a people person then you need to become one, learn how to make people feel relaxed behind the camera - take the B&G out for a shoot, go to the Dress / Suit fitting and take reportage shots (they'll all be good practice and they'll look good in the wedding album). Go on the Stag and Hen nights (use this as practice to get people you don't know to relax (just don't include any incriminating shots in the wedding album ;))

Keep in mind the advice given to have a spare camera & flash at hand - this is not the day you want your camera to go down. You could consider asking the B&G to buy a S/H set (same models) on ebay for you to use that they sell on after the wedding - any loss or gain is theirs (N.B. they shouldn't loose too much in a month if anything). Point out that this is a 1 off for them and ask them to "imagine how they would feel if due to a camera error they had no photos to remind the of how wonderful their day was, especially if they could have done something about it". When you have 2 cameras, shoot with 2 cameras (with different lenses). Swapping cameras is easier than swapping lenses and if one camera eats the photos you at least have another with some photos on it.
 
Every time an amateur takes on a wedding without the proper ability to do it - the value of a pros work is devalued. I repeat - do they ask friends to do the catering? provide the music? design the rings? etc etc etc - Professional photography is worth more than nothing! If you can do a good job for a friend for free - then do it - if you have to ask these sort of questions here - then you are MAD to do it. I do not do weddings by the way so have no axe to grind. A pro has loads of equipment - maybe £10k+ - years of experience - and the ability (mostly) to deliver what is required - that is worth money. IF you can produce the same pro quality for a friend - go ahead - otherwise give them good advice - book a PRO!

REMEMBER - the photographs will last longer than the marriage - even if the mariage lasts 60+ years! That has to be worth something.
 
Thanx for all the advice be it saying run away and dont do it or go ahead! i have til july and im already bricking it lol!!

cheers guys and gals
 
awp said:
Every time an amateur takes on a wedding without the proper ability to do it - the value of a pros work is devalued.
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I disagree - everytime a mate / relative / neighbour with a "posh" camera hashes a wedding up that'll be another couple wished they'd gone pro and will tell all their friends to go Pro. The only time a Pro's work is devalued is when the mate / relative / neighbour does a good job for free.

However, I agree with the rest of your post - especially the bit about the Photographs outlasting the Wedding
 
Guys, I've shifted out three comments referring to an ex-member. Not fair when she's no longer here to defend herself. :)
 
can you explain what you mean please? shifted out etc?
 
There were three comments "recommending" an ex-member who, for a number of reasons, is no longer here. I've taken the posts out of this thread and shifted them to a holding thread which isn't visible, for the reason stated :)
 
I did much the same earlier this year, friends insisting they wanted me to be their daughters wedding tog. I loved and hated every minute of it.

From my experience, take plenty of batteries and loads of memory on the day. LEARN how your camera works intimately! don't lose a shot fumbling with the controls and likewise don't chimp too much.

Plan plan and plan some more, know what shots you want to get and get them, take control of the subjects, be firm!, don't let anyone else do it and don't let relatives "just borrow xyz for a minute" until you're finished with them.

Find out nearer the time wether photography is allowed in the venue they intend to use, my local registry office won't allow photography during the ceremony for example which might cramp your style a bit. Scout out the venue before the wedding day so you know what the size/access/lighting is like.

My kit on the day, Canon 30D, 50mm f1.8, 17-85 IS, Sigma 500DG Super with Stoffen fitted, tripod. I tried to stick with the 50mm as much as poss for it's sharpness.

Talk with your friends, discuss possible shots and setups and when they are happy with the plan go with it.
 
Don't risk personal relationships on this. If it's got to be an amateur, then let it be a friend of a friend of a friend. Not someone the couple and their close relatives personally know and may run into often later.
Everybody else, close to the couple, can be excellent "second shooters" if they are so inclined. To catch those special moments that someone unfamiliar to the couple (and bridal party) would miss.
 
Oooh one other thing, find out if they expect you to print the shots (tres' expensive!) or if they are happy for you to put them up on photobox or similar for folk to order their own copies.
 
I have done 3 weddings for friends and all came out fine I used my Nikon D40 with the 17/55 lens suplied with it and my sb 600 flashlight It was nerve racking to say the least but got better the more weddings I had done I have done a church which was nice and 2 registry sets which were both different due to the allowance of taking the pictures through the ceramony. I explained that I was a novice and thaty I would do my best so they understood fom the outset .I had the pictures printed at my local asda store and they came out brilliantly...

The only advice I can give you is visit the location before hand to get a good idea and also plan some shots Take a spare battery for the camera and spare for the flash have someone with you that can help sort out the people for the shots(makes it a lot easier) be calm and enjoy the day.another thing is plan your shots well look whats behind the people so that theres not trees or lampost growing out of their heads take your time and be masterful with the people as they wander or talk just as you finally get then the way you want.Good Luck You will need it ;)

P.S.
Take loads of pictures using continual shoot mode as there always someone with their eyes closed or facing the wrong way so three or four shots are better than one
 
awp said:
Every time an amateur takes on a wedding without the proper ability to do it - the value of a pros work is devalued.
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That's just not true. Damage is done to the profession of wedding photography by 'pros' that take peoples money and hand over crap.

There is one area of the wedding where amateurs can cause future problems for pros however. You mentioned it's a civil ceremony - it depends on where you are in the UK, not all registrars will allow photography.

If you are allowed to shoot, most likely they will not want you using flash - respect this rule, and stay shooting from one fixed position.

I don't know if you had planned on upgrading your lenses, but your current ones just aren't going to cut it in the low light inside without using a lot of flash.

As others have said, do a recce of the ceremony and reception venues - people will be able to give specific advice with better knowledge of conditions.

What time of year is the wedding ?

Duncan
 
life is about{having a crack} you never know. you might be great. just take all the good advise you can get. and enjoy the moment.as soon as you get the fist shot of you will
feel fine{ you have to take the first step some time}good luck
 
I was asked by my sister to take her wedding pics couple of julys ago. I was totally unprepared with all the wrong equipment and a dodgy old film camera. lucky for me the sun was shining and the scenery was quite nice. Ended up with some brilliant pics (I took about 100 in total and scaled that down to 30 which were the best ones and put them in an album for her).Very scary but very proud to have managed it!.
My advice other than what others have said - be loud! make sure people are looking your way and you have their attention. If you can get someone such as the best man to gather people into the groups to help keep you organised and working quickly so people don't get bored of waiting. and definately visit the venue before hand so you have some idea of nice backgrounds etc.
Best of Luck to you!
 
life is about{having a crack} you never know. you might be great. just take all the good advise you can get. and enjoy the moment.as soon as you get the fist shot of you will
feel fine{ you have to take the first step some time}good luck
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I agree :clap:
 
Rikki. If you are confident person and have a basic knowledge of your camera then you'll be fine, scared but fine.
I was ask by a friend to photograph his wedding,which i did but i insisted he got a pro. He payed alot of money for 3 hours of their time. I started early in the morning and covered the Groom get ready, the Bride get ready, the ceremony/group shots/couple shots/ confetti shots/ cake/ speeches/ dances and i left at 2.30 in the morning, couldn't get a cab so i slept in the car. Oh yeh i had a few beers.
Took 500ish photos, 100 duff ones. i put the rest on a disc
and gave them to my friend (un-edited) They loved them. Went though them with him and his new wife and they chose there favorites. I put all these on another disc (edited). No prints, they are going to sort them.
Im getting more calls for weddings than i am leaking roofs.
What about the pro your thinking. Well to be honest the photos were fine, a light boring maybe. Its my photos that they show to there friends.
Im in NO way having a dig at any PRO's on hear or elsewhere (you are the guys that are teaching me) but as in any job there are alot of "pro's" that dont really know what they doing. I see this alot in my job.
IMO a photographer should cover the hole day. I agree that photos are the long lasting memory but it must be better to have the whole day recorded and not just a couple of hours.
I was scared at the idea of doing this. So the only thing a can say is do your homework Check out all the venues beforehand.
Enjoy yourself

Next point, i was asked by a friend to do the catering at a their wedding................................................. :lol:
 
If you are planning on any lens upgrades do it as soon as you reasonably can so you get used to the new kit prior to the big day.

Shoot RAW & Jpeg - if something happens to the RAW files you do at least still have the jpeg as backup

Aim to underexpose very slightly rather than overexposing and possibly blowing highlights and losing details on the dress. You can always correct underexposure in processing afterwards

use 4gig cards not anything bigger - better to have to do a few card changes than risk one 8gig card going ***'s up and you losing everything you've shot.

However many memory cards you expect to need - take double that number.

ditto batteries. I know your fully charged one is good for 500+ shots, but take at least two - if not three - spares, just in case.

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, touch any alcohol until your camera is finished with and it's tiome to relax and enjoy the party.

Finally - think long and hard before you do this one. others have already issued all the dire warnings but you really do need to seriously think it all through. I don't care how much your mate says he only wants "smiling at the camera" type shots - if the worst happens and suddenly it turns out that his new Missus was expecting some gorgeous shots she can show off to her mates for ever more, he WILL end up not speaking to you for ever and a day and you WILL lose a good friend. I suspect it would be a harder call by far to say no than yes, but don;t even begin the think that this is a good reason for agreeing. You need to be seriously sure you can not only handle it, but that you can turn out a job which they - and more importantly YOU - can be proud of.

Good luck.
 
interesting thread to pop up as just a couple of days ago I had a friend suggest that because I had a fancy camera (400D :cuckoo:) I should do weddings as it's "easy money" :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I put him straight pretty quick, I wouldn't dare, I don't believe for 1 second that it is easy money. And I don't believe a fancy camera automatically means you can take fancy photos.

I do think it is important that a wedding is done properly by someone who really does know what they are doing (both photographically and people skills), with the right kit, and the right backup kit to cover the what if scenarios.

May I suggest a 'get out' that could keep everybody happy: ask the couple to book a pro photographer, (even if its just the formal bit if money is really tight), . . . and YOU will be the "official unofficial photographer", with the best of your photos to be included in the official album.

You do all the candids and alternative photos. The pros get so involved with the formal photo lists that they don't have the opportunity to pick up all the emotions and socialising that's going on around them. No matter how good the pro they can only be in one place (and appear to spend most of the time herding the sheep) and everybody is so stiff and formal with them, wheras you can mingle and capture the people being people.

AND you get to take the photograph of the official photographer taking the photographs, its usually missing from the album and is a major part of the event!

good luck whichever route you take.
 
Tell your friend to give me a call or email and I will do his Wedding.

Visit: www.markheywood.co.uk

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I like the pics PapaLazarou!!!
 
What bugs me about Weddings now is the amount of couples who scrimp on a pro photographer. They ask a friend or a member of the family who has a camera to do the Wedding.

But they don't have a clue what it takes to be a Wedding photographer, you might be a great photographer, know your kit and how to use it. But that's nothing, do you know what poses you need to photograph what combination of shots that should be taken.

What side does the Groom stand on, and why they stand on the side they do. Plus the pressure you are under is the like nothing you will have felt before, if you don't know what to expect you could freeze up on the day or be a total reck.

I just don't get it why couples spend £250 on a limo that takes them ten mins down the road and that's it, and don't spend a penny on a pro who will shoot stunning pics that they will cherish for the rest of there lives.

www.markheywood.co.uk
 
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