Been asked to photograph a wedding!

CarlukeDave

CarlukeDave

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I was asked last night to photograph my brothers friends wedding.

Firstly, it's a low budget wedding, I think the original plan was just to have a guests taking photographs and taking a selection of the best. I'm certainly not trying to take work from a professional, and I'm not charging anything for it.

I have made it clear to the couple that I'm very much an amatuer and not to expect professional quality photographs and they are fine with this. Although I hope to give them something that they'll really like.

I have a few questions for the more experienced out there.

At the moment, I only have a jessops own brand flash. I think I'd need a decent flash, what would be a decent one to get? The wedding is in April and the blessing in the church is at 1600hrs, so weather dependant, the light levels may not be great.

Lens wise, I've currently got on order a Sigma 17-70mm and a "nifty fifty", I already have a Tamron 70-300mm and the 18-55mm Canon kit lens. Would those be sufficient?

I have a 350D, I'm not in a position to buy another body, but I can get a loan of my friends 400D as a back up, just in case.

I'll invest in a couple of new CF cards, is there any benefit in getting a 4 x 2Gb over 1 x 8Gb? or any other variation.

Although I'm nervous already, it's something I'm really looking forward to, as there's not really a lot of pressure, apart from what I'll put myself under!

Any advice and tips will be greatly appreciated!

Dave
 
The only thing I can offer advice on is the SD card really... If it were me I'd get the 4x 2gb ones, for the simple matter that if one goes wrong, you've still got the others with some pics on... if the 8gb one goes, you've got nothing.

Oh, and yes, borrow the 400d, for the same reason as above, if one goes wrong, you've still got the other.

I'll leave the "don't do it, tell them to get a pro" to the others ;)
 
mattyh said:
The only thing I can offer advice on is the SD card really... If it were me I'd get the 4x 2gb ones, for the simple matter that if one goes wrong, you've still got the others with some pics on... if the 8gb one goes, you've got nothing.

Oh, and yes, borrow the 400d, for the same reason as above, if one goes wrong, you've still got the other.

I'll leave the "don't do it, tell them to get a pro" to the others ;)
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Thanks, that's what I thought re the cards. :)
 
So basically, you're giving up half a weekend to work for free and you're looking to spend a fortune doing it.

Sounds a bit :cuckoo: to me. ;)

My advice would be, take along what kit you have. Get the nicest set of shots you can of the day and then get very drunk at the reception with everyone else. People get paid lots to deal with the pressure, have all the right kit plus backup. Treat this for what it is, a day out with the chance to get some shots for a couple of friends. :D
 
The only additional advice I would give is to get a decent flash gun. The Canon would be ideal but if your budget can't stretch that far try a Sigma or similar.

Also worth checking what's allowed in the church and what's not. When and where you can use flash and where not.

:thumbs: On the advice on the cards. Also check the images on a regular basis.
 
What you could do.... is say you'll do it for free but charge for prints for friends & family... they get theirs printed at whatever it costs you. That way you're not doing it for free, but you're not doing it as a pro, if you like?

That way, if you do get some good shots you might recoup some of the money you're likely to be paying out to do it :)
 
my advice would be to make sure that you do not post this on photographers.co.uk forum :rules: as you will get your head well and truly ripped off :bonk:
 
It can be done and I agree about seperate cf cards and borrowing a second camera, not just the body.
Borrow a proficient camera user too if you can.
You can probably guess the following but here goes.

Plan it from the getting ready in the morning to the cake cutting. The speeches and reception are generally more relaxed.

Check out the church and reception areas for bride/groom/group photo places.
I say this as I have had people standing around grave stones before and it doesn't look great.

If you can find a well lit indoor location with some sort of back drop this will be invaluable if the weather packs up.

Make sure you duplicate your files before you start editing them.
 
sportysnaps said:
my advice would be to make sure that you do not post this on photographers.co.uk forum :rules: as you will get your head well and truly ripped off :bonk:
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I might go and do just that then. :D:lol:

I can just about understand why people would get a little lathered about someone coming on with the old " I've just got a digi SLR and thought I'd do some weddings" line but this is totally different.

Which is exactly why my advice is don't sweat it. Sounds to me like if they wanted pro, they'd hire one.

Is it possible that there are still people out there that value the marriage more than the wedding? :eek: :clap:
 
Dave - I did my first one a week ago.
I'll write more later, as we are about to go out, but prepare big time !
I went to the locations several times to check for backdrops, light, and to know my way around. I talked with the bride and groom and we established a relationship that made it possible (I am also not a pro !) as any failings on my behalf would be almost expected.
Equipment - they all say that take 2 of everything - flashguns, camera bodies, and lots of batteries and memory cards - ideally in smaller sizes.
I used a softbox on my flash for shots where there was nothing to bounce flash against, and boy, was it hard work. I have been told that I was a good part of the day - ie I fitted in with the guests, but that I wasn't assertive enough - I shouted and cajoled to try to get people into the right places, with limited success, so be prepared to bully as much as it takes - next time I will. Be prepared for whatever light - we had harsh sun - major problems with shadows, flare and squinting.
I used my 70-200 and 17-55 almost exclusively, keeping both attached to a body, so as to limit dust. I also used lots of anti-perspirant. It was exhausting, real fun, and my results were worth the effort, for me. I also spent many many hours awake at night going through things. It is such an important day for the couple, it deserves the input, and you will then get a lot back.
Enjoy it !
 
Thanks for the advice.

"So basically, you're giving up half a weekend to work for free and you're looking to spend a fortune doing it.

Sounds a bit to me.

My advice would be, take along what kit you have. Get the nicest set of shots you can of the day and then get very drunk at the reception with everyone else. People get paid lots to deal with the pressure, have all the right kit plus backup. Treat this for what it is, a day out with the chance to get some shots for a couple of friends. "

The spending a fortune bit is also really a way to justify buying some new kit to the wife :lol:

Although I'l be giving up a day, it'll be to do something I really enjoy and to do something I won't get the chance to do very often, and without the pressure that this kind of situation would normally bring, who knows, may reulst in a change of career :lol:
 
The spending a fortune bit is also really a way to justify buying some new kit to the wife
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In that case, I'm sorry to say that your lenses are pretty much up to the job.

I would definitely take up the offer of the 400, you never know, they may forget to take it back

... and get a good canon flash unit. The 580 is a fairly good bit of kit and while it chews up batteries pretty sharpish if you use all the power, the recharge time is not bad for a hotshoe jobbie.

Cards, yup 2gb's are probably about the optimal size. get lots.

If it's just you shooting without an assistant, then it's quite nice to take the groups with the camera on a tripod. It allows you to interact far better when you're not actually behind the camera. So if you don't have a tripod, buy one of them too.

.... and a remote release of course.

If I can think of anything else, I'll be back. ;)
 
I spent a fortune but all on kit that I will use loads after, so yes, why not get what you feel you need - as powerful a flash as you can get will always come in handy at a wedding, as will a reflector, which I used to bounce flash from as well as to throw light back in the sun..
 
I got a battery pack for my 580 - a total rip off for what it is, but it meant faster recycle times, and no flat batteries to worry about. It has also been used many times already
As for remote release - I used a radio type - bought from some guy called William here on TP (sorry, can't remember his name, but good to deal with) - it meant I could be in the shot, and no one knew when I was going to shoot, so for the first few shots, they were all unaware of how and what I was doing..
Got to go now..
Steve
 
you have all the lenses you,ll need. mostly we shoot weddins. i use a 350D and her at the mo , a 30D .. look around for a canon flash if you can. we use a 4gb card each at weddings and RARELY fill them. abvout 4gb of memory should be plenty. personaly i,d sooner have one 4 gig card fail, than an 8 gig.so we kep with fours. or less.
i mostly use my 18-55 or the 55-200 for longer shots.
backup camera is a good idea too. as people have said, spare batteries and such are a good idea.even if its bright, a flash is essential for filling in the shadows if the sun is low.
volenteer someone as an assistant to help out with any shot list you may use.
 
I think I'll definitely need to get a decent flash unit. I have a cheap Velbon tripod, might be an opportunity to upgrade that as well :)

I'm planning to sit down with the bride and groom and ascertain exactly what they want, then have an itinerary of what shots and timescales. I'll also visit the church and the hotel in the weeks leading up to the event to get positions for shots and light and position of the sun etc.

Thanks again for all the advice!
 
I am in excactly the same position as you, basically the same lenses aswell. I need to get a flash and all the stuff that you've already mentioned.
 
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