First wedding

JamesK

JamesK

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Roughly 6 months ago I agreed to photograph a friends wedding as a present because they didn't have enough money for a professional wedding tog. The problem is, since agreeing I haven't really been out with the camera much at all, and the wedding is in two weeks! I've left it a bit late to let them down, and they did say they only wanted a few photos, but I'm still crapping it. I'll also be shooting it on my own, with no back up/second tog :| Would you still go ahead and do it? I don't want to risk ruining their wedding by producing a load of rubbish. :help:
 
What are the B&G 'expecting' and how will that appear if you let them down?
 
Hi Phil, thanks for the sensible reply.

They aren't expecting much to be honest, the bride is my partners best friend and she knows I'm not an experienced wedding photographer. She said she only wants a few photos of the ceremony, not the whole day. I think I'm the one thats expecting too much from myself to be honest, perhaps I should just chill out a little. I just don't want to go ruining the shots I do get.

I just bought a 'nifty fifty' which I hope to use on the day, although I've heard they aren't great in low light. I currently have a 70-200 f4L IS for candid shots, and a 17-40 f4L for the group shots. I also have a Nissin Di622 that I hope to use on camera (as I don't have any triggers or stands) and am contemplating buying an omnibounce to diffuse it.

The bride is coming round on Wednesday to talk it through with me, and I plan on going to the venue this week to check out the lighting and possible shot positions etc.

I've had a good read and picked up some useful tips. Any advice would be welcome as like I said, I've not shot a wedding before.
 
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JamesK said:
The bride is coming round on Wednesday to talk it through with me, and I plan on going to the venue this week to check out the lighting and possible shot positions etc.
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It all really hangs on this meeting, but please don't tell the bride you have contemplated backing out, unless you have a better option for them.

I've no idea what help you might need, because I have no idea what you know and can do, or what the B&G expect.

Read the recent 'first wedding' thread, it contains many of the likely bad outcomes. The biggest lesson is: Take control. You're not required to orchestrate the day, in fact most of the time people don't realise we're still there, but when it comes to the posed stuff, you need to be assertive and confident, take control, be funny and efficient.

If you're not, you could end up missing lots of the required shots. The 50mm is capable of shooting in most wedding venues, keep an eye on your shutter speeds, noisy sharp shots are keepers, clean blurred shots aren't.

What is missing from that other thread is the fun, those of us that do this regularly don't do it for the money, or because we enjoy the stress. We do it because it's a lovely feeling to be so close to people on the happiest day of their lives. It's fantastic to deliver them images that bring back those emotions.
 
I'd like to preface this by saying that I'm not in any way shape or form qualified to comment on this, but my general observation with wedding photography if you're going solo is that it would be very useful to have a second body with a zoom on it if you're shooting with a prime.

Good luck, anyway, and enjoy the day!
 
Hi James,

I fully understand how you are feeling ... I have only second shot at two weddings but can't wait to be top shooter at my first wedding

Have some confidence in your work and don't show your nerves to the bride and groom.

Have a great day and let us know how you get on

Good luck .....
 
JamesK said:
I just bought a 'nifty fifty' which I hope to use on the day, although I've heard they aren't great in low light.
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Where on earth did you here this? :p

My 50mm f/1.8 is my indoor/evening lens. In fact, too much light is the biggest problem on my 50, it can get to a point where even at the lowest ISO and fastest shutter speed, it still overexposes outdoor shots on a sunny day, I have to close down the aperture, at which point I might as well be using my zoom lens (I actually need to get an ND filter for the 50).

You'll get some fantastic shots with the 50, but you might start to find it too restrictive.

As for the wedding, it'd be a good idea to sit down and talk to the couple, plan what shots you want to do and when, otherwise you could end up following them around, shooting from behind as the event rushes on without you.
 
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Lyonspride said:
Where on earth did you here this?

My 50mm f/1.8 is my indoor/evening lens. In fact, too much light is the biggest problem on my 50, it can get to a point where even at the lowest ISO and fastest shutter speed, it still overexposes outdoor shots on a sunny day (I actually need to get an ND filter for it).
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I read that focusing in low light isn't the best, but now its here and I've had a little play is brilliant. It goes to show you shouldn't believe everything you read on the internet.

I posted up two 'test shots' yesterday and I'm very happy with it, should have bought one sooner!!
 
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JamesK said:
I read that focusing in low light isn't the best, but now its here and I've had a little play is brilliant. It goes to show you shouldn't believe everything you read on the internet.

I posted up two 'test shots' yesterday and I'm very happy with it, should have bought one sooner!!
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:D
 
Having just photographed a friends wedding I can pass on a couple of nuggets of my experience. I didn't offer and was more press-ganged into doing it against my will! You've offered so you must have a certain amount of confidence that you can pull it off.

I used a 24-70 2.8 and 50 1.4 (both hired) for 99% of the shots. For a couple of shots I used my 70-200 2.8 but I could have easily left that behind and just gone with the two lenses.

Think!! Keep calm and think about your shots. There will be times where you lose it and you start to either machine gun or grab shots because you think it's the only chance you have. Weddings do move fast but you've got more time than you think - especially if you've planned ahead and know the format/flow of the day.

Speak with the B&G so you understand the flow of the ceremony and speak with the vicar to understand where you can stand. Knowing the ceremony means you know when you can likely grab a certain type of shot.

Grab a few banker shots:
Reception room before it’s trashed
Menus
Table Names
Seating plans
Wedding car
Lapel flowers
Wedding announcement signs
The cake (Bounce flash off a white shirt if you have to. Though I struggled to make the cake shot look anything remotely decent. White cake, white decoration, white plastic marque background)
Rings
Table arrangements
Flower arrangements
Bride arriving
During service – look for expressions and ‘moments’ from B&G
Ring exchange – get in there if you are allowed
Book signing - if allowed. It’s a legal doc, so you may have to stage after. Check with the Registrar.
First dance
Speeches – again look for moments, and shoot the audience reactions too, not just the speakers. Don’t take too many just a couple of each and the crowd
When shooting groups bunch them up. Small gaps look HUGE on camera.

Have a read up on posing the female form too. ie. Side lighting for women, shoulders back a bit, no slouching, arms off the body etc. Same for men and groups. Read up.

50 1.8 difficult to focus in low light? Well the 50 1.4 on my 1D2 was struggling so much in the evening reception I gave up and helped out my mate do the DJ'ing. With a 5D2 you could make use of AF-Assist on the flash without needing to fire the flash if you flash supports it. I know the Canon Speedlites do.

As to whether you can do it or not and if you should pull out - that is for you and the B&G to decide. But I will say this - the experience has taught me a lot.
 
JamesK said:
I've spoken to her today. She said I am there as a guest who is taking some photos, not as a photographer, which is good. That kind of takes the pressure off and I think I'm more likely to get some decent shots without having to worry about messing up.
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The only problem with that is... when everyone wants to see the pics aftre the event.. theres no big setup shots.. half the expected shots arnt there..,. and your named as the person responsible.. the B&G will look at these photos in years to come as the only pics of there most important day.... will you do them justice?

this is why I stay away from weddings.. however..I have been in eactly the same position as you.. i did better than i thought i would but no where near as good as any of the wedding photogrpahers on here.. i got everyone and everything.. but as i explained to them.. not as good as a pro would..

my advice is to either go for it.. do the lot putting 100% effort into photogrpahy on the day and put being a guest to back of list ...or hire them a photogrpaher as a present and enjoy the day :)


my problem was... being asked after i had a drink... caught me on the hop :( must happen to everyone who owns a camera eh.
 
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