Here we go again, amateur being asked to do...

I did my Sisters wedding as the original photographer said he was double booked and let her down with about 2 weeks notice.

I wasn't looking forward to doing it but went ahead all the same, the only problem is that I wasn't in any of the pictures :lol:

Seriously, if you do consider doing it - take a chill pill on the day, and another straight after, I was so nervous....

I visited the church the weekend before, and worked out a list of pictures that they wanted. I was with my sister while she got ready on the day - so I got some decent shots in there. My son took the other camera and did the same with the groom.

We met at the church and did "the usual stuff". Could have done with a step ladder and wider lens though for the group shots.

I'd personally have a go, it's worth the experience and as long as you're not getting paid they can't really complain.

Steve
 
Its actually her auntie who wants to pay me (I work with her, and her niece cant afford much). Ill be happy to have a few quid and its a bit far out of my way, and I am having to take time off work for it too.

Was going to give them a CD of all the shots, then they can do what they want with them :)
 
You gonna go for it Betty?
I did one for a friend last month, and to say I was bricking it is an understatement.
But through the day I relaxed and ended up really enjoying it!
I got some good 'standard' shots, and a few arty ones.
I know you said you didnt want advice, but just incase you do I found these tidbits invaluable:

1) Meet up before the big day and make a list of formal shots you want to get with the couple.
2) Take said list home, and put them in size order in terms of no of people - whole wedding group shot first, then whittle it down to just bride and groom so you dont have the 90 year old aunt mavis standing around getting bored.
3) Definately scope out the wedding location before the day - both for practicability (where you are going to take the formals) and inspiration for the 'special' shots.
4) Talk to the vicar/registrar and ask them what they are going to allow you to do.
5)Have an awesome time and reeelaaaax!
6) After, maybe offer to get the pictures printed and maybe put into an album. (you could charge a fee for this as you will know already that you have done a good job!).

I hope I am not making anyone roll their eyes and think "well DUR... they are all obvious and we knew them already :bang:"! - they are just a few pointers that I found seriously helpful when I did it last month.

If you want me to delete it because I know you werent really looking for advice then just let me know and I will delete the post.

If you do go for it then goooood luck! :thumbs:
 
Thats brilliant advice, thanks lightkey! :)

I am meeting the family very soon for a curry night, just for an informal chat and to get to know them, we are also going to the venue to have a look around.

Guess that means I am going ahead with it then :D
 
Yaaaaay! Goooo Betty! :clap:

Good luck! I really hope you enjoy it! :thumbs:
 
Betty said:
I am meeting the family very soon for a curry night, just for an informal chat and to get to know them, we are also going to the venue to have a look around. Guess that means I am going ahead with it then :D
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Sorry to drag this up guys! :D

Had the curry night, got to meet the brides to be, and we had a chat about what they want. They couldn't stress enough how casual its going to be, but they have told me they want one certain type of photo, and will be happy if they just get that one :)

I know where its going to be held now, is it worth me going along one weekend to get some shots of the building/grounds to save me doing it on the day? :)
 
Betty said:
Sorry to drag this up guys! :D

Had the curry night, got to meet the brides to be, and we had a chat about what they want. They couldn't stress enough how casual its going to be, but they have told me they want one certain type of photo, and will be happy if they just get that one :)

I know where its going to be held now, is it worth me going along one weekend to get some shots of the building/grounds to save me doing it on the day? :)
Click to expand...

Certainly get round there when its quiet and you'll learn where the best locations are, both interior and exteriors..
Cheers, :bonk:
 
I initally read it as one bride, 2 dresses.....then the penny dropped.

Good luck with it.
 
I was asked to do a wedding based on 2 of my pictures.... of a seagull and a duck :lol:

(no kidding!)
 
The first wedding I was asked to do was nerve racking to say the least.

A mixture of reportage and upto two dozen formal shots normally covers most situations and doesn't take up too much time, I always shoot with fill in flash to avoid "panda eyes". I use a quantum flash pack as it recycles so quick you'll not have to wait

I've photographed around thirty to forty weddings now and I try to take group shots with the bride and groom sitting on a bench you tend to be able to get the peoples faces larger then and the compostion works better. The worst part is if you are asked to take shots at the brides home and then drive to the church getting their before she arrives with ample time for some shots of the groom and best man
 
when you go check out locations, take a friend. they can pose for lighting etc, might be worth going at bout the same time to see exactly how it is gonna look
 
Have a plan b and c for different weather conditions. Also consider the ground, could it get muddy and prevent the bridal party reaching it without ruining their clobber.
 
Ill know when I make it to the venue :) Cheers all :)
 
I'll be very interested to hear about how the day goes and maybe to see one or two shots. Friends of mine having their civil partnership in August have asked me if I'll be their photographer. I am very excited, but am having a lot of the same concerns and apprehensions as you. It's something I really want to do but there's always that pressure on you, isn't there? I did a friend's wedding about 10 years ago and everything went well, so I'm reasonably confident. But it's been a while...
 
Well its not until July, so you've got time to wait :D

I will certainly be posting my efforts once its done and dusted mind :)
 
I`ve just done a friends one. Very similar situation to some mentioned here. The wedding was done on an absolute shoe string. The reception was at an age concern day centre where the grooms mums works. I was more than a little worried..... lol.

At first I`d told them no, it was actually a favour for my pal the grooms best man. But after explaining the situation and doing it on my terms, I`m glad I did. They`re not pro standard, but they`ve got a collection of around seventy shots from the wedding. If I hadn`t of done it, they`d have very little to remember the day by.

I was glad I did it as a freebie though, I wouldn`t have felt comfortable taking money!


Ooh, and I did a reasonable amount of research into other peoples work, especially when it came down to positioning people. And they still didn`t come out as I`d have liked!!
 
Out of interest, what lenses do you have? I did mine with 28-70 2.8 tamron, and my F4 IS 70-200L. The tamron ones came out a little soft, you`ve definitely got to watch the shutter speed in low light, that`s definitely something that caught me out on more than a few shot. I didn`t realise until I was downloading them to the PC.

I think an upgrade to the 24-70L is on the cards very shortly!
 
It must be every amatuer photographers worst question enyone could ever ask.

"You know a bit about photography don't you. Could you do us a huge favour and do the photos at our wedding?"

I've been asked that twice now and each time I have said no.

But compromised. I've told them to hire a pro but then a mate of mine and myself buzz around in the background doing bits of posed photos of family groups who would never usually get together other than at weddings and a spot of candid photography with the long zoom lens.

This way the bride and groom get the pro shots which lessens the risk of me messing them up, reduces the stress on me for not being the only photographer on the day. We get the chance to practice people organising skills on a less important subject but one that isn't too different to organising a shoot for a bride and groom. Also, with them being friends and family they also get alot of photos from the night do aswel.

Also, the bride and groom get posed group shots of family they haven't seen for ages all in their best togs, and also some candids. All the photos from me and my mate are gathered together, edited. The originals, the edits and all the shots from the night do are written to CD/DVD with a contact sheet and the whole lot handed over. Last one we did, the bride got her pro pics and around 400 extras on CD/DVD from what we took. The bride and groom were very pleased with results.

It can backfire though as I found out on the last shoot I did myself. I agreed to take some pics, turned up on the day and was told they had a camera I could use. I insisted I used my Nikon but they said it wasn't going to be good enough :bat::razz: for what they wanted and one of the ushers was bringing a better camera (so there's me thinking Canon EOS 1D kinda thing :woot:). The usher turned up with a flashy VIDEO CAMERA :eek::eek:!! They forgot to tell me they wanted me to video the wedding. So there I was thrust up at the front of the ceremony with a video cam I knew nothing about. Turned out OK in the end though...after major panic and a quick RTFM session off to one side. :thinking::thinking: :eek: :thinking:

Check out Practical Photography this month. They have a great guide to doing weddings.

Good luck with the shoot if you decide to do it. Hope everything goes well.

Chris
 
Good advice, thanks Chris.

MM, I have the kit lens, nifty and the 70-200mm :)
 
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=31433&highlight=wedding

This thread might be of use, it was the things I learnt from my first wedding. Since then I have done a number of weddings and keep learning, but always look back over that thread when I do one.

Above all have fun, remember a bottle of water and bite to eat as you may not get one.

And if there are any formal shots get the groom on the correct side. :) that way other togs wont take a swipe at your shots ;)
 
Keltic Ice Man said:
And if there are any formal shots get the groom on the correct side. :) that way other togs wont take a swipe at your shots ;)
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I wont have that problem with the groom, its two brides ;)

Thanks for that link anyhoo :thumbs:
 
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