OMG.... hope it's OK to post this, but have been asked to cover a wedding...

theMusicMan

theMusicMan

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Hi All

Firstly, before I get to the topic in hand, I must write something here that I hope will be interpreted by those who read it, in the manner it is intended.

I was actually wondering if I should or should not post this here on tP, as I absolutely have no intention of pretending to anyone I am a semi-pro or pro photographer - and thus taking potential work away from those far more qualified and experienced than I. But after talking to and taking advice via PM from two members on here who I respect greatly, I decided that I should ask away... hence this post.

OK, here goes.

I find myself somewhat stunned to have been asked by someone if I would be the 'official' photographer at their wedding. They are friends of friends of friends if you know what I mean, and though I don't know them personally - this is how they came to hear of my photographic exploits. Through word of mouth, they took a look at my gallery, spoke to a few people, and called me up. I explained to them that I am not a professional photographer, but agreed to meet them to discuss their requirements and see what exactly they were after. I left them with some details on pricing and what I could do for them and left it at that.

Well folks, I am totally stunned that today I had a call from the bride-to-be asking if I'd be their official photographer, and am meeting them both tomorrow to discuss things in more detail.

Hope I haven't offended any pro togs on here by posting this news, but I am flattered and excited at the prospect at being asked to do something as important as this. Portraits are one thing, but weddings... well, they are something else eh!!

Any advice appreciated.
 
First of all congratulations! Of course it's alright to post it. I hate saying this - but if you do a search there must have been a gaziillon posts on wedding photography advice. :D

I'm pleased for you, but after 40 odd years and god knows how many weddings, which sort of all blur together, the whole subject really leaves me totally cold. You'd be surprised how sick you can eventually get of the whole rigmarole. I packed it in finally about 3 years ago, and I could have more fun sticking pins in my eyes, than doing another. ;) I still get quite regular enquiries and I turn then all down although I sometimes get pressed into doing the odd family wedding, where I usually do them as a wedding present.

I'm sure you'll do a workmanlike job and approach it sensibly, with no shortage of advice on hand from members. :)
 
:lol: CT, Believe it or not, my plumber did the same, 20 odd years of weddings and suddenly wrenches and stop cocks looked more inviting :eek: ;)

However, congrats MM :woot: There are definately loads of similar announcements on here, accompanied by plenty of advice, so a quick search should find all the advice you need, and heres a quick good luck hug from me :hug:
 
Nice one MM, we've all got to start somewhere! Fortunately I haven't become jaded but I love doing weddings although I'm not as experienced as many on here.

Good luck with it! :thumbs:
 
theMusicMan said:
Any advice appreciated.
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Yeah, don't screw it up. ;):lol:

You'll be fine. Really there is nothing to worry about. With histograms and preview screens, it's almost impossible to get it wrong.

Although like CT, I'd rather stick pins in my eyes so I've no idea why you'd want to do it. Prefer jobs with more pressure me. :D
 
Have fun!

If you don't have fun doing a Wedding, either they were the 'wrong' client and you shouldn't have agreed to work with the miserable sods; or you're the wrong photographer, get out of Weddings!

I'm sure you'll have fun though John - now run off and buy a few books on Wedding photography! :thumbs:

I'm not keen on encouraging people to bite off more than they can chew, but having met you, seen your work improve so quickly, and noted your professional attitude too - I'm sure you'll do well enough to satisfy their requirements and make them happy - so even if the photography isn't international award winning, if the couple's happy, that's a job well done

As CT says, there's help about if you need it - just don't ever call me again! Still not forgiven you for the 'work' trip to Dubai :lol::lol::lol:
 
...and post some here when it's all over!
 
Half of the job John will be in the relationship you develop with them in the initial meeting and thru to the Day. And as Dave says above, have fun!:thumbs:
 
John, As has already been said, the improvement in the quality of the pictures you take has been sensational, and you should have no problem shooting a wedding (Not that I am suggesting weddings are easy, the mere thought of one gives me a twitch :eek: )

I trust the party full of kids on a ‘sugar-rush’ went ok, and the parents were happy with the pictures?

Following that experience, I would say the wedding will be a piece of cake in comparison. As suggested above, the relationship you build with the happy couple before the event, and during the day will show in the quality of the pictures and the poses they give. If the relationship is good, the pictures will be relaxed and natural, and conversely, if the relationship is tense, so will the pictures.

Also, I would suggest having the two bodies with you and ready to go, both with different focal lengths. I would suggest probably the 50mm F2, and the 14-54mm F2-8-F3.5, with the 11-22mm on standby for the group shots.

Other than that, enjoy the experience, make some friends, make some contacts, and MAKE SOME MONEY!
 
WOW, thanks everyone for your kind words - I am flattered, thank you.

The sugar-rush party went very well and the parents were delighted with the photographs, especially the portrait ones. I won't make the library public, and will keep it password protected - but the parents have no objection to my using the images for any promotional stuff I embark on - so here's the link and relevant password;

Link: http://www.reflectingme.com/p796885821/
Pass: party743

... in case anyone wants a peek at the party portraits I did.

I am going to develop the relationship with the couple, starting from today, and already have a slideshow demo of some of my work ready on my Mac to take with me and show them if they want to see it.

Very excited, and nervous at the same time. I'll know more about the type of shots, location of special shots etc later today so maybe then I shall be asking some more pertinent questions.

Thanks to everyone on here, especially the professional photographers - who are wonderfully supportive and who don't hold this against me. I'll do you proud and do a good job...:)
 
LOL. I do sound a miserable sod reading my post again this morning. :D

The job can definitely have it's moments. One of the last weddngs I did was at a posh country club where the B and G and main participants had spent the night, with the local registrar coming out to marry them on the premises - quite a common arrangement these days.

I got there early, and as arranged went up to the bride's room to get the preparation shots, only to be confronted by the bride and one of the bridesmaids running around the place in bra and pants in mild panic mode. The second bridesmaid though, a right flighty bit, was wearing knickers but was sans bra! Not only that - every time she walked past me she wantonly and deliberately bounced and jiggled her boobs up and down laughing like a drain. :lol:

It's a dirty job at times, but someone has to do it. ;)

And no - I didn't take any pics! :nono:
 
dazzajl said:
Yeah, don't screw it up. ;):lol:

You'll be fine. Really there is nothing to worry about. With histograms and preview screens, it's almost impossible to get it wrong.

Although like CT, I'd rather stick pins in my eyes so I've no idea why you'd want to do it. Prefer jobs with more pressure me. :D
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Errrrm.... yeah Daz.... impossible to get wrong eh!!! I wish:D
 
Yep & don't whatever you do blow the highlights in the dress or lose the detail in the tux :thumbs:

It's a dirty job at times, but someone has to do it. ;)
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Well, that's made my mind up about wedding photography... fancy an assistant John :lol:
 
Funny you should talk about these type of 'bride getting ready' shots folks...

The bride to be has already said to me that she wants to tell the story of (1) her meeting her groom and (2) her getting up and ready for the wedding - including shots of her waking up, getting out of bed all dreary eyed, getting dressed.... it's sure gonna be fun I can see that...:):)
 
moomike said:
Yep & don't whatever you do blow the highlights in the dress or lose the detail in the tux :thumbs:



Well, that's made my mind up about wedding photography... fancy an assistant John :lol:
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You've seen my hi-key portraits then Mike eh!! :) Great advice though, that I have taken serious note of - thanks.

All assistants welcomed by the way.... :help:

PS: going serious for a mo: I have already engaged an assistant for the day... checklists, dress arranging, co-ordinating me :)
 
theMusicMan said:
Funny you should talk about these type of 'bride getting ready' shots folks...

The bride to be has already said to me that she wants to tell the story of (1) her meeting her groom and (2) her getting up and ready for the wedding - including shots of her waking up, getting out of bed all dreary eyed, getting dressed.... it's sure gonna be fun I can see that...:):)
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seriously just for a second (sorry to drag the thread down)
you might consider doing the "including shots of her waking up, getting out of bed all dreary eyed" bit before the big day
the "getting dressed" (posh frok) will have to be done on the day
but the more you can offload from the big day the better
imho
 
theMusicMan said:
PS: going serious for a mo: I have already engaged an assistant for the day... checklists, dress arranging, co-ordinating me :)
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You say going serious for a mo & then throw in a really bad wedding joke :lol:

Good advice from Mike McP there though but I'm not sure the bride would go for it tbh as it wouldn't technically be her wedding day if done in that way - she may be fine with it though :shrug:
 
mmcp42 said:
seriously just for a second (sorry to drag the thread down)
you might consider doing the "including shots of her waking up, getting out of bed all dreary eyed" bit before the big day
the "getting dressed" (posh frok) will have to be done on the day
but the more you can offload from the big day the better
imho
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Fab advice mmcp, great suggestion that, cheers.

EDIT: haha Mike... didn't even spot that one myself...
 
My top tip - don't let the Bride get too drunk on the morning of the wedding :thumbs:
 
theMusicMan said:
Errrrm.... yeah Daz.... impossible to get wrong eh!!! I wish:D
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Actually, I said ALMOST impossible. If you really try hard enough you might manage it. ;)

Seriously though, If you have highlight alert on and check the histogram every time something changes the shooting situation, you'll always be aware of what the camera is capturing. The rest is just down to paying attention to what's in front of the camera. AND THAT MEANS THE WHOLE FRAME!

Easy as pie. :D
 
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