Wedding photography, advice and example shots needed

Twizzel

Twizzel

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Rach
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:help:

My friends are getting married in August. They had a photographer (family friend who is also a pro) booked, and asked me to go along and just take a few shots. Pro was going to cover all of the important stuff, ceremony, group shots etc etc.

The poor bride rang me up yesterday saying photographer has cancelled, he's booked a holiday to Chille :eek: and could I do the photography, as they have no other option (small wedding, 5 weeks to go).

Me taking the photos is the difference between them having photographs or not, so I've said yes.

My dad is coming along to help out and take group shots (as I want to be in them too!!). We have a list of possible shots for the bride to look over and add to.

Between us we have:
2 x Canon 40D
Canon 350D
Canon 300D

Canon 17-85 IS
Sigma 70-200 2.8
Stupid crappy 18-55 kit lens :bang:
Sigma 10-20
And another zoom, think it's a 75-300 4-5.6 (used to be mine, I flogged it to dad when I bought the Siggy 2.8 :thumbs:)

Oh and dad has a reflector thingy.

Is this kit ok? Absolutely no way on earth will we be able to change it, I just bought my 40D today with my student loan that doesn't come in till September :clap:

What shots would be best with what lens? I fully admit I am panicking, I shoot horses, not people, and most definitely not weddings. Just to add I'm not accepting any money for the wedding and have told the bride it's out of my comfort zone :bang:

So any advice, however simple it is would be appreciated greatly. Any example shots would be even better, in return you will all get a big virtual pitcher of Pimms :woot:

Thankyou :)
 
Kit sounds OK, I would try and borrow or hire a Speedlite for each body, I a have sent you a PM with some reference shots from a few Weddings all different scenarios so you should be able to come up with something !
 
What date and where in Cornwall? I may be able to pop down and help if I am not busy.
 
Twizzel i know how you feel, My great Aunt is getting married on saturday and as she didnt really want a wedding let alone pay for a tog, my mother (aka the wedding planner) bullied me into it. Well it was either me or my step dad and his point and shoot and im currently bricking it. The good news is she only wants a few pics.
 
Fair play for taking up the challenge :thumbs:

Sure some more learned folks will chip in shortly; some things learned from the few I've shot:

- As already said, try and get a flash on at least one of the cameras, and get yourself comfortable with fill flash.

- Have a word with whoever's conducting the service to get an idea of where you can shoot from, if you can use flash and how much you can move about.

- Might be worth trying to get your hands on a fast prime (especially if you can't use flash) 50/1.8 would be a good, cheap start.

- Discuss what sort of shots your friends want - especially who they want in the group shots / how they want these arranged.

- Sounds like you're sorted for backup gear, but make sure you have plenty of fully charged batteries and freshly formatted memory cards.

Good luck ;)
 
17-85 should get you the group shots.
or the 10-20, although you may gey some distortion on the real wide stuff.
def the 70-200 for after the actaul ceremony and grioup shots.(sneaky candids.)
my backup camera is a 350.
not a bad camera, held up by the not brilliant kit lens.
i got a sigma 18-50 on mine in low light(dark churches , where you cant use flash)., or the big tele.
the 18-85 IS goes on my 30D
borrow, beg , steal, a couple of flash's if you can.
theres a few of us with website links on our signatures.
go look at a few websites for inspiration.
get a list of the rquired group shots prepared beforehand.
decide which of you is going to be the tog for the group stuff, and who is going to marshall the troups to their positions.
the "assistant"(my job) can still shoot during this (big lens? candids?)
but if theres two people shooting at once , you may end up with half the group looking at you, and half , your dad.
ah, just re-read ya post. dads doing the groups.
get him an assitant then, or press gang an usher/best man.

an enjoy it.
dont forget the usual spare everything.
batteries and memory cards.
if you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me.
i will help if i can.
 
I can stand you a 430exII if you want, also a few extra memory cards and batteries for the 40d.

There's a hole in your kit list for a f2.8 standard zoom and fast prime just in case (which I could go the whole hog and chuck in too)

Have you had a chance to recky the venue to see what the light is like and have a chat with the vicar (or management if its not a church doo)?
 
hi much the same as the others really. i;ve done a few in the past so you def need a flash to fill in, do visit the venue look for backdrops,where are the neighbouring houses (dont want them in it) look for where the sun is and plan your shots around the time of day etc, speak with the vicar/registry office official they'll soon tell you what you can and cant do on their premises dont forget you'll need the flash for signing registers etc and witnesses, do sit down with the couple and get it clear whick is the important shots for them and to glean who doesn't like who so you dont stand them together its hard work but very fulfilling....good luck and enjoy it
 
david1701 said:
I can stand you a 430exII if you want, also a few extra memory cards and batteries for the 40d.

There's a hole in your kit list for a f2.8 standard zoom and fast prime just in case (which I could go the whole hog and chuck in too)

Have you had a chance to recky the venue to see what the light is like and have a chat with the vicar (or management if its not a church doo)?
Click to expand...

i have to salute your generosity, well done sir.:thumbs:
 
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