Wedding!
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If you don't want to do it, don't.
They won't thank you for crap photos or if it all goes tits up and you don't get any at all.
Don't be pressurised into something you don't feel comfortable doing.
They won't thank you for crap photos or if it all goes tits up and you don't get any at all.
Don't be pressurised into something you don't feel comfortable doing.
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Why have you got to do it? Would be one question I suppose.
What gear and photography experience do you have? Would be another.
Tell us more about yourself and the cicumstances and I feel peeps on here will be able to advise. It's quite an open question if you get what I mean.
What gear and photography experience do you have? Would be another.
Tell us more about yourself and the cicumstances and I feel peeps on here will be able to advise. It's quite an open question if you get what I mean.
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chrisvann
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I don't have to I just couldn't say no, although I'm thinking of changing my mind. It's only a registry office wedding and she doesn't want anything flash as they have both been married before. My background is the building trade and now a HGV Driver/Assessor but I've done sports photography for nearly 7 years, I'd like to try studio and wildlife but know nothing of either. This wedding is a friend so indie feel cornered.
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Not particularly I just remember it from my sisters wedding there a few years ago, from memory it's a fairly modern place with reasonable light which is a plus for you
you don't need to be too concerned about the faster lens unless it's changed, also there was a small garden area where we did my sisters wedding photos next to it Where is the reception?
I guess it all depends on what the couple want/expect from you...
Matt
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Don't under estimate the formal's try and have a list of what the B&G want, e.g. Autie Doris and Uncle Sid etc and I'm sure a few candids will not go a miss and then it's the basics really, it's almost as important that you look at what's around the group as the group itself, so try and avoid things growing out of heads and where it's not totally possible at least make sure it's not the B or G that has something growing out of their heads, make sure that there is no annoying rubbish about, and if there is something like a bin etc where you want to shoot get the people between you and the bin to avoid work removing it in PP
Matt
try and have a list of what the B&G want, e.g. Autie Doris and Uncle Sid etc and I'm sure a few candids will not go a miss and then it's the basics really, it's almost as important that you look at what's around the group as the group itself, so try and avoid things growing out of heads and where it's not totally possible at least make sure it's not the B or G that has something growing out of their heads, make sure that there is no annoying rubbish about, and if there is something like a bin etc where you want to shoot get the people between you and the bin to avoid work removing it in PP Matt
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swanseamale47
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Don't be fooled into thinking this makes it easier, some will allow photos but lighting can be difficult (and so can the staff) theres also usually nowhere much outside for photos.
I'm afraid I argree with the other posters, if your not comfortable doing it don't, if you mess it up it may spoil your friendship.
Weddings can be difficult and stressful, you need to be sure of yourself and your kit and able to work under pressure often in poor lighting.
POAH
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chrisvann said:
Why oh ****? Nothing fancy about a wedding, you are still taking photos, the same exposure rules apply.
only thing really different about a wedding is the organisation that is required for getting group shots done and that's where the aunties come into get everybody in. Talk to the couple and see what they want, scout the locations and see what is good and you'll have no problem. Going in with the oh **** attitude is only going to make you stressed and more likely to **** up.
swanseamale47
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Because it sounds like the OP only has football photography experience. As you know a wedding is a bit different, yes same basic exposure rules apply but theres a big difference to sports shooting.
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Last week my brother got married. I was asked to shoot it and I refused.
Not because I don't think I couldn't do it, not because I didn't think I wouldn't get the shots, purely because I knew it would be a nightmare organising everyone. My brothers wife is Dutch, so all her familly are Dutch, some speak English some don't.
As it turned out, one of her Dutch friends had a d800 there. She got a few shots, but had no organisation at all. Not one photo was taken of me and my brother together, not one was taken of my parents and my brother, or my grandparents and my brother, or of any of the families together, or friends.
All she got was some as we walked out of the registry office in a shambles, and then loads of the bride and groom together and one or two of the bridesmaids with them.
In a few years time, they will be looking back and won't have a single picture of my grandparents there. As it turns out, I had my lumix GF1 and purposely took as many of the shots I could see the "official photographer" was missing as I could, although I couldn't get any of the bride and groom with parents/ grandparents or with myself as they were being dragged away for yet more photos of just themselves by this girl. She completely missed the point of wedding photography IMO.
Wedding photography isn't about pressing the button, it's about getting groups of people in one place at a time, when what they want to be doing is chatting or going home, or getting to the reception.
Not because I don't think I couldn't do it, not because I didn't think I wouldn't get the shots, purely because I knew it would be a nightmare organising everyone. My brothers wife is Dutch, so all her familly are Dutch, some speak English some don't.
As it turned out, one of her Dutch friends had a d800 there. She got a few shots, but had no organisation at all. Not one photo was taken of me and my brother together, not one was taken of my parents and my brother, or my grandparents and my brother, or of any of the families together, or friends.
All she got was some as we walked out of the registry office in a shambles, and then loads of the bride and groom together and one or two of the bridesmaids with them.
In a few years time, they will be looking back and won't have a single picture of my grandparents there. As it turns out, I had my lumix GF1 and purposely took as many of the shots I could see the "official photographer" was missing as I could, although I couldn't get any of the bride and groom with parents/ grandparents or with myself as they were being dragged away for yet more photos of just themselves by this girl. She completely missed the point of wedding photography IMO.
Wedding photography isn't about pressing the button, it's about getting groups of people in one place at a time, when what they want to be doing is chatting or going home, or getting to the reception.
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To be honest Tom you've hit the nail right on the head there
you obviously need the kit that is capable to get the shot and the knowledge/skill to do that but the massive part of the game is getting the shot ready Matt
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That's a shame I think.
I know there are tons of threads on this forum about people doing a wedding, who maybe shouldn't be, but at the end of the day, some shots of the day will be better than none at all.
If you are going as a guest anyway, and there is no official photographer, just tell them you'll take your camera, seeing as how you're going to be there, and you'll let them have any shots you get.Even if you just stick to the candid stuff.
Even some cr@p shots will be better than none.
(Not that I'm saying your shots would be cr@p !!)
Just IMHO.
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That is a shame, when is it?
Lindsay D
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If you're excited and enthusiastic about taking on a wedding and building a wedding portfolio, then this might have been a good opportunity. But you felt nervous and uncomfortable (understandably), so you've done the right thing in saying no. As others have said, a wedding can be a fast moving and stressful event, even a small one. You're dealing with difficult lighting, bridal photographs, portraits of the couple, group shots which need to be well posed and controlled, as well as capturing the key moments as they are happening. Like most members of the public your friends probably think all that's required is a big camera. And let me tell you that people who are relaxed and easy-going beforehand, and who tell you that they just want a few basic shots, will almost always expect far more than that when you finally deliver the pictures (after all the extra hours you'd spent processing them) and your friendship could be spoiled if your images fail to live up to what the couple have seen in wedding magazines.
You can now attend the wedding as a guest, with your camera, so you can take pictures without being under any pressure, and you can always gift those pictures to your friends if you want to.
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chrisvann
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Thanks Gary.
I said I couldnt do it because I wasn't confident enough. Her words were "Dont be daft you take great photo's" a typrical comment from a friend.
The good thing about this forum is that people are honest and thats what I want. I am going anyway and I'll have my camera with me simply because if I'm out the camera goes with me. Im no photographer and ive never pretended to be one, I love sports photography and I do alot for the kids clubs in my local area, all of which my son attends. If they dont get another photographer then I will take some, but we'll see. Thanks
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chrisvann
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September 14th this year Pal.
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chrisvann
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Thanks Lindsay, very kind words.
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Sounds like the best action.
Like has happened with me, I took my camera, as I do anywhere, yet I had no expectation laid on me and no pressure.
If you get some cracking shots, it'll only make you look better. If you dont get any, well then no-one has to know!
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To be honest Chris, if some-one asked me to shoot sports I would feel the same as you did. I wouldn't have a clue where to start.
I think you are doing the right thing, and I also think you will get some great shots. You won't be under pressure to "produce", and they will be chuffed to bits with the shots you give them.
Then of course you will have to endure the "I told you you could do it!"
I think you are doing the right thing, and I also think you will get some great shots. You won't be under pressure to "produce", and they will be chuffed to bits with the shots you give them.
Then of course you will have to endure the "I told you you could do it!"
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chrisvann
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LOL! My friends husband to be just called me and said, its fine for me not to do it and that they have decided not to get a replacement. I imagine now they will get lots of shots from other friends from all sorts of angles.Sports photography has great rewards for me. Ive been doing it for 7 years now, ever since my son first kicked a ball. I'd like to try wildlife or something else in the future.
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Right in that case you've got plenty of time, just go out and have a bit of a practice, spend the next month or so and push your self to test your skills posting here for critique on portraiture so see how you get on and then make a decision in a month or so if you think that your capable
that then gives your friend plenty of time to find someone Matt
JoeMeredith
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it's a tough one, especially if it is for friends and you want to do a great job, so it's only natural you doubt yourself if you haven't shot a wedding before. There is a huge jump from a wedding and sport especially if you aren't formally trained in photographing.
In my opinion i think you've done the right thing. Assuming you're a guest, just enjoy the day
In my opinion i think you've done the right thing. Assuming you're a guest, just enjoy the day