Would like to get some experience in Wedding photography

Joanna Nicole

Joanna Nicole

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Joanna
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I'm looking to try and get some experience with weddings, and I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction to bag carry/assist/second shoot at some weddings... whatever I can get, really.

I'm well aware that it's a lot of pressure and I'm hugely inexperienced, but I've agreed to photograph a friend's wedding in July. It should be a rather relaxed affair; the wedding is taking place in a marquee in the bride's parents' garden in Devon and there will be outdoor games and other fun things. They're laid back, had a small budget and really like my photography, so I'm doing it for free other than expenses and accommodation etc in return for building (something!) of a portfolio. As I said, they're relaxed about it, but obviously want to do a good job for them.

I absolutely love portrait photography, particularly anything candid, and I've done a couple of paid jobs for my work photographing launch events where there were a lot of people and important shots to get. I do thrive on it, so I'm hoping that will get me through! I'm also going to a couple of weddings prior to July where I'll be able to get lots of practice.

Anyway, I can read up on tips etc until I go blind, but I'm sure the best way to learn anything useful would be to shadow a wedding photographer, but I'm just not sure where to find one who will have me :).

All advice welcome!
Jo
 
A location may help people, also what equipment, backup equipment and insurance you have in place ;)

And learn to love your flash, get it mastered, on some dull days it'll be your saving grace not just for weddings but for anything :)
 
Good point! Location is south west london :)

Equipment:

Canon 550D, and boyfriend's 350D serves as a back up as he doesn't use it a lot. Hopefully upgrading to a 5Dmkii in the next couple of months, though I've not decided which lens to get with it. I have the kit lens, 60mm macro, 50mm 1.4, 135mm f2 L, Sigma 10-20mm, Tamron 70-300mm (which I don't use much, because it's not great!) and a Lensbaby. Manfrotto tripod and 430exii flash.

I am getting better with using my flash more actually - I did a workshop recently with my photography tutor from some courses I did last year, which was really good.

Haven't sorted any insurance yet, but definitely on list of things to do :)
 
That sounds bad actually - my stuff is covered by my home contents insurance, but it's not specific to photography and wouldn't cover me if I did anything professionally.
 
Joanna Nicole said:
That sounds bad actually - my stuff is covered by my home contents insurance, but it's not specific to photography and wouldn't cover me if I did anything professionally.
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I think the insurance comment is related to PLI or similar - covering you should something go wrong, or someone trips over your tripod etc etc
 
Yes - absolutely, understood, just thought it sounded like I had no insurance in any sense... :)
 
Joanna Nicole said:
They're laid back, had a small budget and really like my photography, so I'm doing it for free other than expenses and accommodation etc in return for building (something!) of a portfolio. As I said, they're relaxed about it, but obviously want to do a good job for them.
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I did a wedding in similar circumstances for friends in October. I had no chance to get to another wedding (even as a guest) and had in fact not been to one since I'd got my DSLR - but I tried to prepare by visiting the venue, and even went to the wedding rehearsal in the church. This meant I had an idea of where I could take shots and what lenses etc I'd need. I had a shot list prepared with what lenses I'd use, rough times, order of group shots (including recruiting some of the bridal party to round up the needed people for the group shots) and brought a friend to assist, do stuff like arrange the brides dress, second shoot some candids (when she was to do that and when she was assisting me was also on the list!) - and for moral support.

I had a great day and my friends are very happy with the photos. :)
 
ShoeQueen said:
I did a wedding in similar circumstances for friends in October. I had no chance to get to another wedding (even as a guest) and had in fact not been to one since I'd got my DSLR - but I tried to prepare by visiting the venue, and even went to the wedding rehearsal in the church. This meant I had an idea of where I could take shots and what lenses etc I'd need. I had a shot list prepared with what lenses I'd use, rough times, order of group shots (including recruiting some of the bridal party to round up the needed people for the group shots) and brought a friend to assist, do stuff like arrange the brides dress, second shoot some candids (when she was to do that and when she was assisting me was also on the list!) - and for moral support.

I had a great day and my friends are very happy with the photos. :)
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Thanks ShoeQueen, some excellent advice there! I don't think I'll able to visit the venue (as it's quite a long way away and being in a marquee, not there yet!), but I'm going down the day before so I should be able to do a reccy of sorts then. My boyfriend who is also a bit of an amateur photographer will be helping me in a similar way to your friend. I've been advised by someone else to do a list of shots I want to get so I've definitely started thinking about that. I'm generally very organised, so I'm hoping that and my enthusiasm will help make up (somewhat) for lack of experience!

Really great to hear such a positive response; I've found a lot of people, when you mention wedding photography, will just focus on what a great deal of pressure it is and how much stress is involved. Obviously I'm grateful for any advice and don't want to take it lightly or underestimate the importance of it, but I am genuinely excited and think I'll enjoy myself :). (My tune may be more along the lines of nervousness than excitement come July, but we'll see!). I'm really glad your friends were happy with your photos, too.

Jo
 
Joanna Nicole said:
Thanks ShoeQueen, some excellent advice there! I don't think I'll able to visit the venue (as it's quite a long way away and being in a marquee, not there yet!), but I'm going down the day before so I should be able to do a reccy of sorts then. My boyfriend who is also a bit of an amateur photographer will be helping me in a similar way to your friend. I've been advised by someone else to do a list of shots I want to get so I've definitely started thinking about that.
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One thing I found helped as well was googling for weddings at that venue and looking at few shots other photographers had taken - gave me some ideas how to use the space, options for 'rainy day' shots etc. Doing a pre shoot with the couple will be a bit help - my friends didn't want to do that - and talking about what shots they want - so I had my list of 'key' shots that the bride asked for, and then additional ones that I wanted to do but weren't essential. I made mistakes on the day (main one being not being able to get any time on my own with the b&g without at least half a dozen people shooting over my shoulder.)

Joanna Nicole said:
I'm generally very organised, so I'm hoping that and my enthusiasm will help make up (somewhat) for lack of experience!
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Your organising skills will come in useful. Being able to stay calm, go to plan B and work fast all help, as does being able to build up a good rapport with people and direct them.

Joanna Nicole said:
Really great to hear such a positive response; I've found a lot of people, when you mention wedding photography, will just focus on what a great deal of pressure it is and how much stress is involved. Obviously I'm grateful for any advice and don't want to take it lightly or underestimate the importance of it, but I am genuinely excited and think I'll enjoy myself :). (My tune may be more along the lines of nervousness than excitement come July, but we'll see!).
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I think you get that response sometimes because some people think 'I've got a DSLR so I can shoot a wedding' with no idea of what is involved and end up with very poor quality photos, or none if their camera breaks and they have no back up.

I asked a lot of questions on here and took the advice on board, got a new lens, an extra flash and borrowed a second body and some other lenses. I used both bodies through the day, meant I didn't have to change lenses so often. (Mostly had a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 on one and an 85 f1.8 on the other though I used other lenses through the day.)

I had a great day, yes it was stressful but really enjoyable too. I finally put my cameras down at 10pm and hit the dance floor for 2 hours!

Hope all goes well Jo!
 
Couple of shots from the photos we did yesterday in Richmond Park:

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Really enjoyed it, good to know they work well in front of a camera!
 
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Dave Stone said:
Are your expenses and accommodation being covered by the Bride & Groom?
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Yes, they are (well, it may be her parents in fact, not sure who is funding the wedding in general?)
 
Hi Joanna,

I'm in a fairly similar situation (but perhaps a little further "down the road" as I'm approaching the point where I feel happy to accept bookings solo) with Wedding experience.

When I was looking to gain experience I found it surprisingly difficult to find a willing photographer to help out. As I'm sure others will say on here, no wedding photographer is going to be too pleased to give you all their advice while you assist only to see you break away and set up a rival business to theirs. Common sense really, but it does hinder you.

I found my way around this by speaking to friends and other photographers around the country and travelling to second-shoot. A photographer in Birmingham for example isn't going to be too bothered if you're going to set up a business in Aberdeen with their valuable teaching.

If you're flexible and enthusiastic and have access to a large resource of photographers (or willing photographers on here!) then you should find someone to help you out.

Good luck, and really, get some PL Insurance and Indemnity Insurance as you'd be surprised how quickly that laid-back, easy-going client becomes a fire-breathing dragon when you accidentally format a card with all their shots on it.
 
Thanks Jim, I hadn't really thought of it that way but I suppose it makes sense. I'll have a look around and see if there's something I could do a little further afield. And yes, will definitely sort insurance!

Thanks for all the great advice, lots of useful things to think about.

Jo
 
Hi Joanne

Just had a flick through your flickr images and it looks like you can take a decent shot :)

Wedding Photography is not the same as just being able to use a camera, but initially and at the lower priced end of the market that's exactly what it is. You don't need to be a great photographer to be successful in business as a Wedding Photographer, you just need to capture all the essential images with smiling faces and people will be happy - I'm sure you're easily capable of doing that

If you'd like a typical Wedding shootlist I'd be happy to email you the one I use on my business training, all you need do is amend it to your couple and then shoot & PP in whatever way is your own style

You can email me for it at david@dg-weddings.com but use the subject title TP Wedding Shootlist as I get LOTS of crappy emails and it might otherwise be ignored :D

Here's a link too to a hopefully helpful thread I started almost 3 years ago :eek: CLICK ME

Plan everything, be prepared for changes follow others advice here and enjoy yourself - Good Luck :thumbs:

DD
 
Thank you Dave, that's really kind of you - I will definitely do that! :)

Jo
 
jimbobtog said:
Good luck, and really, get some PL Insurance and Indemnity Insurance as you'd be surprised how quickly that laid-back, easy-going client becomes a fire-breathing dragon when you accidentally format a card with all their shots on it.
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I broadly agree but just to note you don't need proffesional indeminty insurance (thats for proffesions that give advice - like lawyers,doctors, consultants and such) you want PL and Business costs insurance (the latter is often confused with PI , but covers stuff like the costs of reshooting a wedding because you've made an arse of it )
 
DiddyDave said:
You did - I've replied with the doc attached :)

DD
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Don't suppose I can be a cheeky beggar and ask for a copy of that shoot list too? A friend has asked me to consider taking photos of their wedding later in the year and I've been looking for something to get me started...
 
I think the trouble with the PI/Business costs issue is that a lot of people have now started calling it PI as that has been what people have been asking for, i know my policy call's it PI when it is infact business costs insurance if you read the conditions of cover.
 
Morph3ous said:
Don't suppose I can be a cheeky beggar and ask for a copy of that shoot list too? A friend has asked me to consider taking photos of their wedding later in the year and I've been looking for something to get me started...
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Same rules apply mate :)

DD
 
PaulJC said:
I think the trouble with the PI/Business costs issue is that a lot of people have now started calling it PI as that has been what people have been asking for, i know my policy call's it PI when it is infact business costs insurance if you read the conditions of cover.
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Ditto...my Aaduki policy calls it Professional Indemnity Insurance but it is more Business Costs Insurance since it covers costs of re-shooting etc.

However, I guess the term "indemnity" is correct as it is "indemnifying me"...wow that's a digression.
 
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