Any last tips or advice? - Shooting first wedding Saturday

[misti]

I'm getting nervous and have gone through most of these threads to read up on all the advice I could find. However, I still figured I might just ask myself.

I really appreciate anything you might suggest. I've been practicing like crazy, reading everything possible, and now I've resulted to drinking much wine to calm my nerves...it's the perfectionist in me.

[JaertX]

Get plenty of sleep!

And quit drinking wine until you get home from the wedding...definitely don't drink while working if you're even slightly interested in doing more than one wedding.



and check out this site:

http://www.admiredbybeckstead.com/

(link fixed)

good luck and let us know how it went!

[woffles]

I just recently did my first wedding. Don't know what you've done so far but here's a few tips from me.

1.Scout ahead of time for shot locations and lighting. Pay attention to what's behind your subject when shooting.

2.Take charge of the formals if you are doing them. Get the couple involved in gathering up who they want in them. Know beforehand if possible who will be in them.

3.Don't forget what ISO you are on when you move to different lighting.

4.Get your white balance right the first time if you can, will speed up post processing

5.Keep track of how many shots are left on a card so you're not changing out in the middle of an important shot. Switch out while there are a few left on the card to reduce the risk of errors.

6.Format all your cards with the camera before you start shooting. Have some kind of routine to ensure you don't try to reuse one. If you formatted them all you know right away if you are trying to reuse one. Format them, don't erase them.

7.Carry a shot list and glance at it now and then for reminders of shots you want.

8.If you are doing an album don't forget to take shots for backgrounds and detail shots. Even if you aren't take them anyways.

9.Lots of CF cards and two of everything!!!!

10.Have fun and don't forget to eat something.

[agosling]

I'm with Jason on the wine, I don't drink for a couple of days before a wedding and absolutely never during the wedding...

Make sure your gear is sorted, I check everything a few days before and then go over it again the night before. Batteries charged, CF's formated, lens clean, etc, etc, etc. That was I know I have eliminated as many protential problems as I possibly can before I walk out the door on the day. Of course I have backups for everything.

It goes without saying that you need to know your gear inside out, I use a 1d and a 20d which have different controls so I have to be equally at home with both. Know where you have to be and when, and be there on time and ready to shoot, have a list of what shots you want and know how you are going to go about getting them.

I wouldn't shoot without an assistant, it just makes life so much easier, mine is fantastic, we have worked together for many years and we know how each other thinks, he does most ot the group setups, he keeps an eys on whats happening. I would hate to have to shoot a wedding without him and I would certainly not do my forst wedding without an assistant, moral support if nothing else.

[cwphoto]

Get plenty of sleep!

And quit drinking wine until you get home from the wedding...definitely don't drink while working if you're even slightly interested in doing more than one wedding.

..yeah but once you've done a few use your own discretion. One of the perks of the job is a couple of beers at the reception on a hot Summer's night or a glass of red over dinner.

Don't take all the fun out of it, everything in moderation.

[agosling]

I'm sorry but I couldn't disagree more, nothing looks more unprofessional than drinking, even a small amount while you are working.

It's a personal decision in the end, but I won't do it. When I get home at 1 in the morning after shooting all day, that's a different matter all together.

[MikeMcL]

Comfortable shoes.

A 3 piece suit with some clean white sneakers may feel weird at first, but youll be glad you did it.

pocket some asprin or something like that... just incase

good luck.

[tim]

Comfortable but appropriate shoes is very important. The shoes I wear to weddings are the most expensive and most comfortable ones I own! For your first wedding just remember to check your histogram, try not to get in the way when it's not necessary, but be assertive when you need to be. Get wide shots, get very close shots - close than most people would think to do. Get up high, get down low (ie right on the ground). Relax!

http://www.admiredbybeckstead.com/


Great site! I love this image

http://www.admiredbybeckstead.com/?i=54

[cwphoto]

I'm sorry but I couldn't disagree more, nothing looks more unprofessional than drinking, even a small amount while you are working.

It's a personal decision in the end, but I won't do it. When I get home at 1 in the morning after shooting all day, that's a different matter all together.

Whatever floats your boat Andrew. In the city it's perfectly acceptable and often encouraged by your clients - particularly when you build the sort of relationships with them that I do.

Only last weekend I was back at the Bride's parents' suite enjoying a couple of Stellas with the Bride's Father and his family after the reception - they're the sort of bonds I make.

For European weddings (which I assume you don't get much of in Broken Hill), if you don't accept the three-fingers of scotch offered to you by the Father of the Bride when you arrive at 8:00 in the morning you will offend him. Alcohol is a big tradition with many cultures and it may surprise you that the courtesy is also extended to those close to the wedding (such as the musicians, photographers, DJs, MCs etc). I think for them, the more they treat you like family the harder and more diligently they know you will work.

For the non-European weddings, I'm also encouraged to feel like a guest - often seated among the guests and enjoying the same priviliges. Again, it's the sort of relationship I have with my clients and they wouldn't have it any other way.

It can also be argued that alcohol can get the creative juices flowing and calm any nerves you may have.

I understand your personal stand to not drink at weddings, but please; don't judge the rest of us for which the act is simply business as usual. As for questioning my professionalism: fifteen years in this game and over 1,000 very satisfied wedding clients (with zero complaints) says it works for me (and many others), is that OK with you?

It seems to suit my clients just fine - to them my professionalism cannot be faulted.

[Croasdail]

Fifteen years in this game and over 1,000 very satisfied wedding clients says it works for me (and many others)

Very impressive indeed. That is averaging better then a wedding a week. I can't even imagine processing or printing up that many weddings in that short of a period of time. The beer/wine must be doing the job.

[blueaerodynamique]

My first wedding was only 18 mths ago so still fresh in my mind...for lots of reasons!
Things I'd do differently if I could do it again:-

Have a plan of shots but don't get too hung up on it. If things don't go to plan (as they won't) be prepared to think on your feet and make the best of whatever happens. I turned up to do the groom/groomsmen shots before the ceremony to find none knew how to do their cravats so weren't dressed. I got some shots of it...but not as many as I would now.

I will go with Tim on the ISO thing when changing from inside to out and vice versa...something I really have to watch myself for.

I'd take more charge of people without being bossy. People expect you to direct them.

Remember there is more than one shot in every pose you put the couple into. Stand back, go in close, up and down and round to the side and back. I am terrible for remembering that. One pose one shot makes it harder on the couple.

Relax and enjoy yourself!

As for the wine...everything in moderation. One or two glasses the night before won't hurt as long as you are a million miles away from hung over the next morning.

Good luck and we expect some shots on here first thing Sunday morning LOL

[Mike Reynolds]

It pays to make a good wedding plan

[chet79]

I will go with Tim on the ISO thing when changing from inside to out and vice versa...something I really have to watch myself for.
I've never shot a wedding as the sole photographer, but I did take some shots as a guest at a wedding last week. I must say this is one of the most important things to keep an eye on!

Also, I found that taking some "scenery" shots helped. The wedding I shot was at a windmill, and I got some awesome windmill shots. Looking at these kind of pictures will take people back there.

[gateruner]

Tons of GREAT advice here. Here is my 2 cents and in my mind is in the top 3 of things to make sure of.

BE CONFIDENT. Your confidence will show and it will keep everyone feeling good about what is going on. It will show in the shots you take. It will show in the B & G reactions. If your nervous then they will be and it will show in the shots. Take charge and be confident. I find it helps me to have a good action plan in my mind as I go along, always understanding that it can go haywire at any time.

For the first time or 2 take a page of thumbnail shots with you to reference in the event you have a brain cramp. One glance can get you back on track when it comes to posing.

Good Luck and HAVE FUN above all.

I end up spending half the night trying to settle myself down after a shoot. I am the one that doesnt talk much and end up turning into jabber jaws after I get home.

I cant wait for tomorrow.

[kato1]

Take your time. Get the framing, composition, metering and focusing right then press the shutter.

Very easy when nerves creep in to make an obvious mistake.

Above all. Enjoy yourself.

[Exit]

Holy thread revival!

[sapearl]

Match some good comfortable socks along with those comfortable shoes. I actually use a nice looking pair of Smartwool socks with my dress shoes in the colder weather. They are excellent for hiking and being on your feet all day, wick away sweat and give great cushion and shock absorption.

A solid balanced breakfast is also a must, with some sort of fruit juice. Other than this and a good confident attitude with all the great suggestions from our other forum members I think you'll be in great shape. Have fun, and let us know how it goes.:D