I survived the wedding

[Tom W]

Well, I'm back home after shooting my sister's wedding. It was a very intense learning experience. Anybody that says that wedding photographers are overpaid needs to be whacked in the head with a 500 mm "L" lense.

My first impression was that everything moves by so fast. It seemed like the whole wedding took about 10 minutes, while in reality, it was about 50 minutes in length. I ended up shooting a good deal of it with the 70-200 lens, as I kept some distance between me and the altar (and I tried to stay as unobtrusive as possible).

Some of my closer shots were done with the 50 mm lens.

A few things I learned - I did better than I thought I would, but not as well as I wanted (which means that the school of "hard knocks" is still my favorite learning environment).
- My tripod has poleo and despirately needs replacement.
- Some churches have terrible lighting - this was one of them. Yes, it was plenty bright enough, but it was a bland flourescent type light. The Sanctuary is temporary, built in what will eventually be the recreation hall when the main Sanctuary is finally built.
- An off-shoe flash setup (as well as other lighting options) would be very helpful if I were to continue in this line of work. Also, a flash bracket that allows rotation to portrait mode would be very useful, especially back at the house where bounce flash was available off the ceiling.
- While it may be more common to forget the ISO setting, my pet oversight was to leave the camera in Aperture-Priority mode when I put the flash back on, thus acheiving about 5 blurry pictures in a row (slow shutter). This is despite having a really nice, glowing indication at the bottom of the viewfinder telling me exactly the aperture and shutter information that would ordinarily hint that something wasn't right. I had to re-stage the "kiss" due to this oversight.
- People are really nice, but they are also a PITA when you are attempting group photography. I should have brought a 9 mm Glock in order to establish authority. :D

Overall, it was fun, my sister and new brother-in-law are happy, and I'm partially happy. I see room for improvement, and they got what they paid for (essentially free, but its family).

[defordphoto]

I have shot one wedding and I tellya, shooting 240mph race cars is much easier than shooting people. The cars are much more predictable.

Anyway, thanks for sharing this bit. I was wondering how it went for you.

[Tom W]

Got a couple of samples from the event:


I processed this on the laptop and didn't notice the slight green tint (thankfully, I have the original RAW image). Still, I can feel the love! :)

http://home.comcast.net/~trwilk3/Images/TheCeremony.jpg


Back at the house for the reception, floating candles:

http://home.comcast.net/~trwilk3/Images/TheCandles.jpg


My Nephew (one of them) played the piano FLAWLESSLY for the ceremony:

http://home.comcast.net/~trwilk3/Images/theNephew.jpg


Wedding Cake looked tasty, despite the plastic dove having taken a nose-dive into the roses earlier in the day:

http://home.comcast.net/~trwilk3/Images/TheCake.jpg


This is where it all happened:

http://home.comcast.net/~trwilk3/Images/TheChurch.jpg

Lots of candid photos, both at the church and at the house. I took about 150 images of the event. A good portion of the family was involved in the ceremony, including two singing solos and two scripture readings. There were only about 30 people in attendance. It was nice.

[defordphoto]

The shots of the Church and the Happy Couple are awesome. Well exceot for the green cast on the couple. Thankfully that's so easily fixed. The look in her eyes is priceless.

[scotgasch]

Now try shooting 2-3 a weekend for 5 years....... :shock:

(actually I have only done about 30 since April...But I assisted before that for 2 years and my former boss has done about 900)

[Tom W]

The shots of the Church and the Happy Couple are awesome. Well exceot for the green cast on the couple. Thankfully that's so easily fixed. The look in her eyes is priceless.

Found a white point in PS-Elements and re-adjusted the color cast. Its pretty accurate now. Her dress was not pure white, but about the color shown. Anyway, I'll go back and do it in RAW. I suspect that there are a few 8X10's that they'll want.

http://home.comcast.net/~trwilk3/Images/TheCeremony2.jpg

[scotgasch]

Lots of candid photos, both at the church and at the house. I took about 150 images of the event. A good portion of the family was involved in the ceremony, including two singing solos and two scripture readings. There were only about 30 people in attendance. It was nice.

At first I saw 150 images and thought WOW ONLY 150...then I read only 30 in attendance.... :D

I usually break 1000 every wedding and 1500 when there are two of us.

But I get paid for it....

[Tom W]

Now try shooting 2-3 a weekend for 5 years....... :shock:

(actually I have only done about 30 since April...But I assisted before that for 2 years and my former boss has done about 900)

I've done one - It isn't much but its enough to know that wedding photography is not easy.

I read a thread on PopularPhotography's forum a month or two ago where someone had listed the 10 most overpaid professions out there. Among them was wedding photographer. I was skeptical then, and I know better now - its hard work.

That doesn't mean I'm not willing to try it again, but I HIGHLY recommend hiring a pro if one can afford it. My sister couldn't really afford it which was why I did it instead.

[Tom W]

Lots of candid photos, both at the church and at the house. I took about 150 images of the event. A good portion of the family was involved in the ceremony, including two singing solos and two scripture readings. There were only about 30 people in attendance. It was nice.

At first I saw 150 images and thought WOW ONLY 150...then I read only 30 in attendance.... :D

I usually break 1000 every wedding and 1500 when there are two of us.

But I get paid for it....

Yes, and eventually, I broke down and opened a beer. It was all family. :)

But I'll take that as advice if I ever find myself in this predicament again - I need to shoot more. I missed a few opportunities, I know that. The learning curve is steep, particularly when you are very green (that's not a flourescent light joke). :)

[scotgasch]

I actuall love it....but I would recommend to always charge something....


I was always told: charge what it would be worth to get your *ss chewed off by Bride and Mother. Because if you screw it up, that's what will happen....ESPECIALLY family...

[scotgasch]

Lots of candid photos, both at the church and at the house. I took about 150 images of the event. A good portion of the family was involved in the ceremony, including two singing solos and two scripture readings. There were only about 30 people in attendance. It was nice.

At first I saw 150 images and thought WOW ONLY 150...then I read only 30 in attendance.... :D

I usually break 1000 every wedding and 1500 when there are two of us.

But I get paid for it....

Yes, and eventually, I broke down and opened a beer. It was all family. :)

But I'll take that as advice if I ever find myself in this predicament again - I need to shoot more. I missed a few opportunities, I know that. The learning curve is steep, particularly when you are very green (that's not a flourescent light joke). :)


At the time of the consultation I always inform the bride that my assistant and I will both be eating if there is food. Most of the time they offer before I get to that point anyway. I have not had a bride be offended yet. As you now know, it's quite alot of work so I insist that my assistant and I get at least a few minutes time to relax a bit (even vistit the bar or grab a glass of Champagne :wink: :wink: ) Anyway always have fun even if it is the most boring wedding of all time....they will notice and it will show in there recommendations...

[Tom W]

I actuall love it....but I would recommend to always charge something....


I was always told: charge what it would be worth to get your *ss chewed off by Bride and Mother. Because if you screw it up, that's what will happen....ESPECIALLY family...

LOL! Well, I doubt I'd be chewed by the Mother, considering she is also my Mother. But if the bride really got POed at me, I have a 600 mile cushion between me and her. :D

But in reality, she and the new husband were happy with what I gave them. They'll be even happier when they get the rest of the pictures.

[ron chappel]

Oops,mixed up posts.

But i should add..you did well.That ouside shot of the church is an easy good one

[IndyJeff]

Tom I did my second wedding this last weekend. In both cases it was friends, or kids of friends who couldn't afford the high prices the pro's charge.
After arriving at the banquet hall 10:40am, very dimly lit BTW, I looked the place over and made my plan. Wedding started at noon, I was gone by about 3:30.
I missed the garter toss, tried to do it by rapid fire and it was just too dark and everything was soft. The groom pulled a fast one, literally, he removed the garter, turned and fired it rubber band style at the guys. One guy got hit dead in the chest with it and didn't even know it. The guy next to him caught it off the rebound.
I get home, check the shots. I fired off 275 shots...damn!
On Sunday I sat down at the laptop about 12:30. I worked and watched the Daytona 500, ate dinner and finally around 10pm I was done editting. There were a lot of duplicate shots, with and without flash. I narrowed the final cut down to 156.
When I talked to the grooms mother last night and told her I had 156 images on disk for her to preview, well she just about died. She said she was expecting something more like 50-60 to choose from. Tomorrow night they get to see the final selection. I am interested in their opinion.

I did this just to help build a portfolio for myself in the wedding field. I will say this, a wedding photographer earns every dime of what he charges. Talk about stress at a wedding LOL.


p.s. You think shooting basketball in a gym is dark, try a banquet hall with soft ambient lighting.

[IndyJeff]

Tom I almost forgot, the shots of the candles......next time try a star filter. It gives a real cool look to the shot. Also the cake, I did with a diffuser which softened the shot. Turned out great.
Not that there was anything wrong with your shots. Just trying to make a suggestion to make those kind of shots stand out and have a pro look compared to Uncle Fred and Aunt Wilma's snapshots.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Looks like you did a great job Tom.

8) Congrats! :)

[ron chappel]

Ok..this time i'll try posting in nthe right forum,lol.

Nice to see it went well Tom. I found my first wedding (two weeks ago) a very similar experience to you-that is i did better than i expected and have allready found many small flaws i can fix next time.
And you're right! Time DOES fly by!!

I must say though that i did enjoy the experience...and i still say wedding photographers are overpaid! lol

I'll post the story and pics sometime soon

[ron chappel]

oh,forgot to relate a (sort of) funny story.
I remember i DID do a wedding many years ago when i was young and keen and had a beaut spotmatic.It was definitely nothing serious at all (kind of shotgun wedding,lol) but i remeber stuffing up the flash sync speed....ands wouldn't you guess it? the pic affected was the couple cutting the cake.One perfectly exposed the other well and trully in the dark and split right down the middle.It looked like an omen that they would split up..and they did soon after,lol

[Bruce Hamilton]

At the time of the consultation I always inform the bride that my assistant and I will both be eating if there is food.
Personally, that sounds very tacky... You're well compensated for your efforts, and someone else is paying the tab for the meal and bar, you shouldn't expect them to feed you and your assistant. If the bride offers, as you mention many do, that becomes a different situation.

Just my opinion. :wink:

[scotgasch]

Well after 900+ weddings with no complaints or offense taken, I think it is a safe request....experience is the best teacher :D
I don't think it sounds tacky at all and every wedding photographer I have spoken with about this subject has agreed...In fact it was brought up in a WPPI convention and it was not frowned upon at all...

[Malaxos1]

At the time of the consultation I always inform the bride that my assistant and I will both be eating if there is food.
Personally, that sounds very tacky... You're well compensated for your efforts, and someone else is paying the tab for the meal and bar, you shouldn't expect them to feed you and your assistant. If the bride offers, as you mention many do, that becomes a different situation.

Just my opinion. :wink:

I have taken a wedding photography course at a community college and the guy said that in over 30 years of shooting weddings he always is fed. He said the last thing you want to do is pack up all of your equipment and expect to bring a bag luch with you. Man, I did a wedding on Saturday and I was at the Church for 10 hours, imagine I had to bring my own food...Dean

[Bruce Hamilton]

...pack up all of your equipment and expect to bring a bag luch with you.
That's not what I'm saying... I just don't feel the bride should be expected to feed you. Go to a nice restaurant, you can afford it.

[scotgasch]

Well like I said before, she usually offers before I even have to mention it and when I do, It's done tactfully and does not caome across rude at all.

I am not trying to talk anyone into doing this....it's just what alot of people do...I guess if a bride gets offended at the mention of it, I don't want her as a customer....I don't get along with uptight people...after all this is what the consultation is all about...to get to know each other before a commitment is made and money is paid...


...and you can't leave in the middle of the reception to go to a resturant...
...and I am at most weddings for 7-10 hours..I will eat something...
No one should be EXPECTED to go 7-10 hours without eating

[Tom W]

I appreciate the complements and the tips. While I don't expect to be in the business any time soon (I'm not quitting my day job), I like to do quality work.

CDS - I could not have done it without the 70-200 Sigma. The lens performed quite well wide open. I am pleased.

[Tom W]

Also, I thought I'd just point out that in all the weddings I've attended, I don't think I've seen any where the photographer didn't eat at the reception. I don't know if its expected, but I'd certainly feed him or her.

[tikkeltokkel]

Now try shooting 2-3 a weekend for 5 years....... :shock:

(actually I have only done about 30 since April...But I assisted before that for 2 years and my former boss has done about 900)

Wow ... That must have been good to the pocket... i'm starting with portrait/wedding photography and i suppose i will not complain if i got that busy!!!!

"Photos only appear to those with the ability to take them." - Kertesz
Mike www.mikelambphotography.com