My First wedding on 07/07/2007

[StaticThought]

As title,

My friend has asked me if I would be the photog at his sisters wedding on the 7th July. She has found a website that basically lists the shots that are recommended which are the following (He gave me the list of shots that she ticked):

*At ceremony Site*
Outside ceremony
Guest walking into ceremony
Bride & Father Entering ceremony
Bridesmaids walking down aisle
Flowergirl and ring bearer walking down aisle
Groom waiting for Bride
Alter & Canopy during ceremony
Closeup of bride, just before she makes her entrance
Bride & father walking down aisle
Groom seeing Bride for the first time
The back of the father & bride walking down the aisle with groom in distance
Brides father & Bride hugging at the end of the aisle
Shot of audience from the Bride & grooms point of view
Exchanging of the rings
The Kiss
Bride & Groom walking up the aisle
Bride & Groom on steps
Guests throwing confetty etc
Bride & groom hugging guest and getting congrats etc
Bride & Groom getting into car
bride and groom in back seat

*Posed wedding before reception*
Bride Alone
Bride with Maid of Honour
Bride with Bridesmaids
Groom with bridesmaids
Bride with parents
Bride & Groom together
Bride & Groom with parents
Bride & groom with families
Bride & Groom with entire wedding party
Bride & groom with Page boys
Groom with parents
Groom with bestman
Groom with Groomsmen
Bride with Groomsmen
Wedding cake
Bride & Groom cutting the cake
Bride & groom drinking champs
Signing of the Marriage license
Bride throwing bouguet

I have been reading in this section for some time and have also been looking through alot of the galleries hat you guys have posted (Didnt help with the nerves thats for sure :lol: )

Anyways, my current kit consists of the following:

Canon EOS 400D w/ 2 X 2gig Sandisk cards
Kit Lens 18-55mm 3.5
55-200 4.5-5.6
Sigma 17-70mm 2.8 Macro
ETTL Flash Unit (Currently looking at replacing with the Sigma EF-500 DG Super flashgun)
I should have been receiving a 70-200mm L F4 but have been ripped off by someone on ebay (Long Story, dont ask :( )
I should be getting another 50mm 1.8 this week if all goes to plan.
I have also got myself a Velbon Sherpa 600R tripod.
Would love to be able to get a second body to be safe but there's noone local to me or even near me that hires out Camera bodies so fingers crossed mine does'nt go down on the day. Is this asking for trouble ??

I have not discussed any prices yet and tbh feel that because its my first wedding I should take payment in experience and not money. They will want prints and as such will be asked to pay for materials etc. I am more than happy with the functions of my camera and my ability to use them so am not too nervous regarding my skill level.

Your thoughts please on my kit and also the list of pictures she would like. Also any aditional advise would be great as well.

Actually not too nervous which is suprising. Thanks In Advance.

[Banbert]

Crazy if you do a wedding with one body, even if its your first gig and your doing it for nothing or a small fee, if they have asked yah to do the photos then everyone on the day will be looking at you and if your camera fials and your not able to delivery shots then thats all anyone will remember about the photographer that day. Beg, borrow, buy or hire one from somewhere.

[csm328]

Crazy, you need more memory. 4GB won't cut it if you're shooting in RAW. What PP program do you use? I ask because your lenses aren't the best for excellent wedding shots (although they will still get it done). Some PP can really improve good pictures and make them great. Too bad about the 70-200 L. Would have been perfect. Your 50 1.8 and 17-70 will be fast enough inside (make sure you check the venue first). I can see you doing alot of walking back and forwards :) How many batteries do you have? Can you borrow and spare body from someone?

[StaticThought]

Hi Guys,

I have Adobe lightroom and Adobe photoshop CS2 as PP software. As for batteries I have the stock 400D battery plus the Canon Battery grip. No one around these parts hires camera gear out and I know no one that would loan me any gear. Damn, really not sure now. Looking at maybe another 400D or maybe a 30D as a second cam body (Obviously if I go for the 30D then my current 400D will be the back up) Will be looking at getting more batteies as well as I am aware that I would need more than just the one for each body. I will be going to the vneue before the actual day as well so see what light I have (Or I dont have as the case may be)

Not feeling too confident right now :(

[csm328]

GET MORE MEMORY! It's really important. And since you have a good PP suite, you need to ability to take lots of pics. 30D is a great choice. There are some good bargains in the 'sell' forum.

[MrWills]

I agree get a second body, Batteries will last most of the night. Just get one extra one. Most of the time my 30D will last all night on one battery, my 5D I do have to change out thou one time. Between two of us we shoot around 2000 pictures. The list of pictures is a guide, I would tell they bride you will do your best to get them all. Things will happen and you will not get them all I promise, make your self a little index card with poses. I use one that list things like, veil over head, rings, dress, kissing etc things like that to just remind my self to get everything. Lots of times things are moving fast and your are under pressue with time restraint. Here is a little word that helps me.

T raditional Pose
R everse the Bride
E mbrace the cheek
A rms around the groom
S lide the veil over B&G
U nder the bride's chin (I have the groom act like he is going to kiss bride)
R ingshot
E nter and Exit
D ip the bride

It is a little cheesy I know but it helps me not to forget. :D

[2gDSM]

The memory won't be enough--my 4 gig card will only hold ~400 RAW images which won't be enough for anything more than a very short wedding/reception. I would also agree with having extra batteries--the Sterlingtek ones work very well and have a much longer lifespan than the Canon battery. I know the above guy said you'd be alright, but the 30D battery is much better than the XT/XTi series.

[Lorem]

Good luck to ya! I have a 7/7/07 shoot too.

Get another camera body if you can. Rent/borrow what ever. Just get another body.
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You maybe outa luck if there's a low light situation. Need a 1.8 or 1.4 prime. Don't even use that "Fla**" word.