Shooting a Wedding on Your Own

[Lisa1976]

How many of you shoot weddings on your own with no assistants?

My husband who normallys comes along with me may have to go back to shift work and wont be around every saturday to come along with me. I love having him there and its always handy for getting the relaxed shots and shots of the groom and best man at the church beforehand.

How do you single shooters plan the day with having to photograph bride getting red, groom and best man at church / venue beforehand, then the reception and also getting those relaxed unposed shots? I just don't see how I can fit it all in on my own?

Lisa

[song4themoon]

I go to the brides house (or wherever she is getting ready) and take her pics.

Then we all drive to the ceremony where usually we still have about 30 minutes before it starts, in that time I grab the groom and groomsmen. If there is no time before then I do it after the ceremony.

After the ceremony I do all needed posed shots.

At the reception I am just around and capture the unposed stuff, whatever is going on

[cpd23]

The only thing I would add would be sure to keep your backup camera on your shoulder.

[Toogy]

I do 90% of my weddings by myself... I pretty much do the same as song4themoon does.

Even when I have an assistant, they are usually just an assistant so they don't really do any shooting anyways.... so I use the same schedule.

[gateruner]

You could always become a mentor to someone. Alot of people will assist and second shoot just for the experience and some portfolio work. I have no clue where you are and if there is anyone willing where you live but it does happen. If it is something you think would be an interest to you then post something in the forum here and try to find a local forum to make the offer as well.

Otherwise you just have to be organized and have a plan to capture everything.

[sapearl]

I've been doing them alone for 30+ years - I never thought about it much..... just got the bookings, reserved the day for nothing but the wedding, went out and shot it.;)

That being said, it IS a pretty long day (6 - 12 hours easily) and can be exhausting if you don't prepare properly with a good night's sleep, large breakfast, plenty of hydration and good physical strength/health. I enjoy what I do so much that the hours pretty much fly by. I may feel differently when I hit 60, but so far so good :lol: .

The key is being well organized and methodical.

Basically I check out and pack all my gear the night before, loading the tripod and ladder in the station wagon beforehand. The cameras stay inside the house until the last. And then it's off early to bride's dressing venue for candids, church for preliminaries, ceremony and post ceremony groups, a park maybe for more groups, and then the reception. The routine is generally the same, but the details will vary. It becomes pretty automatic after you've done a bunch.

[jillybean]

I fly solo also- I start 3 hours before- do all the posed and fun stuff- make sure I'm done 1/2 before ceremony- then proceed on with the rest of the day/evening. If the b&g will not see each other then we just adjust the schedule.

I recently have a gal that loves to come along-holds camera's, reflectors, but I also give her a camera to capture something she may see- it's really cool to see what I sometimes miss.