Do you scrutinize over getting all the shots?

[Padawan Dad]

I'm curious how a lot of us work as far as getting our shots. I've seen some photogs get everything: every member of the wedding party coming down the aisle, ever member of the WP introduced, cake eating, all the common formal shots, etc...

Are there any photogs that don't scrutinize about getting all the "common" shots and work outside the box? I'm not saying that one is better than the other, but I tend to enjoy working outside of the box, and my clients seem to enjoy that style as well.

I'm not really looking for direction here, or advice, but just curious where you stand. Do you scrutinize over getting every shot, or do you look more for the moment and operate in a less mechanical/generic fashion?

Not sure if making sense... but we'll see.

[Toogy]

Bill

I try and do both!! if that is possible! I really do try and get all those "shots" even though I hate most of them.... Ideally I'd love to have a second shooter I could trust to get all those shots, while I could get all the different angles etc. But not sure how you can't get those shots?

Sometimes I might miss something and oh well, I don't really worry too much.

[cdifoto]

I get what I can get. I try to work with the DJ and get them to notify me in advance of the big happenings since they generally set the schedule via the announcements.

[canonpink]

I think that as long as you get all the shots the B&G care about (plus the formals) all extra is gravy and probably why they pay a premium for your services. The artsy stuff is where the elites make their thousands per wedding and can afford second and third shooters, lighting assistants, etc....

[MrsOpie]

I like to stay on top of things. When I'm at a wedding I usually find the perfect time to quickly eat and then back to work. I always try and stay on my toes with the schedule.

[Jimbo24]

I try to get every shot possible, especially the important "must have" shots like the posed ones with mom, dad, grandma, auntie, uncle they haven't seen in 10 years etc...

[Roy Mathers]

Bill - to help me understand your post a bit better - do you mean 'agonize' instead of scrutinize?

[Kai]

I am starting to realize that I like to get more of the emotion. Posing shots don't have a lot of emotion. I would rather get a bride with her mother in a quick shot where they are natural than posed in front of the church. My client seems to like those best too. I think it takes balance and a 2nd shooter.

It's interesting when I ask my clients to picture in their mind looking at their wedding pictures ten years from now, what do they see. No one has ever said "family pictures". Most of them didn't even realize "the list" of pictures that were taken at a wedding. I really try to get a feel for what my client wants and try to educate them on the fact that I can not be at all places at once. With one bride I told her I could stand in the front of the church and capture the wedding party walking down the isle or I could be in the back with her capturing all the emotion and moments between her dad and wedding party. She picked - in the back.

With only one photog you are not going to get "all the shots". For the past two weddings I have given my sister a camera on P mode or I set it on manual for a certain room and let her take a go. She has got some amazing shots. This is a bonus for the bride because I never offered her two photogs.

[stathunter]

I focus on getting all of the traditional shots but my contract also asks for them to have someone who will work with me. That person typically will point out differnt "VIP's" or advise me of the schedule or change in plans and allow me to anticipate and prepare for certain shots.

[Bobster]

we go through with the B+G what photos they want.. if we're running out of time on the day, we let them know and they make the decision on the priority of what they want taken before the time runs out..

[dennytang]

I think a few traditional shots are mandatory such as kissing, cutting the cake, etc.

Can you show a few examples of some "outside of the box" photos?