Would I make a good wedding photographer?

[M Powered]

Hey guys, I'm a glamor/ fashion photographer looking to get into weddings.

A friend of mine of 10 years just asked me if I could be their wedding photographer... of course I couldn't pass up an opportunity. Thing is I have no idea where to start. In my entire life I been to like 2 weddings both of them was when I was really young so I don't remember anything. I just learned yesterday that a baby shower was to celebrate the birth of an expected baby... I always thought it was the baby's first bath from exiting the mothers womb :D

I thought about hiring a few models to build my wedding portfolio, but my buddies wedding came up sooner than expected..

Any pointers?

[JMHPhotography]

Wow... well I can't really tell how good you'll be since I don't know you really, but I can say that wedding photography is really much more than just photography. With Fashion and Glamour, if your shot isn't right, you do it over again. You don't get many do-overs in a wedding. If you miss something important, you missed it. Sometimes you can stage it up later, but lots of times you can not. You also have to be good at being unobtrusive. Nothing will get more complaints from guests faster than being up in their face all night, or making noises and being annoying at the ceremony. I personally think those with a PJ background translate better to wedding photography. If you have that aptitude, than you'll probably be fine.

read this... it will help a little I think(though it's a little dated... ignore the bag stuff):

http://tips.romanzolin.com/articles/article006.php

Make sure you have plenty of batteries, and make sure your camera batteries are fully charged. I'd shoot with no less than 2 cameras... but if you only have one... pray it doesn't fail.

[M Powered]

I plan on having shoots in "controlled" environments before the actual wedding ceremony. I.e Shots at the beach, park, etc, etc. Same setup I do for my glamor stuff, except it will be for couples. :)

I do have a bad habit of gettin in someone's way to get the perfect shot.. so chances are if some annoying kid gets in the way I'll smash him with my 70-200 haha.

For the actual ceremony, I plan on shooting in AI servo and leaving it on 2-3fps continuous. I don't think weddings have the same strict IQ requirements as glamor, so I can probably size down the JPG.

[jkloef]

here is a wedding FAQ that Tim Wild put together that may help.
http://www.mrwild.co.nz/WeddingFAQ/W...Q-Pt1-beta.htm

[M Powered]

here is a wedding FAQ that Tim Wild put together that may help.
http://www.mrwild.co.nz/WeddingFAQ/W...Q-Pt1-beta.htm

Link doesn't work :(

[whoadude]

I think you have a great eye for composition and framing. As well as a great understanding of photography in general. For the posed controlled shots, I think you'll do really great. It's the timing for all the other stuff you have to get used to. Just as stated above you don't get redos for a lot of the events that happen. You get one chance to nail it. For your very first wedding, you'll miss some stuff or wish you got a better shot but you will get better as you do more.

[JMHPhotography]

I don't think weddings have the same strict IQ requirements as glamor, so I can probably size down the JPG.

This is true to a point... but if you take a look at the industry's most celebrated wedding photographers, you'll probably find their image quality to be on par with some fashion/editorial work for magazine publication. Don't take it too lightly.

[ded007]

I am not a full-time pro, but I always thought I would HATE wedding photography. I shot my first one as a barely paid favor, and as a whole I pretty much was clueless. But there were about 20 frames that brought the B&G to tears when I proofed them out. Since I knew them it was of course more meaningful, but I knew I'd enjoy it and do very much (generally). You should consider that angle on it too :)

Plus there's the bridesmaids ;)

[stathunter]

M Powered-- I focus my work on weddings--- I actually love what I do. Like everything else you are dealing with different personalities. I am a people person and understand that it is their day and to do what I do and give them photos that record their day and make them look good.
Wedding work is very much anticipating the shot--- know what to expect and how you want to capture it. Lighting is less than great and you have to understand what will happen, who is where and how to get the best results on the fly. After some practice I am sure you will be good with it.
Have fun!

[-MasterChief-]

M, ive seen your work and theyre great! the only thing though is most of your shots are in controlled environments. weddings are mostly "uncontrolled" and have sort of a pace that you have to get used to. miss a shot and it could be the end of it. some churches have rules, others dont care. Bridezillas and Mother of the Brides can be a PITA sometimes. get backup gear and invest in some comfortable shoes.

whatever you do, i know you'll do great! you have a great eye. GOOD LUCK!

[M Powered]

I'm thinking of going with a 24-105L or a 35L as my primary lens for weddings. I doubt the 70-700 will be much use indoors.

This is true to a point... but if you take a look at the industry's most celebrated wedding photographers, you'll probably find their image quality to be on par with some fashion/editorial work for magazine publication. Don't take it too lightly.

Yes, all have had been post processed in somewhat the same manner. What woman getting married wouldn't want to look like a magazine editorial? :)

[M Powered]

M, ive seen your work and theyre great! the only thing though is most of your shots are in controlled environments. weddings are mostly "uncontrolled" and have sort of a pace that you have to get used to. miss a shot and it could be the end of it. some churches have rules, others dont care. Bridezillas and Mother of the Brides can be a PITA sometimes. get backup gear and invest in some comfortable shoes.

whatever you do, i know you'll do great! you have a great eye. GOOD LUCK!

Thanks for the encouragement :)

I actually have a lot of uncontrolled shots, I just don't post them because my intent is to post fine controlled shots :)

[jkloef]

http://www.mrwild.co.nz/WeddingFAQ/Wedding-FAQ-Pt1-beta.htm

[cdifoto]

Sh!t son, if my retarded ass can do it, so can you!

[cdifoto]

Plus there's the bridesmaids ;)
Plagiarism! Plagiarism! :mad:

[ded007]

Plagiarism! Plagiarism! :mad:

Yeeeah you're the first wedding shooter with THAT ulterior motive. :)

But alas your earlier comment probably put that in my head. Credit where credit is due..

[cdifoto]

Yeeeah you're the first wedding shooter with THAT ulterior motive. :)

What, you mean, I'm not?!?!

But alas your earlier comment probably put that in my head. Credit where credit is due..
;) :cool:

[mattograph]

CDI summed it up. But I feel like talking.

IMHO, you have the technical prowess for sure. I can only imagine what a hot little bride would look like after being "mpowered".

My only advice -- don't charge like a beginner. Your "authority" at a wedding is directly proportional to your fee. Since you have the skill, charge for it. When Dad is dropping a few large on you, you had better believe when you say jump, they jump. And that is very important at the wedding.

A wise man once told me "Charge $500 for a wedding, and you'll know what it feels like to be a $50 whore. Charge $5000, and you'll know what it feels like to be her pimp!"

I'm not sure what that means, but he looked very serious when he said it, so it must be important. Anyway, I think you see where I'm going.

Good Luck! :)

[cdifoto]

My only advice -- don't charge like a beginner. Your "authority" at a wedding is directly proportional to your fee. Since you have the skill, charge for it. When Dad is dropping a few large on you, you had better believe when you say jump, they jump. And that is very important at the wedding.

A wise man once told me "Charge $500 for a wedding, and you'll know what it feels like to be a $50 whore. Charge $5000, and you'll know what it feels like to be her pimp!"

I'm not sure what that means, but he looked very serious when he said it, so it must be important. Anyway, I think you see where I'm going.

Good Luck! :)
I was just discussing this "offline" with someone. Another bride in Mexico wants me to shoot her wedding but said my quoted rate was too high, which incidentally wasn't that high since I'd already be in Mexico & therefore travel costs would not apply. I told her the quoted rate was the least I'd accept for it to be worth my while to take yet another day out of my already short working vacation. I'm bartering the shooting of a friend's wedding for 4 full days in Mexico, one of which will be for her wedding, leaving three for me, but one is out on a party boat with her (albeit not part of the service) leaving only TWO full days of myself alone no distractions. This second wedding would knock down my two complete days to myself to only one day alone, so the pay had better be sufficient to warrant it because I'd rather sip margaritas all day than bust my butt shooting for little money.

You also don't get the respect at craigslist rates as you do when there's real money on the line, whether you know what you're doing or not. My first deal was cheap & for a secretary and NOBODY listened to me. My 2nd deal was 5x more money & for a millionaire and EVERYBODY listened to me. It's only gotten better from there.

[Weddingguy1]

I disagree that the 70-200 would be useless inside . . especially if it is a 2.8. That is my lens of choice and I only stop using it when forced. It also allowes you to "get out of the way"
Best suggestion I could make is . . . attend the rehearsal and shoot lots of pix there. Shoot without flash - with flash - flash on camera - flash off camera - follow them into the church and leaving the church and keep shooting. Now you should have a couple of hundred images to study befor the wedding actually happens.

I've shot hundreds of weddings and here is my routine:
1) I shoot available light whenever possible.
2) Take the subject to the light if possible
3) If I am unable to use the natural light I want the flash OFF camera if possible
4) Since weddings are mostly portraits I like the perspective of the long lens. My wide lens usually gets me in trouble with the way people look if I go too wide.
5) I never shoot without an assistant or second shooter...that covers my a**

Hope that helps. At least you know your equipment, so thatshould be able to concentrate on whats happening

Good luck !

[SnowmanCanon]

http://www.mrwild.co.nz/WeddingFAQ/Wedding-FAQ-Pt1-beta.htm

I really found that FAQ helpful. I would recommend at least scanning it. I'm just getting into weddings, and I always enjoy these articles that clear up the basics.

[M Powered]

Heres my idea. I plan on taking two friends of mine who will be assistants. Each will have in hand a 580EXII with a small softbox diffuser and have a PWII attached to it. I will position them as I see fit and hopefully get some sick strobist lighting... and hopefully it won't be an epic fail.

What do you guys think? I've been shooting for so long without the use of on camera flash and I want to go the extra mile and avoid it when ever possible.

[ded007]

Heres my idea. I plan on taking two friends of mine who will be assistants. Each will have in hand a 580EXII with a small softbox diffuser and have a PWII attached to it. I will position them as I see fit and hopefully get some sick strobist lighting... and hopefully it won't be an epic fail.

What do you guys think? I've been shooting for so long without the use of on camera flash and I want to go the extra mile and avoid it when ever possible.

That is exactly the lighting I take with me. Except when I say 'assistant', I mean tripod.

[SuzyView]

It's how many of us get started, getting asked by a friend to help out. Anyway, the best advice is to be prepared:

extra: batteries, CF cards, flashes, camera, cords, lenses, diffusers

list of poses the B&G want

schedule for the day

assistant to help carry and keep an eye on your gear

business cards for people watching you

good communication with the wedding party - or else you will not get the help you need, there should be one contact person to go to in case things are not going well

Last, but not least, practice at the event site before getting there for good lighting. I can't stress that enough. Unless you are an expert at events, you will have to think about it too long and lose time.

[mattograph]

Heres my idea. I plan on taking two friends of mine who will be assistants. Each will have in hand a 580EXII with a small softbox diffuser and have a PWII attached to it. I will position them as I see fit and hopefully get some sick strobist lighting... and hopefully it won't be an epic fail.

What do you guys think? I've been shooting for so long without the use of on camera flash and I want to go the extra mile and avoid it when ever possible.

This is a great idea. I love the ambulatory light stand.

Remember the three most important things to shoot at a wedding: the bride, the bride, and anything the bride asks for a picture of.

I've heard the following: You will sell 80% of the pics that have the bride in them. You will sell 20% of the pics that don't.

[ded007]

I've heard the following: You will sell 80% of the pics that have the bride in them. You will sell 20% of the pics that don't.

I'm going to track that.

<--bean counter by day.

[mattograph]

I'm going to track that.

<--bean counter by day.

Emphasis on "I heard....".:)

[ded007]

Emphasis on "I heard....".:)

LOL gotcha :)

It'd be an intersting figure though. Not that my part-time wedding shooting would be a great sample, but still.

[Lunajen]

Ditto on everything alreaady stated...Good Luck!

In the words of Rob Schnieder..."You can DOO IT!!"

[M Powered]

Okay, I'm going to start actively searching for established wedding photographers in the valley and see if I can be the assistant for the day.

[-MasterChief-]

Okay, I'm going to start actively searching for established wedding photographers in the valley and see if I can be the assistant for the day.

make sure you show them your portfolio so they dont take you for a novice! :D GOOD LUCK!

[M Powered]

make sure you show them your portfolio so they dont take you for a novice! :D GOOD LUCK!

Haha... yea, and hopefully he won't be envious at my glamor shots or equipment list :D

Last thing I need is for him to borrow my gear to take pictures ;)

[-MasterChief-]

Last thing I need is for him to borrow my gear to take pictures ;)

I WOULD! LOL! :D :D :D