Wedding photography is hard work

[charld]

I went to my friends wedding and brought along my 1DMK3, 16-35 2.8L II, 70-200 2.8 IS and 430ex...left the 24-70 home due to back focus issues on my MK3.

I was no the photographer I just wanted a few of my own shots
(I stayed out of the paid guy’s way at all times)

Let me say this was the hardest thing I had to do..and I was just doing it for fun..

The lighting was difficult and trying to change settings on the fly was just too slow..
The venue setup was just not right: Bride and groom has their backs to everyone when they exchanged vows and again at the reception when they cut the cake and the paid
guy didn’t say anything..i don’t think he got good shots of those moments based on where he was..I saw he only had ONE lens, a 16-35 and a 1DMKII..ahhh 1 lens and no 2nd body or assistant. I haven’t seen the pictures he took but I hope my friend is not disappointed.

My hats off to anyone that makes a living doing this. when it’s my turn at least I will know what to do and where to find good photographers ;-). I enjoy looking at everyone post on the board and hearing your stories.

Thanks

[TheHoff]

I'm no pro but I could rock a whole wedding with a 16-35. Maybe he had another body and a longer lens with him but his style is wide?

I also wouldn't tell the people how to move; it is the photographer's job to be in the right place. I can't stand when I'm a guest at a wedding and it looks like the photographer or the videographer is running the event for the sake of the images rather than documenting what is happening.

You're right though, it is hard work! And a lot of hassles from people who think every concern of theirs is the most important.

[maytay20]

Yeah I agree It is def not easy. I am just starting at it I have done I think 10 weddings on my own and I have found some lighting / positioning very difficult to say the least. Last weekend I did a ceremony in a candle (a total of 8 candles) lit log cabin in the woods. I got some really good shots though. But at the same time it can be a lot of fun. I have only had a few that were not fun. Although have a assistant / second shooter can make a world of difference. Finding a reliable second shooter is not the easiest thing either. I have had 4 flake on me and not even show up so far, so they may not have planned to do it alone. I did my last 3 weddings with 1 lens set up though, the last two I rented a 24 - 105L to do them so there was no way I was going to switch it out for my kit lens. Once I get my 30D service and the budget allows for two L lenses I will have 2 bodies and 2 different lenses. I would hate to miss a shot because of switching a lens though.

[hibiscusroto]

shooting a wedding with a 16-35 is fine if you are one of the groomsmen!

[Nick_b]

One lens eh! wow. I couldn't do it that's for sure!

I've shot a hand full of weddings and I have a lot of respect for what the pros are able to do.

[vibin247]

Shooting a wedding can be a pressure cooker waiting to explode if you don't prepare. Don't get hung up on having everything with you, because if you're not using it, then it's just extra weight to lug around. Otherwise, just have fun with it, and be serious in those situations when you need to be serious. There are certain things that would make it a lot easier, like having an assistant schlepping all the gear, and several bodies in case one fails (Got to have at least two, even if one's a film camera). I try to have fun when I'm photographing a wedding because it allows those hours of hard work melt away.

One photographer I asked, who recently did a wedding and the pictures came out fantastic (Being a photofinisher is a good reason to peek at someone else's techniques ;)), how she was able to get real, natural expressions. She said she became an athlete, in the zone, focusing on all those years of hard work to use her ability at its' peak. "Everything slows down and I just capture it."

[Dermit]

Yes, I do weddings and I never knew how hard they were until i did my first one or two (20 years ago). I also hate to see a photographer turn a wedding into a photoshoot... but over the years I've learned when it's ok to talk to the B/G about where to stand, etc. They've always appreciated the suggestions and it's never a big request. I never make a big deal of it and always take the responsibility upon myself to be at the right place at the right time.

You wouldn't believe how many B/Gs don't know what to do at certain points and appreciate a little help, like something I've seen 100 times, the cutting of the cake, a lot of them don't know what to do. I've instructed many on how to go about it and make sure to tell them to look up once in a while for the camera and for the guests.

Most of these things where you might have trouble with getting the shot you learn and eventually you incorporate it into the things you tell the couple before the day even comes around. I have a set number of things I talk to them about about a week before the day to insure they get good shots. Then on the day it's easy to get their attention at key points and most of the time just a look or small gesture toward them jogs their memory and you get the shot. But if it completely slips their minds I still anticipate the action. I've learned to read people and most of the time get the shots regardless.

[OdiN1701]

You could do it with a 16-35. Just take a bit more planning.

My last wedding I shot entirely with my 17-55.

[adam8080]

After awhile, you get the hang of it. Try shooting getting readies when the dress shows up 3 hours after the ceremony is supposed to start... That is how last Saturday went.

[DStanic]

I shot my first wedding mostly with my 24-60 (due to having only one body). There were a few times I wanted to whip out the 70-200 but didn't want to risk losing a moment while switching lenses. Next time I will definatly have 2 bodies!

And it was definatly hard work.. I was sweating, what a great workout! lol

[hibiscusroto]

my advise is to have (at least) two of everything...that way if something breaks, you didn't totally screw up the job!

[device01]

i shot my bro's wedding with 1 lens Canon 17-55 2.8 IS (with canon 40D) and i was one of the goomsmen. Love this lens! highly recommended if you have a crop body.
My advise is to have at least this type of lens and a telephoto zoom like 70-200 2.8 IS

And if your a pro - you need another body as a backup!

i made a site for them so check out the result of the combo: Canon 40D w/ 17-55 IS 2.8
http://robineloisa.robdi.com/

[2.8orfaster]

I also wouldn't tell the people how to move; it is the photographer's job to be in the right place.
.


Absolutely! Weddings should be captured with natural light (when possible) and candid at all times (accept formals)!

But thats just my opinion.

[cjcastan]

Absolutely! Weddings should be captured with natural light (when possible) and candid at all times (accept formals)!

But thats just my opinion.

I love using video light and off camera flash. My clients enjoy being directed and trust me as a professional to make sure they look their best.

Jerry Ghionis asks in his seminars, why wait for magic to happen if I can create it?

[Wilt]

There is a fine line between true photojournalism, and excessive interference by the photographer. True photojournalism captures unposed events, which runs the risk of people posing in less flattering ways, holding hands or their bodies in awkward ways, etc. The job of the photographer is to flatter the main subjects, even if you are shooting most of the event in a photojournalistic manner. That means some suggestions on places to stand, how to turn the body a bit away from the lens, making big noses and jowls less apparent, etc. What gets more orders, unflattering shots, or ones that make the subjects somewhat attractive even when they aren't ?!

[myjunk]

I just shot my 4th wedding not as the official photographer but for FUN. (which esentially means I can just skimp out on a a few shots which I know the OP is doing)

Having 2 bodies is a must otherwise, it's lens switching every few minutes and missing those shots. (i used a 135L and a 24-70L on a 400D)

I will get out of the OP's way, but the last one I went, the OP said, rather nicely "Hey, you have a zoom lens? The room's kinda small. How about you use that instead?" hint.. hint.. so I whipped out my 135L.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lotso/sets/72157607659807233/

I too like shooting un-posed candids. it's rather nice compared to posed ones, but then again, there's a time and place for both.

[NathanJK]

Obviously he was a wide angle kinda guy, it must be his look. Then again, I suspect he'll only have one basic look going on for all those pictures...