First Wedding Tale

[dsc_1972]

Never again?! Maybe. Let's just say my first wedding shoot was a true eye-opener. Really tiring, but enjoyable (I was a guest too!). Landscapes and macro are more my comfort zone so this was always going to be a real challenge for me.

Here are a few shots from the day, out of the 200-300 or so 'proofs' I have shortlisted for uploading for the couple to choose prints/books from after their honeymoon.

Just some levels and curves and vignetting on these 800 pixel images and I'll PP the chosen ones as required.

The day started with shots of the groom getting ready in the hotel.

Then a short car trip to the bride's parents house and I had about 5 mins time to spend shooting her with her sisters on the stairs.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3086/3161148735_34bc8f3647.jpg

Back at the hotel the service took place in a room for 60 containing about 120 people. Cramped is not the word. I had to keep checking my elbow wasn't being set on fire by a waist high candle I was perched beside, along side the videographer.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3129/3161149099_eb9aa37c00.jpg

Thankfully the room had low-ish white ceilings so I felt quite confident about using bounced flash.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/3162008092_6711544c24.jpg

After the service I had about 10 mins outside to take group shots. It was getting late in the day, you can just make out the diffused sun reflected in the lower windows.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/3161149519_23f7ce264a.jpg

I managed about 7 or eight different family group shots outside before they wanted to go back inside and do the friends etc groups indoors. The page boys were exhausted and crying etc. :grin:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3127/3162054242_53d4b0fbc9.jpg

Then indoors it all went a bit 'pete tong' in terms of the practicalities of group shots.
The groups shots were to be set up in the hotel foyer... so this meant that there was constant traffic and distractions. Eg. the mulled wine serving, other halves with cameras to contend with - for room to move - never mind getting the subjects' attention!

Take this next shot for example - 14 people... looking at about 15 different cameras. An impossible task!? I certainly made a mental note about that type of situation for future reference!!!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/3162228825_6d1283e40c.jpg

Thankfully I have better ones than this, but I just thought I'd share that one to highlight what was probably the greatest challenge of the day.

Well I won't bore you with any more... I better get on with the task in hand anyway! :grin:

[SuzyView]

Hey, those are great! And when you deal with ladies, sharpening may not work as you think ;) . You may want the softer lighting.

But don't give up, and it is stressful and it is wonderful. I shoot weddings, but not more than I need to. The pressure is amazing at times, especially if the clients are very specific.

[dsc_1972]

Thanks a lot Suzy!

I'm not really planning to shoot any more weddings, I just did this as a favour for some friends.

Here are a couple more, showing the sort of PP I was planning to offer.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/237/3161149929_78fb291dca.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/3162607327_4976e05dfa.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3264/3162699069_708b968aa1.jpg

[SuzyView]

Dave, you can go even tighter on the first of the last series. Get really close, you can still see the building behind them.

[Valjoy]

I think you did well considering the photo oppotunities were limited.
I can relate very well to your wedding.....my first was a photographers nightmare...
Bridesmaids that didnt know each other....
3 flowergirls that did not stop crying
everyone in wedding party was distracted...much like your group shot.
Bride didnt come out of bedroom till 3.25 ...the ceremony was at 3.30
Could not get one shot of the entire wedding party..it was horrendous.
...My 2nd wedding was not all plain sailing but was so much more 'normal'.
I think having the hardest wedding as a 1st wedding is a great learning curve....all be it a stressful one cheers Val

[dsc_1972]

Thanks valjoy.
It all happens so fast, but it's amazing how much you learn in that short time.
I've taken a lot away from the day - mostly in hindsight, but also the things I felt went well :)

[photofx]

Pics look good, dont give up so quick, from here it looks like you could make something happen.

[_Jo_]

They look great!