How to plan a wedding shoot?

[rammy]

Hi all,

I'm the main shooter at my sisters wedding in the summer. Yeah, I know, don't do it! :-)

But lets assume it is going to be this way and I have about 6 months to plan.

Could you please advise me on what you do to plan a wedding shoot?

What I am doing is planning (time management), making check lists and researching wedding ideas.

Planning.
Discussing with the bride what she wants.
Reading wedding photography books.
Order of the day.
Where I need to be and when.
Backup plan for weather, equipment failure, healthCheck Lists.
Formal and artistic shots to be taken.
Timing on when formal's are to be taken
EquipmentResearch.

Research from wedding books.
Research from online galleries/blogs
Wedding shot ideasWhat else should I be planning and doing now? No gear/equipment replies please :-)

Thank you.

[woodfrogs]

Assuming that you're doing this fre free, since it's your sister. You really need to have a contract with her detailing exactly what you're providing, what she's receiving, time frames, etc etc. VERY IMPORTANT! Hopefully there will be no hard feelings later on.....just in case....
Have you been to the venue(s) before? Always a good thing to do a walk thru, take some pics at the same time of day to check lighting. Doing this with the bride will be especially helpful and get you on the same page as far as what's going on.
As far as formals and group shots, always plan for more time than you think it will take, just in case.
Realx and have a good time(and if you can get a pro to do it instead, go far that).

[tsw910]

and head over to the reception / ceremony hall to have a look see and arrange for how the lighting conditions will be or acquired .. take some test shots if need be

and also, wear your most comfortable shoes, stay out of the video camera, just shot everything (even shots that you may think its stupid) so bring alot of memory cards since this is your first time ..

[matonanjin]

Check camera settings on both main and back-up body before wedding. favorite trick of mine is to forget to do so and I am shooting at wrong ISO or WB for a while.

[rammy]

Woodfrogs, do I really need a contract for a family wedding? I was going to keep the agreement informal but I see where you are going. I'll cover it with her and see what we agree to. Thanks

Thanks Tom. I will go over and have a meeting with the owners/organisers and discuss things like access points, such as upstairs to get a view outside for group shots and I'll do test shots from a number of locations. I recently bought 4 x 8gb Sandisk cards and have other 2gb cards too :-)

Matonanjin, I do that automatically now, learnt that trick sometime ago :-)

[harroz]

Have you looked at these links?

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=5564024&postcount=1

[harroz]

the trick is to do it before shooting any next event within the wedding, like bride-ceremony-groups-couple-reception etc. It's easy to forget and be shooting outside on a bright sunny day at 800iso! ;-)

Check camera settings on both main and back-up body before wedding. favorite trick of mine is to forget to do so and I am shooting at wrong ISO or WB for a while.

[rammy]

Have you looked at these links?

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=5564024&postcount=1

I have and quite a few others but there isn't much about planning. Prep before etc.

People seem to talk about what to do on the day. Fine, but what I am asking is way before the event itself.

I'm a Project Manager/Delivery Manager at work and I know the value of analysis and pre-planning :-)

[sapearl]

I do a bit of project mgmt. on my job also..... the value of the written contract is that it does have informational fields for address of church, reception hall, specific times to show up at the different venues, name of clergy, album package/plan being provided.

I'm not saying that they should fill out every little field as if they're a paying customer, but it acts as a convenient data entry form for the critical info.

Woodfrogs, do I really need a contract for a family wedding? I was going to keep the agreement informal but I see where you are going. I'll cover it with her and see what we agree to. Thanks.....

[rammy]

That kind of information is put on our Supply Order which is different to the Commercial Contracts which has all the lawyer's wordings. I'll check out the format of a wedding contract, thanks.

But I see what you mean, I'll do that at the time I plan the "where I need to be and when" section ;-)

[sapearl]

Exactly ;) - this way you don't get into the game later on of "he said, she said" in case there is any misunderstanding. This will minimize if not eliminate all of that. It also gets people to think in advance - client - and not wing things when it's too late.

.....But I see what you mean, I'll do that at the time I plan the "where I need to be and when" section ;-)

[woodfrogs]

I have contracts for all weddings, be they family, friends or anyone else. Keeping my fingers crossed, haven't had any problems. My contract also includes a model release.

[rammy]

Exactly ;) - this way you don't get into the game later on of "he said, she said" in case there is any misunderstanding. This will minimize if not eliminate all of that. It also gets people to think in advance - client - and not wing things when it's too late.

Good idea, I like that it will focus them, and me, as to what will be involved. One of the books I am reading at the moment goes into discussing the schedule in detail early so that it gives the couple time to start the thinking process as they can get caught up in the romance of it all. And it gives the photographer time to consider any unusual requests.

I have contracts for all weddings, be they family, friends or anyone else. Keeping my fingers crossed, haven't had any problems. My contract also includes a model release.

Model release - That's an idea I didn't think of. Thanks!

Uk, it's worth doing [the contract], if only going through some of the motions, in case I get to do it again for a non family member ;)

Thanks guys, you've helped me start to think of the details, which I was looking for! :-)

[harroz]

oh, pre wedding.
They book
I meet them
we go over details etc
they type up a plan for the day and send me the word doc
I add my details to it of what were when I will be and what my aim is to shoot there
they revise, i revise
contract and or plan has details and contacts of everybody
I contact a few, namely who ever is servicing it and bridesmaid or person assigned to keep things running to schedule
I call them somewhere in the last week leading up to their wedding

thats about my lay out, it differs every wedding but you get the gist

[howzitboy]

sometimes when u shoot a wedding, they have church and reception picked out but NOT the location to get formals. some churches have a parking lot outside with nowhere to shoot anything. so u have to have a second location for the pictures. somewhere not too far and everyone knows where it is.

[picturecrazy]

have a checklist of all the things you need to bring and all the things you need to do the night before.

get a group photo shot list from the bride

bring FOOD! munch on something every chance you get. it helps keep your blood sugar stable... and as a result, keeps your physical and mental performance stable too.

And remember, the only thing you can really plan on is chaos. Timelines fall apart, things are forgotten, unexpected things happen. That is par for the course in wedding photography. Expect to be surprised, and just roll with it and not make any fuss over anything. do that and you'll be fine.

[rammy]

Thanks harroz, that is a nice insight into the initial communication process.

howzitboy, that's one of the things I am concerned about. Location hunting. There are a couple of sites close by that have nice gardens so I'll discuss access/permission with the proprietors. Do you use a local park if you can't find anywhere private? Thanks.

Thanks Lloyd. Good info!

[matonanjin]

the trick is to do it before shooting any next event within the wedding, like bride-ceremony-groups-couple-reception etc. It's easy to forget and be shooting outside on a bright sunny day at 800iso! ;-)

What I try and remember, although I fail more often than not:oops:, is turn all my settings back to "vanilla" after each shoot, i.e. ISO 100, SP 1/125, F 4, auto WB, etc.

The other point I was trying to make above is that you need to do this for your back-up body as well. Just as important should (when) you need to grab it.:eek:

[SuzyView]

Rammy, you'll be fine. Don't worry too much. You have great gear. Just make sure you have a handle on the indoor lighting, get there ahead of time to check. I use diffusers, I know, there is a lot of debate here, but I don't like shadows. The most important thing is to have 2 camera bodies, keep CF cards in your pocket for the quick exchanges, chimp often, about every 5 shots. Also, don't be afraid to move people around, walk over to the bride to correct something in the shot. This comes with experience. Get the image right from the start. So be aware of all the straps, hair, spaces, etc.

[Mike]

I find than half of the plans go straight out of the window anyway so you'll need to be adaptable to the situation. You know your gear and how to use it so you should have confidence in that.

Also, as it is your sister, you'll want to be able to enjoy yourself so I'd make sure you plan when to stop being the photographer and to start being a guest and having fun.

Here's some more useful reading:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=5999915&postcount=2

[sapearl]

This raises an interesting question - Michael, I completely agree with your comments about "the plan" evaporating...... seen it happen many times. I don't mean to be critical, but the MAIN shooter is just that. He is the hired vendor to do the JOB, completely and thoroughly and not a guest.

I periodically face this myself. People want me to do their wedding, and "oh, I want you to have a nice evening and enjoy yourself too."

You cannot do a thorough, total and complete job and also party and have a good time. I tell this to them. If they hire me, I will work hard the whole time, stop to eat - yes, that is very important on a long hard day and calories are important - but I tell them they MUST CHOOSE which they want me to be: a guest, or worker. It's a clear situation, and if I'm partying then I KNOW that I can't be doing a thorough job... heck, party time is when you can get some of the greatest, wildest shots.

I find than half of the plans go straight out of the window anyway so you'll need to be adaptable to the situation. You know your gear and how to use it so you should have confidence in that.

Also, as it is your sister, you'll want to be able to enjoy yourself so I'd make sure you plan when to stop being the photographer and to start being a guest and having fun.

Here's some more useful reading:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=5999915&postcount=2

[Mike]

I agree - couples ask me to come to the evening reception as a guest but I almost always decline. I'm usually too tired once the job's done! :)

I only raised the point as Rammy is the Bride's brother and therefore he should set a plan of when to finish as the photographer and when to start celebrating his sister's wedding - ie after the first dance or whenever he's got all of the shots he's been asked to get. It's a slightly different situation I think than if you are a paid pro shooting strangers.

This raises an interesting question - Michael, I completely agree with your comments about "the plan" evaporating...... seen it happen many times. I don't mean to be critical, but the MAIN shooter is just that. He is the hired vendor to do the JOB, completely and thoroughly and not a guest.

I periodically face this myself. People want me to do their wedding, and "oh, I want you to have a nice evening and enjoy yourself too."

You cannot do a thorough, total and complete job and also party and have a good time. I tell this to them. If they hire me, I will work hard the whole time, stop to eat - yes, that is very important on a long hard day and calories are important - but I tell them they MUST CHOOSE which they want me to be: a guest, or worker. It's a clear situation, and if I'm partying then I KNOW that I can't be doing a thorough job... heck, party time is when you can get some of the greatest, wildest shots.

[howzitboy]

all the weddings ive done, im 100% photographer and not a guest. u dont have time to relax and have fun, its all work!

[LowriderS10]

the last one I did (for a good friend of mine) we went out to where the wedding was going to be a week or so before the wedding (outdoor), to check out some possible locations for shooting, and I took test shots of him, so I knew my rough settings...it worked out great, because then I could drag them around on the wedding day when everyone was bouncing off the walls and had some great locations without having to worry about finding them.

[rammy]

Rammy, you'll be fine. Don't worry too much. You have great gear. Just make sure you have a handle on the indoor lighting, get there ahead of time to check. I use diffusers, I know, there is a lot of debate here, but I don't like shadows. The most important thing is to have 2 camera bodies, keep CF cards in your pocket for the quick exchanges, chimp often, about every 5 shots. Also, don't be afraid to move people around, walk over to the bride to correct something in the shot. This comes with experience. Get the image right from the start. So be aware of all the straps, hair, spaces, etc.

Thanks for the vote of confidence Suzy :-)

Just wondering about directing. Do people get peeved off if you move them about for each shot cause you think iit will be better? I guess it may be about being tactful and explain why you think a spot is better?

I presume you mention this for the formals only?

Thanks!

[rammy]

Yeah, I agree about it being a job and the need to get the job done and do a good one.

Although I do agree with you Michael in that this is a family wedding and at some point I will have to chill and enjoy the rest of the evening :-)

Lowrider, I'll do that as it's a good time to chat to the owners/managers and see if there are any good hidden spots too ;-)

Thanks all, much appreciated.

So, does the plan of action look good so far?