heading to vegas for a wedding

[disneydork06]

I'll be photographing the couple for the wedding. anyone have any ideas for places to shoot around there? I'll be staying at the Luxor which is the same as the couple, so maybe something walking distance around there?

would it be okay for me to have my tripod with me on the strip and just find some lights at night to shoot them nearby? thanks for any info given!

[TheGreatOg]

Just got back from the Luxor a few weeks ago. Nice place, it's got everything you need. It sits on the south end of the strip and the only other casino farther south is Mandalay Bay (hit the aquarium if you get a chance and are so inclined, really nice!). The Luxor is not a comfortable walking distance to the rest of the strip. Let's say, it's not pedestrian friendly. You are better off either taking the tram (which wasn't working a few weeks ago) or walking acrossed through the hotel to the Excalaber Hotel. From there you can get across to New York New York, MGM Grand or down onto the strip via walkways and escalators. The best photo ops and classy backdrops for a couple would be up by the Bellagio, Venetian and such on the north end of the strip. In that case you are better off catching a cab at the Luxor and having someone drive you. It's a LONG walk from the Luxor up to the other end and carrying camera gear is worse. Plus, they're doing a lot of construction past New York New York and walking traffic is being diverted to the east side of the street = pain in the butt. Otherwise, lots to see and do and great photo ops. Take some time on your own and scout out shooting locations on your own. Have fun. I already can't wait to go back! :D

[disneydork06]

thank you so much! I'm heading up tomorrow afternoon so I will probably do some scouting then. the wedding isn't until friday and the ceremony is being held at the luxor so I'll probably search around there for some spots to shoot them at. thanks again!

[form]

Luxor has a few indoor spots including a brick wall that gets exposed to a fairly strong spotlight from the distance; good spot for creative experiments. Most of the other areas inside the Luxor require a really fast prime and/or bounced flash.

Many couples like to stop by the Vegas sign, just south of Mandalay Bay. Venetian has a red wall by the front entrance and good architecture, but the canal shoppes inside may require that you stop shooting unless you get permission beforehand. Wynn has various spots inside and out, TI has an outdoor spot, Bellagio and Paris both have nice outdoor spots including fountains, the water show, etc. Bellagio has the conservatory, not enough light in there at nighttime and not much to bounce flash off of, but they have a sunroof/skylight which gives very adequate light during the day. Big tall escalator/tower on the south edge of the bellagio for some good shots. Lots of lights on the opposite side, some bright enough to give adequate light for nighttime shooting without flash.

[disneydork06]

sweet. thank you!

[deletedpenguin]

I was just in Vegas a few weeks ago. I stayed at the Wynn, which is just north of the Venetian. That said, we walked. A lot. We made it all the way down to the Mandalay Bay, close to where you're at. I took my p&s (casinos frown on cameras on the floor) and my DSLR. I found the majority of my shots were of the Bellagio and casinos further north, so I suspect you're likely to spend time up that way if you've got time to shoot.

Either way, have fun. You won't be alone shooting shots (there were heaps of people with DSLR's there), and the strip is one of the safest places you'll travel too. After all, it should be with that much money around.

[disneydork06]

I was just in Vegas a few weeks ago. I stayed at the Wynn, which is just north of the Venetian. That said, we walked. A lot. We made it all the way down to the Mandalay Bay, close to where you're at. I took my p&s (casinos frown on cameras on the floor) and my DSLR. I found the majority of my shots were of the Bellagio and casinos further north, so I suspect you're likely to spend time up that way if you've got time to shoot.

Either way, have fun. You won't be alone shooting shots (there were heaps of people with DSLR's there), and the strip is one of the safest places you'll travel too. After all, it should be with that much money around.
it will be interesting though, I'll be traveling with a 1dmk2 and I got a 70-200. won't see many dslr like that :-P

[deletedpenguin]

it will be interesting though, I'll be traveling with a 1dmk2 and I got a 70-200. won't see many dslr like that :-P

Actually, you might. I had my 70-200 with me, and a mate of mine had his 1D.

[AlexMoPhotography]

I prefer shooting as far away from the strip as possible, like Lake Las Vegas, Red Rock, Mt. Charleston, the Dry Lake Bed, Lake Mead, and some other nice lakes/parks around the city. I'm actually shooting a wedding next week on the strip with pictures in front of the Vegas sign, but I'm more eager to shoot at Lakeside/Desert Shores up north in Summerlin where the reception will be. Beautiful, beautiful lake up there.

Take a roadtrip someday and go outside the box. There's much more to Vegas than hotels and casinos on the strip.

[deletedpenguin]

Take a roadtrip someday and go outside the box. There's much more to Vegas than hotels and casinos on the strip.

Agreed. When I was there, we took a daytrip to the Hoover Dam. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/deletedpenguin/sets/72157615857845153/)

[disneydork06]

Actually, you might. I had my 70-200 with me, and a mate of mine had his 1D.
soo, didn't see a single one :-)
I prefer shooting as far away from the strip as possible, like Lake Las Vegas, Red Rock, Mt. Charleston, the Dry Lake Bed, Lake Mead, and some other nice lakes/parks around the city. I'm actually shooting a wedding next week on the strip with pictures in front of the Vegas sign, but I'm more eager to shoot at Lakeside/Desert Shores up north in Summerlin where the reception will be. Beautiful, beautiful lake up there.

Take a roadtrip someday and go outside the box. There's much more to Vegas than hotels and casinos on the strip.
cool, i will do that next time i get more time out there.
Agreed. When I was there, we took a daytrip to the Hoover Dam. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/deletedpenguin/sets/72157615857845153/)
hoover dam is actually my only way to get to vegas from Phoenix, AZ :-) pass by it all the time :-P hate the traffic on it.

[deletedpenguin]

hoover dam is actually my only way to get to vegas from Phoenix, AZ :-) pass by it all the time :-P hate the traffic on it.

Have had a chance to see the new bridge they're building (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3387576767_338401cf51_o.jpg)? Pretty spectacular.

[disneydork06]

Have had a chance to see the new bridge they're building (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3387576767_338401cf51_o.jpg)? Pretty spectacular.
wow, much better shot than I got with my iphone :-) I was looking forward to getting to vegas than worry about the picture :-P