Need some tips and tricks for a wedding!

[benesotor]

Hi,
I'm shooting a friend's wedding this summer, a small wedding with about 30 people attending. (Church then reception)
I've never shot a wedding before, so i'm just looking for some tips and tricks on what to do and crucially what not to do! I've got lots of contacts to help me out, but i thought i'd cast my net wide for advice on what will make the day run smoothly for me and everybody else.
Obviously most of the details ill collect from the bride/groom, but basically it just needs to be relaxed, not overly formal and just original pic's.

Any key tips i should know of?

Cheers, Ben

[Mike]

Well, I'll start off by saying the there are some very similar threads to this throughout this forum so a read of a few thread titles will point those out. Have a look through each of those as the advice is pretty much the same as you'll get here.

Also, have a read through this (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=5999915&postcount=2) and all the links that are contained within it.

Shooting a wedding is a very responsible role and you need to be sure you are ready and experienced enough to go ahead and shoot one. If you are not then it may be better for everyone if you advise the couple to get a pro to shoot on the basis that you are the 2nd photographer.
If you still go forward with this then I advise you buy/hire another camera body and faster glass - a 24-70 f/2.8 or 17-55 f/2.8 for the standard range and 70-200 f/2.8 for telephoto (preferably with IS) and maybe a prime 30mm/50mm f/1.4 , at least 1 flash - 430ex or 580ex and lots of batteries and memory.

[benesotor]

Well, I'll start off by saying the there are some very similar threads to this throughout this forum so a read of a few thread titles will point those out. Have a look through each of those as the advice is pretty much the same as you'll get here.

Also, have a read through this (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=5999915&postcount=2) and all the links that are contained within it.

Shooting a wedding is a very responsible role and you need to be sure you are ready and experienced enough to go ahead and shoot one. If you are not then it may be better for everyone if you advise the couple to get a pro to shoot on the basis that you are the 2nd photographer.
If you still go forward with this then I advise you buy/hire another camera body and faster glass - a 24-70 f/2.8 or 17-55 f/2.8 for the standard range and 70-200 f/2.8 for telephoto (preferably with IS) and maybe a prime 30mm/50mm f/1.4 , at least 1 flash - 430ex or 580ex and lots of batteries and memory.

Cool thanks. I'm borrowing a 580ex, i've got 6gb of CF but i'll get some more. I'm also getting a new lens (17-50mm).
I might be possible to borrow another body, but is it really worth it when now i'm completely familiar with the 400d?

[Mike]

Cool thanks. I'm borrowing a 580ex, i've got 6gb of CF but i'll get some more. I'm also getting a new lens (17-50mm).
I might be possible to borrow another body, but is it really worth it when now i'm completely familiar with the 400d?

How would you feel if the bride had just walked up the aisle and suddenly the camera dies?

A 2nd body is not just for cutting down on lens changing time it is also a necessary backup.

[benesotor]

How would you feel if the bride had just walked up the aisle and suddenly the camera dies?

A 2nd body is not just for cutting down on lens changing time it is also a necessary backup.

It's a valid point, although i cant really tell if i can borrow another body. I have a 35mm of my own as backup but that would really only be for emergancies (despite it being a nice camera).
Only body's i can think of to stand a chance of borrowing is a 5D2, an olympus e420, but that will take some persuasion.

[rammy]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=672805

[Subimatt]

How would you feel if the bride had just walked up the aisle and suddenly the camera dies?

A 2nd body is not just for cutting down on lens changing time it is also a necessary backup.


+1.

You can rent bodies and lenses as well.