3rd wedding- precious b&g....

[BadgirlIROC]

Ok so this was my 3rd wedding and so far the last 2 have been very challenging. This one was challenging because the church was relatively small and also the entire guest list insisted on being present for all shots and taking their own AND even causing me to trip over a person or two.... I am still trying to learn how to deal with situations like this and would love some advice. I figured it would be rude to tell them all to GO AWAY and let me shoot.

In any case, it was a beautiful day and the b&g was so sweet and fun to work with despite everything else and even though there was a lot of rushing I felt pushed to do.

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[Omlyn]

I like your style, nice shots. Dealing with guests...the last wedding I attended, the photographer made no bones about it. He said "Once I set the shot up you all get 45s to click away then you step back and I'll get my shots, then we go to the next set up" That way everyone was getting their shots while he was making the small adjustments and he was able to shoot in perfect peace and quiet without argument because he was "nice enough to let everyone go first". Seemed to work really well.

[BadgirlIROC]

Thank you and I like the idea of what he did - I may put that to use!

[PeaceFire]

My usual disclaimer- this is all just personal opinion. If it goes against your style or what the B&G wanted just ignore!

1) LOVE this shot. She looks beautiful. One complaint is, I can see her pores. Not very flattering. I'm not a huge fan of the blur tool being overused, but in this instance I think a little blur will help smooth her skin out.

2) Good set-up, but the flash is a little too harsh causing a shadow on her face. If she'd leaned up just half a foot his face would not of put a shadow on her face. Or better yet, don't use flash or diffuse it.

3) Great picture, great concept! I actually did something similar at my last wedding and they loved it! It looks a touch busy, though. To clean it up maybe put the shorter woman in front and really encourage them to look like they're working at the tug-of-war. Otherwise, I love it!

5) Would be a GREAT shot... if not for that shadow to the right of the picture. Again, this can by remedied by not using a flash or bouncing it.

8 ) Too much blur. With an older gentleman it's OK to keep a little wrinkle here and there. They don't mind, I find. And with the bride it's sort of hard to tell where her chin ends and her neck begins. Again, a little blur never hurt anyone, but too much just make things look fake, especially if that's not the style you used for the rest of the shots.

But those are just little nit-picks. I do like these! Your flash technique could use a little work. I *know* I don't know how to use flash yet, so I try my hardest to not use it as much as possible because shadows are my pet-peeve. So I'm very much in the same boat on that matter right now. Keep up the good work! 8)

As for taking charge during portraits- that's just what you need to do- take charge! Also, if the reception is not in the same place as the ceremony, it's OK to wait a bit for the guests to clear off to the reception and then start taking portraits, it'll reduce the number of by-standers. But if it's all in the same place that's more difficult, so just explain to people that the flash of their cameras can through off the settings on yours, so you need to make sure the 1) No one uses flash and 2) People stay out of the way of your shot. Otherwise they are welcome to stand to the site or behind and snap away. Then when taking your pictures, make sure you communicate with your subjects. Say "OK, look over here, and smile... we're going to take one more look over here and smile... good!" If you're talking, usually they're looking at you.

In general, people will listen to you. You just need to be heard. Don't be afraid to be specific about what you want and what you need. Don't be rude, of course, be professional and just explain that you need the get the perfect shot and what the guests can do to help you.