Confession

[30D'er]

I've shot (assisted/second shooter) literally 150 weddings over the last 2 years.

Today I booked my first lead.

I'm the boss this time, and I'm scared out of my freak'n mind...

[Svetlana]

I think it's awesome!! I'll be second-shooting this summer and can't wait to start on my own! :)

[cdifoto]

It's good to be scared. Over-confidence leads to complacency and complacency results in poor images.

[30D'er]

Yes that's how I look at it too. I'm a little anal about my images, i'm sure we all are here. Hell...if we weren't we wouldnt be here..


It's good to be scared. Over-confidence leads to complacency and complacency results in poor images.

[CaityB]

Good luck!!! I can't wait to see what you come out with! :D

[30D'er]

This good part is...one of the full time pro's I shoot with is actually going to assist me. Now that's a bit of a relief...

[cdifoto]

Yes that's how I look at it too. I'm a little anal about my images, i'm sure we all are here. Hell...if we weren't we wouldnt be here..
Yep. When I get cocky, it shows in my pictures.

[bps]

Congratulations! One thing's for sure, you've second shot a lot of weddings. Perhaps being the primary will help you take your game to the next level...

Best of luck!
Bryan

[Peacefield]

It's good to be scared. Over-confidence leads to complacency and complacency results in poor images.

Well once again, I find myself flying in the face of conventional wisdom. CDIFfoto is right; there's nothing worse than complacency regardless of the profession. Nonetheless, you need to go in with some confidence in yourself. More importantly, you need to be able to appear confident to the couple and their family. It's that tension between fear and confidence where you will find your best work.

And enjoy it; that will show through in images, too.

[cdifoto]

Yeah you should have butterflies in your stomach but calmness in your voice. You don't want your clients to know you're freakin' out.

[Peacefield]

You don't want your clients to know you're freakin' out.

:cool:

[30D'er]

I think i'll be ok. I just have to remember I've done this plenty of times, I've interacted with brides and grooms so many times! Once the formals are over i'll feel MUCH better. That's always the most challenging part in my opinion.

[Peacefield]

Formals are the tough part for me and many others. It's because posing people is a different skill than photography. Look at other wedding sites, come up with some ideas and have they ready to take out of that back pocket in your head. You'll get through that portion of the day much more quickly and you won't appear to be fumbling for ideas.

[30D'er]

I'm going to be sure to do that, as well as visit the site a before hand to get the lay of the land. It's a place I've never shot at.

I'm going to create a folder, virtual or physical of inspirational wedding images.

Gawd, i'm becoming a wedding photographer. Who would have thought.

I meet with the B&G next week to go over details, shot lists etc.

Formals are the tough part for me and many others. It's because posing people is a different skill than photography. Look at other wedding sites, come up with some ideas and have they ready to take out of that back pocket in your head. You'll get through that portion of the day much more quickly and you won't appear to be fumbling for ideas.

[30D'er]

Not to sound cocky, I've been firmly warned in here...*S*, but I just saw the couples engagement photo's. Someone did them for free, and they kinda look like it too.

The flip side is it that may also call into question their taste when hiring me :)

[cdifoto]

Formals are the tough part for me and many others
Count me in on that. I absolutely suck at and hate Granny's Group Shots™. Although I probably suck at them because I hate them. I usually get the bride to make a master list even including the obvious shots so I can appoint a knows-everyone assistant from the guests to gather everyone together for me. That way I can get 'em over with ASAP.

[jongobongo]

Congrats and good luck!
Did they get an engagement shoot with your booking? That should at least get you more comfortable with the couple ahead of time.

[30D'er]

I offered, but before I booked them, a friend of their volunteered to do it. I saw the images, and wasnt too impressed.

oh well!

Congrats and good luck!
Did they get an engagement shoot with your booking? That should at least get you more comfortable with the couple ahead of time.

[kenshinvt]

150 weddings worth of practice before doing one solo / as lead? wow! i'd like to do plenty more practice before I do some solo, but i can't imagine doing more than 10-20