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View Full Version : My first event : Quince


StormDriven
2nd of August 2009 (Sun), 11:16
Ohh wow, did I learn a lot from shooting my first event. Thankfully, it was my neice's quince, and they werent expecting too much! LOL I'm glad I had another photog with me to shoot as primary.

The day started out with me meeting my neice and her cousin at the hair studio. I was really looking forward to getting nice shots, but they stylist was freaking out everytime the camera flashed and was complaining it was distracting. She also made a few comments like, "If i knew there was gonna be a photog i would have dressed up a little more." I then proceded to set my shots up and ask her to step back when taking pictures and she got pissed and said, "This is going to take all day at this rate." Overall i think i my have taken 10-15 pictures and I bet only 2 of them are decent.

From there we headed to her house to meet up with the other "Divas." Im not sure what they are called, but its like her bridesmaides in wedding. Me and my assistant found a nice location on the side of the house near some landscaping that overall made an ok spot for taking a couple group pictures. We asked the "Divas" to come out and pose for a few shots. They where stiff as a board, wanted to stand 3 feet apart. Try to to loosen the mood up we started joking around with them and tried to pose them a little, and one of them just rolled her eyes and walked off. Lovelly! I honestly believe they thought a couple of guys in their late 20's where hitting on them!! Gesh

The limo pulled up an hour late and we set up a few shots with my neice. I then explained to the Divas i would be taking there pictures as they entered the limo and to kindly look my directions and give a quick smile. Out of the 8 or so folks that rode in the limo, only 3 or 4 followed my directing. The one that walked away from the previous time actually put her hand up over my camera and said, "please dont" and rolled her eyes. at least she was kind about it!!

Originally i was to ride in the limo, but i decided against. I grabbed my gear and rode with my wife and my other photog. Its an hour drive, so we pass time reviewing what pictures we have. Since we are late, and extremely cloudy the sky starts to darken quickly. we hurry to get set up to begin taking pictures for everyone, when i realize i forgot my damn tripod. there we are taking the pictues has a really neat background with waterfalls etc, and they are all the backgrounds arepretty much underexposed. My friends D90 and his Speedlight has a setting "rear" he can select that allows him strobe and properly expose both as far as we could tell they came out good. I cant find that setting on mine :(

The night didnt improve much! When the cake was delivered everyone quickly surrounded it. I asked them if could get a couple pictures right quick and everyone got snotty. They somehow someone knocked over the cake topper pretty much ruining the cake. At this point, i gave up. Said im done for the night and started taking advantage of the open bar.

I'll post a few pics of the event soon!! Thanks for reading!!

kemo3ce
2nd of August 2009 (Sun), 11:25
I think u shouldve posted pictures with ur story instead of the story and then later pictures. Most of the posts are for pictures.

StormDriven
2nd of August 2009 (Sun), 11:29
I think u shouldve posted pictures with ur story instead of the story and then later pictures. Most of the posts are for pictures.


http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3997/79003319.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/1856/75754126.jpg

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/2813/88574540.jpg

Tvelet
15th of August 2009 (Sat), 18:20
#1 is a bit dark.

SuzyView
16th of August 2009 (Sun), 12:08
I may put this thread into Talk instead of Share as I think the story is more valuable than the images you posted.

Although I feel for you that the situations were weird and not exactly what an ideal shooting experience should be, I am familiar with the problem. A relative asked you to shoot a wedding. You and your assistant plan the day out, but no one notified the hair and make-up people you were coming. Did you sit down with the B&G to talk about the day and how you shoot and what exactly is expected from the party and from you? Did you talk about the players being prepared and knowing what you are there for and how much you are getting paid for your time? See, taking pictures of people you know and know you and think it's a gig for family and not a job, take advantage in so many ways, no one is happy. Even for family and close friends, I have a session way before the day of and tell them what is expected from me. The B&G may be really close family, but that doesn't matter, you are the pro. Sounds like the wedding party was immature about the whole thing to begin with, not having control of themselves or the day. I have shot when things got a little crazy, but as a pro, I don't leave until the job is done. But if everyone was already drunk and not presenting a flattering image for any more shots, I leave. That is in the contract. I don't take pictures anymore.

The Bride was wearing a pink dress?

Fixxi
17th of August 2009 (Mon), 03:47
i think it was a Quinceanera, not a wedding?

SuzyView
17th of August 2009 (Mon), 09:46
Thanks. That explains a ton. This is the girl that turned 15, then. Where have I been? I never have been to one, but know the celebration from friends.

Still, shooting for family is definitely a trick. Did the OP get any group shots worth anything, then?