What have I done? Wedding shoot

[Debian Dog]

As you know I have just gotten this new camera and all I have is the default lens.

Last night, I was sitting around with my friends having a few cold ones when out of the blue, I get a call. It is the pastor of my old church and he was telling me that he was in a bind and he had a young couple (read financially challenged) that was getting married and was wondering if I could shoot the wedding pictures.

"YES" came out of my mouth! :rolleyes:

So this morning I am like, "OMG what did I agree to?".

Questions:
1. Will the default lens get me through this?
2. If not, what is a "budget" lens that will help me?
3. Is there a list of shots I should get? I know the main ones (just bride, bride w/bridesmaids, just husband, husband w/groomsman, together, with brides parents, with grooms parents, everyone).
4. I have a good Bogen tripod but, will the built-in flash be enough?
5. As far as development... I was thinking about letting them look at all of them on the web (after I upload them) then, using iPhoto, setting them up an Apple account, and letting them pick and pay for the sizes and counts they want.

I am more than open to an ideas, suggestions, or a way to tell the pastor I was drunk and did not mean it. (kidding on the last one)

I know that - they know - I have not been shooting wedding photos for the last 5 years but I would like to give them the best job possible. You understand.

[peterdoomen]

Hello Debian,

I know this situation - actually been there and will be doing that within 2 weeks.

First, you can't go wrong with a Tamron 28-75 XR DI. Cheap but not cheapo (around € 350). Midrange zoom, ideal as "workhorse" glass. Focuses quick, relatively silent and comes with a hood (which is what you want, when shooting outdoors). And good for shooting indoors as well either with flash or without & at high ISO setting). Inside the church, however, the built-in flash will be almost worthless. Try hiring/buying an external E-TTL flash (420EX or better) or rely on available light and higher ISO settings.

Second, it's a good idea of you to let them choose the pics to print, as long as you preselect them. And why not give them a CD with their photo's in JPEG?

Third, shoot in RAW so you can correct whitebalance, under/overexposure and the like afterwards. If necessary, bring along an image tank or a portable PC to make space on the precious memory cards.

Success!

PeteR.

[Debian Dog]

Thanks Peter. Very good! I have my iBook I could bring with and could burn JPEGS to a CD right there. Actually using Galarie (http://www.myriad-online.com/en/products/galerie.htm) I could build a quick and dirty website right there and burn it to the CD for easy navigation. Excellent idea.

Thanks also for the lens suggestion. I knew I would be buying one... I just did not think it would be this SOON!

[danedel]

I would look into renting some good equiptment, 580EX, 70-200 2.8, 16-35 2.8....all that for a few days should only be around a hundred dollars...Also look at the place where you will be shooting, bring your cam and walk around take some test shots...your built in flash may be good enough?

Oh yea,,,definatly shoot in RAW!!

[Panza]

I don't think doing that wedding is a good idea in the first place, but anyway: if you do it for free they can't come and complain afterwards, no matter how you do.
Advise:
Bring a backup camera backup flash.
I would not recomend renting lenses. Buy the Tamron mentioned above here and get used to it before the wedding. Having 3 lenses that you don't know will not help you at all. It will just be more to think about and you will have more than enough of that already. No offence :)
Good luck !

[glangston]

Don't worry about it. Just do your best. Write out your plan for the pics and try and get good natural light. Shoot RAW and if you have to, get a lab or someone else to help you tweak them in Photoshop.

I took pics right next to a wedding photographer, using the same camera. Only thing she had was a 580ex flash for fill.

You'll be fine, just try and organize the shots on paper and check them off as you go.

[Debian Dog]

I "feel" better already. Thanks all!

[soupdragon]

Bail out while you still can.
Alternatively get some really good liability insurance.

[Debian Dog]

This wedding thread was helpful and funny (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=75678)

Well after getting an e-mail from my Dad (apparently I am now the "official photographer" for the whole Slagle family) He expects family portraits and photos since I have a "good camera". So... given that I went ahead and did some quick research and came to the conclusion that Peters suggestions were spot on for the money I wanted to spend.

I looked at the prices on Amazon, printed them off and went to my local camera shop to see if I could wheel and deal them down on there pricing. I know a brick and motor store cost money but when I am standing there cash in hand, I could hope you could cut me a $5-$10 break on over $600 worth of stuff. Nope. So I walked.

Picked up:
- Tamron 28-75 XR DI
- Canon 420EX Speedlite
- Canon Wireless Remote Control RC1 (so I can be in a few shots)
- Book: Digital Photography: Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks

Well... at least I get to add stuff to my signature now

[mdm]

Ice down a bunch of beers. When your finished you wont be too worried about it. Besides if you are doing it for free you shouldn't be too uptight about it. Any pictures you give them will be better than none.

[Debian Dog]

Ice down a bunch of beers. When your finished you wont be too worried about it. Besides if you are doing it for free you shouldn't be too uptight about it. Any pictures you give them will be better than none.

:lol: - Cold beer

Not "free" but about a 1/3 of the $$$ I see most of you charging (on the few sites I visited) Having done 2 camera (video) shoots for wedding before this, I kind of have an idea of the pain. Mostly because me and the photograher kept running in to one another ;)

[FlyingPete]

Beg borrow or steal a spare camera body, beg borrow or steal as much memory as you can, or take a laptop to download to.

Shoot heaps, and shoot in RAW, that will enable you to have a better chance correct any 'almost' shots later.

Practice, practice, practice. Find some people and try some candid shots.

Best to shoot on Av mode, but watch your depth of field.

Remember you only get one chance at a wedding, so be prepared!

(A ticket to some place far away might be good if things go to custard ;) )

Good luck!

[danedel]

I like the idea of the Beer...lol

I don’t know why you shun the idea of renting equipment. I actually love it! I always rent a piece of glass before I fork over 1,500 bucks. This would give you actual field experience with it, not just the walk around the house test. If you are doing it on the cheap, you would be eating most of your equipment rental costs. I don’t look at it financially as I should :rolleyes: , It’s a learning experience and who knows you may produce some kick a$$ shots with some nice lenses and get more $ then you asked for? :D

I don’t know I guess every situation I have accepted, I always made I was prepared and confident that I could get acceptable if not great results. Also, if you have never shot in this particular setting get out there and take some test shots. Don’t wait till the day of to find out that you’re on camera flash and lens is not going to cut it with 1600 ISO

[Roach711]

Assuming most of your pics will be inside, think about your lighting. At a recent wedding I used my 420EX (bounced) with a Lightsphere II diffuser and the pics came out great!

Also, if you can, get to the church/reception hall ahead of time and bring along the wife or girlfriend as a model. Try out different poses and check out the lighting. Try bouncing your flash and see what works and doesn't work. A little time spent on reconasiance (sp?) will pay off in better pics.

Look at your friends wedding pictures for an idea what the standard poses are.

[tim]

I don't think you should do it. It took me between six months and one year to be fully comfortable with my camera, to the point where I could use it blindfolded, which is where a wedding photographer should be. Say the lighting changes suddently and you need to change from evaluative to partial metering, turn on high speed flash sync, and change your aperture, do you know what they mean, and can you do it in a second or two? If you can, great. I wouldn't worry about a spare camera given that you won't be paid, or renting equipment, though one good standard zoom like the Sigma 24-70 would be a great lens you could do every shot with. You'll have enough to cope with without changing lenses.

Next, have a look at this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=75678). I spent 3 months preparing for my first wedding, that was about enough time, given I was doing it reasonably intensively.

If you decide to do it you can always stick the camera in P mode, snap on a flash, and you should get some reasonable pictures. You might even get some great pictures, if you're lucky. The kit lens will take photos, but you have to be aware of its limitations, like it flares, and is best stopped down a lot (so no narrow depth of field shots).

Another option is to find a locla photography student who will do it for the experience, and shoot at the same time as them.

Good luck!

[Debian Dog]

All great advise and my confidence level is improving. Plus I have over 2 weeks to "practice". I know everyone at the church so I will probably go down there for the recital shoot, look for shots, places to stand, but if it is anything like the last time... That will be all blown out of the water.

bring along the wife or girlfriend as a model.
Yeah last time I brought them both... it was a BAD scene!!! :lol:

[mgash]

enjoy the wedding. If you really want to do it, then don't listen to anyone who says not to.

[Debian Dog]

1. I don't think you should do it.

2. Next, have a look at this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=75678).

3. If you decide to do it you can always stick the camera in P mode, snap on a flash, and you should get some reasonable pictures.

4. Another option is to find a locla photography student who will do it for the experience, and shoot at the same time as them.


1. Well I am kind of committed to it now

2. I read that thread. I also referenced it earlier in this thread. ;)

3. That is my "bail out" plan

4. Last time I took pictures for that church, I took them with a good P&S and everyone was more than happy. Granted it was not a wedding but, I have a feeling they are going to get more than they were expecting. Especially now with the new glass and flash capabilities.

[dsze]

I got started similarly. My biggest mistake was:

1. I charged a measly $250 for the whole job. I should have charged full price or done it completely free.

2. I post processed 300 photos....shouldn't have bothered. I should have given them a CD of jpgs out of the camera and left it alone.

3. I didn't follow up with getting a contract signed, even though I gave them one, they never signed and gave it back...and I was stupid not to demand it on the spot.

4. Even doing it for free, I'd get a contract that at least allows you to use the photos for advertisement, etc if they turn out descent AND that releases you from any and all liability. Get them to sign it. This is also your opportunity to PLAN PLAN PlAN with them. Sit down with them at a relaxed time and find out as much as you can about the wedding day.

Don't get me wrong, it was a GREAT experience, but I would have done it a little differently if I had the chance again.

You made good choices with the 28-75 and the 420EX. You can't go wrong with those 2. I would also invest in more batteries and memory. Shoot RAW and shoot alot. Be upfront with them and tell them EXACTLY what they are going to get afterwards. Don't be vague and don't offer more than your really wanting to do for free.

...just my thoughts. Take 'em for what they're worth. Those were the lessons I learned and the things that I do differently (among many others) now.

[Niall]

Personally there would be no way in hell I'd do this sort of thing until I knew my camera inside out, and as mentioned above, could alter settings at the drop of a hat. Also, I'd definately have a backup camera, even if you have to borrow or rent one. Remember, even though it's a cheap route for the couple to have their wedding photos done, it's their special day, and a once in a lifetime experience. Having no record of the day due to you messing the shots up, due to lack of knowledge, or equipment failure, or whatever, would ruin things for everyone.

If you think you can do it, go for it, but be prepared.

[neil_r]

You should have said no.

N

[Debian Dog]

1. Spot on guess! (or pointing out my first mistake)
2. I was thinking the same
3&4. Read that too in another thread. $$$ up front and I have all the rights.

Any guesses on battery life with the 420EX firing?

[tim]

Well since you seem determined to do it, the best advice I can give is read, read, read, then practice, practice, practice, read some more, and practice some more. Get a few books, read them, then practice with friends wearing the same color clothes as the B&G. Black and white is hard. Practice in the sun, in the shade, and in a mixture. Shoot RAW, have at least 6GB of CF, if you plan to use a laptop instead to store pics have an assistant to do it for you, you'll be too busy. Get a flash bracket. Learn how and when to use exposure compensation and flash exposure compensation. Learn how metering works, the whole 18% grey thing. Have a contract that says you make no promises or guarantees of producing any photos at all. For practice, try shooting theatre or a live gig, anything with lots of fast action.

Good luck!

[danedel]

All this and there probably going to get a divorce in a few months ;)

[lostdoggy]

I think by this time you have done plenty of research but here is my $0.02. Check out the Sigma 28-70f/2.8 EX it about the same size as th Tamron but alot less money and comparatively similar quality and instead of the 420EX go for the Sigma 500Super same money more power, similar to the 550EX. Check out sigma4less.com they have the lens for $269 and the flash for $199, they also have the stofen Omnibounce for the flash too.

[Sodigital]

Debian Dog.. I have shot two weddings and will be shooting another one in a month. I didn't charge for any of them because they were my friends but I also didn't go to the expense of printing them either. I shot over 200 pic and put them on a CD. I didn't do any other work of the pic. The first wedding, I was stressed out to the max. I just wanted to do a good job. I took my
28-135 lens and shot jpeg. The second wedding I shot also with my 28-135 and shot jpeg also.
But the second one, they wanted pictures. I sold them the pictures that I corrected with Photoshop. I slimmed down the bride a bit and took the sweat marks off the shirts of some of the men. I sold the 8x11 for $20 and the 5x7 for $10. Trust me that was still too cheap.
I thought that I would get a lot of practice on doing these weddings for my friends. It is a great experience,but a lot of work. I was thinking that when I start charging, I would offer a 3hr wedding for $500. which would include the 3hrs and a cd. That is really reasonable. As you get better your price goes up. Mine is going to go up after this next wedding.
I am shooting with my 50mm f/1.4 and I am going to purchase the 28-75 f/2.8. I am not into the heavier lenses because you are going to shooting all day without any breaks, so you better be able to haul around your lens.
Good luck and remember that this is going to be a good experience. And, this is the big AND, remember you are doing this for free and they should be grateful. Have fun.....
You won't be able to change too many lenses, so choose a couple and one that you really like.
I also always make a point of visiting the site with the bride and groom to see where they should stand and where your sun is and your shadows.

[robertwgross]

I agree with what Tim stated.

A wedding tends to be a pretty fast-moving event. I have yet to attend any wedding that had breathing time. The photographer has to be on his feet and going for the next shot virtually all the time.

You can't line up a shot and then "try this, try that...". It won't work. You've got to have the right camera mode, settings, flash, and other equipment really humming smoothly.

You will have a second here or there to review your shots, but that is mostly just to make sure that you didn't do something stupid. You probably will not have the time to critically review them to the point of calling for a re-shoot of anything.

I carry a shot checklist, just to make sure that I don't skip anything important.

Pre-arrange a signal with the B&G. One hand straight up means you are almost ready to shoot and you need their attention. A waving palm means for them to wait or stall for a second. Keep them looking for you, and you will get better shots.

---Bob Gross---

[Hellashot]

Yes the kit lens will get you through it as long as you can get close enough for your flash to take effect. Don't forget fill flashes to avoid shadows on faces. Make sure your appeture is small enough to ensure proper DOF.

[johnnybfan]

Wow! Quite intimidating. I think that the first thing that I would do is draft some kind of "disclaimer" (I think this is the correct term) about some kind of "hold me blameless" clause. If the pics don't turn out the way the b&g want them to, this will not allow them to sue you. If you can't get a signed copy of a disclaimer don't do the wedding. At the very least this would cya. In this day and age, shooting this wedding could cost a lot.

[Merle]

Debain Dog,
Your lens will be enough if the Pastor will allow you to use flash photography during the ceremony.
If you must use available light (no flash) during the ceremony you will need a long lens and a tripod.
NO, your built in flash will not be enough! Buy (rent) a flash with a reasonable light output. In my opinion your flash unit is as important as your camera. (poor lighting -poor photograph) If you do not have a lot of experience photographing weddings, do a lot of careful planning and you will be alright.;) :) :D

Good Shooting to ya !!
Merle

[Roach711]

It looks like your wedding couple's choices are your pictures or no pictures. If that's the case they should be very happy with whatever you come up with. I did a similar job for my nephew who had a hurry-up wedding. I used my 20D in P mode with the 28 - 135mm zoom and the 420EX flash with LightsphereII diffuser. The pictures came out great to my eye.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=91272&highlight=lumisphere

I'm sure that a couple paying mucho dinero to a pro wedding photog might have some nitpicks with my shots but this couple was very happy. The main thing that will make your shots stand out from others is the lighting. If you can avoid using "straight on" flash and bounce your flash off the ceiling the shots will turn out much better than "Uncle Joe's" shots with a P&S.

Do your homework ahead of time and it should be fine.

[Roach711]

Any guesses on battery life with the 420EX firing?

I shot about 200 shots with my 420EX, bounced, with a diffuser and did it all on one set of rechargable AA's. I did have another set with me, just in case.

[RandyMN]

I got started much the same way over twenty years ago and although I no longer photograph weddings, it was an extremely fun road to travel that offered unlimited imaginative and creative control as well as being a great learning experience.

Although I never needed to used it, I always had a backup camera available in case of equipment failure and the workhorse lens for all my weddings turned out to be a the medium to wide angle zoom as most shots involve groups or church decor as part of the compositions. Certainly the built in flash will not be powerful enough so borrow, buy or rent one that has as much power as you can get unless of course the photo's can be done outside or in a very well lit church. Even then more power can be better for fill in case of strong sunlight and shadows.

I would make sure to check and double check camera and flash settings often and take more than one shot for every pose. There is nothing more irritating to the subjects than a perfectly good photograph where one person has their eyes shut. I used to instruct the groups during the session to let me know if they blinked because film is cheap, or in this case memory is cheap compared to missed shots or filling a wedding album with closed eye shots because that's all you have to choose from.

I would also get a good book on posing the groups because if you just set them up front and start shooting, both you and they might be OK with the pictures, but nothing is more rewarding than seeing great compostion being used to make the photo's something you can actually look at and be proud of your work. I know if you are a member of this forum I don't need to stress the importance of composing a picture rather than just taking it.

You will find weddings have intense periods of photo's mixed with a lot of standing around waiting for things to happen. A wedding is not your time to get familiar with your equipment so make sure you are comfortable with your camera. Pay extra attention to avoid blur as you will most likely be combining available light with flash. Some churches restrict flash from the time the bride walks up to the alter until the time she walks back out with the groom. Even if the church has no restrictions it is common courtesy not to interupt the ceremony with lot's of flashes.

Another thing that is extremely important is your ability to control and direct as the photographer. Don't alow others to get in your way or to control the posing. Many others will try to grab shots in between your arranging your subjects, so I would usually instruct them to wait until I am finished because their flashes may very well have an impact on my pictures and nobody wants to be the one responsible for ruining the wedding shots.

This is my first post and I am a bit nervous about posting so much so if I repeated information contained elsewhere or said too much I apologize. I am usually the one to sit back and read all the posts saying very little.

I would like to conclude though by saying that in my experience there has been nothing better to grow with and improve my skills in photography than doing weddings. I am sure you will enjoy this experience so go for it and watch out because word get's out quick, and if your work is good you may just have people calling you out of the blue.

[Roach711]

This has been suggested before but I'll suggest it again - shoot RAW - you get way more lattitude in adjusting your exposure & white balance.

Also, check your histogram, particularly with the flash shots. My 420EX routinely underexposes so I have FEC semi-permanently set to +2/3.

Lots of great advice here!

[Debian Dog]

Well I have been playing/practicing all day. For me, a lot of times even though I -know- what ISO 400 vs 800 should do it is nice to actually see 2 of the exact same pictures with different ISO settings. And yes I remembered to look down at my histogram (once in a while) ;)

I fired off about a 100 shots today messing with exposures, f/stops, etc... Right now I am sitting here in front of Photoshop seeing what I can and cannot fix.

As a side note: I have not really used PS in years and even then... not that heavily. I do most of my web stuff in Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and iPhoto. PS has changed a bit and come a long way with the export capabilities!

Well some hard shadows are coming on to the porch now... I am off to go "practice"

[tim]

Great post Randy, welcome to POTN :)

[tkoutdoor]

All this and there probably going to get a divorce in a few months ;)... followed by two more weddings you can do for free! :cool: