Photographing your own wedding??

[shadowdancer]

You can do the detail shots well before the wedding, and you would like to take them, so do it. If they don't turn out how you imagined them, or you run out of time because other wedding prep requirements take priority, then only take the detail shots you have time for. You have other photographers there on the day who can take these shots for you if needed, so you have a "fall-back" strategy. Good luck.

[brokensocial]

We half-heartedly considered doing this for our own wedding, and are glad we didn't. It's far less stressful to have someone else taking care of it.

[AZGeorge]

You might want to give your other shooters full responsibility for doing everything leaving yourself free to shoot anything you want on your wedding day.

[bnlearle]

Originally Posted by AZGeorge

You might want to give your other shooters full responsibility for doing everything leaving yourself free to shoot anything you want on your wedding day.

Exactly what I wanted to say -- just WAY more concise and clear

[PopTarts]

Originally Posted by AZGeorge

You might want to give your other shooters full responsibility for doing everything leaving yourself free to shoot anything you want on your wedding day.

Agreed it's the bride's day, you should be able to enjoy it!

[Linda Browne]

Book another wedding (or two, three, etc) and then hire a photographer who's work you absolutely love to shoot your own wedding. Give up the control and enjoy the day. It's about the emotions and you cannot shoot that by yourself or by directing others.

[piggie_tak]

I think you should try to enjoy the whole day as much as possible. Even though it's a 2nd wedding in a casual environment, all your energy and emotions should still be concentrated on this special day with your family and friends and your wife. I don't advise you to be on work mode and then try to switch over. However, if you have a specific vision which you don't believe your photographer can photograph it the way you need it, is it possible to photograph those details on the day prior to get it out of the way? *shrug*

[rhommel]

the hardest clients to have as a wedding photographer is another wedding photographer.

[bnlearle]

Originally Posted by rhommel

the hardest clients to have as a wedding photographer is another wedding photographer.

This is only true if the wedding photographer that hired you cut corners in order to save a few bucks. Which, shockingly and unfortunately, seems to be what the majority of wedding photographers do.

My last wedding photographer client's fee was well over $10k. That couple was a dream to work with. They wanted what they felt was great photography, found a guy they trusted, and paid handsomely.

But the ones who want to shoot part of their wedding, pay less so you can give them the RAWs (and they'll edit them to "save you time"), don't want to pay out the nose, etc? Those are always the hardest clients.

[rhommel]

Originally Posted by bnlearle

This is only true if the wedding photographer that hired you cut corners in order to save a few bucks. Which, shockingly and unfortunately, seems to be what the majority of wedding photographers do.

My last wedding photographer client's fee was well over $10k. That couple was a dream to work with. They wanted what they felt was great photography, found a guy they trusted, and paid handsomely.

But the ones who want to shoot part of their wedding, pay less so you can give them the RAWs (and they'll edit them to "save you time"), don't want to pay out the nose, etc? Those are always the hardest clients.

exactly what i meant...

i wonder what kind of 'client' the original poster would be.

[hairy_moth]

Originally Posted by bnlearle

My last wedding photographer client's fee was well over $10k.

Wow.. That number just smacked me across the face. I've visited your site, your work is incredible, and I know you're worth it... But I have 4 kids just entering their teenage years; I know it's a long way away, but the idea of shelling out $40k for wedding shots.

So how about Father of the Bride, or Groom shooting weddings?

Just kidding.. I think! But, clearly, I am already falling into the 'hardest clients' category.

[rhommel]

Originally Posted by hairy_moth

Just kidding.. I think! But, clearly, I am already falling into the 'hardest clients' category.

I think MOST of us will be on this category, specially wedding photographers:

1 - We would want to do our own post processing
2 - We will use our own wedding album company
3 - We will use our own printing company
4 - We will be critical in EVERY photo taken (composition, exposure, etc)
5 - We will be suggesting a LOT of shots

that's just the way it is

[bratkinson]

I'm no wedding photographer...never will be.

That said, I'm going to say that you will be your toughest client. You'll end up taking dozens and dozens of ring pictures, for example, and afterward, think you should've done it under different lighting, in a different location, etc, etc, etc. In short, you'll be worrying/fretting over the minutae rather than being concerned with getting married.

You're paying for a pro to do their job, let them do it. The more time you 'direct' him/her, the less time you'll spend with your hubby, family, friends on the big day. General George Patton said it most aptly: Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results."