Photographing your own wedding??

[Teachflute]

I'm getting married this summer. It is a second wedding for both my fiance and myself and we are doing a very small, very informal backyard barbecue. My second photographer and a friend who is also a wedding photographer are going to shoot the ceremony, formals and reception.

I would like to do all my own detail shots including rings, dress, cake etc. I have a picture in my mind of how I want my wedding to photograph and be processed. The wedding is also not until 4 p.m., so I will have all day to take pictures. I'm picky and know how I want it to look. Since the venue is my own house, this doesn't have to be done on the day of the wedding as it can be staged at any time prior to the wedding.

Has anyone done this sort of thing? I don't want to stress myself out, but at the same time, I know how I want it to look and how I want it to photograph.

[nicksan]

If the schedule allows for it, I don't think that's a problem. Staging it also not an issue since it's at your house and you'll have everything there.

I am really not sure what's being asked. Are you asking if it's weird for you to do that? If so, no, I don't think so!

[Teachflute]

I guess I'm asking if anyone's done this and then it's been wayyyy too stressful of an experience. I really don't know how it would be as I love to photograph weddings and am confident in my skills, but at the same time, I'm wondering if it's different when it's your own.

[PeaceFire]

I tried my best to let my pro take charge and not say anything about my pictures on my wedding in February. I failed miserably. I directed pretty much everything! Luckily, she was expecting this and was OK with it, but it was very stressful for me. But it was going to be like that no matter who I hired, thats just the type of person I am.

[HiepBuiPhotography]

I'm not married, so I've never done such thing ^_^. But, I don't see a problem with it. Go for it! Just consider yourself as the second shooter for the day for the detail shots =D

[Erik S. Klein]

Take this with a grain of salt since it's coming from the guy perspective but, IMO, this is almost to the point of considering performing your own appendectomy. Sure, it's technically possible, but under the circumstances is it wise?

Weddings, even small ones, are fairly stressful and, again IMO, I don't think you really want to add the extra stress of staging and photographing to the list of decorating, seating, catering, cake, flowers, the dress, your drunk uncle/cousin/bridesmaid and on and on?

If you trust your friend then give them the punch-list of images you want and tell them in advance that you want to do the processing - at your leisure - after the honeymoon...

My 3 cents (adjusted for inflation)

[gonzogolf]

Dont do it. Your bride is expecting your attention to be on her that day. This is the day you get catered to. You might be able to pull it off, but at the expense of some moments that are better spent enjoying yourself.

[HiepBuiPhotography]

Originally Posted by gonzogolf

Dont do it. Your bride is expecting your attention to be on her that day. This is the day you get catered to. You might be able to pull it off, but at the expense of some moments that are better spent enjoying yourself.

He can always do it a couple of days before the wedding

[Iscariotau]

Originally Posted by HiepBuiPhotography

He can always do it a couple of days before the wedding

I agree with this. If you want to do the detail shots. Go for it, just dont do it on the day. The day should be given over to lavishing attention on the bride to be and enjoying the moment.

[FlyingPhotog]

Originally Posted by gonzogolf

Dont do it. Your bride is expecting your attention to be on her that day. This is the day you get catered to. You might be able to pull it off, but at the expense of some moments that are better spent enjoying yourself.

Um, I think the OP is the bride...

Unless the groom's name is Judi

[HiepBuiPhotography]

^
HAHAHA

[gonzogolf]

Originally Posted by FlyingPhotog

Um, I think the OP is the bride...

Unless the groom's name is Judi

Okay, sorry this sounded like a guy thing to do. The advice still applies, spend it being the queen for a day. If you want to do the ring shots the day before, go for it. On the big day, leave it someone else.

[hairy_moth]

Originally Posted by Teachflute

I would like to do all my own detail shots including rings, dress, cake etc. I have a picture in my mind of how I want my wedding to photograph and be processed. The wedding is also not until 4 p.m., so I will have all day to take pictures.

My recommendation.. Once the rehearsal starts, put your camera down and enjoy your wedding.

Any staged shots that you can do before that -- any planning with the other photographer you can do before that, knock yourself out.

Even if it is a small wedding, you should want to spend time with your guests and groom -- you spend enough time with your camera as it is, and it won't mind if you ignore it for a few days.

[Peacefield]

Other than having an out-of-body experience, as much as I'd rather shoot my own wedding myself, I never would. I should be too busy enjoying friends and family who are all there to celebrate my day.

[bnlearle]

It all depends.

Usually, when people do these things, it's because they are either unwilling or unable to hire and pay (a lot) for a great photographer who they trust. If THAT'S your reasoning, then it'll probably be rough and stressful. Now, depending on how you handle stress, this could be pretty minimal or it could be extremely frustrating.

If I were to get married again (got married 10 years ago dirt poor and had no clue about photography), I'd have my camera, for sure. But NOT to make sure I get certain shots. I'd have it with me for part of the day because I love shooting. I would not do this to replace another photographer or to be in charge of any real part of the day.

So I think it's fine to bring your camera along, but if you really, really care about your wedding photos, you should PAY someone HANDSOMELY (not a friend, unless your friend is the person you'd gladly hire if you didn't know them) to be in charge of the actual wedding photography.

Not knowing you, I can only go off my hunch. And my hunch based off of this post is that you should hire someone who has photography you are obsessed with. This is what we photographers tend to tell our clients so I don't think it should be any different for photographers. There are SOOOO many incredible wedding photographers out there that no matter how picky you are or what your photographic tastes are, there's someone out there who can take care of you.