Wedding with 3 shooters.

Wow. That is going to be an interesting adventure you three are taking on. Certainly, I hope that the bride and groom understand that there will be three shooters. Hopefully, you guys will have designated each shooter for a specific function well in advance of the big day.

Find out how many guests there will be and the sequence of events that are planned. Personally, I would have one main photographer be responsible for all the formal shots. One person can be the "second" shooter getting the "behind the scenes" shots, shooting in an editorial style. The third can be a rover shooting whatever looks interesting.

I used to enjoy shooting as 2nd with black and white film in the editorial style. No formals and no restrictions. Get them in hair and make-up as well as getting dressed, etc.

Good luck and have fun!

I used to be a 2nd shooter before I established my own business. There were three of us on occasion. The thing to remember is the clients hired Dirk. He needs to be the one doing all the portraits and the really 'must get' images like the first kiss, cake, dance, etc. You and the other shooters should fade into the background and take as many candids as you can; this will help Dirk out a lot and I bet he'll a) hire you again and, if you're lucky, b)recommend you to others when he's booked (if you decide to make a career out of this).

Three is a very good number. Tim's description of how they work together is right on. My second will often shadow me with the flash on a monopod during the reception while the other does the ninja thing. Nothing worse that shooting a wedding all by yourself. So many places to be at one time, limited room creativity, no help with lighting, etc.

I *think* I sense a great sense of humor in this trio of shooters....in that vein, I offer a company name: Three Stooges Photography

Nuk, nuk, nuk.

If not, please disregard the first part of this post.

I would have loved to have had three shooters at my wedding (decades ago). There were things going on when I wasn't around and I would have loved to have shots of them.

yoyoer13 wrote in post #7506394
Post some stuff you guys think is useful too. Everything helps.

1) Alluded to. One guy main shooter, other two prepared to serve as assistants when extra shooters not needed. During formals, one guy on lens, 2nd guy on lights, 3rd guy wrangles and organizes. Most important guy in this sequence -- wrangler. He's the air traffic controller, running the show. In all instances, when you are interacting with the guests, someone must be in charge. May not always be the same guy, but no committees.

2) Make sure you are asking the right questions. Equipment and numbers are secondary to technique and control. You guys are choreographing everything except the main event. Are you ready for that?

3) Are you guys well versed in the posing and lighting of formals? Do you understand loop lighting? 2/3 view? Can you capture the detail in a dress using window light without giving the bride raccoon eyes? Can you put nice lighting on the brides face while maintaining adequate light on the groom behind? Can you do this in under a minute? (and, if the bride said "no formals" don't believe it. All grandma has to do is say "honey, I would love a shot of us together on the alter" and suddenly, you're shooting formals.)

4) I have never met anyone who successfully told a bride "not to expect much" then, having not delivered much, had the bride say, "thats okay, you told us not to expect much". Be prepared.

mattograph wrote in post #7527076
1) Alluded to. One guy main shooter, other two prepared to serve as assistants when extra shooters not needed. During formals, one guy on lens, 2nd guy on lights, 3rd guy wrangles and organizes. Most important guy in this sequence -- wrangler. He's the air traffic controller, running the show. In all instances, when you are interacting with the guests, someone must be in charge. May not always be the same guy, but no committees.

2) Make sure you are asking the right questions. Equipment and numbers are secondary to technique and control. You guys are choreographing everything except the main event. Are you ready for that?

3) Are you guys well versed in the posing and lighting of formals? Do you understand loop lighting? 2/3 view? Can you capture the detail in a dress using window light without giving the bride raccoon eyes? Can you put nice lighting on the brides face while maintaining adequate light on the groom behind? Can you do this in under a minute? (and, if the bride said "no formals" don't believe it. All grandma has to do is say "honey, I would love a shot of us together on the alter" and suddenly, you're shooting formals.)

4) I have never met anyone who successfully told a bride "not to expect much" then, having not delivered much, had the bride say, "thats okay, you told us not to expect much". Be prepared.

Wow, that's a lot to remember! I've been shooting weddings solo now for 6 years and I've never heard of loop lighting or 2/3 view. I guess it hasn't hurt me that much; I still turn down more people than I book and I'm still winning awards (WPJA, for example). Technical lighting isn't a specialty of mine, however, and the only 'extra' lighting I use is another 580EX on a lightstand with a Pocket Wizard. On one hand, I'd love to learn more about it while on the other hand, it would mean that much more to carry with me! And, since I shoot weddings from Hong Kong to Cyprus, I try and pare down my essential gear

PhotoMatte wrote in post #7528282
Wow, that's a lot to remember! I've been shooting weddings solo now for 6 years and I've never heard of loop lighting or 2/3 view. I guess it hasn't hurt me that much; I still turn down more people than I book and I'm still winning awards (WPJA, for example). Technical lighting isn't a specialty of mine, however, and the only 'extra' lighting I use is another 580EX on a lightstand with a Pocket Wizard. On one hand, I'd love to learn more about it while on the other hand, it would mean that much more to carry with me! And, since I shoot weddings from Hong Kong to Cyprus, I try and pare down my essential gear

Maybe you're a natural -- you're doing it and don't even realize it!

pennypue wrote in post #7527016
I *think* I sense a great sense of humor in this trio of shooters....in that vein, I offer a company name: Three Stooges Photography

Sounds good to me!!

Thanks for all the suggestions...keep them coming!

mattograph wrote in post #7529366
Maybe you're a natural -- you're doing it and don't even realize it!

Lol, when it comes to lighting I'm definitely not a natural. Sometimes it seems the more I learn about flash technique the more I wish I hadn't learned it

PhotoMatte wrote in post #7530342
Lol, when it comes to lighting I'm definitely not a natural. Sometimes it seems the more I learn about flash technique the more I wish I hadn't learned it

Dude, I just looked at your portfolio. You get it -- great stuff all around.

From one Matt to another, thank you!

mattograph wrote in post #7530373
Dude, I just looked at your portfolio. You get it -- great stuff all around.

This is just shameless self-promotion, but for a better portfolio, check out this other site:

http://picasaweb.googl​e.com …nvite=CKPWrKQH&​feat=email

Bkolowski111 wrote in post #7508508
I'm here because Nikonians is retarded and they decided to delete my profile because I didn't give them money.

hahaha, they did that to me too. No freeloaders allowed for more than 25 days.

As for your wedding, just don't all shoot the same thing at the same time. For example, it's tempting to all shoot the first kiss... but one should get the kiss, and the other two should get the reactions of both sets of parents instead.

Wow Matt, good stuff there. We have done a lot of planning and tm were going to the church and the reception site. The reception happens to be were I work so I know it very well and the lighting to be expected.

I really like the idea about one guy with a flash on monopod. The versatility would be great, I WILL be using that for sure.

The I ideas put forth, as in having me getting the main shots is the game plan.

And what I said about telling her not to expect much is not more of a statement were I'm telling her to not expect much, I left it as more of a under promise and OVER deliver. Thats what I have been always been taught about stuff like this, so it is my game plan.


http://picasaweb.googl​e.com …Matte/Weddings?​feat=email
I posted it again as well, there very enjoyable pictures to look at. Good work

yoyoer13 wrote in post #7542177
Wow Matt, good stuff there. We have done a lot of planning and tm were going to the church and the reception site. The reception happens to be were I work so I know it very well and the lighting to be expected.

I really like the idea about one guy with a flash on monopod. The versatility would be great, I WILL be using that for sure.

The I ideas put forth, as in having me getting the main shots is the game plan.

And what I said about telling her not to expect much is not more of a statement were I'm telling her to not expect much, I left it as more of a under promise and OVER deliver. Thats what I have been always been taught about stuff like this, so it is my game plan.


http://picasaweb.googl​e.com …Matte/Weddings?​feat=email
I posted it again as well, there very enjoyable pictures to look at. Good work

Thanks yoyoer, not only for the praise but also for having my favorite actress as your avatar!