Dealing with group formals on raised areas

This keeps happening to me-- the bride or her mother wants the family formals to be taken in front of the altar which is invariable several steps up from the floor where I am. On top of that I am short (5'1) so I'm getting images where the people are like, y'know, up there. This a problem for anyone else?

Stand on a chair. Bring a small ladder. Find a ladder in the church. Solutions are there.

isn't your husband tall? make him do those photos

jcolman wrote in post #12605353
Stand on a chair. Bring a small ladder. Find a ladder in the church. Solutions are there.

It'd have to be a chair or something there, I guess, cuz we are already packed out like mules! It seems hard to find a lone chair tho all there are is pews! But we just need to ask as soon as we see the need, so thanks.

bigarchi wrote in post #12605617
isn't your husband tall? make him do those photos

Yeah but he despises the group shots, he just wants to focus in on some close ups while I do the group. Weenie.

I bring a step ladder, we leave it in the car, and than while everyone's gathering back inside my partner runs out and grabs it and the strobes.

A step ladder... or just use it to your advantage. One of the best shots I had in my portfolio in the beginning was a shot where the wedding party was up on this hill and I was standing below it. It was a great angle to play with and we got some really creative shot.

Tell your husband who's boss, make him do them. You should be shooting from about their chest height anyway.

I'm tall and it's not an issue, but bringing and using small step stools is quite common.

Move to the back and shoot with a tele.

i've been having a hard time finding a step stool that is even rated for my fat @$$ haha
good thing i rarely need one!

isophotostudio wrote in post #12605924
I bring a step ladder, we leave it in the car, and than while everyone's gathering back inside my partner runs out and grabs it and the strobes.

PeaceFire wrote in post #12606320
A step ladder... or just use it to your advantage. One of the best shots I had in my portfolio in the beginning was a shot where the wedding party was up on this hill and I was standing below it. It was a great angle to play with and we got some really creative shot.

I think this is the best bet (bring a stool, leave in car). Wish I could say I've gotten "creative" shots from this situation but, not so much

tim wrote in post #12608231
Tell your husband who's boss, make him do them. You should be shooting from about their chest height anyway.

Tim. Are you married? It's hard to be bossy with free help.

cdifoto wrote in post #12608834
Move to the back and shoot with a tele.

Now this is an option I hadn't even thought of. Thanks!

bigarchi wrote in post #12608985
i've been having a hard time finding a step stool that is even rated for my fat @$$ haha
good thing i rarely need one!

Ahhh, so this is where the "big" in bigarchi comes from??

I always carry a step ladder but I'm also 6' 4" so don't usually need it.

6'4?!!! Ok now you're just being mean; I am 5'1 barely!!

The best part about the step ladder -- you can get one with a handle thing at the top for carrying, makes the best seat, just the right height while snapping the photos, it's a nice change from the weird crouch I do for portraits when we're on flat ground.

isophotostudio wrote in post #12610385
The best part about the step ladder -- you can get one with a handle thing at the top for carrying, makes the best seat, just the right height while snapping the photos, it's a nice change from the weird crouch I do for portraits when we're on flat ground.

I know that weird crouch! I thought I was the exclusive demonstrator! LIke the idea of that handle.