Shots that are uniquely "you"...

At this point I've "worked" about 6 weddings as a "trainee" (not a true second shooter, not an "assistant"). I've been watching the main photographer as well as the secondary shooter (more artistic stuff), and have taken my own shots as well. After each wedding I meet with the owner of the studio and review the pictures I've taken. At this point he is happy with my exposure and framing etc..., but wants to see more shots that are uniquely me (i.e. shots that are not covered by the other photographers). This has been tough because I've been "shadowing" the other photographers trying to learn. So, this weekend I'll be out for a half day's worth of wedding coverage with the owner of the studio. Any tips on ways to create my own style? He says he's going to kind of let me loose to pose the bridal party and do stuff like that. Where did you guys/gals look for creative inspiration when you were staring out? Thanks in advance for you wisdom.

No wisdom here, just a few thoughts.

Since you've "worked" 6 weddings, i think it's time to stop shadowing the other togs. Multiple shots of the same angle don't really make sense. I'd love to be able to second shoot or third shoot for a wedding and just let loose without any pressure.

Shoot details, surroundings, candids. Without any pressure, you have time to think and compose your photo. Don't put your eye on the viewfinder until you see something good. Look with your own eyes; see the light, find compositional elements, take the photo.

Inspiration? just take a look around the forums. A lot of awesome wedding togs share their work here. They've been pretty receptive to questions and most will not hesitate to share their settings or more importantly the thought process that went in the shot. Find images that are doable with the gear you have. No use admiring ultra wide angle shots if you don't have capacity to do it yet. you can't replicate the bokeh of the 85 1.2 with a sigma 30. Check out why the images catch you eye so much. Is it the lighting? Lines leading to the subject? The shadows next to the highlights? The angle?

https://www.theicesoci​ety.com/

Jerry Ghionis is awesome. Chapter 37 is free, but I joined for a year to watch all the videos. Great for ideas and to get pumped up before a session.

Good luck!

Hmmm, make sure you're trying to answer the same question that the primary photographer is asking. As Emdzey has expressed, what he may be asking you for is not the reinvention of wedding photography and defining some unique style as much as finding your own opportunities so he doesn't end up with multiple shots of the same thing just at different angles. Go to the wedding and work on shooting where the other photographers aren't.

I am thinking ..different lenses..different perspectives.. It take Looong time to get a style.

Good luck

Thanks everyone for the great input! I guess it's just a slight case of nerves because previous to this I've been observing and "shadowing"; now I'll have much more freedom to do whatever I want. I just don't want to have a brain fart and stand there holding my camera and not having an idea for a shot.

I don't think he meant that you were supposed to be getting your own stuff for the past six weddings. I think he means now that you're good on the technicals, FROM HERE ON you should start to do your own thing and see what happens.

Don't overthink this. You're still not the main guy. There's no pressure to perform. Just shoot some stuff. Wait until there are 40 people looking at you and waiting for your direction to start sweating bullets.

Oh and even when you're the main guy, concentrate on good solid photography rather than superhuman unique stuff. You're not a top tier photographer (yet) so you need to think about the basics. Yeah it'll feel like a grind after awhile doing the same stuff over and over, but just remember while it's old to you it's new to the couple.

Besides, the unique stuff is cool in the portfolio but the boring stuff is what sells.

I'm a strong supporter of 2nd shooting for as long as you can. What you need to aim for is to photograph a set as a 2nd shooter, that can stand up as a "complete set" independently of the main's set AND also photograph the set in a way that is completely different to the main's.

Here's an example of a wedding I uncle bob'ed as a 2nd shooter at the bride's request:

Here's the photo of the main from my position using a 200mm telephoto:

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smorter wrote in post #12660019
I'm a strong supporter of 2nd shooting for as long as you can. What you need to aim for is to photograph a set as a 2nd shooter, that can stand up as a "complete set" independently of the main's set AND also photograph the set in a way that is completely different to the main's.

Here's an example of a wedding I uncle bob'ed as a 2nd shooter at the bride's request:

Here's the photo of the main from my position using a 200mm telephoto:

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Here's the photo the main got:

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Here's a comparison photo I got using a 200mm telephoto:

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Here's a comparison photo I got cropped heavily using a 200mm telephoto:

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Note how vastly my coverage was compared to the main's

Wow, intrusive much? (the main, not you)

How is the main being intrusive?

siddr20 wrote in post #12674864
How is the main being intrusive?

when i shoot the signing shots, i try not block to view from the guests but shoot from some hidden corner. UNLESS the signing were done after the ceremony, then id prob be right where he is.

I don't think the photographer is intrusive - that's what happens with wedding photography.

Your shot is better. The mains shot is terrible

I disagree - I think the main's shot is better. At least it's level!

Roy Mathers wrote in post #12696582
I don't think the photographer is intrusive - that's what happens with wedding photography.

If that photog was there for a while i would think it's intrusive. It apeared he wasn't though as there is another shot with him gone.
It's not usually my style to get up in the couple's grill like that during the ceremony though.

Roy Mathers wrote in post #12697839
I disagree - I think the main's shot is better. At least it's level!

I agree with the level comment.
I just looked at the gallery of images my cousin got from her photographer, and they were all crooked like this.
A few, ok, but man, i would be embarrassed handing over photos like this guy did with none of them seemingly level.

As for which is better, the hired pros or yours and I would say that if it was my wedding i'd want both in my album
so good job complimenting the main : ) and i think that addresses what the OP was asking, get a different view.
my own photographers were sh*t, we hired a pair and they shot over each other shoulders the whole time with the same lenses.
waste of time and money if you ask me. they should have been apart from each other!