First Wedding

I've started taking my photography very seriously since I graduated from college and have been working with a company photographing local schools. I like my work with the company, but my work is their property alone so I can't use it for my own use. I want to branch out and create revenue with my own personal work. Thankfully my company encourages outside freelance work, as long as its on our own time.

These photos are from a wedding I did as a favor to the groom. It was still a paid wedding, but very much discounted. This was the first and only wedding I've photographed. All constructive criticism is welcomed.

They are all pretty dark. Watch for the direct flash like in photo 1, really apparent and distracts from the subject. The bride looks pretty posed as well. I would do something different with the watermark, It just doesn't fit in. Maybe making it black and white or one hue of gold/wheat would make it work better for wedding photography.

Overall you seamed to have a good hold on what you need, and the rest should fall into place with time.

Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the input, I was worried about the watermark. Im not used to seeing the photo enlarged and it makes it that much more noticeable. Any tips on how to make the bride/subject relax? No matter what I did she was super stiff and rigid.
But that helps a lot =)

I'm really impressed with whatever you did to get enough flash power to shoot at F/10 ISO 400 indoors on #1!

CelticprincessSH wrote in post #12852209
Thanks for the input, I was worried about the watermark. Im not used to seeing the photo enlarged and it makes it that much more noticeable. Any tips on how to make the bride/subject relax? No matter what I did she was super stiff and rigid.
But that helps a lot =)

I'm relatively new at this as well, but from the engagement shoots i've done (usually the hardest to get true emotions) I have learned a few things.

First and foremost you have to sell yourself, you have to be professional, but extremely friendly, make sure you have their attention, but keep them focused on each other. You yourself have to be willing to do whatever they want, while still remaining in control.

For couples always start off with telling them how you feel about portraits (I want natural but not overly goofy, I don't want you guys being stiff so don't be nervous).

Get the couples to interact with each other! probably the single most important part. This one relies heavily on the couple. Some can be extremely shy, but most likely they are not shy to each other, just you being there. Try to get them to do something like kissing, hugging, holding hands (always touching each other in some way, makes them more relaxed). I've read several people that have them play the kissing game, one tries to kiss the other while the other tries to stop him/her by moving her head, but not using hands.

As long as you can get them comfortable and relaxed, and understanding your train of thought, then you will do fine!

RobertMang wrote in post #12852217
I'm really impressed with whatever you did to get enough flash power to shoot at F/10 ISO 400 indoors on #1!

I had bought a continuous lighting kit off ebay because I couldnt afford the strobes. I had to be aware the angles because the umbrellas were being reflected off the photos in the background.

SaxonIV wrote in post #12852235
I'm relatively new at this as well, but from the engagement shoots i've done (usually the hardest to get true emotions) I have learned a few things.

First and foremost you have to sell yourself, you have to be professional, but extremely friendly, make sure you have their attention, but keep them focused on each other. You yourself have to be willing to do whatever they want, while still remaining in control.

For couples always start off with telling them how you feel about portraits (I want natural but not overly goofy, I don't want you guys being stiff so don't be nervous).

Get the couples to interact with each other! probably the single most important part. This one relies heavily on the couple. Some can be extremely shy, but most likely they are not shy to each other, just you being there. Try to get them to do something like kissing, hugging, holding hands (always touching each other in some way, makes them more relaxed). I've read several people that have them play the kissing game, one tries to kiss the other while the other tries to stop him/her by moving her head, but not using hands.

As long as you can get them comfortable and relaxed, and understanding your train of thought, then you will do fine!

Thanks. The kissing game, thats a great idea. Im used to working with children for my job with my company, so this was foreign to me. Thankfully she was in good spirits just super nervous. I was thankful the day went really smooth.

Here's my take:

#1: Decent shot. Color balance is off and the shadow on the wall is somewhat distracting.

#2: I like this shot. Color balance is off again.

#3: Not feeling this shot. Color balance is off.

#4: Looks crooked because of the angle you shot from. I would crop out the bottom so it's not so obvious. Maybe make this a 16:9 photo? WB is off.

#5: Not feeling this shot either. can't see the knife in the cake and the groom's expression isn't that great. WB is off.

#6: Would have been better if the bride was looking at him and not the camera.

#7: Decent shot.

nicksan wrote in post #12854812
Here's my take:

#1: Decent shot. Color balance is off and the shadow on the wall is somewhat distracting.

#2: I like this shot. Color balance is off again.

#3: Not feeling this shot. Color balance is off.

#4: Looks crooked because of the angle you shot from. I would crop out the bottom so it's not so obvious. Maybe make this a 16:9 photo? WB is off.

#5: Not feeling this shot either. can't see the knife in the cake and the groom's expression isn't that great. WB is off.

#6: Would have been better if the bride was looking at him and not the camera.

#7: Decent shot.

Nick and I have the same tastes in photos it seems. Please do something with the watermark as well - I cannot understand what it is, the colors are obnoxious, and it detracts from the photos. Not trying to be harsh, but it needs to be updated.

i agree with nick
on the first 2 try bouncing flash of the celling

She looks too posed for me in shot number one. Shot number two looks like something I moght do for a quincenerra or sweet sixteen, not a wedding. On your group formal I would open the girls up or add chairs in the front so the two in the back don't get obstructed as bad as they are.

My favorite shot is seven

I agree with changing or losing the watermark. The first time I looked at these, it was All I saw.

thanks for sharing, good start, keep shooting!

Jim

#6 and #7 are nice. The others are ok. The watermark need a lot of help too.

Congrats on your first wedding - it can be pretty daunting! As for how to get the bride and groom to relax, well first YOU have to relax. If you're not relaxed you'll never get them to relax. You need to loosen up and have fun! With me it's what I say to clients that makes them laugh and relax, like "it's okay, you can legally touch her now, you're married!", or, with family members, "okay, now here's the hard part, you have to pretend like you like each other!" And I recently saw someone on a forum say "it's okay, don't worry about smiling, I can photoshop that later" - I'm so using that one today!

My favorites, personally are #3 and #6. I think #3 was a nice composition, and #6 was a very sweet and playful shot of the bride and groom.

I like the idea and composition of #7, but I think the backlighting distracted from the photo quite a bit. If the horses wouldn't be spooked by a camera flash, I'd suggest using a stronger flash or light source on the bride and groom's faces.

As far as getting the bride, groom, and other photo subjects to be "relaxed", there are a couple of things that have helped me when assisting @ weddings:

1) Try to get to know the bride and groom so that you are all comfortable with each other.

2) Have fun with it. If you're stiff or show that you're worried, that will rub off on the subjects. Try getting them to laugh, smile, and enjoy the moment. When the subjects are enjoying themselves, the joy will show through the photos.

3) Don't try to "force" photos. If you're trying to pose people (especially people like me who hate photos of themselves), it's going to look forced. Most of my good wedding shots have been of the "pop-up" variety -- I'll work the room, catch people laughing/dancing/havin​g a good time, then vanish so I don't intrude on the moment.

I think that, overall, you have some good shots, and my points are not meant to detract from your work.

I must say that these are pretty good for a first wedding (compared to my first wedding in 2001 with 35mm film). Composition is good in most of them but as stated some have a White Balance issue. These definitely should NOT deter you from shooting more weddings. I would suggest shooting a few weddings as a second shooter with a seasoned professional because they can help you with some of the issues you have and they will also help you shoot more creatively.

Overall, Well done!