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Thread started 21 Jan 2012 (Saturday) 22:03
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first wedding, in over my head

 
sma1mom
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Jan 21, 2012 22:03 |  #1

I don't do weddings, but my sister in law will have no photos if I don't try. I shoot babies and kids. Needing all the advice you guys can muster. ISOs, shutter speeds, best places for my cameras, etc. Here's my gear to work with. 5d, t1i, 580ex, 420ex, nifty fifty, sigma 24-60 2.8, 24-105l, 55-250efs and t1i kit. I do have a tripod and 3 alien bees(but really don't want to haul those). I know she doesn't have the money to hire anyone , so its me or nothing.. . Thanks in advance. The wedding is next month out of town, so I can't even go there to practice.




  
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Peacefield
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Jan 22, 2012 06:55 |  #2

Well, a couple of thoughts.

One is to know the skills you need compared to the skills you have. You haven't told us about the nature of the day, but assuming the typical, it means a dark church followed by a darker reception. How are your flash skills, for instance?

For the ceremony, you need fast lenses that focus quickly. The 50 1.8 focuses very slowly and is really not up to the rigors of wedding photography. Leave it home and use your 24-105 nearly all day. For the processional, shoot around the middle focal length range. That coupled with f4 should get you enough DOF to use one shot. Also, you're typically allowed to use flash for the processional and recessional and you should. Stay in the aisle, try not to be intrusive, and get what you can; sometimes shooting wide sometimes long.

The reception can be fairly easy if you don't allow yourself to complicate things. I now use AB's and triggers to raise the ambient plus an on-camera flash and the look is nicer. However, I shot all of my previous weddings with a single on-camera flash bounced off the ceiling plus a large bounce card and they still look great. Shooting a wedding is not the time to experiment and practice so go with what you know. Keep it simple and allow yourself to stay mobile.

The couple should plan the list of group shots they want ahead of time. Technically and creatively, these are very simple photos; keep them that way. It's mostly just a matter of organization; having that list as well as the help of someone to gather the poeple for you.

Finally, the biggest deal is simply knowing the flow of the day and not allowing yourself to be surprised. Attend the rehearsal so you have some sense of the ceremony. Visit the reception venue so you know what you're working with and any challenges it presents. Consider where you'll shoot portraits if it rains. On some level, planning is more vital than gear and technical skills.

Also, there are some stickies in this forum that would be helpful for you.


Robert Wayne Photography (external link)

5D3, 5D2, 50D, 350D * 16-35 2.8 II, 24-70 2.8 II, 70-200 2.8 IS II, 100-400 IS, 100 L Macro, 35 1.4, 85 1.2 II, 135 2.0, Tokina 10-17 fish * 580 EX II (3) Stratos triggers * Other Stuff plus a Pelican 1624 to haul it all

  
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scorpio_e
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Jan 22, 2012 08:13 |  #3

Definitely keep it simple. The Sigma 24 to 60 should be able to work for most of the wedding. As far as ISO and shutters speeds, it all depends on church and venue+ the time of day.
Good luck :)


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SuzyView
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Jan 22, 2012 08:18 |  #4

Shooting for free and for family, double-edged sword. Either she will love you or she'll never forgive you. But you are okay. The gear you have is fine. Take everything. The 5D is an amazing camera. Just make sure you get a list of pictures she wants, groups, cake cutting, etc. Be available for everything. Right before the day, clean all the gear, charge all the batteries, take extras for the flash. Make sure you enjoy the day as well. The same thing happened to me for my niece's wedding. They did not hire a photographer and hoped I brought everything. Well, no one told me until I got there. I did have a few things. But it was a stressful time. I wish I had more time to eat the food.


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sma1mom
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Jan 22, 2012 12:42 as a reply to  @ SuzyView's post |  #5

I've told her that I am at no means responsible if these do not turn out!! I've warned her and if she's mad, then that was her choice. I by no means call myself a professional, especially not when it comes to a thing like a wedding. This is her call, not mine. I just wanted to be a guest.




  
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form
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Jan 22, 2012 13:20 |  #6

I believe the only relevant question left is....which judge show is this going to end up on?


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Wallace ­ River
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Jan 22, 2012 13:28 as a reply to  @ form's post |  #7

Good answers so far as far as KISS. Also for the group shots, you must exercise the "A" part of your personality and take charge. When you are building the group into a photo assembly, you must exert your authority, speak up, and get them all looking at you at the right time.


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CSMFoto
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Jan 22, 2012 14:16 |  #8

All very valuable pointers, I have a few opportunities in this year for weddings and I have had little to no experience with them. Lately, I've extended myself to local photographers but haven't had much luck to fill as an assistant. I have high expectations for my newly formed company and figure that if I do not try it, that I will never know about the market, and how exactly to do it. I've read up on quite a few posts, and think that its more mental(sike yourself out) than anything else. Like many of you've said, if you carefully plan, ask every question, and goto the rehearsal you will give yourself ample knowledge of what you should / can shoot! Thank you everyone for the guidance and hopefully I can follow those guidelines.


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Red ­ Tie ­ Photography
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Jan 22, 2012 15:04 |  #9

Here is my blog post about how I shoot weddings. (external link)


Bryan
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CSMFoto
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Jan 22, 2012 15:24 |  #10


Just printed it out, bout to read it :) Thank you very much for the pointers! Think I should just bite the bullet and try one out?


Facebook (external link) | CSM Photography (external link) | Gear
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Red ­ Tie ­ Photography
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Jan 22, 2012 15:54 |  #11

CSMFoto wrote in post #13749172 (external link)
Just printed it out, bout to read it :) Thank you very much for the pointers! Think I should just bite the bullet and try one out?

I dont know your skill, comfort level, or what, but looking at your gear list I would say you need about double what you have now before I would feel comfortable shooting a wedding.


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CSMFoto
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Jan 22, 2012 15:57 |  #12

Red Tie Photography wrote in post #13749287 (external link)
I dont know your skill, comfort level, or what, but looking at your gear list I would say you need about double what you have now before I would feel comfortable shooting a wedding.

Yeah, I am in works of upgrading / adding equipment now. I need L series for sure and a 5dC or 5d2


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timn420
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Jan 24, 2012 15:49 |  #13

To the OP. I've shot a couple of weddings, so I'm new and maybe can give you an insight.

For my first wedding the hardest part was the formals of the family. If you have a large group or family shot you might have to consider the alien bees. Find out how big a group you will be working with.

Make sure you have a shot list and someone that can find family members for you.

Keep the reception simple. I wouldn't use OCF for a first wedding.

Make sure you have enough water. I got dehydrated after my first wedding :(

For me, the worst thing about shooting a wedding is the night before. Thinking about it is a lot more nerve-wracking then doing it :)


5dmkii, 70-200mm, 24-70, 85 1.8, alien bees

  
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tnis0612
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Jan 25, 2012 10:19 |  #14

Good advice from everyone so far..i'll add one thing...

Focus on focus...you don't have to nail the exposure..or the composition, those things can generally be fixed in post processing if you got it close...but you HAVE to nail the focus. Shoot with a narrower aperture than you otherwise might for things that have sufficient light or if you're using flash.


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digital ­ paradise
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Jan 25, 2012 11:21 |  #15

http://www.digital-photography-school.com …eur-wedding-photographers (external link)

http://redtiephotograp​hy.blogspot.com …dy-to-become-wedding.html (external link)

http://www.dpchallenge​.com/tutorial.php?TUTO​RIAL_ID=51 (external link)

http://www.knotforlife​.com …s/photography-poses.shtml (external link)

http://www.wedpix.com …ing-with-on-camera-flash/ (external link)


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first wedding, in over my head
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