Shooting Weddings Solo

I shot my second wedding this past Saturday by myself and had a few challenges that someone with an assistant might not have had. While I plan to find an assistant in the future, I will be shooting without one for the next little while so I'd like to know how those of you soloists handle these challenges. I know most or all of these have been covered before, but I didn't find a topic like this via search.

1. How do you photograph both the bride and groom preparations? Do you stagger sessions? Cut them shorter? Omit one?
   
   
   
2. How do you handle off camera lighting? Do you bounce your hotshoe-mounted flash? Hold your flash in your free hand and use triggers? Some other method?
   
   
   
3. Do you set up monolights by yourself at the reception?
   
   
   
4. When your batteries and/or memory cards need replacing, how do you do it? Are your new batteries/cards on your person already or do you store them somewhere?
   
   
   
5. How do you manage switching lenses/cameras? Do you carry two bodies with you? Do you have pouches for holding additional lenses? If so, which products do you use?
   
   
   
6. If you are asked to perform some physical task that would require two hands, such as moving a table, do you agree to it? If so, what do you do with equipment?
   
   
   
7. Where do you store your equipment during dinner?
   
   
   
8. When there is a moment during the day that presents you with many great photo opportunities, of which you cannot capture all, what do you do? For example, the bride's parents start kissing passionately near the front of the hall and the flower girl and ring boy are smooching at the back. Who do you shoot? Ok, this probably never happens, but just thought I'd throw it in for fun.
   

1 - Stagger, focusing mainly on the bride because well...it's their day. And they often take much longer at getting ready than the guys.

2 - I both bounce on camera flash as well as use light stands and such depending on where I'm at. I try not to use flash on camera if at all possible.

3 - Yes, if they are needed.

4 - I have a belt with lens pouches and such and everything I need is right there with me.

5 - I use a Black Rapid double strap and have two bodies on me at all times. Plus the lens pouches mentioned above. I typically do not have to change lenses much.

6 - What am I doing moving a table? That's union work. Or the wedding coordinator's work.

7 - In my car. Everything I need for the places that I'm going is carried on my cameras or in my belt packs. The specialty lenses like the macro and other stuff are only out earlier in the day, or specific parts during the reception when there isn't anything going on. Sometimes I will leave stuff with the DJ's - I know quite a few of the DJ's and we help each other out so I'm not too worried about my stuff when I leave it with them.

8 - Shoot the kids, lol. You just have to be very aware of your surroundings and capture as much as you can. You can't get every moment that happens at a wedding, even with 2 photographers.

1. Stagger, guys first, more time with the girls after. Sometimes I shoot the guys at the venue or at a nearby area.
2. Use a bridesmaid or guest.
3. Yes, small stands and speedlites, I can do it in 5-7 minutes.
4. My bag locks and is chained somewhere. Batteries never need replacing as I use grips in camera and battery packs for flashes. Memory cards go into a very strong GEPE Cardsafe that goes in my pocket, is bright yellow, and has my details written on the outside with a label maker and the promise of a reward.
5. Two bodies all the time, big bag nearby. Much easier with an assistant.
6. Put equipment down.
7. In the locked bag, and beside me.
8. If you can't do it, let it go.

Assistants who shoot a little are invaluable.

1.If the locations are too far apart to cover them both before the ceremony then bridal prep takes priority if they have only paid for one tog. Get to the church early for some pics of the boys.

2. Cheetah light stand + pocket wizards.

3. Yes if needed, speed-lights on stands take about 1 min each.

4. LP-E6 can do 2,000+ shots on one charge, 2 cameras mean I have only changed batties once at a wedding. Flash batteries and memory cards you keep an eye on and learn to change them when its most convenient rather than when they absolutely need changing. Cards and tied to my person until they are backed up offsite.

5. Two bodies and a think tank retrospective 20 shoulder bag.

6. Put gear down or have it on my shoulder.

7. Next to me whilst I am eating my sarnie and making the honeymoon album

8. Scenario that you describe seems unlikely. If there are two different things happening focus on the one that's most important and/or shortest and then capture the other if its still happening. Follow the emotion, if your not seeing emotion follow the bride and groom. Don't dwell on what you miss, chances are you will miss less as you get more experienced as your anticipation of things happening improves.

I think you're overthinking this solo shooter thing a little too much. I don't do very many things differently when I am shooting alone versus with a second. My second may be off doing different things, but what I do remains the same.

1. I usually just shoot the bride. If they are both getting ready in the same place I may run to where the guys are for 5-10 images, but when booked solo I tell the bride that allows me to only capture her getting ready, not the groom. If she wants groom coverage and they are in a different place she'll pay for the second.

2. I rarely use OCF during the ceremony, just the reception. At a reception, if needed I will have my lights pre-set in my car so I just need to find the place to put them and set them up quickly. I use strobes with triggers. But since they are pre-set the day before it takes all of 2 minutes to set the stands. I may move them periodically throughout the reception but usually only once or twice and that can be done during a lull.

3. Yes. See #2.

4. On me. This doesn't change even if there are three of us shooting.

5. I use one camera and one lens for most of my weddings (5DII, 24-105mm L) so no lens swapping except maybe during getting ready I'll slap the 100 on for details. However, I carry my Janine King bag over my shoulder and I always keep my 100mm and my 50mm in there, along with my spare batteries. Again, this doesn't change even if I'm shooting with others. I'm always responsible for my own things and expect my second shooters to do the same.

6. I have never, ever been asked to move a table or any other furniture. If it's something light I'll just swing my camera over my shoulder (it's always on a strap) and help. Or put the gear down. Whichever is easiest at the time.

7. My back-up gear will either just stay at the seat if I have one assigned to me or under the DJ booth if I know the DJ. If I don't feel I'll need anything and it's close enough I'll lock some things in my car. I've never had anything stolen. If I ever do, I'm insured. I don't worry about that too much.

8. Whomever I am closest to or whatever I see first. Again, this goes along with #1 with making the bride aware that there are certain things a solo shooter will miss. If she cares, she'll hire the second.

Numenorean wrote in post #14400310
4 - I have a belt with lens pouches and such and everything I need is right there with me.

Which belt/pouch do you use? I ended up looping my belt through my 70-200 case to carry my third lens, but I'd be interested in a system that could hold some more items, like a speedlite for example.

Numenorean wrote in post #14400310
7 - In my car. Everything I need for the places that I'm going is carried on my cameras or in my belt packs. The specialty lenses like the macro and other stuff are only out earlier in the day, or specific parts during the reception when there isn't anything going on. Sometimes I will leave stuff with the DJ's - I know quite a few of the DJ's and we help each other out so I'm not too worried about my stuff when I leave it with them.

I think I should do this - get all my macro and wide angle shots done together since these shots can usually be taken at any time, then put them back in my trunk.

tim wrote in post #14400742
2. Use a bridesmaid or guest.

Great idea Tim. For just a couple of shots, I'm sure that they won't mind.

tim wrote in post #14400742
4. My bag locks and is chained somewhere. Batteries never need replacing as I use grips in camera and battery packs for flashes. Memory cards go into a very strong GEPE Cardsafe that goes in my pocket, is bright yellow, and has my details written on the outside with a label maker and the promise of a reward.

What type of bag is this? Does it hold all your gear and is it vulnerable to impact?

ThinkTank rolling backpack. Vulnerable to impact is hard to say. If you drop a tennis ball on it, no. If you crash a 747 into it, yes. In between, hard to say, but it gives some protection against bumps and knocks.

jonwhite wrote in post #14400931
3. Yes if needed, speed-lights on stands take about 1 min each.

That's pretty quick. I would be using monolights, but I suppose I can get them set up in under 10 minutes with practice.

jonwhite wrote in post #14400931
5. Two bodies and a think tank retrospective 20 shoulder bag.

So you wear your bag while shooting? I have the Retro 20 also but I don't think I'd want to carry it around while shooting.

jonwhite wrote in post #14400931
7. Next to me whilst I am eating my sarnie and making the honeymoon album

I just ready your blog post. What a great idea Jon! So you've been doing this for three years now?

PeaceFire wrote in post #14401229
2. I rarely use OCF during the ceremony, just the reception. At a reception, if needed I will have my lights pre-set in my car so I just need to find the place to put them and set them up quickly. I use strobes with triggers. But since they are pre-set the day before it takes all of 2 minutes to set the stands. I may move them periodically throughout the reception but usually only once or twice and that can be done during a lull.

What do you mean by pre-set? Is it just the power setting or do you mount the strobes & modifiers on the lightstands and keep them in the car?

PeaceFire wrote in post #14401229
6. I have never, ever been asked to move a table or any other furniture. If it's something light I'll just swing my camera over my shoulder (it's always on a strap) and help. Or put the gear down. Whichever is easiest at the time.

Just my luck, I was asked to do this by the groom's sister while I was heavily loaded. Hope it doesn't happen again!

Yup, I have my speelites mounted on the stands and ready to go. I just carry the stands in and set them up, shove the umbrellas into place, and I'm done.

I'm also a female. That could be why I'm not usually asked to move heavy furniture. I have been asked to help with floral arrangements and lace up a dress, though.

1) I work out the times so I can be with both and not miss important bits with either.
2) I don't bother with it
3) Again I don't use them
4) I get them out of my bag and swap them over
5) I carry 3 bodies, Black Rapid double R and a Crumpler Industry Disgrace. I also carry a backpack when moving between locations which has another 5 or 6 lenses in it.
6) Yes, I put my equipment down
7) My bag is by the DJ, the rest is on me as I don't stop working just because it is the dinner
8) It doesn't matter how many photographers you have you'll always miss something. I don't worry about it.

1. Stagger the sessions. If that's not possible, you can always fake the groom getting ready somewhere.
2. Light stand + trigger.
3. Yes. Takes 10 minutes or less.
4. I have never had to replace batteries for my speedlites. I have spare camera batteries in my bag that I carry with me.
5. 2 bodies and a Think Tank Lens Changer 3.
6. Sure, I would help out. I would put the gear down somewhere out of the way.
7. Either by the DJ/Band area, a closet, or another designated area as instructed by venue management.
8. It's impossible to capture every moment, so concentrate on the key ones. Whatever else you capture is just a bonus.

frugivore wrote in post #14401444
So you wear your bag while shooting? I have the Retro 20 also but I don't think I'd want to carry it around while shooting.

I just ready your blog post. What a great idea Jon! So you've been doing this for three years now?

Moving between locations e.g. down the path from church, going into the venue, moving around the grounds shooting the couples shots etc I wear my bag, if I am in one locaton for a while it will be at my feet. I have had 4 different bags since I started shooting weddings and went from a huge backpack to the ThinkTank 20 retrospective because I wanted to be more mobile.

Been shooting weddings a bit longer than that and we have been doing the honeymoon album since the start, we do it for all our weddings where we are there during the wedding meal which is most of them.

1. Depends on various things - how much time there is in total, how far apart they are (driving time) - but for the most part I'm shooting the bride only if they opt for a single photographer.

2. off-camera really means off-camera. Mount it on something. If it's on-camera, it's always bounced!

3. I setup all remote flashes regardless of whether I have a 2nd photographer or not. I have to make sure they're in their proper spots, proper angles, properly turned on and configured. If someone helps me set them up, I still double/triple check the setup

4. I always leave an extra set of batteries with every flash (always out of reach of course) so a change can happen quickly. Camera rarely needs batteries replaced (grip) and memory card will usually get replaced and stay on me all night (even the 2nd photog will give me his card right after a switch)

5. 2 bodies, and usually 35 + 85 or 35 + 70-200. I rarely need to change, but I might at various points for something specific (i.e. ring shot, etc..). I just go to my bag and make the change. I sometimes carry a lens pouch on my belt, but that's rare now

6. The only people that would ask something like this would be B&G, wedding party, or relative to B&G. They ask, I'm more than willing to help move stuff. But usually I'm the one asking things be moved, and I help there too. Put everything down and safely out of the way.

7. 1 camera on the table, in case something comes up and I need a quick shot. Bag and everything else will be nearby but out of the way.

8. Shoot the B&G. If their parents or someone's kids are kissing, B&G's expressions should be captured.

I appreciate the input everyone. Lots to think about. I will definitely be putting my strobes up next time. I had actually taken them to the reception this past wedding and noticed that it was pretty bright, so I thought I could get away without extra light. When the party started, not only did they turn off some of the lights, but half were tungsten and half were fluorescent. To compound the issue, they kept switching between the two during the night. I was constantly taking a picture of my gray card and setting white balance with each change, costing me a little time on the day, but saving me a headache in post.

frugivore wrote in post #14406697
When the party started, not only did they turn off some of the lights.

That's fairly standard practice at weddings, you get yourself all set up and dialled in for the first dance and they drop the lights just as the B&G hit the dance floor.