The Background
I received a call from Will Smith's agent one day, while being flown on my personal Lear jet to meet with Brad and Angelina for brunch. Don't believe me, huh? Ok, there are no celebrities in this one. The real story goes something like this.
Not long ago, I developed a great interest in photographing people and so decided to take up portrait and event photography professionally. I learned about the ways of the f-stop very well, but where I lacked was in application in the real world. So I was faced the age old question that faces a novice: How can you land a job without experience and how do you get experience without a job? My options were to a) start with small jobs - assistant, second shooter, etc. - and slowly gain momentum, or b) offer my services for free and just start shooting. Being in the situation of having more money than time, I chose option b, knowing that I would be getting something much more valuable out of it than money: The intangible know-how that isn't found in a book, and also some content for my portfolio.
Over the next few months, I shot mostly on location portraits, a few corporate parties (for which I was paid, despite my offer to shoot free), and a very small wedding which I started a thread about some time in March of this year. Then one day, I received a reply to my advertisment offering free photography services. It was from a wedding planner and I was asked to shoot an upcoming wedding. The ceremony and reception was to be at same location, and that they would want me to get the groom's preparations beforehand. I happily agreed to work the full day and the date was secured. The schedule of events arrived in my inbox sometime later, along with the locations and contact information for the day. I would not meet the bride and groom until their wedding day.
The Groom's House
The day finally arrives. Having prepared my equipment the night before, I woke up on the day of the wedding ready and eager to begin. I packed my gear in my shiny new Pelican 1614 and made my way to the grooms house at about 11 AM. Not knowing for certain when I would eat, I had a big meal just before I arrived. I also had packed nuts and fruits in my car as backup.
I pulled up to the address I was given, which was a house in the suburbs. A young man was hunched over a car in the driveway, enthusiastically washing a sedan with New York plates with an oversized soapy sponge. He noticed me and gave me a knowing smile and I knew then that it was the groom. I shook his hand and introduced myself. "I know, I shouldn't be out here doing this", he said. "I should be getting ready for the wedding." I was quite amazed at his nonchalant attitude. He invited me into the house and then offered me a drink. After politely refusing, he headed upstairs to shower and I began to look around the house for some photo ideas.
I had brought the 24-70L and 24L II with me, along with a flash, not knowing which lens I would need. I also brought my 60/60 combo (60D with 60mm macro). Thinking back, I think I would have been better off bringing just the 24L for group and context shots, and the 60mm macro for the details and tight shots. I started taking shots of the flowers, the tuxedos, the ubiquitous liquer bottles, and also the rings. Now the groom's ring was with the bride, and the bride's was with the groom, so I was unable to get them together. As a results, I decided to shoot the engagement and wedding ring together, just for practice. Members of the wedding party wandered the house, also dressing for the day so I captured some of those moments - usually with a flash in my left hand as a key light. When the groom's parents were ready, we took some group shots and then made our way to the chapel.
The Chapel/Hall
So far, the day was progressing swimmingly. I find the venue and turn in toward the parking lot. The best man and groom had picked up the wedding cake on their way and were already parked. The groom took the cake into the hall. I opened my trunk to retrieve my gear, when I hear an expletive originating from the best man's mouth. He had locked the keys to the rental car inside the car! To make it worse, the tuxedo jacket were inside!! What to do now? We frantically looked inside and around the car for the keys. Nothing. I suggested a locksmith as the panic in him swelled. Just then, the groom came back, keys in hand. Disaster averted.
I took my lightstands and monolights into the hall, then went back to my car for my cameras. There was ample time before guests would start arriving so I decided to take some wide shots of the room and of the chapel, which was one floor above. Out comes the tripod and the 10-22mm. Just then, the groom and best man ask me if I have something to secure the swags, as the fastener had broken off. Duct tape to the rescue! Now, back to work. Live view, f/8, ISO 100, MLU - all the goodies for some nice, sharp picutres. A bunch of detail shots and upstairs to the chapel I go. Beautiful though it was, I couldn't help but notice the outer wall was almost entirely stained glass, wreaking havok on the light and mockng my poor little WhiBal card into submission.
The people began to arrive and the anticipation was building. I was wearing my Cotton Carrier vest and holster, with two gripped 5Ds - one mounted with the 24-70 and the other mounted with the 70-200. No flash and ISO at about 1600. Despite my large size, I managed to move around rather unobtrusively.
The bride arrives. I make my way outside where the limousine has pulled up. Until now, I hadn't wondered why I was asked to cover the groom's preparations instead of the brides. I had just assumed that it was because she lived far from the venue. But then I saw it - another wedding photographer!
To be continued tomorrow...
