Wedding Processional Question

I have been shooting weddings professionally for 3 years now, but this sometimes still poses a problem for me - getting processional shots & not getting in the way of the wedding party getting to their designated position. Anybody got a method that works for them?

I'm normally half way up the aisle on the end of a row. Somewhere I can get shots of the groom waiting at the same time. (which means I'm normally on the opposite side to the groom).

memoriesoftomorrow wrote in post #16558433
I'm normally half way up the aisle on the end of a row. Somewhere I can get shots of the groom waiting at the same time. (which means I'm normally on the opposite side to the groom).

Good idea. So you make sure a seat is reserved for you?

Michelle Brooks Photography wrote in post #16558505
Good idea. So you make sure a seat is reserved for you?

No. In a Church I normally have no problem squeezing in. Outside people rarely have more that 40-50 seats which means being by the back row is fine too.

I crouch at the end of the aisle, near the groom. I use continuous focus, which I find works really well on the D700.

Thanks, Tim

I'm just about where Tim is, though I don't crouch. If possible, I scout the ceremony location beforehand and offer suggestions about how far back the B+G+officiant zone is so that there is enough room for me to stand pretty much between the groom and the first row near the aisle. When the bride finally arrives I generally scoot off to the side a little to get the groom shaking hands with the FOB + the bride kissing her father. I then retreat up one of the side aisles and stake out my normal positions.

I generally shoot at chest height while on my knees, but never in the centre of the aisle. I'm usually off to the side so the bridal party walks right on past me while I continue shooting. I also use servo focus using all focus points. Works extremely well, even at f/1.2!

Been a while, good to see you again Michelle!

I usually crouch on opposite end of aisle to groom - and also try to get a reasonable "groom's reaction" type shot though the perspective can suck. A 2nd shooter at the back is better for this

I do the same until the guest with the ipad sticks her fat head into the aisle.

I start at the top of the aisle, get the bridesmaids, then bride as she enters....then head quickly to the front, snap a couple of the groom, then go back to the bride. Longer aisles work better

Thanks, guys! I think what I'm gonna try next time is to be at the end of the row closest to bride's side while groom & guys are entering, then switch to groom's side while bride/girls are entering. I've been staying pretty much on the bride's side the whole time, hence the problem with being in the way of the girls as they're getting in place.

And hey Lloyd, thanks for the shout out It's been a crazy busy year for me (which is great!) but I've missed spending time here!

Oh, & I also tried staying totally on the side once, not getting in the center at all - & ended up missing the little flower girl because she was shorter than the pew heights! :P

picturecrazy wrote in post #16559310
I generally shoot at chest height while on my knees, but never in the centre of the aisle. I'm usually off to the side so the bridal party walks right on past me while I continue shooting. I also use servo focus using all focus points. Works extremely well, even at f/1.2!

Been a while, good to see you again Michelle!

Interesting. Im always so afraid to use the "all focos points" setting as I feel like I might lost the subject and have completely out of focus subjects. It really works that well huh?

JakAHearts wrote in post #16564056
Interesting. Im always so afraid to use the "all focos points" setting as I feel like I might lost the subject and have completely out of focus subjects. It really works that well huh?

Well, it depends on the camera. I use all points (Ring of Fire) on my 1Dsmk3 and 1Dmk3. On my 40D, I use one shot on the centre point as it snaps into focus ridiculously quickly. You also gotta adjust your servo settings to optimize for a wedding processional. I set it to the lowest speed/sensitivity settings, that way it is much less likely to wander off the subjects. When you use all points, the camera takes focusing to the next level by detecting the general size and shape of the subjects, which is a lot of info to help keep focus on the subject. Therefore it is much less likely to be fooled by the background or something because it already knows which focus points do NOT fall upon the subjects. It engages it's initial lock using the centre point. From there, you can adjust your composition. I cannot speak for the 5D3 or 1DX as they may have changed the system for the new cameras.

If you know the exact technical details of how your camera works, it's very easy to shoot things successfully with little error. When I get a new camera, I spend a LOT of time studying the manuals. This kind of knowledge you cannot possibly learn from just going out and shooting.