Re-enacting key moments for wedding after ceremony

Recently I was having a discussion with another photog about his procedure for wedding ceremonies. Now, I haven't shot a wedding so I don't have a frame of reference, so bear that in mind.

I asked him his procedure for wedding ceremonies...how he made sure to get the key moment shots like ring exchange, first kiss, etc. He indicated that quite often he wouldn't worry about it too much because he would recreate or re-enact those shots after the ceremony and that it was common practice for wedding photographers. Is this true?

NewCreation wrote in post #16745040
I asked him his procedure for wedding ceremonies...how he made sure to get the key moment shots like ring exchange, first kiss, etc. He indicated that quite often he wouldn't worry about it too much because he would recreate or re-enact those shots after the ceremony and that it was common practice for wedding photographers. Is this true?

Not in my world it isn't. I've never recreated anything from a ceremony.

memoriesoftomorrow wrote in post #16745042
Not in my world it isn't. I've never recreated anything from a ceremony.

Thanks. I thought it strange but since I don't have a frame of reference I thought I'd ask. It seems to me that the bride (at least) would want to know that the "first kiss" WAS the first kiss.

No It is not common practice to do this.

However

I have, on very rare occasions, staged some of the processional shots for dad and the bride walking down the isle. I have had a couple where every shots the eyes were closed, the expressions were horrendous and they photos just didnt look acceptable to me. So i staged them. Both clients were happy i made the decision to do this. So this was 2 out of approx 175 weddings that i did this to.

Thats the beauty of digital. Old days with film------Yikes

That makes sense. I believe I would do the same. This photog pretty much indicated that he planned to redo those shots. I guess given his technique, one could actually do the shots before the ceremony.

NewCreation wrote in post #16745040
Recently I was having a discussion with another photog about his procedure for wedding ceremonies. Now, I haven't shot a wedding so I don't have a frame of reference, so bear that in mind.

I asked him his procedure for wedding ceremonies...how he made sure to get the key moment shots like ring exchange, first kiss, etc. He indicated that quite often he wouldn't worry about it too much because he would recreate or re-enact those shots after the ceremony and that it was common practice for wedding photographers. Is this true?

I would only recreate if I had no choice. Most people are terrible actors so it wouldn't be anywhere near the same as the natural, first-time go. I wouldn't stage, interrupt, or pose any of the micro-events that occur during a wedding.

cdifoto wrote in post #16745064
I would only recreate if I had no choice. Most people are terrible actors so it wouldn't be anywhere near the same as the natural, first-time go. I wouldn't stage, interrupt, or pose any of the micro-events that occur during a wedding.

Another very good point. I hadn't thought about it, but you're right. There is nothing like the emotion of the real thing.

There have been times where I have staged certain activities, but it is very rare. Most (aka 99%) of weddings follow the same basic structure, so it's not too hard to know what is coming next.

So I guess my original thought that it was kinda unusual was correct. At first blush, I thought well I guess that takes the pressure off. Then I started thinking that it didn't sound right.

He had also said something about fiddling with focus during those times and the moment could be missed. I guess that should've been my first clue.

NewCreation wrote in post #16745406
So I guess my original thought that it was kinda unusual was correct. At first blush, I thought well I guess that takes the pressure off. Then I started thinking that it didn't sound right.

He had also said something about fiddling with focus during those times and the moment could be missed. I guess that should've been my first clue.

To me it harkens back to the cheesy days of yore when the photog would stop the couple and have them smile like idiots during every "moment" because he was shooting film and that was the safe thing to do.

cdifoto wrote in post #16745421
To me it harkens back to the cheesy days of yore when the photog would stop the couple and have them smile like idiots during every "moment" because he was shooting film and that was the safe thing to do.

Argh! Now that you mention that, he did say that he would sometimes motion to the couple during the ceremony to smile more. Gah! So many things add up wrong. lol

Not typical. I go with the flow of whatever is happening.

Once, just once, I had to recreate the ring exchange. A cell phone photographer stood up right in front of me at the worst possible instant.

"Back in the day", this was commonly done. We recreated the ceremony when I got married in 1980. When I first started shooting, in the late 80's, it was not uncommon to do this for things like the ring exchange as we were more frequently limited to the back of the church.

Now, it's practically never done.

I think staging happens more then people are admitting too. As an example have you seen shots of the bridesmaids that look just fantastic. You know all the bouquets are at the exact same level. That just doesn't happen in real life.

Stage if it serves a purpose otherwise don't. The reason I would say don't worry is that I can stage.

Last time I staged a picture was the kiss. See the groom put his hand lovingly on her face to kiss her. But in the picture her face was completely covered. Its what happened but I know they would be unhappy with that shot so I staged the kiss and later they got the staged pictures. Probably unaware of the gaff.