So, you got a new EOS and wanna shoot weddings

Here are some places to begin your quest of insanity...

Do a google search on "wedding photography", etc, and STUDY the portraits and candids the pro's have mastered, read all the articles, and anything else you can find.

Use this forum search feature on the words "wedding", "ETTL", "FLASH", etc.

http://www.photography​-on-the.net/forum/search.p​hp

Now, here are some links to threads on this forum (found easily with the search feature) that should get you started on lenses, lighting, do's and don't's, and whatnot. There are quite a few professional wedding artists who frequent this forum, so there is much to be learned by reading what has already been addressed. Chances are, your question has already been asked, and fully answered a number of times.

Wedding Photography
http://www.photography​-on-the.net …t=27836&highlig​ht=wedding

LIGHTING FOR WEDDING
http://www.photography​-on-the.net …t=27510&highlig​ht=wedding

Using Flash (550EX) for Weddings
http://www.photography​-on-the.net …t=27621&highlig​ht=wedding

Wedding Photograpohy - my first
http://www.photography​-on-the.net …t=27060&highlig​ht=wedding

How Do I Get Into Wedding Photography?
http://www.photography​-on-the.net …t=27455&highlig​ht=wedding

wedding lens
http://www.photography​-on-the.net …t=26647&highlig​ht=wedding

I survived the wedding
http://www.photography​-on-the.net …t=25454&highlig​ht=wedding

accessory wedding photo tips...
http://www.photography​-on-the.net …t=24728&highlig​ht=wedding

D30 for wedding use ?
http://www.photography​-on-the.net …=23751&highligh​t=weddings


More Wedding Links

Free Tutorials - Monte Zucker at zuga.net
http://web.archive.org …reelessons/port​rait.shtml

Monte's commercial tutorials/videos:
http://www.montezucker​.com/content.html?page​=2


Good luck.

Yeah...You got your toys, read a couple of posts, may be a few lessons from the Interet, and voila...an instant wedding photographer. When you take your cousin's wedding photos, make sure that they know your level. Better yet, tell them to hire a pro, then shadow the pro, pay attention, and may be you can pick up a thing or two before attempting the real thing. If you intend to turn pro, there are other aspects of photography one needs to know before accepting your first commision such as contract, rate, style, basic business practices & ethics, customer satisfaction, responsibilities of a photographer, etc...just to name a few. Posing is an art that cannot be learned in 1 day, 1 wedding, or even 1 month. I've seen an explosion of messages lately in this theme "I got the camera, the flash, I can take a picture, what do I need to know for wedding photography?" Some poster's messages sounded like "Hey, show me the basics, I don't have time for a real classroom lesson, not even time to do my own search on the Internet on the subject, I want everything now without sweating a single sweat. OK?"
I'm not sure if message like this is a benefit to weddings or vice versa.

Regards,
Alan

As this question is asked about once every 3 days, this is a good sticky thread to have. Even one of my earlier threads ended up on the initial list. I'm famous.

Few things are more dissatisfying in life than deciding to shoot a wedding only to find that you aren't prepared - and no, I don't mean just having flash batteries and extra CF cards - I mean prepared as in having the photographic knowledge, equipment familiarity, practice, artistic flair, and situational awareness to be able to assess a shot and take it with full confidence that it is likely to be a winner.

I shot a wedding partially prepared - and produced results that, to me, show it. Yes, my sister (who really couldn't afford a pro) is happy with them, but the ratio of good to not good shots is way less than I would want. And, I blew a few important ones, even if I caught some just about right. In short, I wasn't satisfied with my results.

Which means that I've probably got the right attitude as far as work quality to be a wedding photographer. But I'm presently missing a few other pieces of the puzzle. I highly recommend that if you are considering shooting a wedding, you consider as many aspects of the task as you can. I hope this thread will illustrate some of those issues. It'll help me as well as anyone else.

I don't do weddings. Never will, but that is beside the point.

I do know to be a sucessful wedding photographer you must be a 'people' person. You must be able to put people at ease, and even if you are not confident, you must give the impression you are very competant.
Sure, the bride & groom will know your exact level of expertise but there is a good chance the guests won't and they are the ones to get you repeat business.

Tom mentioned attidude, and I believe that in the world of wedding photography attitude is equally as important as technical skill, and the perfect mix of both makes a good wedding photographer.

But what do I know, I try to avoid weddings

There is a three-person team of us who does weddings.

One guy shoots a medium format film camera. One guy shoots a Canon EOS digital camera. They are set up side-by-side. One assistant runs around helping to pose the subjects, so the assistant is the primary "people-person" in knowing who the mother-in-law is and all that. Sometimes, the assistant will see old Uncle Fred starting to manuver into the way. The assistant runs interference for the shooters to "accidentally" block him with a sun shade for the shooters or something like that.

Technically, the shooters are paying attention to the details of light and dark, and they compare notes about metering or problems as they appear. The assistant is sometimes off looking for that extra lens.

Further, three of us work as a team in moving equipment around and guarding the valuables. One shooter can carry only so many tripods and cameras.

---Bob Gross---

In putting this thread together, it was my intention (or hope rather), that the new dSLR owner with the illusion of grandeur of being an "instant wedding photographer, just add CF card" would actually take the time to read the forum links and COMPREHEND that there is far more to being a wedding photographer than just pointing a camera and snapping pictures. If one reads all the information listed, he or she will undoubtedly find a balanced combination of reality check vs. extremely useful information.

The simple fact of the matter is that a PROFESSIONAL makes what he/she does look easy. We only see the smooth golf swing of Tiger Woods followed by the ball landing withing six feet of the cup; or the caress of David Sanborn's hands on the sax as he cajoles virtuoso passages from his instrument with seemingly effortless precision; or the stockcar drivers whizzing around the track within inches of each other at 200 mph with the appearance of a synchronized swim team.

What we don't see is the countless hours of practice, study, paying of dues, more practice, more study, more paying of dues. We don't see the hundreds of mental calculations occuring virtually instantaneously through the wealth of knowledge drawn from that pool of experience comprised from the hours of practice, study, and paying of dues.

The same holds true with the professional wedding photographer. I would imagine that if we were to watch Bob's three man team doing their job, it would appear as flawless as clockwork to us, the casual observers. It would be relatively easy to draw the erroneous conclusion that what they are accomplishing with relative ease is actually easy. We wouldn't see the mental calculations and preemptive adjustments preceding that effortless snap of the shutter and comforting pop of the flash.

I would also imagine that if anyone were to watch the three man team of MediaMagic, Scottes, and IanD, working our wedding, we'd resemble the Three Stooges at the zenith of their comedic career (no offense meant my fellow Brothers In Photography). The point is, even with our combined experience of probably 30 or more years, we couldn't just walk out and say "we're going to shoot weddings" and have it be thusly so. We could pull it off, be we'd have to study and practice first. There is no such thing as instant gratification when it comes to professionalism, regardless of the chosen field.

So, if you, the aspiring wedding photographer, are serious about becoming professional, you can probably accomplish that goal with time, study, and practice. Just realize what your reality truly is and don't dupe yourself (and your potential clients) with fantasy.


Again, good luck.

My tip?
Never refer to anyone as Bridezilla...

Let's hope that your message prevails. I cringe at every message asking "which of these, either the 28-80mm or the 70-200mm, would be a wedding picture lens?" or this "Im getting ready to do my first wedding and Im wanting to know what the best settings would be for my X camera" (These are quote from actual questions I saw from one forum or another.) I have the feeling that there will be more of these questions popping up as cameras get better and cheaper.

Regards,
Alan

Purchased a digital SLR .. decided to become a “professional� .. decided to shoot weddings … my advice … carry lots of liability insurance! Brides WILL sue

Seriously … find a pro … learn … practice and practice and practice some more.

http://www.carlsbad-photography.com/weddin​g.html


Dan …

Bwhahahahahahaha

My tip . . .

Spend at least a year as an "assistant" to a wedding photographer.
Watch and learn, ask questions, see if shooting a wedding sounds like
something you would like to do (as the photographer).

Also, take your camera and flash to family gatherings, parties, any place where yuo can take pics without being held responsible. GET TO KNOW YOUR CAMERA backwards and forwards. See how good you do without any preassure. Get REALLY good with indoors and outdoor shots AND with FLASH / Non-flash shooting of people dressed mostly in Black and White.

Then, have at least ONE backup piece of equipment for EVERY peice of equipment you have, bodies, flashes, battery packs, lenses, strobes, etc.

Then, find someone willing to let you shoot their wedding for cost of film / developing (or even for free). Shoot it. See how it feels. SEE THE RESULTS.... Ask yourself, would you pay for the quality of the photos you took if they were for you?

Decide if you like to shoot weddings and if you are ABLE to shoot them...

Go from there.

Then again - don't get scared. I shot my first ever wedding last week. I enjoyed it and got a fair result.

Normally, these days, I make large landscape prints. I was approached by a couple via the gallery which represents me. Initially I said no ("I just don't know how to do weddings") - but they pursued me and I liked them. So I agreed - first making clear to them that I had absolutely no experience shooting weddings. Then had a chat with a paparazzi friend who sometimes does celeb weddings. He told me to make sure that I got some key group shots - around which the rest of the sequence could be based.

They said they were looking for a "reportage" (ish) style. That they found traditional group shots embarrassing. I've shot reportage, a good few years ago, on movie sets. So I took the job. Again making clear that my work came with no guarantees. I said I'd do it for costs + time and that if they didn't like the pictures then they would have it for free. And I suggested to them that a few (posed) group shots, still basically informal, would probably be a good idea - and that their relatives and friends would probably appreciate that - in the future. Kind of like a few team photos.

I took along my step lader and did a whole group shot so that there would, at least, be one good image. Followed up my some group shots of the bride and groom with their respective groups of friends (after they had relaxed with a few glasses of champagne).

I think it went okay. I showed my pictures to a local firm of pro photographers and they took me on as a freelancer. (Felt strange having my work assessed by a late - middle aged woman who knows what the man and woman in the street want typically ... as opposed to a typical gallery or art school audience). And frankly I need some extra work because I have spare time - and print sales aint making me enough money this year.

I totally accept all of the suggestions and warnings that everyone has made on this and other wedding threads. You have to be honest if you have no experience. On the other hand - if you can see pictures, can think through a process and are confident with people, can take control, and can make them laugh - then shooting a wedding is little different from shooting any other event. Provided you are technically competent (know when to bounce your flash etc and know your kit). You'll be basically shooting compositions which you have shot (or seen) before. Just in a different setting.

All that said I'm kind of looking forward to assisting some wedding pros (in my spare time initially) - because (after 15 years of thinking that traditional wedding photography is rather boring) I now realise that I can learn something new from these photographers. I've asked (advised) the local firm to not send me on any formal shoots until I've assisted for a while ... and to only send me, for now, as a 2nd photographer / assistant - or "reportage" only. But the lady told me that I had shot the essential elements and composed the images well. Actually - shots I thought were rather ropey ... she thought were perfectly okay. I enjoyed her feedback and the local firm has over 100 years as the main company in the little place where I live. My standards seemed to be higher than hers. But I enjoyed her feedback because it was a good test of my ability to switch into a straight forward commercial way of thinking.

Incidentally - I normally shoot 6x9cm neg film for my landscape work ... but for the wedding I used 2 x 300d (Rebel Digital) bodies with the kit lenses and 550 flash units mounted offset on cheapo brackets. Having two identical kits allowed me to overcome the problems of the slow buffer. I just switched between the two cameras. I had the flash units set to + 2/3 and shot RAW - to overcome the well documented exposure problems of the 300d.

I had an FM2 and a Nikkomat loaded with print film and a Metz 45 in my second bag, in the car, just in case I suffered total equipment failure.

I really enjoyed it. My normal work is so personal. People either buy it or not. And I'm normally in my own little abstract world when making pictures. But shooting a wedding allowed me to show that I can also use what I've absorbed along the way (both technically and with respect to composition / pre seeing pictures). It was good fun. And I enjoyed switching into a different way of thinking.

My opinion is that if you are a good photographer (ie you can make the pictures which you see in your head as you look at a scene) and are technically good -- then a wedding is no different from anything else. You just have to be very relaxed (and take yourself right - down). So you are just looking for great images - basically pictures you have taken or seen before in other settings. Sleep well the night before, be relaxed and confident, and have a good breakfast / brunch.

The woman at the local company told me that non formal pictures are the way ahead - what more and more people currently want. That more and more people want a "reportage" style.

I really enjoyed my first wedding.

Convincing someone to go through all the research, training, practice, apprentership, etc., before they get into weddings is like telling your 2 year old not to touch something because it's hot. And for every newbie photographer you convince that they really don't want to just start doing weddings because they got the same camera that so many others are using to do weddings, there are going to be 100 that won't listen and will do it anyway.

And to be honest, I don't think it matters. I know a lot of active wedding photographers talk about how these newbies are ruining it for the industry, how they are giving the "real" wedding photographers a bad name, how their doing it for free or charging very little, is going to ruin it for those that charge thousands more. But you know, it seems like people still get married and they are still hiring the high priced Pros. And there are still newbies doing their first wedding every day... and yes, some of them really blow it. Some never get their prices above $400 for a complete wedding. Some do take business away from the high priced guys. That's life in any market and wedding photographers don't have a monopoly on it.

So more power to the guys and gals that are willing to take the chance. They will either grow and succeed from it or they won't. But if a poll could be taken, I bet you will find very few successful photographers today that went through all that they say the beginners should go through before they try to make it as a professional photographer. And they made it without ruining it for the Pro's before them.

Mike

Did it, advice..DONT DO IT. The bride, the kids, the reception that never gets going.....Garters at midnight.....Unbelieva​ble bordom waiting for these hahoos to get their crap together. Bizzare rituals some families have. I have done the photography and have DJed them.. I learned. No amount of money is worth it. A drunk brides maid helps on occassion, But nothing dulls the depression of a wedding. Yes I'm married...16 years (sob, wimper). Shoot funerals, just as depressing without all the complaining.

Well, its time to resurrect the old thread again! Yes, I've got another wedding to do in September. At least this time, I'll be accustomed to the camera and the ceremony. In fact, I'm so far ahead of where I was last time, that I'll probably be overconfident and blow the whole shoot.

This one should fall somewhere between family and business, so it will be a paying venue, but not likely as "paying" as I'd like. Still, it'll put me into the business side of things and that has some advantages (and disadvantages).

Y'all helped me a great deal last time, and this thread has so much good information that I should be able to work this one out even better this time, using what I've learned and what I'm about to learn as I review all the above links.