Catholic Church Wedding HELP!

I've been contracted to shoot a wedding at a catholic church this Saturday April 12. I just spoke with the bride and was informed of the church's photography limitations: no moving, no flash photography. Here's my dilemma and where I ask for help: I am shooting with a 5D & 24-105mm lens. I'm pretty sure the ISO 800 or 1000 will be OK but I'm concerned with the lens. Do I need a bigger zoom? Should I try to get my hands on a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens? I checked some online lens rental sites and none have it available or can't get it to me before Saturday.

Aside from the lens dilemma, any other advice tips from those who have shot in a Catholic Church? Also, does anyone have an online gallery of a catholic church wedding I can view?

Thanks!

Why don't you stop by and go into the church and check out the situation? Then you can evaluate first hand what you'll need. Most churches come in all sizes.

It's too far from where I'm at to just drive over there.

There might be a candle lighting ceremony thrown in the mix somewhere so be prepared to 'move' for that.

Nice combo you have there but where's the "Uh Oh gear"? The backups if your lens/camera craps out? Best of luck and may the "Errors" be few - if any.

How much of the wedding are you covering? Just the ceremony, or pre-wedding and reception as well?

stunt4949 wrote in post #5295100
It's too far from where I'm at to just drive over there.

Really? For a paying job, you don't seem to want to go out of your way. Anyway, why are you waiting until the last minute to check for appropriate equipment? TBH, you should have a complement of lenses (zooms, primes, etc) to choose from to suit the venue and the positioning of the bride/groom/priest and the wedding party. And you won't know what you'll need until you scout the location. A second body is also recommended, as well as extra batteries and plenty of CF cards. Lotsa luck.

argyle wrote in post #5295207
Really? For a paying job, you don't seem to want to go out of your way. Anyway, why are you waiting until the last minute to check for appropriate equipment? TBH, you should have a complement of lenses (zooms, primes, etc) to choose from to suit the venue and the positioning of the bride/groom/priest and the wedding party. And you won't know what you'll need until you scout the location. A second body is also recommended, as well as extra batteries and plenty of CF cards. Lotsa luck.

It might seem like I'm waiting to the last minute but I just got the brides info today for me to contact her. I recently got my 5D (upgraded from a 10D) so my lens collection is not as vast. With my 10D I had plenty of lenses (not Canon glass though) but those lenses don't work well with a full frame. I am slowly (maybe a little too slowly) building my glass array up.

I do have plenty of batteries and CF cards, but it's the fact that this will be my first Catholic church wedding that I'm trying to be very prepared.

See if someone will 2nd shoot with you. They can help with with backup and might have different lens choices. Bring a tripod since you can't move anyway. Expect to get banished to the balcony or somewhere out of the way. Many Catholic churches do not allow photography during the Mass. They allow it during the processional and recessional. Good luck!

As someone else suggested try to get a second shooter. If not, make it VERY clear to the couple that your shots for the ceremony will only be from the designated area. Some Catholic churches do allow some staged shots in the the church after the ceremony (ie. ring exchange/kiss/etc.), so find this out.

If I were you, I would shoot from the back so that you can get the bride/dad coming in, the bride/groom walking out and some overall shots during the ceremony.

The Catholic weddings I've done was always with a partner. I would be at the back (had more freedom) getting the shots I've suggested. I have two bodies one with a wide angle zoom (very capable 28-135IS, now 24-70L) and the other with the 300 2.8IS, sometimes with the Canon 2x TC, either on a monopod or tripod. We were able to use flash during the procession and recession. My partner usually had to stay at one area by the front and off to the side, from there he would try to get some shots of the parents/kids/etc.

Good Luck!

I'm not sure if this would help, but if I were in this situation, the most ideal would still be to visit the location.

But first, I would google the church's name and location. Some churches have their own websites, and if they do, they might have a photo gallery. Alternatively, google 'Wedding/Easter/Christ​mas at SAID Chruch' and see if that turns up anything.

If it were me, and I really cannot find any photos of the church at all, I would then call the office or speak to the bride and ask as many questions about the layout of the church, lighting conditions etc, or ask if I can be put in touch with anyone who has had their ceremony in that church recently. Explain your predicament and ask nicely if you could see some of their pictures. Basically, I would look for any info that I could use to draw some sort of hazy mental map without having to leave my home (since you mentioned that it's too far for you to just drive out there and there might not be enough time left).

Having said that, and going by the 'rules and guidelines', I suspect the priest is very particular and wants photographers totally out of the way.

I would be prepared, since this is a paying job. Having no idea of the church layout and lighting conditions, I would pack at least 2 (or even 3) bodies, 2 wide to medium (a bit more on this later), a fast 50mm and 85mm or 100mm as well as a 70-200 2.8IS besides a good tripod, as well as flash for later use after the procession/group shots etc.

One or even two camera(s) would be set-up on tripods strategically near the alter and on the other side from where I am, with a wide to medium lens and the other the fast 85 or 100mm prime, on a tripod/tripods and hooked up with a remote radio shutter release(s) that I can fire from where ever I am relegated to. The remaining body I carry, along with all the other lenses. That gives me at least two or three different vantages without upsetting the priest, and proceedings. Remote cams are great if for any reason you can't get a 2nd or 3rd photographer.

Can you get budget for rental of extra bodies and such?

But that's just me. I still have two days before the wedding.

All the best for this demanding assignment.

stunt4949 wrote in post #5295100
It's too far from where I'm at to just drive over there.

Google the church. Maybe they have a website with pics.