uh-oh...what have I done? HELP MEEEEE!

Hey gang,

so I randomly found out about a girl who's getting married this weekend and emailed her saying I'd love to be sort of a back-up shooter (for free), just to get my feet wet (done a LOT of professional photography, but almost all as a news photographer...never done a wedding before). Anyways...she wants me to be the sole PAID photographer...

sooooooo lay some advice on me. PLEASE Any advice...go into as much detail as you like, equipment, photo ops, whatever...I'm all ears!!!

Thanks a lot

btw: equipment I'd be taking: my 20D with the Tamron 17-50 f2.8, the 30D with the 70-200 f4L, I'll take my flash and I do have access to several flashes I could use as a slave (just steal the paper's ). And I could probably take an off-shoe cord...that's about it for equipment.

THANKS
-Tamas

ok...my two cents...since you are 'experienced' with a camera-

just shoot the event like you were covering a news story. 'Document' the 'story' and since you're not paying for rolls of film, just shoot away and enjoy. I bet you'll come up with some good stuff.

If you were called out to shoot some awards presentation in town for the paper. you'd know what to do for the group/formal shots at the wedding. Just think of it as a 'news story' and cover every angle.

That's what i'd do.

C'mon - you've done this stuff before. You've got the equipment. You know the equipment.

There is no reason at all you won't turn out pictures that they will be thrilled with - non photographers don't hold us to the same standards we hold ourselves. I'm not suggesting your pictures won't be absolutely great, just saying that even if afterwards you feel like you could have done better that won't ever occur to them.

I'm about to start doing weddings too, so I completely understand your apprehension - I'm sure it'll go fine. I can highly recommend "Professional wedding photography" by Damien Lovegrove - it is very complete and gives you loads of useful insight into how an experienced wedding pro plans and schedules a day, along with the kind of shots that sell well etc.

Paul

Sounds like you're well-positioned to deliver PJ coverage (or not... depends what sort of work you've been doing for the paper)

There's a FAQ about this on here somewhere. Find it. Read it.

thanks guys...appreciate it...that's a good idea to just cover it like a news event haha....I've shot everything for the paper from fatal bus crashes to graduation ceremonies

I don't think I"ll have much trouble with the candid stuff...posing, on the other hand, I HATE HATE HATE (haha...that's the PJ coming out )...any ideas for good/captivating poses? (in addition to the "everyone stand in line and smile/now everyone make a silly face" stuff haha)

I'm thinking of getting on top of a ladder/truck/2nd storey balcony and having like the bridesmaids form a circle holding hands with the bride in the middle, looking up

You have some good ideas, I am sure that you will do just fine.

How about do an engagement session with the mindset of a dry run. Then go over the photos with them so you can fine tune what they want that day.

heyyyy that's not a bad idea...I'll see if they have time

btw: love that flash bouncing stuff in your sig haha

I would make it very clear to the couple that you have never shot a wedding before, never ( in fact don't like ) canned posing shots and are not quite sure of yourself. Be honest with them. Give them a chance to get another photographer if they don't feel comfortable with your wedding photography abilities. I know how to take a great landscape image, but I sure don't know how to shoot a wedding. Yes, I can get some candid shots and have at weddings ( not main shooter ), but I sure cannot produce those posed images like the pros.

I've made it completely clear to them that I'm a news photographer who's good at that, but I have NO experience whatsoever in weddings (told them this would be my first one).

In fact, my initial contact with them was simply saying "hey, saw you're getting married, can I tag along and shoot it. I won't charge a penny and you can use whatever you like 'cuz I want the experience/portfolio material."

She said their photog so far was just a friend who likes taking pics as a hobby but is very unsure of herself as a wedding shooter and that if I'm interested they'd get me to do it and pay me...but yeah, I've been 100% honest and up-front about what I wanted (not money, just experience) and what I had to offer.

well, the other photog bailed so I'm on my own lol...meeting up tomorrow for coffee...keep the excellent comments going!!!

I suggested a pre-shoot tomorrow night

I would also suggest you attend the rehearsal the night before...get an idea of how the services will flow...what to expect...check out location options for various shots in the service. Check with them and the minister on flash policy, etc. I used to perform the ceremonies...now I shoot them so I usually have a pretty good feel for what to expect. But by all means, go the night before, look over the program and know what to look for and when.

Definately get a "shot list" so that they dont come back saying you missed my great aunt after the shoot.

And try to have spare equipment just in case the unthinkable happens!

Catching Up: Yeah, I'm going to ANYTHING I possibly can (shoot tonight or tomorrow just the two of them and whatever rehearsal they may have...)...thanks, it's great advice.

neil: yeah...I'm going with 2 bodies, 3 lenses and an arsenal of flashes (probably 3 or 4 lol...one on each body and some spares/remotes)...yeah​, it's a lot of stuff, but I'm used to carrying two bodies, two lenses and a flash for assignments, so it won't be that much different than my journo work