Balancing shooting and fun as a guest

Hi,

Honestly, this is the first wedding i will be attending ever. Not just as a photog but ever (never been to one before as a guest or family member either).

My girlfriend's older sister is getting married this saturday and I would like nothing more to take pictures while I am there, as practice for myself.

My girlfriend is afraid i'll spend more time behind the camera then as her date.
And as much as I enjoy spending time with her, I don't get chances like this to practice everyday so I do want to shoot some of the wedding.

Any tips for the first time guest, balancing shooting the off moments the hired guy will miss and putting the camera down so i can hit the dance floor (not by choice..haha)?

Kit:
40d
35L
135L
70-200 f/4 IS
18-55 kit lens(i still use it for the 18mm FOV)

Hopefully i get my light stands and gear so i can use my 580exII off camera (or should i just bounce?)

Will anyone else be photographing the event? (edit: re-read your post)

My only tip at the outset is keep the camera close, never know when a photo-op will pop up, or when you'll need to use it as an excuse for not doing something else!

sayn3ver wrote in post #6499980
Hi,

Honestly, this is the first wedding i will be attending ever. Not just as a photog but ever (never been to one before as a guest or family member either).

My girlfriend's older sister is getting married this saturday and I would like nothing more to take pictures while I am there, as practice for myself.

My girlfriend is afraid i'll spend more time behind the camera then as her date.
And as much as I enjoy spending time with her, I don't get chances like this to practice everyday so I do want to shoot some of the wedding.

Any tips for the first time guest, balancing shooting the off moments the hired guy will miss and putting the camera down so i can hit the dance floor (not by choice..haha)?

Kit:
40d
35L
135L
70-200 f/4 IS
18-55 kit lens(i still use it for the 18mm FOV)

Hopefully i get my light stands and gear so i can use my 580exII off camera (or should i just bounce?)

Have fun but remember one thing. You are a guest so things such as light stands may get in the main photographers way and they usually do not like that considering they are getting paid. As a guest, do take photos but just keep in mind, someone is going to be moving round and needs as much space as possible.

I would take the 135L and 35L with flash since this will allow you to keep a bit of space and capture some hopefully awesome candids.

I've been a guest and a sideline shooter half a dozen times in the past year. I'd say 95% of the wedding's better images happen before the dancing ever starts. About the only thing you'll get once the dancing starts are dancing, drinking, and talking candids. You can get plenty of shots before the ceremony, during if you're quiet, after as they walk down the aisle, etc, all while sitting next to your date.

Most of the impressive shots shown here of the posed couple looking lovingly off into the flared sunset type are arranged carefully and done inbetween the ceremony and reception. You won't have a chance to shoot these as the photographer goes off with the wedding party.

Leave the lightstands and umbrellas at home. You'd have no use for them and they'd only be in the way of the pro and other guests.

Here is one I shot as a guest: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=529430

thanks for the advice.
I'll travel light and with soft footsteps.

Honestly you should listen to your girlfriend and take a few photos but just be here guest. You probably would not be there if it was not for your girlfriend, correct, then do what she asks and sit your self down.
As a wedding photographer I have seen many people who try to be photogs of the wedding and many times they tend to be problems for the couple. I let them do what they want, the bride and groom typically take quick notice that they are in the way and someone eventually has words with them---it is usually not me.
Contact wedding photogs and see if you can second shoot for them but sit your self down and be a guest.

I have been to a handful of weddings as a guest in the last year or two and it was quite nice to be a guest for a change! Try to be a guest more than a photographer but by all means take photos and watch the pros but make sure you keep out of the way of them.

just did a quick search and spent the last 40 minutes reading this thread...


"Photographers make terrible wedding guests..."
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=223321

I should have searched first before posting this thread anyways. I still think I will bring my camera but will probably only bring the two black lenses and no flash...and shoot a few from my seat. I am not a pro and have only been shooting for about year and a half as a hobby.

My g/f is obviously in the wedding party, so I will be sitting with her parents and her older brother's g/f during the ceremony.

I myself and somewhat more interested in getting pics of my g/f than trying to get "t3h sh0t"...

definitely will be leaving all lighting at home though and will probably try to chat with the photog before hand just so he knows where I stand. I am generally a shy, low key guy normally and more so with a camera in my hand because I don't like the additional attention drawn to me, somewhat self concious. But I like capturing emotions so its a trade off.

I met a refreshing team of professionals this weekend at my sister-in-law's wedding. My wife was in the wedding party so I was standing around during the posed shots after the ceremony. They noticed my gear and said I should come over and shoot their set-up shots as much as I like. I said no, but they insisted; so I shot around them and we spoke about gear and current wedding photo styles.

I've met a few nice wedding photographers but none that were so cordial and open. I normally would never duplicate the pro's shot.

You might want to take it from this point of view...

There are certain times when the Bride and Groom are the center of focus for everyone, and so it takes nothing away if your girlfriend's date (you) is off shooting photos at that time. There are other times when the B&G are incidental to the other events of the ceremony and celebration (like when guests are all seated in the church and everyone is simply waiting for the processional entrance of the bride, or when all the guests are dancing) when it is time to be visibly seen as 'your girlfriend's date' and meet her friends, etc. and also ward off maurading single guys out to meet single women (your date, dummy!) -- didja see the movie 'Wedding Guest'?

thanks all.

wilt, you make sense to me. haha.

Since your gf is in the wedding, definitely bring your gear. I'd also still bring a flash just to help get some pics of your gf when she isn't in the formals.

When I read your post, I think you should just go as her date and enjoy THAT experience.

But, you seem to really want to do this, so if you do, be sure to take about twice as many pictures of your date as anything else.

;}

35L and a flash on the camera is my advice, with the 18-55 in the bag. Nothing off camera.

I agree with what was said above about only shooting when the couple are the main focus, like during their first dance or cutting the cake. Maybe take some pictures of your girlfriend fighting for that bouquet. But also make sure you stay out of the paid photographer's way. Chat them up, too. I love talking shop when I'm not busy. I should be a salesperson for Canon, I always have people asking what kind of camera to buy!