Calling all wedding photographers
Discussion
Please can I be your second shooter/assistant?
I'm photographing my first 2 weddings in September and as I don't want to ruin someones big day I'm desperately seeking some experience before I do so. If anyone's photographing a wedding sometime before September I'd be very grateful if I could pop along to see how it's done. Please let me know if you can help
I'm photographing my first 2 weddings in September and as I don't want to ruin someones big day I'm desperately seeking some experience before I do so. If anyone's photographing a wedding sometime before September I'd be very grateful if I could pop along to see how it's done. Please let me know if you can help
4Lmike said:
Please can I be your second shooter/assistant?
I'm photographing my first 2 weddings in September and as I don't want to ruin someones big day I'm desperately seeking some experience before I do so. If anyone's photographing a wedding sometime before September I'd be very grateful if I could pop along to see how it's done. Please let me know if you can help
You could try speaking to Simpo Two, I don't know what he'll say, but he's doing mine late August.I'm photographing my first 2 weddings in September and as I don't want to ruin someones big day I'm desperately seeking some experience before I do so. If anyone's photographing a wedding sometime before September I'd be very grateful if I could pop along to see how it's done. Please let me know if you can help
I don't have a problem with people watching me or shooting over my shoulder - guests do it all the time. However for me the issue would be clearing it with the couple - to contact any now and say 'Can this other bloke that I've never met follow me about?' is not something I'd feel it fair to ask.
I think the best thing is to get experience by actually doing one - in fact I had a acquaintance in with an Olympus E420 for two hours yesterday helping him find how to change the ISO and aperture. The funny thing was that in the past he's shot weddings on film, but 'going digital' had thrown him completely. Pop-up flash and JPG; gulp. I gave him as much advice as he was up to but after that, like going on stage, only he can do it.
ETA from your profile you know how a camera works so that's half the battle, just make up the rest
Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 27th July 12:22
Mike,
I would love to offer you something but I'm afraid I'm in the same boat as Simpo.
I made quite a lengthy post on tips for starting out with plenty of links etc, I have no idea how to find it again now unless you can search my posts but I know someone dragged it up again recently for me when the question was raised again.
Good luck, you'll either love it or hate it!
Feel free to contact me through my profile with any specific questions.
Matt.
I would love to offer you something but I'm afraid I'm in the same boat as Simpo.
I made quite a lengthy post on tips for starting out with plenty of links etc, I have no idea how to find it again now unless you can search my posts but I know someone dragged it up again recently for me when the question was raised again.
Good luck, you'll either love it or hate it!
Feel free to contact me through my profile with any specific questions.
Matt.
Edited by Muska on Wednesday 27th July 18:41
4Lmike said:
Thanks simpo. In that case, do you have any top tips for a beginner?
A bookful! But what advice do you think you need? As you can imagine this subject has cropped up more than once before and there are several threads where we've all chipped in with useful info; rather than type it all out again would you have a quick search? Cheers fella Would it help if you thought of the bride and groom as very slow cars that you can talk to?
gingerpaul said:
I'd have thought an important thing would be making sure the dress isn't overexposed, particularly in bright sunlight. Everything else can be fixed but if the dress is overexposed there's no easy solution.
That's certainly a major technical issue; bright sun is bad! But there are also issues of personal management and people management, knowing where to be and when etc. It gets down to trivial things such as 'never leave your tripod at the wrong end of the church' (though I never use one unless essential). I also never use lens caps or lens hoods; too much fiddle and things to drop and lose. Keep everything with you at all times otherwise you'll be leaving a trail of caps and dead batteries all over the place and probably never get them back. Appear calm at all times, even if you're not. Be nice to everybody, all the time: the scruffy herbert who arrives looking like a delivery driver mght be the bride's father. ETA: You also have to be a credit controller. If money is involved, get paid in advance. Sadly we live in a 'complaint society' and some people will use the slightest niggle to haggle a discount; others are actively dishonest and will lie and steal your work. It can and does happen.
Edited by Simpo Two on Thursday 28th July 09:50
I'm not a pro, but have been in the same boat as you when I was asked to do my neice's wedding. There are quite a few tutorials out on the 'Net so I won't try (poorly) to replicate that stuff. I can offer a few things which I learned from the experience which may be helpful.
PLAN AND PREPARE!
This is probably the most important for a first timer. I believe most wedding pros will spend good time on this also, but it's more important for a first wedding. The more you put into this at your leisure the less stressful the day will be (it will be relatively stressful anyway). There's quite a lot of "mechanical" stuff to do so that you can then focus on being more creative on the day.
e.g. Meet with the couple and understand what they're looking for in the final prints. Make sure you understand the detailed running order for the day (see best man/maid of honour/bride as necessary).
One good tip I received... The couple will often say they want "reportage" or "informal" these days and don't need formal shots. Believe this at your peril. They may "think" that they don't want group shots but what about when granny asks for a photo for her bookshelf? I believe in listening to clients, but you may need to gently nudge them towards a robust set of shots which will stand them in good stead later. "My" couple did love the informal shots but they did print and give to people formals as well.
Work out a shot list. You won't be completely governed by it, but you must know what shots you have to achieve and can then use this in your plan for the day. This should include VIPs that you MUST capture.
Visit the venues. I arranged time to see the Registry Office and met up with the reception venue manager. The latter was important because I was able to understand how the venue would be set up on the day even though it wasn't like that when I visited. It will also help you figure out where low light will be a factor so that you plan for the right technique. Take some test shots and think about where you will capture certain shots and backups if these locations aren't available on the day.
Find and scout a location for the shots of the couple between ceremony and reception.
Align your plan with the rest of the wedding plan. You need to make sure that you get sufficient time to get the shots they want. This is not straightforward as people do not think photographs take time. In my case, although I'd squared this with the bride, on the day I found out that the car was only booked for a certain time and we therefore had to leave the location much earlier. My backup of the hotel garden stood me in good stead.
Shooting solo is tricky for weddings. For example, you shoot the bride getting ready and leaving home, but you can't then shoot the groom's preparations. When the bride leaves home you need to get ahead and be ready to shoot her arriving at the venue. Get a few minutes head start and have your kit ready to go when you get to the venue.
Get what shots you can ahead of the day. For example, you'll probably want shots of shoes, dress, rings, invitations etc. These can be done beforehand and take pressure off on the day. Since you'll be shooting some close-ups of these things, it's time consuming to get good results.
You have to figure out how to be assertive on the day whilst not spoiling the fun and joy of the occasion. It's up to you to make sure that you can get to where you need to be and whatever/whoever you are shooting is in the right place.
This is particularly important for the group shots of course. Plan to bracket and shoot multiples of each group so that you can swap heads etc later (closed eyes) if needed.
Controlling other photographers - you will be surrounded by many others who will distract your subjects unless you plan time away from the guests or take a firm grip of the situation. You can of course politely remind them that the couple are relying on you to get their shots and perhaps make time in between setups for the guests to grab shots.
Don't expect to enjoy the wedding as well as being a photographer. You'll probably be capturing candids whilst everyone else is having fun and you need to be ready for the key moments (bouquet, cake, first dance etc etc).
BACKUP!
Backup all your equipment. Hire if you need to. I also got an inverter for the car and plugged in my laptop so that I could backup cards during the day just in case.
Make sure you know how to use fill flash and bounce flash. These two techniques will make a lot of your shots. There are plenty of tutorials and it's not hard with a little practice.
p.s. I looked at your profile after writing this and see that the stuff about technique won't apply to you but have it in for anyone else reading later. I hope that the non-technique related tips (even from an amateur) may be of some help.
Stuart
PLAN AND PREPARE!
This is probably the most important for a first timer. I believe most wedding pros will spend good time on this also, but it's more important for a first wedding. The more you put into this at your leisure the less stressful the day will be (it will be relatively stressful anyway). There's quite a lot of "mechanical" stuff to do so that you can then focus on being more creative on the day.
e.g. Meet with the couple and understand what they're looking for in the final prints. Make sure you understand the detailed running order for the day (see best man/maid of honour/bride as necessary).
One good tip I received... The couple will often say they want "reportage" or "informal" these days and don't need formal shots. Believe this at your peril. They may "think" that they don't want group shots but what about when granny asks for a photo for her bookshelf? I believe in listening to clients, but you may need to gently nudge them towards a robust set of shots which will stand them in good stead later. "My" couple did love the informal shots but they did print and give to people formals as well.
Work out a shot list. You won't be completely governed by it, but you must know what shots you have to achieve and can then use this in your plan for the day. This should include VIPs that you MUST capture.
Visit the venues. I arranged time to see the Registry Office and met up with the reception venue manager. The latter was important because I was able to understand how the venue would be set up on the day even though it wasn't like that when I visited. It will also help you figure out where low light will be a factor so that you plan for the right technique. Take some test shots and think about where you will capture certain shots and backups if these locations aren't available on the day.
Find and scout a location for the shots of the couple between ceremony and reception.
Align your plan with the rest of the wedding plan. You need to make sure that you get sufficient time to get the shots they want. This is not straightforward as people do not think photographs take time. In my case, although I'd squared this with the bride, on the day I found out that the car was only booked for a certain time and we therefore had to leave the location much earlier. My backup of the hotel garden stood me in good stead.
Shooting solo is tricky for weddings. For example, you shoot the bride getting ready and leaving home, but you can't then shoot the groom's preparations. When the bride leaves home you need to get ahead and be ready to shoot her arriving at the venue. Get a few minutes head start and have your kit ready to go when you get to the venue.
Get what shots you can ahead of the day. For example, you'll probably want shots of shoes, dress, rings, invitations etc. These can be done beforehand and take pressure off on the day. Since you'll be shooting some close-ups of these things, it's time consuming to get good results.
You have to figure out how to be assertive on the day whilst not spoiling the fun and joy of the occasion. It's up to you to make sure that you can get to where you need to be and whatever/whoever you are shooting is in the right place.
This is particularly important for the group shots of course. Plan to bracket and shoot multiples of each group so that you can swap heads etc later (closed eyes) if needed.
Controlling other photographers - you will be surrounded by many others who will distract your subjects unless you plan time away from the guests or take a firm grip of the situation. You can of course politely remind them that the couple are relying on you to get their shots and perhaps make time in between setups for the guests to grab shots.
Don't expect to enjoy the wedding as well as being a photographer. You'll probably be capturing candids whilst everyone else is having fun and you need to be ready for the key moments (bouquet, cake, first dance etc etc).
BACKUP!
Backup all your equipment. Hire if you need to. I also got an inverter for the car and plugged in my laptop so that I could backup cards during the day just in case.
Make sure you know how to use fill flash and bounce flash. These two techniques will make a lot of your shots. There are plenty of tutorials and it's not hard with a little practice.
p.s. I looked at your profile after writing this and see that the stuff about technique won't apply to you but have it in for anyone else reading later. I hope that the non-technique related tips (even from an amateur) may be of some help.
Stuart
Mike have a look at this thread on TP, as he’s looking for a 2nd shooter, and only an hours drive for you?
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread...
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread...
Simpo Two said:
Keep everything with you at all times
At a inlaw's family wedding I attended, the tog took exterior shots of the bride leaving the house, having previously photographed all the bride's and bridesmaids' preparations inside the house .......... the front door got closed with all the rest of the tog's equipment on the other side
of the locked door, the keyholder had already left for the church
. I can beat that. I once came very close to locking my keys in the boot - in the gateway of the bride's house with other cars trapped inside. One of those moments when you stop and actually feel a wave of cold go down you from head to foot.
Now I ALWAYS make sure the keys are in my pocket before closing the boot.
There are SO MANY things that seem trivial but could totally b
ks not just your day but the whole show... right down to the little screw that holds the flash bracket to the camera... check everything, twice, all the time.
Each time one of these things happen you add it to your list.
Now I ALWAYS make sure the keys are in my pocket before closing the boot.
There are SO MANY things that seem trivial but could totally b
ks not just your day but the whole show... right down to the little screw that holds the flash bracket to the camera... check everything, twice, all the time.Each time one of these things happen you add it to your list.
Muska said:
Mike,
I would love to offer you something but I'm afraid I'm in the same boat as Simpo.
I made quite a lengthy post on tips for starting out with plenty of links etc, I have no idea how to find it again now unless you can search my posts but I know someone dragged it up again recently for me when the question was raised again.
Good luck, you'll either love it or hate it!
Feel free to contact me through my profile with any specific questions.
Matt.
Matt that was my thread from a couple years ago.I would love to offer you something but I'm afraid I'm in the same boat as Simpo.
I made quite a lengthy post on tips for starting out with plenty of links etc, I have no idea how to find it again now unless you can search my posts but I know someone dragged it up again recently for me when the question was raised again.
Good luck, you'll either love it or hate it!
Feel free to contact me through my profile with any specific questions.
Matt.
Edited by Muska on Wednesday 27th July 18:41
I'll see if I can dig it out.
Edited by Pixel-Snapper on Thursday 28th July 15:31
found it!http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Lots of info Mike and really helped me clear my head.
Good luck for Sept
Edited by Pixel-Snapper on Thursday 28th July 15:31
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff