Help me out... Wedding Photography!

[efjeld]

Well, I'm an amatuer I must say. I've been taking pictures casually for years with some pretty decent luck.

But, I've been asked to take pictures for my future brother-in-law's wedding. It's a small wedding, nothing big, but I don't want to let my fiance and "in-laws" down by shooting crap!

I'm using a Nikon N-80 (using Sigma 28-80 and 70-300mm lenses), and have a Nikon SB-600 light, as well as a decent tripod. It's a "courthouse wedding" with a reception if that helps as well. I've been using the basic point and shoot up until about two years ago, but most pictures I shot came out pretty good.

Any pointers?? I've got the confidence, but am also having some second thoughts since I don't want to let everyone down with a bunch of crap!

I guess I like being the geek with the camera, but also don't like being told, "take a picture of this, take a picture of that!" I like to evaluate my own shots.

Anyone, anyone?? I know, nothing's perfect, but I'd like to get at least a 20% "good shot" rate of total shots.

Anyone have any good excuses to buy a D70/D100. Mine has been, "Well, I can make sure the picture looks good and I can evaluate my camera settings." But, I'm waiting for the market prices to go down on good SLR digital cameras.

What can I do to make sure a "portrait" type in a wedding setting comes out "good?"

[Franglais]

Well, I'm an amatuer I must say. I've been taking pictures casually for years with some pretty decent luck.

But, I've been asked to take pictures for my future brother-in-law's wedding. It's a small wedding, nothing big, but I don't want to let my fiance and "in-laws" down by shooting crap!

I'm using a Nikon N-80 (using Sigma 28-80 and 70-300mm lenses), and have a Nikon SB-600 light, as well as a decent tripod. It's a "courthouse wedding" with a reception if that helps as well. I've been using the basic point and shoot up until about two years ago, but most pictures I shot came out pretty good.

Any pointers?? I've got the confidence, but am also having some second thoughts since I don't want to let everyone down with a bunch of crap!

I guess I like being the geek with the camera, but also don't like being told, "take a picture of this, take a picture of that!" I like to evaluate my own shots.

Anyone, anyone?? I know, nothing's perfect, but I'd like to get at least a 20% "good shot" rate of total shots.

Anyone have any good excuses to buy a D70/D100. Mine has been, "Well, I can make sure the picture looks good and I can evaluate my camera settings." But, I'm waiting for the market prices to go down on good SLR digital cameras.

What can I do to make sure a "portrait" type in a wedding setting comes out "good?"

For important missions like a wedding you need to keep to what you know and stay simple:

- Use the N80 (this is not the time to learn how to use a D70)
- Use the SB600 for fill-in flash all the time (Not very artistic but at least you get peoples faces)
- Leave the camera and flash on full-auto. You won't have the time to figure out manual settings yourself
- Don't burden yourself down with a tripod
- Take along 8x36 rolls of your favourite 400 ISO colour negative film. I usually shoot about 5 films
- Stick to the 28-80 most of the time. Use the 70-300 for some portraits outside well before the ceremony
- Make sure that when an important event is going to happen that you're not almost at the end of a roll of film
- Be flexible and go along with what people want to do, but make sure you get the shots you want

For the portraits you should preferably find a spot outside with even lighting and a neutral background. Position yourself about 10-12 feet away (make sure you're not out of the range of your fill-in flash) and use the tele-zoom.

Charles

[Franglais]

Here's a list of the moments I would try to get :

Where What

Outside Bride full-length
Outside Husband full-length
Outside Couple full-length
Outside Couple half-length
Outside Bride head & shoulders
Outside Husband head & shoulders
Outside Couple head & shoulders
Outside Couple + Bride's parents
Outside Couple + Husbands parents
Outside Couple + Parents
Outside Couple + Brothers & Sisters
Outside Couple + all family
Outside Couple + friends
Outside Everybody

Courthouse Arrival of the Bride
Courthouse Ceremony blablabla
Courthouse Vows
Courthouse Signature witnesses
Courthouse Exit courthouse

Restaurant View of the place
Restaurant People at table (2 pictures each table)
Restaurant Speeches
Restaurant First dance
Restaurant People dancing
Restaurant Bride throwing bouquet

[Steph_B]

It's a big responsibility!

I would advise the new couple to hire a wedding photographer for just a couple of shots of the B&G outside if possible. I would then complement the album with my personal shots. This way, you're sure at least to have something! Most of all, they cannot blame you if they do not share your artistic vision. Finally, this will give you a break. Nobody wants to talk to a wedding photographer. However, lots of people from your own family might want to talk to you. And it's always difficult to say no! You might miss a couple of events....

I agree with Franglais that you should stick to what you know and use the equipment which you are familiar with.... with the exeption of maybe renting a 80-200 F2.8 or 105 F2.8 lens. These are fabulous for portrait where DOF makes the shot. The 70-300 is quite limited.

Finally, depending on the weather, I would be very careful with the bride's gown not to blow up the highlights. I would use a 160 Portra ISO film if it's sunny to have a little bit more latitude (less contrast). The 3D matrix metering will not work. Meter on the grass or on the back of your hand!

I did this only once, and went there unprepared. I shot everything on automatic on the same film. Even though I had some usable shots, nothing could come close to what a professional can do. Church shots were dark and outside shots where washed out. I was glad that they did hire a professional. I did not have much experience too and was mostly 'playing' with my new F70 toy!

Actually, I happen to hang around gardens where lots of weddings take place. Each time I look at the photographers, they bring assistants and reflective screens to 'tune' the light! Lots of preparation is involved.

Another recommendation: get some help from someone well versed in make up and have a kit ready to correct smudges and little imperfection. Don't be afraid to use a bit of make up on the groom too. Put a bit of color in those cheeks!

Also, go and check out the place where the wedding will take place. This way you can think ahead of time in terms of your compositions.

.... and BRACKET!

Use as much film as you'd like. Just keep your finger on the shutter release to take multiple frames. Mostly when taking shots of the Family (you know, when everybody huddles together). One guy will always not look at the camera or pick his hose at the wrong time.

.... Finally, have plenty of batteries. You do not want to run out of juice halfway through the wedding!

[another view]

Great info already, but a couple more ideas:

Batteries and film: Bring twice as much as you need. Keep your life easy and stick to ISO400 film. Don't try a lab you're unfamiliar with; go to someone you know will take care with your negatives.

I'd suggest bringing a Leatherman, you never know if you'll need something (saved me one time!) but since you're at City Hall they might not let you bring a knife in. I know most courthouses have metal detectors - just check first.

Watch your background - with flash you don't want a mirror or any windows that might reflect the flash back into the camera.

You could probably shoot the whole thing with your 28-80 and it wouldn't be a bad idea to bring a 50 f1.8 if you've got one and need it for low light (AF will be much better in low light). Could be a good excuse to get one, under $100. ;)

Don't try digital here if you've never used it and aren't very experienced with flash on digital! Use equipment you know, you'll have enough stress keeping track of what's going on. Digital requires very accurate exposure and auto flash on digital isn't as good as 3D matrix on your film camera.

[efjeld]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Keep em coming. I've got two weeks to prepare for this.

I guess it'll be an adventure.

[another view]

One more (for now ): Look at some books at the Library or Borders. Steve Sint has a good one that's pretty direct, which I think is helpful. Doug Box has a good one too, just can't remember the titles of their books...

One thing to think about - anyone writing a book on wedding photography is (or should be!) an expert and probably working with high-end clients. This is definitely true in the case of these two and many others. They're probably billing close to the five-digit mark when they shoot. You could probably skip the info about shooting on medium format and doing formals with strobes (as in studio type lighting) for now, but read as much as you can. You won't be in a huge cathedral but take what they tell you and apply it to your situation.

See if you can get a shot list of the formals that the couple wants, like how Charles listed above. Be direct and make it happen - not sure how else to put it. You'll generally have better luck if you are specific with your instructions and tell them what to do rather than ask them to do something. Of course there's a fine line and you don't want to be pushy. I'm a pretty laid-back guy and this was a hard thing for me at first - but found out that the more I took charge the better the results were. If you're a "type A" you'll be just fine doing your thing... OK, I guess it wasn't one more thing!

[Franglais]

One more (for now ):

See if you can get a shot list of the formals that the couple wants, like how Charles listed above. Be direct and make it happen - not sure how else to put it. You'll generally have better luck if you are specific with your instructions and tell them what to do rather than ask them to do something. Of course there's a fine line and you don't want to be pushy. I'm a pretty laid-back guy and this was a hard thing for me at first - but found out that the more I took charge the better the results were. If you're a "type A" you'll be just fine doing your thing... OK, I guess it wasn't one more thing!

You usually find that someone with a LOUD voice is actually organising the event and telling people where to go. It may be the groom, the wife, the wife's mother - a foretaste of what married life will be like?

You have to use this person to do crowd control and get people organised, where and when you want it. People may have ideas on what photos to take, that's fine. Just make sure of two things:

1. For the set pieces (usually before the wedding or before the reception) you have found a place where the light and decor are right. The others won't know how to do this, they will choose a spot where they're squinting into the sun with trees growing out of their heads. Have a look round when its quiet and choose a spot then get them all over there at the right moment.
2. Keep a mental count of what you've done, compared with what you want to do. Remember the faces. Have you got some sort of reasonably successful image of every person present?

Having said that - don't seek for perfection. Just do a job you're satisfied with and that will probably delight them.

Charles

[carney2]

Keep shooting! I've talked to a few pros and they are very uncomfortable without at least 1,000 shots. You probably won't come anywhere near this, but you will need to have choices and backups for when one of the principals has his/her eyes closed, a menacing look on the face, some great idea of yours just didn't work, etc. My point is: don't try to economize on film. You will regret it.

The individual who advised you to stick with what you know gave you sound advice. I borrowed some continuous lighting equipment from someone who stages theater presentations and concerts for one of my first weddings. It was a disaster. Shadows and strange lighting were the order of the day. I like - and am most comfortable with - natural light and should have stayed with it.

Film choice may be critical. Think "low light," even with your flash.

By the time you're done, you will have stumbled into your own "style." It doesn't take long; it more or less just happens. One of the respondents gave you a starter kit list of "required" shots. Don't leave home without it. In fact, go to your local library and look at a couple wedding photography books. Each one has a slightly different list. Make up your own based on (1) tradition, (2) the specific locale, and (3) the wishes of the happy couple. Think beyond the required shots, however. I, for instance, love to work the crowd and take candid "portraits" of interesting people and people who are important to the couple. Think "faces and expressions" and you have my style. I'm not real interested in their shoes and belt buckles.

Scout out the location(s). Look for something or someplace special where you can place the bride and groom for a real signature shot or two. I've been to weddings where the photographer took the couple to "strange" locations and almost literally turned them into gymnasts. The results were great. Example: At one wedding the reception was held at an upscale country hotel. The photographer had the couple hanging off the huge sign at the entrance to the hotel grounds and assuming various poses. It was done in the dark with only the sign providing light. The photographer framed the sign in and out; used the lighting in various ways, and the proofs were breathtaking.

Remember, there will be no "do over," so plan, plan, plan.

[Clemmie]

I've done several Weddings for family members over the years - and really don't have much to add here, as the gang has covered it quite nicely.

Just two things, from my own experience:

Fuji Superia 400 is a quite good film for this. Accurate colors, and with latitude of +/- 2 stops, is very forgiving if you're a bit off.

FRESH Batteries for everything!

[Lionheart]

Yes Yes To Obi-Franglais you listen. (and the other Jedi masters too) Mind what you have read, save you it can ;)
Sorry couldn't resist the Yoda line from Star Wars. He's got the right idea for a first time wedding photographer, make a list of the shots you want/need to take, because it's so easy to forget some under the stress of the shooting. I've shot my fair share of weddings, and I still make a list of must shots (mostly because I don't do this for a living and find it stressful-I only do this for friends and relatives who ask) and scout the wedding site and reception area ahead of time if I can to plan those shots. Look at a lot of wedding albums to get some creative ideas and poses-I do, mostly because I'm not that creative. Be aware of spontaneous shooting moments too though. Pack extra batteries, invest in a Quantum battery pack for your flash if you can, it'll save you some headaches. Have FUN too, and if you're stressed, smile and don't show that you're stressed. Nothing spoils a wedding like a stressed photographer. Remember, it's their day, not ours

[opus]

OK, here's my advice. I've forgotten how many people will be around during group shots, but be aware that if there's more than just a couple, they will all be distracted by each other. You may not want to be "pushy" but just know that they NEED your firm direction if they're going to get pictures they like out of the event. Most weddings I've attended and the one I've done were all alike: the photographer wants to do the group shots and asks for this or that person to come, well, they're off talking to people so maybe the groom goes over to get him and ends up getting caught by someone who wants to congratulate him, and now you're missing TWO out of the shot and wasting time.

SO, you need to be firm. Even if the people are complaining about being tired, they're thinking short-sightedly and you need to think long-term. If you let them take any control during the group shots, the only thing you'll get out of it is lousy pictures, and when everyone looks at them they'll forget that they were complaining and uncooperative, and blame you for getting bad pictures.

If there are others standing around who want the same pictures you're trying to set up, make an announcement before you start. Tell the entire group assembled that YOU will be setting up the shot and that YOU will be getting the first two (or three pictures) of that particular setup, and then ask the wedding party to please hold their pose for the rest of the guests (parents, relatives) to take their own pictures.

If you don't make that announcement, there will invariably be people distracting the wedding party as you're setting them up, telling them to say "cheese" and joking while you're trying to get the bride's attention to position her bouquet better.

Another piece of advice: if you DO decide to get the new camera, don't rely on it as your main camera, but definitely use it as a backup, and double each shot with the backup camera.

It's always good to have a backup camera, anyway. At the reception of the wedding I took, my digital Rebel's flash refused to go off, so I was extremely glad I had brought my 35mm Rebel, which I relied on through the whole reception.

Think about the lighting in the courthouse. It will probably be flat. Be comfortable with having your flash off-camera in order to avoid harsh shadows. Can you get a flash bracket?

[poker]

Stay on your toes. Don't sit down or eat. Don't take your eyes of of them. Don't overshoot supporting cast members like the best man, maid of honor, or the cute kids. Shoot 80% bride, 10% groom, and 10% family/guest.

Ok, sounds extreme. I'm just trying to say that this is the BRIDE'S big day. Give her pictures to remind her how beautiful and wonderful the event was.

Although table shots are not artsy, it gets everyone there on record. I hated the fact that our photographer did not take the time to take pictures of us with our guests. Since then, any wedding I've shot will include table to table shots unless the couple says no. No couple has declined.

If you realize that you like wedding photography......remember to make copies for your portfolio. Sorry, your not going to make copies of everything. Just get the best 4 - 8 prints and keep them to show your next word of mouth client. Don't advertise until your get more experience. Business can happen so fast it is overwhelming. I was getting calls left a right just by word of mouth. I stopped cuz I couldn't manage all the work.

If possible, get a second camera even if you have to borrow it. I can't tell you how often my main camera flash died or ran out of film right when they kiss the bride or cut the cake. I just whip out the second camera and I don't miss a shot.

Pay attention to the bride and groom's clothes. Anything our of order will be permanent in their album.

I'm sure there is more to say. Did we scare you yet??

If you want the full experience: Don't just give them the film for them to develop, take care of the developing yourself. After you get the prints back, filter out the nasty shots and setup an appointment with them at Starbucks to look over the proofs. After you give them the proofs, bother them after 2 weeks, then 4 weeks, asking them with they pick the shots for their album yet. When they pick their shots, develop those shots for them as well. If you really want the full experience, assemble the album and bill them. All this is a part of wedding photography. Not just shooting on that day.

How about a engagement shoot? Shoot 24 shots of them at a local park. Turn the best shot into an 11x14. Frame it with a fat matte so people can sign it at the reception. You'll get some practice learning how they are in front of a camera. Shot a bride once who would always squint and never smile.

Have fun!

[drg]

Just a few things.

Buy fresh film. Go to the camera store of your choice or order NOW and shoot a couple of test rolls. I use Fuji NPH, a 400 speed film. For an average wedding I purchase a brick (twenty rolls) and then I have some to "test the batch" and to make sure the cameras working like it should. Fuji NPH can be developed anywhere, use a good lab and most important - don't hand all you film to one place at one time! Split it up in to at leastr two batches, one day and then the next. Get one set back before the other. Accidents happen, power fails, people quit, and so on.

Most public facilities (like courthouses, park district building etc.) will gladly let photographers make test shots as long as you tell them what you are doing. Even with enhanced security, (I've had armed escorts recently that made my life much easier!) if you can take photos at any time, they be glad to "help" or keep an eye on you certainly.

The spare camera body is a really important point. I always have two cameras and a backup.

Keep the technical stuff simple for this shoot. If you shoot outside in Wisconsin in Winter use at least a Neutral Density filter if there's snow and preferably a Circular Polarizer.

One very important thing for every event photographer to remember, please wear comfortable shoes and neat comfortable clothing. If you collar is too tight, the shoes pinch, or arms movement is restricted it will show in the photographs.

Good luck!
C

[efjeld]

Well, I'm going to revive this thread, hopefully it'll get more replies.

The big day is two days away. I feel prepared. My fiance got a list of "must get" pictures from her brother.

I've got a 50mm/f1.4 Nikkor to try out... any pointers with that one? I figure I'll use it for stills and stick to my 28-80mm for the other stuff.

Anything else will be great. What you guys have given me already is probably more than enough. Any more last minute tips??