Wedding Photos advice?

Hi - I'm shooting a friend's wedding in a couple of weeks. They have an official photographer but she's seen some other informal wedding shots I took once, and has asked me to take some of hers (plus the reception).

Any advice for a semi-beginner here? I have a Nikon F-100 with Sunpak flash (with guide number ~ 100). I was thinking of using either Fuji NPS 160 or Porta 160 print film.

I need help on

- wedding poses
- lighting issues (inside and out)
- group shots
- special shots that shouldn't be forgotten

Also, if you can recommend any web sites that would be great.

THANKS

I'm confused. Are you working with the hired photographer on someone's wedding, or are you photographing a photographer's wedding? There's a big difference here.

Wedding photography is pretty tough, it's best to learn as an assistant (although I didn't). It's high stress, long days and a lot of work. You really need a backup camera and flash, and I'd also use a flash bracket (like a Stroboframe) and an external battery pack (like a Quantum). Fast lenses will be very important for low-light autofocusing, like a 50 f1.8 or f1.4. I use a 28-80 f2.8 mostly, but even with an F5 and F100 it can be hard to focus in the dark. The extra two stops of an f1.4 is really helpful here.

Poses, lighting, shot list - check out some books at the library. Steve Sint has a really good one but there are others too. You could also search the forums here because this topic does come up from time to time. I remember a really good reply a few months ago by Franglais (Charles), he covered a lot of what you're asking.

I think you need to talk to your friend to find out exactly what she wants you to do.

If she's having a photographer, he's going to take the group shots, and will not appreciate you coming in and trying to get your own. The wedding party will not want to pose for two different photographers either. They'll have enough trouble standing still for one.

If your friend has seen other photos of yours, then you should take your photos the same way you took the others. Sounds like she wants "informal" shots, which to me would be "candids". A pro won't want to bother with candids. That's where you come in.

You would probably take pictures of the wedding party doing what they do at a wedding ... dancing, laughing, conversing, bending down to talk to a child, whispering to their husband, sitting and talking to a guest, waiting their turn for the photographer ... etc. Think in terms of "a frozen moment in time", or "a snapshot of life", rather than a posed formal picture.

dont stress too much man
they are probably paying big bucks for that photography
wouldnt want you to do all his work
oh yeah open up half a stop when shooting the all white wedding gown
the white will throw your meter off a bit

Thanks everyone - Upon reading these, I tend to agree that I need to firstly allow the prof. photog to do his job. I think what I'll focus on are the candid shots. I'll also ask my friend what type of shots she'd like to pose for for me in addition, reminding her that the main photographer needs to do the first and formal shots. I don't want to annoy the guests by repeating everything (once is enough for most people!)

GB

Don't know how close a friend you are or how big a wedding thing she's got planned. I was in the weeding party at my best friends wedding (so clearly I was in the pictures and couldn't take any at the wedding), but I did take pictures at the rehearsal dinner, the salon where everyone got dolled up and some more the next day (1st time out as H&W). I know my friend appreciated those as a compliment to all the ones she got from the professional.

2k2s

A lot of wedding photographers sell prints, so they won't appreciate someone trying to shoot the same shots that they're taking. It may even be in their contract with the couple that they are the only photographer at the wedding (of course that's never going to happen because many people bring cameras to weddings). Just that guests with SLR's tend to stand out.

I don't try to sell prints, so I don't view these people as competition but those that do will. That's what it really comes down to, if you're doing his/her shots you're cutting their profit. I'd say that there are a few "don'ts" including: Don't shoot over the photographer's shoulder. Don't follow him/her around and shoot what they're shooting. Don't use the same settings (or their backdrops). You can do what you want, but it's a business for the photographer. Be respectful, and if it interests you ask them about being an assistant.

Like 2k2s said, there are a lot of great shots that will happen when the photographer isn't there. Plus, they're only one (or maybe two) person and can't be everywhere - I see candids happening on the other side of the room that I'd love to shoot but they're gone in an instant, of course. The rehersal dinner, the day after the wedding - it's all part of the story.