has anyone got any good tips for shooting a wedding first time? the bride wants more unposed shots than anything thanks
well walk around, dont be shy, i shot a wedding once and the key is to not be shy, and maybe take a seat somewhere while everyone is dancing or something and take photos of them cause thats when people are going to be smiling and not posing!
8 Responses to “Any tips for shooting a wedding first time?”
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January 4th, 2009 at 7:10 am
well walk around, dont be shy, i shot a wedding once and the key is to not be shy, and maybe take a seat somewhere while everyone is dancing or something and take photos of them cause thats when people are going to be smiling and not posing!
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January 4th, 2009 at 7:54 am
Don't do it.
To be clear: Don't do it.
Once more, for emphasis: Don't do it.
Weddings are not an event to do for the first time with no experience - ever. Be a guest in the crowd taking photos for fun, but give the job of formal photographer to a professional.
If you're interested in becoming a wedding photographer, talk to professionals about becoming an assistant to get experience.
Disclosure: I am the owner of http://www.lenslenders.com/ in Canada.
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January 4th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Just say no.
It will take at least six or so months working as an assistant to a wedding photographer to know what you are doing, assuming you are already an experienced photographer and have all the equipment you need for such a shoot (at a minimum a recent DSLR, 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens and a good dedicated flash made by the company that built your camera).
Wedding photography involves knowing what the shot list is (traditionally) based upon your interview with the client, knowing the current shooting fees as well as what to charge for the prints that are later ordered. Add to that a good knowledge of running a business.
If you are an experienced news or editorial photographer, the brides request for "unposed" shots will be easily accomplished.
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Fashion and glamour photographer
January 4th, 2009 at 8:27 am
As a word of caution, since you are asking this question I am hoping you are taking these photos as an unpaid favor for a friend.
That being said, make sure you find out the church policy on photographs. Many churches restrict photographers during the ceremony itself. Try to get meter readings in advance, as churches are often dark. Many wedding photos also have a high dynamic range, as the bride is in white and the groom in black. You have to be careful not to blow out the dress while underexposing the groom.
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January 4th, 2009 at 8:43 am
DECLINE. DO NOT DO IT.
That is the very best advice you will get from anyone.
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January 4th, 2009 at 8:49 am
Be like Nancy Reagan and Just Say NOOOOO.
I refuse to shoot a wedding if it is someone that I know well or related to or close friends of. Here's why:
Women are sometimes "obsessed" with the wedding and expect photos that are sometimes difficult or impossible to shoot and please. One sister hired me to shoot the wedding as a "back-up" photographer. Then she decided to break off the contract with the professional photographer without telling me, in order to save money. But then she expected me to shoot her photos to the same degree of "quality and standards" that she expected from the professional wedding photographer. Trouble is…at the time I did not have the same kind of professional lighting equipment and training as the other guy. Then she was disappointed at the results with 50% of the phtotos I GAVE her (for FREE). We haven't spoken to each other since 2002.
Bottom Line: She screwed up and blamed me. Don't attempt to be the photographer making the photos of a lifetime unless you have a lot a experience as a back-up photographer, and PROFESSIONAL equipment.
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I'll never to THAT again. Neverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
January 4th, 2009 at 9:37 am
The fact that you're asking this question is the strongest evidence that you're not ready.
She may tell you that she wants more unposed shots, but you should consider that she didn't think this through without asking her mother, the groom's mother, Aunt Mildred, the Maid of Honor, the brides maids and cousin Tess. They all have ideas about what constitutes wedding photography and it certainly does not include only unposed shots. They will want an "official" record of the event, which means the standard shot list — even if they don't know it or they tell you that they don't want it. More importantly, they will all want you to make them beautiful beyond their natural gifts. If you accept the gig as the only shooter, you're in for a world of hurt.
Anyone who asks me to shoot their wedding gets the standard reply: "I don't do weddings. I'm neither equipped nor motivated to be the official photographer. But if you want, I'll be the second shooter." This is the guy who gets the unposed shots and doesn't have to put the album together.
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January 4th, 2009 at 10:22 am
After over 30 years of shooting weddings I have heard more brides say they are interested in more candid shots, but when given their proofs they BUY the posed shots. Moral…they really don't know what they want. I always agree to compromise and do both styles, yet they always buy the formals.
Oh…and listen to the others, if you haven't assisted a pro at several weddings…run.
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