My first wedding this saturday - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

05/04/2006 05:37:27 PM · #1

This saturday, it will be a first for me as official wedding photographer. I am starting to get anxious. I begin to fell I won't be up to the task. I begin to have dreadful toughts: the church will be too dim; my flash won't powerful enough or it won't expose correctly; I won't be able to get good focus in the heat of the event. But the worst one; I am just a dude with a camera that thinks he is a photographer....
Please, any last minute advice, encouragements or life saving tips so I can have some sleep until saturday or avoid nervous breakdown?

Thanks

tinky2

Nikon D7100

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

05/04/2006 05:39:24 PM · #2

Sending positive thoughts your way. You'll do great.

robshookphoto

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM

05/04/2006 05:41:00 PM · #3

i haven't done a wedding, but i shoot in my church vey often, and i don't even have a 50mm f/1.8 you can always fall back on this is there are problems. my only advice is to go take some practice ones so you know what to expect

amandalore

Canon EOS-40D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

05/04/2006 05:45:13 PM · #4

a really cool idea i saw in a book was to use the bride's top layer of her dress as a background for the portrait... (lift it up behind her) the photo turned out awesome... her dress had little embroidered flowers so it really looked awesome for the backdrop to match her exactly

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

05/04/2006 05:47:34 PM · #5

Just from my limited experience (4 weddings):

1. Charge all your batteries and put them in your bag the day before. Devise some sort of system where you know which batteries are charged and have a place to put ones that are drained (so you don't get them mixed up).

2. If possible, go to the church beforehand (maybe the rehearsal dinner?) to check out the venue and the lighting. The couple might like a few shots of the rehearsal anyway, so just pretend it's part of the package...even if it's just you doing a little CYA. ;)

3. Wear comfy shoes and make sure you have pockets.

4. Take tons more pictures than you think you would ever use. No one will question you taking pictures of even the most odd or random things.

5. I've now adjusted to shooting the ceremony in RAW and the before and after stuff in JPEG to save space. It helps in processing time, too.

6. Appoint a family member or someone to "herd" people for you for formals. Let the herder gather folks for you according to the shot list you should have already had the bride and groom fill out for you. If they haven't made one yet, get one at the rehearsal dinner (see #2).

7. Don't forget to stay hydrated during the big day...no one wants to give CPR to the photographer. ;)

There are people here with lots more experience than me but these are things I could think of just off the top of my head. Good luck and have fun. It's a great experience...just think, you're sharing in creating the memories of a couple who trust you enough for the job. They believe you are capable, you need to believe it too! :)

fotomann_forever

05/04/2006 05:51:52 PM · #6

By all means, shoot the rehearsal if you can. Do some experimenting w/ and w/o flash. Come home download the pics and guestimate how you will deal with any problems.

fplouffe

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

05/04/2006 06:30:27 PM · #7

I see what you mean. The rehearsal is a great idea. If only thay had a rehearsal however... Oh well.
Thanks

Baron152

Canon EOS-40D

05/04/2006 07:15:53 PM · #8

I looked at your portfolio. The only thing that could cause a problem is nervousness. You take excellent photographs, and this is evident in your posted photos.

Stop worrying, give orders like you are in chrge and, most of all, have fun. One thing I like to do is break out the long lens during the slow times and grab a bunch of candids of the guests. They are usually big sellers. Catch people off guard and in serious conversations. Do not take the food in mouth shots. They may be funny but you clients will hate them.

Good luck

robs

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

05/04/2006 07:31:06 PM · #9

Originally posted by laurielblack:

...no one wants to give CPR to the photographer. ;)...

Now where else would you go to find such wisdom :-)) I can just visualise the wedding party standing around drawing straws to see who is going to have to bring around the photographer :-))

Tamron SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

05/04/2006 08:42:07 PM · #10

..

Message edited by author 2006-09-03 08:53:05.

fall_leaf05

Canon EOS-10D

05/05/2006 06:52:26 AM · #11

Kelly, I just visited your web-site--your photos are amazing. If you just started doing Wedding photography you are great at it. I have seen too many "pros" that charge an arm and a leg that cannot produce anything half as decent. No wonder that the bride loved her pictures--I would feel the same way if I had this kind of quality and artistic photos of my special day.

Makka

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Nikon

05/05/2006 07:02:59 AM · #12

As was mentioned earlier...being prepared is the major factor. Charge all your batteries and double check EVERYTHING is in working order. It always helps to try and relax as best you can and as mentioned before, try and wear something comfortable, especially footwear (some shoes with rubber soles for grip can be very handy!) When doing your group shots try and be very aware of people with sunnies on their heads or glasses in their hands etc. It always helps if you have someone helping you to watch out for those type of things as occassionally you can miss them. Use your screen as much as you can! Always check what you are capturing. I usually try and take 3 to 4 shots of the same scene to allow for people blinking or moving etc. Gives you more to choose from when it comes time to hand over the photos too but this really depends on how much memory you have. Shooting in RAW I find to be a big advantage come PP time but it is time consuming. You may also want to browse around wedding photographers websites to get some ideas for poses and framing etc.

Best of luck! You'll do fine and make sure you post some photos up!

cryan

Nikon D700

05/05/2006 07:07:06 AM · #13

I've been doing weddings for about 10 years, my advice, relax, stay in control, and don't let them see you sweat. If you show how nervous you are then they will be nervous. Have confidence in yourself, you are a good photographer and will get the shots, Use your imagination and everything will fall into place. Don't let anybody tell you what to do, say thank you for their advise but remember, right now you are the professional, not them. You will do great, we all have confidence in you.

fotomann_forever

05/05/2006 07:13:27 AM · #14

Watch out for the wierd uncle with the 1930's model camera, he'll try to steal the show :-) There is always one and he knows more than you, because "he's been shooting since before you were born".

Always makes me wonder why the bride didn't hire him :-)

Givemeashot

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6

05/05/2006 07:14:46 AM · #15

Originally posted by fplouffe:

OK ill break down with ya =) My first is May 21st and im stoke and nervous at the same time.... im already running around thinking the same thoughts.... You will do great! just trust the Camera and do what you do best.... Take Pictures.... Just be sure to keep shooting don't stop

LeeD

Canon EOS-30D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

05/05/2006 07:26:06 AM · #16

Good luck!!! I'm sure you'll do fine... My first wedding (so far) is scheduled for June 2007 so I have a little time to prepare!

;-)

_eug

Nikon D50

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

05/05/2006 08:23:45 AM · #17

Originally posted by Palmetto_Pixels:

Good luck!!! I'm sure you'll do fine... My first wedding (so far) is scheduled for June 2007 so I have a little time to prepare!

Talk about procrastinating! hehe

danthesquidkid

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 II

05/05/2006 08:28:13 AM · #18

best of luck!!!

Tamron SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

05/07/2006 04:15:27 PM · #19

Originally posted by fall_leaf05:

Thanks so much EP, i have just booked another wedding this week, and also received a phone call last night for a christening this sunday, i just love it when things work and go to together.. hehhe.. im pretty sure those little promo cards i give my clients are whats working, as i have never advertised yet....my weeks are becoming very busy, and im loving it. Just wish i could afford to pay my hubby to stay home and do the house work.. lol...
Cheers and thanks so much agian, that is a HUGE compliment to my already swelled head this week..!

fplouffe

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

05/11/2006 04:38:03 PM · #20

Hello all, here my first wedding experience.

First, I must say that I was so nervous; I hardly slept the night before. It rained all day, except during the ceremony and, during the location shots.
The family shots are rather ordinary being done inside, in the basement. I managed to get some good shots of the bride due to a large window in her houve that gave enough light.
At the church, I was running everywhere; it was exhausting. I didn't had to use the flash; you gotta love those modern church... lots of windows, no stained glass. Ugly but luminous.
Location shots were easily the best of the bunch. Cloudy sky gives good light. Much easier too.
I had some trouble directing the couple; they were not very comfortable or natural I don't know; and I didn't had too much experience for that. However, photos turned out pretty good in my opinion.
I am actually pleased by the results and the experience.
I was soo exhausted when I finnaly got home.
Here are 4 shots I think are among the best out of 400!

What do you think? I'd like some comment to help me out with another wedding comming up in July.

Thanks all for the kind words of encouragement.

Makka

05/11/2006 06:24:44 PM · #21

Well done with your first wedding. Left you some comments!

Prof_Fate

05/11/2006 07:11:58 PM · #22

you'll get better at directing them, people. It's kind of like public speaking - you're nervous when you're the one doing it, but when you'reinthe audience you just sit and listen.

the first shot is fine, the next 2 pretty nice, the last - i don't like the pose, the pole, the whole thing. he'snot bad, but she looks terrible there.

My first paid wedding is Monday. I did a solo wedding back in Feb, but this is the first one that counts so to speak. The chuch is not a modern airy spacious luminous church...it's gorgeous but dark as dark can be. Should be fun LOL

Tamron SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

05/11/2006 07:21:34 PM · #23

Well done Francois, you've done a great job, i left you some comments... im not good at explaining myself, so i hope they make sense....
My only advice for your upcoming wedding in July, is to just practise everyday on everything, just shoot shoot shoot ( more to get comfortable with shooting for long periods of time) . Maybe even get some ideas out of bridal magazines..?

Makka

05/11/2006 07:30:27 PM · #24

Originally posted by roadrunner:

A good point made here. It's definately worth looking in magazines and web sites for ideas.