Wedding Pictures

[Doemasters]

Just wondering if any of you have ever did weddings. I am taking pictures for a friend this coming week and was wanted to know any suggestions you might have, what setting to use on the camera etc.. There is only going to be 10 people at the wedding so it shouldn't be to bad but i hate to mess up the pictures

Thanks in advance

Lance

 

[VHRAM]

Just remember to take the cap off the lense.

 

[karstic]

Shot lots and lots of pictures, both posed and impromptu. Don't worry about burning through a bunch of film the wasted film is the stuff thats unexposed. Make sure you've got back up batteies, chargers, tripods and everything else. Talk to the bride and groom and ask them if there are any specific shots they do or don't want. Have two cameras, one with B&W and the other with color film.

 

[Lan-Lord]

I have photographed a few weddings. One where I was the primary shooter, and a couple where I was backup. Let me first say that I in no way consider myself adequate to shoot a wedding. But the times that I have, the wedding party asked me to shoot it and I told them, "you might get what you pay for". They were either friends or family, and they couldn't dump a couple grand on a professional wedding photographer.

My suggestion is to shoot how you are most comfortable. I personally like shooting in shutter priority (Tv), maybe manual if I dont have to worry about changing light conditions. (like for example if you are doing a series of posed shots at the alter)

A good way to get an idea of what shots to take is to browse your own wedding photos, or an online gallery of someone elses wedding. Find what you like and copy it.

The fact that it is a small wedding should be a good first step if you have never done this before. I found my experience(s) very nerve racking and stressful and telling my wife that I will never shoot a wedding again.

I would also suggest that you get everything prepared the day before also. Otherwise you might forget something if you are running late or packing up the day of. (I forgot my flash bracket and made my wife run to wolf camera and buy one)

Here are a few shots that I have done. Looking back on these, I have found several things that I have learned and would do differently.

These were for a vietnamese friend. This was more like engagement photos (but she wore the wedding dress and traditional outfit)

This was some backup work for a family member. This was much easier to shoot.

Also a lot of times the photographer will run the show. Things such as cutting the cake, toast, first dance, etc. So make sure you know whether or not you will be directing when and how these events take place, or if you are just there to shoot, and everything will take place on their own accord.

Best of luck! I'd like to hear how things go, if you learned anything, or any advice on how to shoot weddings in the future.

 

[Doemasters]

thanks for the responses, I agree weddings is on my low list of things to photograph but my friend has money issues and just said he wanted some pictures and the only other person he had was going to use a disposable camera and surely i can top that but he is taking some pictures as well.

Thanks again
Lance

 

[copilot]

Doemasters
I shoot weddings quit often. There is a lot to cover on this.
1.what kind of camera do you have?
Is it indoor or outdoor
What kind of lighting is in the building
Make a list before hand with bride and groom of pics that are needed
A good flash is your best freind, stoboframe is a big plus
do not use manual settings when taking pics without controlled lighting.
Take a pic of everyone there
Make sure you take enough of brides side of family as well as grooms side.This is a big thing here.

Need more help or info let me know. Check out a few here...
smaessenphotography.com

 

[Doemasters]

thanks for the help, was one of the smallest weddings i had ever been to, i would guess 10 people there and about the size of my office lol which made it easy plus there was 3 other guys there taking pictures out of the 10 so we took plenty of everyone

 

[Doemasters]

a few from the wedding. I took about 450 but want bore you with all of them