ehecatl Posted August 2, 2006 Share #1 Posted August 2, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, I've been asked by some friends to photograph their wedding. I've never shot anything like this, as I prefer to just wander around with my cameras and take photos of random things (you can see my pics on my website: http://homepage.mac.com/svaquera ). Anyway, I was wondering if any of you fine forum members could offer me some tips. Here's what I have for equipment: R-D1, D-Lux 2, M8. I was thinking of shooting just digital, primarily the R-D1 (the lenses: Leica 40mm, 90mm, and VC 21mm) and use the D-Lux2 for more wide angle shots. Does this seem like a reasonable kit? Should I bring a tripod? I used to have a Canon Digital Rebel and if you think a DSLR would be better (I guess for autofocus), I'm sure I can borrow that camera. I would imagine that many of you would recommend that I use RAW format, up to now I've been happy using jpeg as I can get a lot more photos out of my sd cards (2 1 gig sandisk, 2 512meg sandisk). But I'm willing to experiment. I'll be in NYC this coming weekend for a couple of concerts and I'll experiment with RAW. The wedding is next week. I was asked a couple of weeks ago and readily accepted because the couple are good friends of mine. But I recently began to worry about shooting such a subject. Any tips, or advice would be greatly, greatly appreciated. Saludos, Santiago Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 2, 2006 Posted August 2, 2006 Hi ehecatl, Take a look here Advice: tips for wedding photography. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted August 2, 2006 Share #2 Posted August 2, 2006 Will they still be good friends if it somehow goes pear-shaped? I've photographed a few weddings, its very stressful, you have to take command of people (they have a habit of wandering off just when they are required for a particular shot) and everyone else with a camera will be getting in your way. As the official photographer, i.e. you don't know the people involved, you can be rude (yes, rude!) when necessary to get the job done. As a mutual guest & photographer I think you will find the task a little harder. I guess it depends what the people want. Are they expecting professional wedding photographer type output or are they just after some casual shots of the day? Are you doing this for free? Whatever, I suspect it is a little late for you to back out now. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted August 2, 2006 Share #3 Posted August 2, 2006 The wedding is next week. I was asked a couple of weeks ago and readily accepted because the couple are good friends of mine. But I recently began to worry about shooting such a subject. Any tips, or advice would be greatly, greatly appreciated. Saludos, Santiago If you value your friendhsip and you've never done anything like this before, there there is only one word of advice that I could give you. "Don't". Definitely don't "experiment" with anything. Only do what you are comfortable and very familiar with. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest user8952 Posted August 2, 2006 Share #4 Posted August 2, 2006 Here's what I have for equipment: R-D1, D-Lux 2, M8. of course..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest messsucher Posted August 2, 2006 Share #5 Posted August 2, 2006 Only no envy, Fux. I use the M8 also ever more frequently. A piece of German engineer art really succeeded. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted August 2, 2006 Share #6 Posted August 2, 2006 If you are using an M8, are you not under an NDA or something similar? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jova Posted August 2, 2006 Share #7 Posted August 2, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) @ehecatl Wedding Photo Tips for Amateurs Might help deciding (rather not to do it) I shot one wedding last year and put emphasis on me not being a pro, not being capable of making studiolike photos, but taking pictures of the whole celebration/party more like a reportage, not taking any money and hoping to stay friends ;-) well, it worked out fine (at least they say so!) but I would not do it again, I guess? regards, jova Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
langmjl1 Posted August 2, 2006 Share #8 Posted August 2, 2006 At this stage, a week to go you say, it may be too late to back out so your friends can schedule a photographer. I suggest you sit down with your friends, discuss the situation, make certain you explain to them what you can, and more importantly what you cannot, deliver. Maybe what they like is your "walk around" style. But by all means sit down and set expectations. Make certain THEY are clear on what they want and will be getting. This is THEIR moment, not yours..good luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted August 2, 2006 Share #9 Posted August 2, 2006 Explain that there's no guarrantee that everything will work out, that you're going to shoot it using your normal style/technique. The are streeful, and remember that for the usual crowd scenes you need to be as much of a lion tamer with whip and stool as you do photographer. I did some friend's wedding a few years ago, I explained that the shots were going to be informal rather than posed and they were happy with that and liked the results. To a large extent it's about managing their expectations. Equipment, take the fasted lens you've got, something in the 28-50 range should be ok, depending on what 'style' you have. Take a 90 or longer to isolate people for the background for portrait type shots. Remember it's the bride's day. She's the most important person present :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest messsucher Posted August 2, 2006 Share #10 Posted August 2, 2006 If you are using an M8, are you not under an NDA or something similar? What's a NDA? A Northern District Amateur? (just kidding) But seriously, what is it? Puzzling, Ralf Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest user8952 Posted August 2, 2006 Share #11 Posted August 2, 2006 What's a NDA? NDA could be Non Disclosure Agreement but might as well be New Drug Application both would explain the use of an M8.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest messsucher Posted August 2, 2006 Share #12 Posted August 2, 2006 "Non Disclosure Agreement but might as well be New Drug Application" I don't like drugs. (Except self-turned Gauloises) So it will be probably the first. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael-IIIf Posted August 2, 2006 Share #13 Posted August 2, 2006 I echo the above. (1) Only use equipment and media you are totally familiar with. (2) Show them typical examples of your sort of photography. Make sure they are happy with that - you don't want to be learning a new style on the day! (3) Make sure you know who is who. It would be a disaster to be missing one of the happy couple's parents. If you don't know everyone, get help, arrange in advance for someone to act as your lion-tamer to bully the right groups of people into the staged shots. (4) Agree in advance what staged shots are required. Some couples are happy with one big come-all-ye outside the church/service, but others will be expecting: The Couple and His Parents, The Couple and Her Parents, The Couple and Both Sets of Parents, etc etc ad nauseam. Good luck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehecatl Posted August 2, 2006 Author Share #14 Posted August 2, 2006 Thanks for all your comments! Oops, M8? I mean M7. I won't be using it, at least not planning to do so. Yeah, I've suddenly realized I'm nervous. -s Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandokan Posted August 2, 2006 Share #15 Posted August 2, 2006 At my wedding last year we actually didnt want photos, but a friend took them anyway for us. They are better than nothing, but we wish we had paid for a professional... Take a film camera as a backup. Also a tripod is vital to differentiate that you are there to do a job and it helps with the formal photos. The candid shots of people were good, but where he lacked experience was with a flash gun and more importantly with the formal pictures and directing people on how and where to stand and when to smile at the camera. Good Luck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zanydave Posted August 2, 2006 Share #16 Posted August 2, 2006 If they are your friends, you will enjoy the day more as an invited guest rather than "THE PHOTOGRAPHER".... Don't do it! Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografr Posted August 2, 2006 Share #17 Posted August 2, 2006 They asked you to shoot their wedding because they like your work. Just relax and stay within your style rather than trying to imitate what you think a wedding photographer should do. Remember, you're doing them a huge favor so you can't really go wrong. The most important thing you can do is remain calm and confident because that will make the people you photograph feel and act the same way. Shoot jpeg if that's what you're used to. Now is not the time to start with a process you're unfamiliar with. In addition, you'll get a lot more images on your cards and won't have the added pressure of feeling like you won't get through the wedding without running out of memory. If they want you to do set-up group poses, have them make a list of the groupings in advance and require that they keep it to a minimum and that they stick to it. Otherwise, you'll get in a situation where someone says, "Get a shot of the bride and groom with the bride's brother." Then, "Get a shot of the bride and groom with the groom's brother." Then, "Get a shot of the bride and groom with both brothers." This can go on and on and on. It is easily the worst part of shooting a wedding. The other thing you'll want to do is have the set-up shots scheduled for an exact time, then make sure everyone understands that if they aren't there they won't be in the shots. Good luck! ps--Don't worry, Dave. Next time someone asks him, he won't do it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmr Posted August 2, 2006 Share #18 Posted August 2, 2006 Santiago, there are many more experienced amateurs here than me, not to mention a few pro's, but... I was asked to shoot my partner's sister's wedding last year. There wasn't much pressure though, as they'd hired a professional to do the standard stuff (which, although standard, is really hard). I concentrated on closer shots of the guests milling around and at the reception. Yes, it was a bit nerve-wracking at the time, but I really enjoyed it. I made an album for them via .Mac as well as giving them the digital files and a few dye-sub prints. They were really pleased, as was the bride's mother. Perhaps because they were expecting so little What I did notice is that really poor shots can be recovered if you're prepared to go for some faux-reportage style, which I was glad to adopt. Equipment, one standard-issue Digilux 2. Results - Wedding - well they liked them! Best of luck; don't forget to enjoy it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ed_oneal Posted August 2, 2006 Share #19 Posted August 2, 2006 Several years ago, my brother asked me to shoot his daughter's wedding with the cameras I inherited from our father. I have never been so stressed. After all, you can never get all those people dressed that way ever again. It must be right the first time. First, I made a list of the participants in each shot. My wife kept the list and corralled the right people for each one. (Yes, we're still married, but just barely.) For each shot I took two exposures with the Hassy and backed that up with the M3. Same film in both. The groom's mother became emotional and we had to skip her shots on the list until she calmed down. I even did one with the bride directly in front of a back-lit stained glass window using fill-flash. When the clerk at the lab laid the proof sheets on the counter, I nearly fainted. It was all OK. Flash sync didn't fail. Exposures were all good. We chose shots based solely on facial expressions. Every shot was good. My advice: Same as Andy's: Don't do it! My brother gave me a huge bottle of Jack Daniel's. It didn't take long to go through it. My wife still points to that day as proof of a strong marriage. ;-) Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted August 2, 2006 Share #20 Posted August 2, 2006 Do schedule a visit to the location in advance, preferably with the couple so that you can discuss various planning issues. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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