Wedding photography.

[Richard]

Well the amateur photographers curse has finally caught up with me and I have had my arm twist to shot my first wedding. My brother is financially hard-up at the moment, and shooting his wedding will help him out a lot.

This is a responsibility I don't take lightly there is going to be little room for error, also I don't have the resources at the moment to buy some faster glass, so I will be shooting mostly with kit lenses,The church is flash friendly with is great, so I can set up some remote flashes around the church and If I'm lucky I can borrow a nifty fifty from a friend, as well as another 430EX

My plan is to borrow my father in laws camera body (which is the same as mine). Then have one set-up for wide angle, and the other telephoto.

I've started researching wedding photographers work, making a database of shots I like and working out how they got them, as well as creating shot lists for the big day.

Also I've contacted a local wedding photographer and asked if I can be his unpaid assistant at a couple of weddings to get a feel for it, and see how a pro works.

I've got till the summer 2011 so enough time to get my head around it and get some practice in.

Anyone got any more advice???

[Bambi]

it sounds like you have a good plan. I bet your photos will be great- I've always loved your people shots.

[Iguanasan]

I can appreciate that you don't have enough money to BUY faster glass, however, many photography shops will rent out lenses. $100 for the weekend for some reasonably high end glass would be something to think about if it's only the zoom lens so you can get reasonably fast at 200mm.

Planning is the key. Visit the locations prior to the shoot to understand angles and lighting situations so you aren't trying to figure it out while trying to shoot. The fellow that shot my wedding also came up with a shot list. He knew every shot he was going to take before the day. He only took about 70 shots but every one was perfect (except the one where he had the chauffeur hold the flash) as he took his time and set up each of the shots that he knew ahead of time he was taking. Also, it might be a good idea to find someone who can help you out on that day as well.

Good luck!

[Marko]

Iggy gives some great tips there.

The main thing I'll add is that if you've never done this before, shooting in the shade will be easier than the sun. Normally you do not want overly dramatic light. Keep the sun out of their eyes or they will all be squinting. Take a variety of angles from close up to medium to long shots.

Good luck!

[Rinkdaddy]

Plan for the unexpected. I was hired by a friend to do a small wedding ceremony that was going to take place in an outside gazebo by a waterfall and then inside the restaurant for the reception. I went out a couple of weeks earlier to scope the location out and plan my shots. I found that the surrounding area was loaded with photo ops. So much for the planning as it rained hard all day and the ceremony ended up taking place in the restaurant in a 3 sided glass atrium. I fought the lighting all night as it was a dark romantic room and night outside with no natural light and my flash was bouncing all over the place. The only thing I could do is bounce the flash off a stone wall that made up the fourth wall of the room to my right. I ended up asking the restaurant staff if they had a private room where I could take some family pictures with the bride and groom. They ushered me to a down stairs room with a fireplace and a covered patio. I lucked out an was able to provide some nice images of their wedding day.

[Richard]

Thanks for all the tips guys... I've got some wedding photog books to read as well now

I'll look into lens hire, and try and try and find a willing assistant.

The wedding is in Cornwall (6 hour drive from my house), but will be near the beach, so that might be a good location for some shots, although not much shade and might be a bit busy in the height of summer.

[Iguanasan]

Good luck! My memory is short so I will likely forget between now and then BUT! I still expect to see some of your excellent results!

[kat]

My suggestion, is to take the couple out for some pre-shots..so you are all comfortable with each other. You can get a great idea of what you like, what looks good on them and of course, it will relax you. I'm sure you will do just fine! I admire that you are doing this.. it's a big jump and once done, you'll feel wonderful no doubt! PS...this is all from someone who has yet to do it..so keep us updated!!!

[Richard]

I'll keep you all updated (unless it's a disaster). thanks for your help.