I am shooting a wedding in 2 weeks, help wanted!!!

[theantiquetiger]

A childhood friend saw my images on Facebook and asked me if I would shoot her daughter's wedding on the 22nd of this month. I first told her no and explained to her a wedding photographer and an artistic/landscape photographer are two completely different animals. She insisted I do it, so I told her I would do it for free if there was another wedding photographer there and don't be mad if I don't come up with one good image. I told her I will do it for the practice.

So what are some good basic rules of wedding photography? It will not be at a church, it's at a reception hall (and ceremony maybe outside)

[Marko]

The basic rule is learn to evaluate the light you are shooting in to make decent pictures in that light. Wedding environments change from venue to venue. Normally this involves mixing ambient light and natural light at certain points during the wedding. This takes a few years of practise to do well.

Some really basic tips are -

- Be aware of your shutter speed at all times especially when indoors. Make sure it's always at the minimum speed to guarantee sharpness. If you are going to break this rule, be aware that you are doing so.

- Direct flash sucks unless there is no other option. Like Indoors at night at the wedding reception when bouncing isn't possible - it's usually your last resort and best bet.

- Use a continuous auto mode to catch the bride walking down the aisle. Practise this many times before the wedding. Get it down. The goal is the eye. But the face is way better than the background.

- take tight shots when possible - try to catch candid moments.

- Be super polite at all times but don't be afraid to 'get in there' to get the shot. Do not hang back at key moments during the ceremony, get right in there.

Hope that may help and if I think of more tips I'll throw them in.

[theantiquetiger]

Thanks Marko!!!

I told the mother of the bride (my friend) that I am probably more nervous than the bride right now. I told here don't expect much, so when I catch a great shot, it only goes up!!!

I told her I don't want to do any wedding party/family portraits after the ceremony (I don't want to miss out on the buffet!!! That's a joke). I want to stick to candid/artistic shots.

I do have my 10-24 wide angle lens for a family portrait, but just afraid one flash is not going to get it. I do have my two slave flashes, but the umbrellas have yellowed (I may practice with these this weekend). Sadly, the only camera shop in town closed a couple months ago, so I cannot go grab a couple umbrellas.

***Edit***

After posting that, I went on eBay and bought two 40" translucent umbrellas for $15 shipped. They will be here in 6 days.

Here is one of the two slave flashes I have

[Yisehaq]

Though I can not give that much of technical advice, what I suggest is to visit the church before the ceremony begins and get some test shots. I don't shoot weddings but when I am asked to shoot meetings, workshops etc at my work place, I have found this to be a life saver. Windows are very tricky object! At least for me! Just my two cents....

[JAS_Photo]

Kelby Training has some really great wedding photographers. For $25 for a month you can watch unlimited videos. Members | KelbyOne I really enjoy David Ziser. His courses might answer a few questions you have and give you more confidence. He is extremely minimalist. I am not a wedding photographer so i can not presume to give advice but I think you will really enjoy this guy.

[Barefoot]

Though I can not give that much of technical advice, what I suggest is to visit the church before the ceremony begins and get some test shots. I don't shoot weddings but when I am asked to shoot meetings, workshops etc at my work place, I have found this to be a life saver. Windows are very tricky object! At least for me! Just my two cents....

Pre-visiting the church during the hours the wedding will occur might help you to establish some custom WB setting that will make the PP task easier. Just a thought.

Check list.

[asnow]

I know how you feel. I got voluntold to shoot a wedding a couple of years ago. Like you zero experience.
I think the first thing we have to learn about this is to say NO. Anyway, now that you are committed, here are a few things I can think of from that one experience and the things that I have read.

1. Churches can be very dark, and some don't allow flash. Check this out ahead of time as well as get the lay of the land. You may want to rent a fast lens from one of those lens rental companies. They will ship you the lens(s) and you ship it back to them after the wedding. I rented the 24-70 f2.8. Just checked back and my pictures were generally around f2.8, ISO 800 and 1/60 sec.
2. Take a few pictures with a grey card to help with the white balance. I regret not doing this and had a hell of a time in post trying to fix the white balance to make them look decent.
3. Like Marko said, don't be shy, get in there and get those pictures.
4. Keep an eye out for some good candid shots. Even if the pictures aren't technically perfect, great expressions can overcome some of the technical imperfections. I remember somebody saying "Expression over Perfection"
5. If you do take outdoor pictures, try and find open shade. Maybe try and find something you can use as a reflector to help with the shadows.
6. I had no idea of the standard group shots that you are suppose to take. I was lucky and others seemed to know and helped gather up the required people for the pics.
7. As much as you are probably dying inside, look confident. It not only helps with others perception of you, it help you get through it. Tied into this, take charge (in a nice way).
8. Talk to the bride (couple) ahead of time and find out and make a list the essential pictures they really want you to get.
9. Be prepared anything to go wrong. Spare batteries, backup camera\lens, etc in case yours stops working.

I hope this helps a bit.

[TedLeon]

It is a new challenge. Also has no wedding photography experience. Looking forward to your first wedding photos.