Tips on conducting a Wedding Photoshoot

[ianpinion]

I've been asked whether I would like to be the official photographer for my niece's wedding in January next year. I've never done an official wedding shoot before and wondered whether any of you guys had any tips for me.

The event itself is going to be held at an old coaching house in the centre of town, so what equipment should I need, except a camera and how would you go about planning the shoot in advance?

[jinky]

Make sure you discuss expectations with them. If it`s a free / wedding present gesture that you are doing make sure that they know you will do your best but not a pro and discuss style of shots and must have shots before the day.

Use your fastest lenses generally and be sure you have a flash gun or teo - preferably off camera or bounced if you can. I`ve found on the few I`ve done I`ve mainly used my 8-75 adn 70-200 2.8 lenses but my 50mm 1.8 is great too and I would use my recently acquired 85 1.8 next time. Don`t forget there are lots of people who can take good snaps now with modern digital equipment. The way to make yours stand out is by shooting wide open and using dof. make sure othes know you are the official photographer when gettign people together for formals - if any but make sure you get reportage style candids using a long lens when possible.
Look out for the incidentals and the kid shots. If you use flickr look at / join wedding groups - you`ll get loads of posing ideas. Some of the ones on my website are versions of others I`ve seen but make sure you know what the couple want and don`t push your style on them.
Visit the venue in advance to check out the light levels so you know whatyou are working with. make sure in advance of the ceremony that you know the rules of the registrar - will they allow flash, do they expect you to go easy on shiutter activations / flash - one told me he would stop the ceremony if I went too mad with shots and over-use of flash but no definition of what was too much. His assitant told me he was pretty deaf and if I shot to oe side behind him (which was best vantage point) that I`d be OK. Despite the fear I got as many as I needed without spoiling it for the couple or those attending.
Be as cheeky as you liek with guests in getting the poses - most people really don`t mind at a wedding and rapport is everything.
The few I have done I have found really hard and tiring and raised a sweat but hugely enjoyable in terms of self expression - so just have a good time. I`m no expert and survivd to get some decent shots so sure you can.

[jamie1982]

Get someone in the family who knows everyone to act as your group photo organiser is always a good help.

I would also sit with your niece to ensure that she knows what to expect and find out the shots she really can't do without. Who she must have pictures taken with.

Make sure you visit the event around the times of the wedding will be taking place in the few days running up to it to check on the lighting and how the sun will effect your shots etc. Also make sure you scout for locations of where you can get nice pictures of the bridge and groom (a lawn perhaps) as well as the best place to take the group shots. Look for things in the background that can add to or may take away from the pictures not just where there is enough room for them.

If you are doing a lawn shot of the bride and groom, I would strongly suggest taking a carpet tile if you can find one. This will stop the brides heels digging into the grass. (will be covered by a long dress usually).

I would also suggest you get shots of the bridge getting her hair done and things like that as these can look really nice and will also help build up the wedding album.

I would agree with jinky on pretty much all he has said to be honest, but would add that you think about turning the sounds off on the camera.

Don't be frightened to get into the places you need to be to get the good shots, but do't get in peoples way either.

If the bride is going to be walking down the isle, get in the isle, behind the groom but in from of the minister to get the shots of her walking down it. This way you are not distracting the bridge or groom from each other.

If the reception is a sit down dinner, shots of things like placemats, table flowers, table settings and things like that are good to fill up the back of the wedding album.

Flickr is your friend. Take along a laptop and show the bridge and groom some of the images that you CAN actually achieve with confidence.

Lastly, TRY and enjoy yourself.

[wavemachine]

Just some things to add:-

Construct a shooting plan prior to the event with the bride and groom this gives you something to work from and also makes them think about what shots they want and who they want in it. You can also add your own creative idea on to that as well.

Plan the important shots and take them safely i.e. go for settings you know will work once you have the key shot then play around with cretivity.

Try to do a pre wedding shoot this will help the bride and groom to get more relaxed with the camera and give you an opportunity to get them to pose sensibly.

To get more natural shots be as unobtrusive as possible, even if you are allowed flash during the ceremony I would avoid using it as it interrupts the event you are there to capture, key moments such as signing the register, exchanging rings, saying vows can be faked as well after the main ceromony. Also worth faking the cutting of the cake.

Try and get a copy of this book it has helped me a great deal.

If they have said they will pay you something agree a fee up front even if you are not going to accept any money from them, this will make them take your role more seriously and get you more cooperation on the day, this may sound a little harsh but you will need it.

Have plenty of spare batteries and memory cards, also have a backup plan in the event of equipment failiure even if it is a compact.

Watch the light, should not be an issue this time of year but I shot a wedding in October, the main ceremony finished at 4:00 PM I was shooting in AV and didn't notice the light levels dropping slowly as a result a couple of shots were not as sharp as they could have been.

Equiment wise I used a 10-20, 24-70, 70-300 most shots I took were with the 24-70 with fill flash. A tripod is handy as are external flash and reflectors.

Look at other wedding shots for inspiration.

As already mentioned try and find out what they want on couple told me they just didn't want shots with red eye or things sticking out of peoples heads so some people expectations can be quite low

As mentioned before it is incredibbly tiring as one person said to me at a wedding I did "you seemed to be every where I looked."

If you are contimplating earning a bit of money from photography then get some business cards printed as this will be a good oportunity to pass a few on.

Remain calm you know how to take good shots and enjoy the experience I know I have.

Good luck

[ianpinion]

Well thank you all for your advice. I'm not sure if I'm not even more daunted now than I was before though...

[wavemachine]

Sorry if you feel more daunted that was not my intention.

Having looked at your gallery you are a cracking photographer and can certainly deliver the goods, personally I found that my panicking and planning beforehand paid off. Yeah I looked at the photos initially and just saw what was wrong with them and not was right with them but then realised the proportion of keepers I had was very high more so than usual so to that extent the added preasure can really help.

The bride and groom were really pleased and when I look back at the shots now I think I did a good job, yes there is always room for improvement that is what makes this such a fun challenging hobby but the important thing is I captured the day with some nice shots which after all is what it is all about.

The other thing to consider of course is that these people have seen your work (at least I assume they have) and think you are up to the job, take it from me on the day you have no time to panic and will be so glad when it is all done that you did it, and will probably want to do it again only better of course

[ianpinion]

Somebody has mentioned to that a monopod would be better than a tripod on a wedding shoot because you can work faster with it and it's less of a tripping hazard.

I've been in touch with a professional who is willing to give me some 1-2-1 training to help me prepare and be up to the challenge on the day.

[jinky]

Not seen anyone usefully use a monopod at a wedding Ian. The ones I have done have all been hand held - rarely even using a tripod but always having it with me as a nuisance piece of baggage to look out for. Use your fastest lenses and get proficient at use of flash - especialy off camera - that`s what I am still striving for

[ianpinion]

When you say proficient at using a flash, do you mean being able to place it at the right height and direct it at your subject at the correct power level to effectively light your subject? I don't think I've got sufficient time between now and the wedding to reach that level of proficiency, even though it's not until early next year.

I know I will need to use fill in flash for most shots and I should get a nice catch light in the eyes too.

[wavemachine]

I have to say I didn't use off camera flash although I did use a difussorand avoided direct flash, although didn't really have time to experiment with off camera flash. Although I agree if you get proficient enough that it becomes second nature I can see the advantages.

With regards to a tripod I used that for formal group shots, I can see the advantage with a monopod where a little more stability is required in difficult light situations but then they will obviously need to be posed shots as pesky people have a tendancy to move

Wow 121 with a pro what an opportunity, I could have done with that