Shooting a Wedding for the first time as the sole photographer

[bribrius]

I couldn't do weddings either. Not my thing I would be nervous as well. The person that did ours volunteered to shoot it. And actually did a good job. And our standards weren't high because they did volunteer. A friend. She did a very good job actually actually exceeded what we thought she would do. And she was nervous too even though we tried to tell her not to be. . But this is all on the friend level so there wouldn't be any hard feelings its all Good. I think for a hundred bucks they are basically offering you gas money and a thankyou. That isn't really payment but a thankyou and to help so you don't lose money doing it. Maybe you should relax a little, do your best but don't make yourself miserable about it? You are doing a good thing here helping them out.

If it doesn't work out well, maybe they will be in the fifty percent that get divorced and you can try again shooting the divorce. Could be much more entertaining....
More people should shoot divorces .

 

[billydoo73]

There is shooting a wedding and there is "SHOOTING" a wedding.

A used 1978 Ford will get you from point A to point B. Yes. But, a 2014 Range Rover will get you there is style, comfort, and class.

It is all about expectations and with your knowledge and gear, you 100% have to be honest with the bride because even if you have some mad skills, you do not have the gear or understanding of off-camera flash to make images that pros make every week. Do you know how to trigger a wireless off-camera flash or will you just stand 4 feet away from them during the first dance with an on-camera speed light the whole time? That is what makes a big difference.

To be honest, anyone can really shoot a wedding as long as they don't miss the important shots, keep in focus, and do all of this with a bride that really does not care. But, if you have a bride that has been following pintrest for a year and has all these images in her head, well, you are going to fail. Not because you are not good, but wedding photography really is an art that does require at least $10,000 of pro gear and an understanding of light...be it the sun or flash.

I shot my first wedding alone and did ok...hear that? just ok. They paid me $500 and I got the job done. They expected nothing more than point & shoot quality images and my stuff blew them away. But, if I posted it here, it would be average at best. Now, I do not go to an event without a 24-70 f/2.8, 70-200 f/2.8, 85mm, 50mm, 18-35mm, 3 flashes, strobe, 2 bodies, diffusers, batteries upon batteries, etc. Oh, and I shoot PJ style and travel light.

In any case, you have to start some place and lots of wedding 'togs discourage folks. I hope everyone does well, but just be realistic. The bride needs to know you will not deliver the work of Susan Stripling...and believe me, they are looking at these $5,000-10,000 photographers on pintrest and expecting to get the same quality at a discount. You really can't buy a great wedding photographer at Walmart.

 

[ShootRaw]

$100 is not worth the trouble..Especially if you have to rent gear etc...You should be a second shooter at a wedding way before ever taking this high-pressure job...You would need spare memory cards and batteries as well.

 

[PCimages]

*Get to know the siblings, parents, grandparents, nieces and nephews. Candid pictures of the family make a bride happy.
*When it's time to get pictures with the entire family together, take control of the moment. Keep smiling at all times but be forceful enough to get their cooperation. You'll only hold their attention for a few minutes, so I recommend setting up your camera, take a few test shots so your settings are perfect, pose the family, get the shots you need and let them go. They'll be happy and you'll fool them into thinking you really are professional.
*Search local, high-end wedding photographers and find some shots you like. Copy their compositions but throw your own style into them.
*Like JoeW said, go beforehand and check out the location. I prefer being there exactly 24 hours before so you see the same light and you also see current gardens and other scenes. Find spots you like and remember them for pics, the bride and groom didn't take this step so when you lead them right to a perfect spot they'll think you're amazing.
*Clean your lenses and other gear the night before the wedding.
*Remember that you're a photographer and you know how to take a good photograph. The bride already likes your style and she'll like the finished photos, don't stress about it!
*Pay attention to everything happening around you, capture everything happening around you, stay hydrated and have fun!