Wedding Methodology/Etiquette

[2WheelPhoto]

I have a very informal outdoor wedding to shoot Saturday evening. I haven't been caught in a "outdoors at sundown" scenario yet for a wedding. So I wanted to hear it from the wedding elite on the forum. The vows will be at 7 PM, sundown will be a little after 8 so plenty of light.

Your thoughts/discussion? And I'm not a wedding photographer, this is a favor to my friend the bride. I have a few thoughts about sundown.

• Ask the bride if its ok to set up mono-light and modifier ahead since she stresses itys informal, maybe break out my CTO sundown gel, blast them with ProFoto's best and have my second shooter shoot "available"

• Both me and my second shooter shoot available, maybe worry about the mono-lit pics during the photoshoot before and after the ceremony.

• Take my 4' x 6' lastolite reflector and light them up! Have assistance shine some SOS signals upon them, with vapor lock mode as the pastor gets to the "kiss the bride" part.

• Pop a prime lens on, adjust to aperture blades max-open, set ISO and shutter, and yell "HOO0RAH IN THE NAME OF SCHWETTY" after each shutter click =)

Weddings always make me appreciate model shoots/portraiture =)

 

[tirediron]

I'm definitely NOT wedding elite; not even wedding near-elite, but I do have thoughts (Yeah, I know you could smell the smoke).

Even though it's really informal, I'd hesitate to have a big light set up blasting the wedding party; I think that might distract even really informal. I like the idea of doing the fully lit shots after the ceremony.

The reflector has possiblities and I'd probably go with that, assuming that the light and location make it possible.

Good luck...

 

[MLeeK]

I'm definitely NOT wedding elite; not even wedding near-elite, but I do have thoughts (Yeah, I know you could smell the smoke).

Even though it's really informal, I'd hesitate to have a big light set up blasting the wedding party; I think that might distract even really informal. I like the idea of doing the fully lit shots after the ceremony.

The reflector has possiblities and I'd probably go with that, assuming that the light and location make it possible.

Good luck...

I'm not the elite either and I second the thought on the big light thing. Even though it's not formal, the bride and groom will have guests and they are pretty important to the couple.

I'd shoot with a speedlight on a bracket and or possibly strategically place one in an inconspicuous spot with trigger/receiver. You can gel the speedlights. This is where I actually like the fong products and probably would use one of them, the lumiquest or something similarly small for my modifier.
The reflector is going to be a key piece for posed and formal, but I am not so sure it's going to be workable for the actual ceremony. It's another large THING up there. Doable? probably. Sneak up the minute they get down the aisle and prop it directly in front of the 'aisle' at the necessary angle. Make sure you sneak it out of there before the recession.
If you can't do it during the ceremony re-create immediately after using whatever equipment you want. Just be quick with setup because they aren't going to want to spend a ton of time with you... they want to get on with the celebration!

 

[Robin Usagani]

LOL.. I dont shoot wide open that often on the faster primes.

1. This is what I would do.. but it may be too late to talk about it. First I would tell them how nowadays, it makes more sense to see each other before the wedding. Shoot the B&G and wedding party before the wedding. Then you only have to worry about family pics after the ceremony.

2. Tampa will have sunset about 8:15 PM. I wouldnt worry about it man. Personally I would use a prime since it is a small wedding anyway. You should be able to get close and personal no problemo.. but your fast zoom will do. I just shoot it with available light but I would attach my flash on camera just in case you need it during recessional. During the ceremony, you can get away with low shutter if you brace your camera against something.

3. Tell your b&g there is no time to meet and greet. Tell them to meet and greet at the reception. Get your family photos done ASAP.

4. Get the wedding party and b&g done and really utilize the beautiful sunset. If it gets too dark, find a background that is lighter (sky, lighted wall/building) and do some off camera flash. Geeez.. this is what so hard about wedding. You have to adapt.. youll do fine.

5. If for some reason the reception is outside also, I would ask your assistant to walk around with you holding your flash. Plus set up a few off camera flash around the dancing area.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Thanks Schwetty =)

 

[2WheelPhoto]

also thanks mleek and tirediron!

 

[12sndsgood]

Kind of fits in well about a conversation we were having at work. a coworker was at a wedding of a friend, and he was asking me if its normal to have a large strobe setup firing with every shot. he said it lit up the entire room everytime a photo was taken and after about 50 shots they were so annoyed they were ready to go home.

 

[Derrel]

Pop a prime lens on, adjust to aperture blades max-open, set ISO and shutter, and yell "HOO0RAH IN THE NAME OF SCHWETTY" after each shutter click =)

^^^^^^^^^Yes! ^^^^^^^^^

"That would, be like, totally awesome, Dude!"

 

[rexbobcat]

Kind of fits in well about a conversation we were having at work. a coworker was at a wedding of a friend, and he was asking me if its normal to have a large strobe setup firing with every shot. he said it lit up the entire room everytime a photo was taken and after about 50 shots they were so annoyed they were ready to go home.

But I thought that there was a direct correlation to the convolution/complexity of a setup and the quality of the shots.

 

[deeky]

I'm certainly no elite in the photography world, but I'll speak as someone who has worked in the church. If you at all have questions, speak to the pastor. Many of them take the wedding service quite seriously, regardless of the 'informality' of the feel. Our church has a 'no flash during the service' policy, which the 'professional' photographer was made aware of ahead of time and disregarded. Other visitors followed suit and began popping off flashes until the pastor actually paused and asked for no flashes.

The photographer obviously didn't know who I was when they laughed at the pastor and made a comment under their breath and within my earshot. They then kept popping off with the flash.

Guess who will never again shoot a wedding in that church, regardless of their contract with the happy couple.

Don't know what your professional aspirations are, but at least for respect, check in with the officiant/planner on any wedding. They can be a closed door or a great source of referrals for you.