Wedding Pictures - Help

[wackii]

Hi all,

My friend asked me to be the backup photographer for his wedding. I'm just going to help him take some pictures of him and his wife at the park. They have a professional photographer already but they like me to help him of some more pictures. I only have the Nikon D5100 kit lens and a 55-200 lens. That's all I have. He doesn't care about my gear and just want some pictures. I'm basically going to capture some of the moments where they are in the normal interactions and might take some shots of them posting for the photographer as well. Now, I'm pretty new at these stuffs. I need some help. Can you guys/gals give me some pointers. I took mostly landscaping/nature and not sure about this. Any advices/pointers will greatly appreciated. For portraits, what aperture do you use? I told him that I'm not good at portraits but he insists and doesn't care outcome. So, I guess I just need to help him.

Thanks a bunch!

Al,

 

[mommy-medic]

I'd tell him to let the professionals he's hired to do their work and just go enjoy his wedding as his friend.

 

[kric2schaam626]

I'd tell him to let the professionals he's hired to do their work and just go enjoy his wedding as his friend.

+1

 

[cannpope]

I'd tell him to let the professionals he's hired to do their work and just go enjoy his wedding as his friend.

+1

+2

 

[The_Traveler]

I'd tell him to let the professionals he's hired to do their work and just go enjoy his wedding as his friend.

+1

+1

And has he asked the photographer?

 

[rokvi]

Talk to the pro BEFORE the day. Explain what you have here. Ask him to set out some ground rules for you. Don't interrupt him on the day unless he is not in the middle of something. As far as what aperture to use will depend on the shot you want and how much DOF you need. Research!

 

[kric2schaam626]

Talk to the pro BEFORE the day. Explain what you have here. Ask him to set out some ground rules for you. Don't interrupt him on the day unless he is not in the middle of something. As far as what aperture to use will depend on the shot you want and how much DOF you need. Research!

Nope, if the bride and groom have hired a professional photographer, then you are now a guest. Why would he want you to "assist" the photographer? Especially if he hasn't asked the photographer? He needs to double check his contract with the pro to make sure that there isn't anything in it about the pro being sole shooter for the big day.

 

[IByte]

Or what you can do is have a pre-wedding shoot. 55-200mm isn't the worse lens on the planet so don't worry. Just shoot have fun and get some solid practice in.

 

[Billhyco]

my only .02 would be to talk to the pro and MAYBE they will let you assist in carrying bags or checklist or something. You will probably learn a lot more that way then trying to do your own shooting and pissing off the pro.

 

[mwcfarms]

As a professional photographer most have wrote into their contract that they are the only photographer at the event, some go as far as even applying that to photo booths etc because a lot offer add on services. I would get them to check their contract and then tell them either A your not comfortable with this (I'm assuming this because your asking for help on an internet forum) or B that you'd rather just enjoy the day. Or hell, both. If they still want you too then you need to talk to the other photographer prior to the day so they don't get their panties in a bunch. My panties would definitely get bunched up from something like this.

 

[KBM1016]

No offense but that photographer will get super pissed if you get in his way. Think about it, you would be getting in the way of his job. If you must, just make sure you take pictures from affar and just enjoy the day as a guest. Your friend most likely signed a contract stating that their photographer is the sole photographer for the day. It's in my wedding contract. Besides, why would you want that much pressure on you, have a beer and enjoy yourself