Wedding Reception first time

[weags77]

Hey guys I am going to be shooting my sisters wedding reception in a few month and was wondering if anyone had any tips or things I can practice. I usually don't do "people photography" but do dabble from time to time with varied success. It will be at a golf course banquet room so I'm guessing lighting will be pretty much like other reception places that you guys might have shot at.

First ill say that I am not getting paid to do this and its one of my "gifts" to her. She is not looking for anything super professional and does not want any of the usual scripted and posed wedding photos. Just photos of people "having fun" were her words.

I have a Nikon D3100 and D600. Lenses available to me are wide and 17-35 FX, 24-85 kit FX, 35 DX 1.8 and 18-55 kit DX. Only flash is a sb400 that I rarely have used. I have monopod, tripod and wired off camera flash adapter.

Any suggestions on kit, lens and camera setting, focus modes or anything would be really helpful. I usually shoot manual landscapes or still subjects. I have a decent idea that I will need fast shutter speeds, most likely with high ISO and wide open. Would I benefit from "dry runs" at home chasing the animals around the house or should I look at going to a bar or something to mimic the scene ?

Just outta my element and guess freaking out a bit. Shes not expecting a lot but I also want to be able to give her better than she expects. I know i can get some decent shots by pure luck and what i currently know but I'd like to provide more than that and any kick in the right direction will be greatly appreciated.


Thanks,

Weags

 

[oldhippy]

If I had two pick, it would be the 85 1.8. G.
On the D 600 it is fast and extremely sharp.
On the D 3100 maybe the 35 1.8. Or a zoom

 

[D-B-J]

Setup the 3100 with the 35 1.8, and the d600 with the 85 1.8. You may want a flash, either bounced or remotely triggered(at least an sb600 if you could.. The sb400 is low powered and limiting). My suggestion would be to find a location with similar lighting, and then try to practice, so on the day of the event you are a little more prepared. Also, do lots of research. Here is a good start, but also look at other photographers photo's, check out their angles, how they caught it, and basically find photos you'd like to emulate. I am glad that you are not getting paid for this, but treat it as if you were. Best of luck! I'm sure others with more experience will chime in.

Best,
Jake


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Robin Usagani]

Who is shooting the ceremony??

 

[weags77]

Thanks for the replies guys. Ill bring both cameras with the suggested setups.

I have done some research but most of what I have seen has to do with flash and I definitely need work on that. I won't be able to get anything more powerful so I have to make due with what I have, the sb400.

And believe me I would not take money for doing this. I clearly specified that I was not in any way a professional at this. She's cool with it and will not get many, if any, printed so she is ok with the whole snapshot look. She will put them up on social media mostly. And like I said I'm sure to get lucky with a few decent ones if she wanted to print. The pro photos she's getting done in Hawaii during wedding. So the pressure is mostly self imposed here.

 

[weags77]

Who is shooting the ceremony??

Thankfully not me haha. I ain't that courageous...and she ain't that stupid haha.

The wedding is in Hawaii. Wisely she hired a pro for that. The reception is local.

 

[Robin Usagani]

I see.. so the actual wedding is done on a different date? This is just a reception for people who didnt make it?

 

[weags77]

I see.. so the actual wedding is done on a different date? This is just a reception for people who didnt make it?

Well yes I guess. It's a private wedding, it's what they wanted. Just them two. On a different date. Almost like getting married on vacation then having honeymoon, then reception for family and friends.

 

[JoeW27 1]

You said this was in a couple of months and you're in Springfield MA so I'm assuming it's all indoors with terrible lighting (b/c you may still have snow on the ground). Multiple suggestions for you:

1. View the D600 as your prime shooting body. Put the lens on it and that you think will work the best for most of the shots (85mm perhaps?). I'd put the speed light on the D600 with a diffuser of some sort (like a Fong) and shoot it up off the ceiling. I'd put the 35mm f1.8 on the D3100, I'd jack up the ISO on that baby and shoot with no flash (or if someone is at a distance, use the popup flash only for fill). No tripods or monopods unless you want to get a group shot of everyone in the photo.

2. My wife and I did a private ceremony (relatively private--only 18 people there) but then went on the road to two different locations for all of her family and all of my family that couldn't make the wedding. It was great. Did two informal receptions. Loved it and I recommend it to anyone thinking of the idea.

3. If she had a pro at the wedding, then she got lovely shots of her and the groom, maybe the maid and best man party stuff. But no participants. So at a minimum, you want to shoot everyone who wasn't at the wedding and shoot them having fun. Drinks in hand, chatting, dancing. Make it a point to shoot everyone who is there (b/c the purpose of the reception is to honor and have fun with those people who couldn't be at the wedding--so don't exclude them from your shots). Get at least one shot of everyone (even if it's a group shot).

4. Think of something you can do in terms of portraits that also fits the wedding theme. Find a wall that serves as a decent backdrop (or hang up a cloth with a jungle or beach look). Give couples leis to throw on. Or encourage everyone to wear hawaiian shirts to the reception. Or have tropical props (a fake parrot, drinks with umbrellas, sunglasses). And then shoot portraits of families or couples during the reception holding a sign that says "we love you B&G" or "best wishes" or some other lovey sentiment. Or have a fake shark photo bomb in the background. But besides shooting the reception, think about any theme or additional planned shots you can do besides just shooting what goes on at the reception.

5. As your sister if there are any formal shots/portraits she wants. For instance, family members (who couldn't make the wedding) with B&G? And will the B&G be at the reception in their formal attire or dressed down? Will they do a garter and bouquet deal (like a traditional wedding)...if so, be prepared to shoot that.

6. Definitely put together a shot sequence checklist list of what you want to shoot. Otherwise you'll forget.

7. Visit the site days before the reception. Check out how tall the ceilings are (that affects your ability to bounce light off it), possible hot spots or reflections that will be bad, a good location to shoot portraits. Most of all, look at the lighting so you know what white balance setting you'll need to use.

 

[table1349]

I'm going to toss out a whole different idea since this is a reception. Buy a bunch of cheap, disposable cameras and put them on the tables. At the start of the reception make and anouncement asking the guest to please feel free to take them an use them throughout the evening and then put them in a box you have specially prepared. Let them know that when they are developed you will also get digital copies made and will post all the photos.

Even though at our daughters wedding we had a top notch wedding photograher who took great shots, some of the most cherished were taken by family and friends of each other. One in particular caught a wonderful smile of a cherished aunt who passed a couple of months later.

A single photographer can only catch so much. A lot of family and friends shooting can catch so much more, often of people in a more natural state.

 

[weags77]

Awesome advice both of you. I think I will apply both to this situation as best I can. Let the more intimate moments be captured by the people making them and I can fill in the blanks and do my best to capture the scene as a whole. Thank you.

 

[Clee33]

I suggest bringing a secod shooter, to get a second point of view and as a backup in case grandma jumps in your way right before the money shot! (It happens more often than you think)
Good Luck!

 

[Iluxa007]

I suggest to get a few cheap triggers, cheap flashes and attach on light stands. Reception usually requires super fast glass without flash and a FF sensor for high ISO. otherwise use flash for your zooms. And shoot MANUAL MANUAL MANUAL only!!

 

[gsgary]

Who is shooting the ceremony??

You, have you forgotten