Wedding shoot noob

2WheelPhoto · Mar 23, 2012

Spray and Pray per the other thread! Then if you happen to get one or two salvageable pics, charge out the yang yang. Or just charge per Spray and fog the place up with shutter sounds!

jamesbjenkins · Mar 23, 2012

Guys, the OP is done with this thread. Clearly they know better than us.Gotta love know-it-all rookies...

billydoo73 · Mar 23, 2012

Julielynn83 said:
Im very new to photography. I have noticed how negative some (alot) of people are on here. I dont get why people have to trash other people when they ask a question. Thats how they learn. There are many ways to answer something without being so childish. I sometimes feel like I'm reading high school kids talk! Its also refreshing to find pro's on here that are nice and want to help! I just can't stand the ones that come on here and try to be so mean to make themselves feel better!

i am a "Pro." i guess. i shoot weddings on the side for cash, so I guess that counts since I do have a formal business and tons of gear. LOL

you will find 2 types of Pros, those that help and those that are very guarded. typically, in my opinion, those that bash others tend to lack self-confidence or they're jealous of other's work. i love to help others. i was brand new once and i am always learning. i am no Cliff Mautner, but i like to think I have some talent.

the thing that rubs a lot of pros the wrong way is someone shooting a wedding for the 1st time with no experience. IT CAN BE DONE. but, you will usually see more failures than success. i was lucky in that i have a skill and a desire for it and my first time was alone and i had zero experience. i did well. but, i could have flopped. when you ask a basic question about shooting a wedding with 1 body and a kit lens, well, you shouldn't be shooting a wedding. in fact, you could ruin the day.

you need a solid understanding of exposure and, i hate to say this, but in this instance, you really do need the gear. weddings are all about low light and off camera flash to be done correctly. on camera speed lighting is acceptable, but not preferred. so, a single body with kit lens and pop-up flash is just wrong on so many levels. i have $10,000 in gear and i feel i need more, especially lights some times.

this is basically it in a nut shell.

...others just say it with a little less tact

APHPHOTO · Mar 23, 2012

I couldnt agree more. I also feel there is more negativity than positive coments. Just remember, for those who think their pros. There was a time when you were not.

farleyfoto · Mar 24, 2012

Here is a few from my sis in laws wedding

farleyfoto · Mar 24, 2012

TenaciousTins said:
Whatever you do, don't charge them.

Have them sign a release stating that they know you are not a professional and that the results may not be as good as desired.

Always take your camera if you have a chance to visit the place ahead of the wedding. This has saved my butt in the few weddings I took for friends (and no I am not a professional and refuse to be paid for weddings, and refuse in general to do weddings now).

Read, read read. Just because you're excited and they liked your shots from a different wedding doesn't mean they're going to like the pictures of their wedding. Learning about lighting is GREAT...but it is not everything. Take into account the fact that a white dress against the dark clothes of the wedding team can make things a bear. Take into account how many people will be in the wedding...getting everyone into the shot and having it turn out so that every person is seen sharply can be a task. Angles angles angles...when you are THE photographer you have to be creative, innovative, and on your game. You have to be assertive but friendly and if they don't like the way you're doing something you have to be flexible. You can't have an attitude that tells them that you know everything and they know nothing. While the customer is not always right in photography, they have to feel like they are, so if they ask you to do something specific, you have to be prepared to be as creative as possible in making that particular situation work.

I have shot about 5 weddings now and all of my "customers" were non-paying and WELL informed about my lack of knowledge in that area. They were plenty happy with my pictures which was pretty shocking...but again, I never led them to believe that I was any better than I am. If it's an outdoor wedding it may be easier since some churches indoors are absolute pains. If it's indoors, you need to have an external flash at the very least to get anything close to decent shots. If it's outdoors, you have to work with the exposure, especially if the sun is brightly shining and there are shadows. Speaking of shadows, watch your shadows. You don't want the bride or anyone else there looking bigger than they are...that's for sure.

Have fun and learn lots...it will be tiring so make sure you have plenty to drink, extra camera batteries and batteries for a flash if you need it...backup equipment...and possibly, a backup person who is willing to shoot with you so the bride has more pictures to choose from. and definitely take your camera with you, no matter where you go, but especially since you're going to the wedding site. Take note of the natural shadows happening, the possible lighting issues, the setting in general. Have your friend pose even with a white sheet or white shirt on so you can an idea of what kind of settings you'll be needing to work with. Play with angles too. Good luck.

I agree with what you say and already have that covered im not charging them and they have agreed to sign. Thanks again

Robin Usagani · Mar 24, 2012

farleyfoto said:
Here is a few from my sis in laws wedding

Post more.. but so far they just look like the photo was taken by one of the guests.

farleyfoto · Mar 24, 2012

jamesbjenkins said:
Guys, the OP is done with this thread. Clearly they know better than us.Gotta love know-it-all rookies...

I never said I knew it all... I was looking for any and all advice. If it came across like that I apologize for that. And I read each post and think on it. I want to say thanks to each and everyone of you ....

farleyfoto · Mar 24, 2012

Here is some more

farleyfoto · Mar 24, 2012

TenaciousTins said:
Whatever you do, don't charge them.

Have them sign a release stating that they know you are not a professional and that the results may not be as good as desired.

Always take your camera if you have a chance to visit the place ahead of the wedding. This has saved my butt in the few weddings I took for friends (and no I am not a professional and refuse to be paid for weddings, and refuse in general to do weddings now).

Read, read read. Just because you're excited and they liked your shots from a different wedding doesn't mean they're going to like the pictures of their wedding. Learning about lighting is GREAT...but it is not everything. Take into account the fact that a white dress against the dark clothes of the wedding team can make things a bear. Take into account how many people will be in the wedding...getting everyone into the shot and having it turn out so that every person is seen sharply can be a task. Angles angles angles...when you are THE photographer you have to be creative, innovative, and on your game. You have to be assertive but friendly and if they don't like the way you're doing something you have to be flexible. You can't have an attitude that tells them that you know everything and they know nothing. While the customer is not always right in photography, they have to feel like they are, so if they ask you to do something specific, you have to be prepared to be as creative as possible in making that particular situation work.

I have shot about 5 weddings now and all of my "customers" were non-paying and WELL informed about my lack of knowledge in that area. They were plenty happy with my pictures which was pretty shocking...but again, I never led them to believe that I was any better than I am. If it's an outdoor wedding it may be easier since some churches indoors are absolute pains. If it's indoors, you need to have an external flash at the very least to get anything close to decent shots. If it's outdoors, you have to work with the exposure, especially if the sun is brightly shining and there are shadows. Speaking of shadows, watch your shadows. You don't want the bride or anyone else there looking bigger than they are...that's for sure.

Have fun and learn lots...it will be tiring so make sure you have plenty to drink, extra camera batteries and batteries for a flash if you need it...backup equipment...and possibly, a backup person who is willing to shoot with you so the bride has more pictures to choose from. and definitely take your camera with you, no matter where you go, but especially since you're going to the wedding site. Take note of the natural shadows happening, the possible lighting issues, the setting in general. Have your friend pose even with a white sheet or white shirt on so you can an idea of what kind of settings you'll be needing to work with. Play with angles too. Good luck.

It is kind of outdoor wedding the building is called the ruins no ceiling at all and the main shot the bride wants it to be done down by the water and on a couple of the bridges. This is where the wedding will be taking place

jamesbjenkins · Mar 24, 2012

farleyfoto said:
Here is a few from my sis in laws wedding

And you're thinking these are evidence of your pro level skill?

• You're using a naked pop-up flash
• You didn't even bother to crop / straighten the wedding party shot
• The B&W shot is badly under-exposed

I'm going to assume that since you select these images to post, you think they're some of your very best work.

You don't want to hear this, but the simple fact is that you don't yet have anywhere near the skill set to shoot a wedding solo. If that's what you want to do, study up, find a pro who will let you second for him/her and teach you how to shoot like a pro. 'Cause right now, you might as well be some cousin of the bride/groom with a P&S.

Not trying to be rude, just realistic. You have a lot of work to do.

chuasam · Mar 24, 2012

You get what you pay for

Bitter Jeweler · Mar 24, 2012

jamesbjenkins said:
farleyfoto said:

Here is a few from my sis in laws wedding

Click to expand...

And you're thinking these are evidence of your pro level skill?

Where did she say she was pro?

Nevermind. I see, it was in her thread title.

billydoo73 · Mar 24, 2012

i agree with Jamesjenkins. a lot of the shots look washed out, likely due to the pop-up flash or direct harsh lighting. i see some were attempted to be saved in post. you got some important shots and maybe some brides would be happy on a budget. but, you have to work on dynamic range and less direct lighting. also, watch your crops.