My first official wedding :D

[Jerome Love]

I was contacted today about doing a wedding for a co-worker in September. I've done wedding's before, but I was either assisting as a 2nd shooter or recently I did one myself but it was for my mother. So this one has a little bit more pressure to it. I was hoping to get some advice on the "must have" shots, gear, and anything else you think would help.


Best,

Jerome Love

 

[James Roberts]

Jerome,

The big thing you want to ask yourself is if you're ready to do this without a net.

If yes, then I suggest you get a second shooter yourself to help you cover things you didn't think were going to happen and to help with lighting.

If you don't know what someone else would do to help, then I suggest you keep second shooting till you do. Honestly... you might be more comfortable with a co-workers wedding to arrange another pro where you assist.

Again, if this is the one you want to take the plunge on, though, get some help. That will be the very best thing you can do.

As for all the other questions, gear, etc... they're pretty inconsequential until you know what you're doing with light and motion.

Must have shot lists are everywhere--just Google them. Remember you're celebrating (and recording), first and foremost, the union of two families and their extended families. So make sure you get, minimally, those shots.

I hope this helps. It's not intended to sound snarky, and everyone has to start somewhere. Personally, I started with strangers--I would have been mortified to start on someone I had to work with!

 

[Jerome Love]

I found some shot lists throughout the web and I have a good outline of the shots that I need to get and a few that I'll experiment with. I think I'm ready for the plunge alone because the wedding is fairly small (only about 50 guests) but I'll see what I can do about some help.

Onto gear, I understand your statement about light and motion, but I'm just looking for a rough idea
of what's essential, I have extra batteries, memory cards and an extra camera. I have lenses to cover all 3 ranges and one for low-light, so what elese might come in handy?

 

[James Roberts]

Jerome,

How many ways of bending light to your wishes do you have? A couple of extra flashes (that either speak to each other or have radio control) can make a world of difference if you know how to use them together.

I also would not be without a great reflector, which IMO is more important than a flash, even.

I use a California Sunbounce 4' x 6'; I can actually handle that myself usually, but it's better with 2people. Don't think you can use those things without sandbags if you're not holding onto it; they're giant sails. BTW--the cheap reflectors tend to break. There's nothing worse than trying to look professional while those things are taking chunks of flesh out of your arm

I also wouldn't be without a system to hold and categorise cards used and unused. I use the think tank photo pixel pocket rockets... one for CF and one for SD cards.

Lastly, if you're going to do this, I personally like primes and carry cameras with me (or have an assistant carry the lens bag); I don't ever put them down. So a bag like a Tamrack Velocity 9 is worth its weight in gold; I can put 3 cameras on me and carry the film camera in the bag with all the glass.

Not photographic, but I always carry Advil, duct tape and a small first aid kit Not always for me, either.

Good luck! Having another shooter will definitely help you deliver more value too, as long as you're comfortable in their abilities.

 

[Jerome Love]

Well my lens setup contains, 50mm, 24-70, 70-200 and a fisheye. It's a small ceremony so I don't think I'll need anymore range than that. I will definitely look at some reflectors and practice using them. I also have a question about prints, in the past I would just let my clients pick out the photos they want and then they would buy a select number of prints through me and I retain rights to all my photographs. Is this a common practice in wedding photography? What are some print packages you offer to clients, if any?

 

[James Roberts]

Jerome,

My print packages are similar to yours. I always retain the rights to my work.

I also offer albums and I charge per side (page), with no more than 2 images per page on average.

BTW--having two flashes is not about "range," so I'm not sure why you're telling me about that.

FWIW, I agree with your basic lens choices, though, completely. If those are the Canon L 24-70s and 70-200, you could shoot the entire wedding just with them (though I'm assuming you have a 50 1,4 or something for low light; though if your 70-200 is the IS L you don't need the 50 either (well... you know what I mean)).

 

[Kathy Rappaport]

More than that....

I shot my first wedding earlier this year. Small 60 person affair for a childhood friend - her first time. I've been shooting for 30 years, but only 4 or so digitally. My photograph of her, posted to a dating website was what attracted him to her.

My husband, who has also been a photographer for many years as a hobby second shot for me. The most important thing is to view the location at the time you will shoot the wedding so that you can see the flavor of the light and have the right set up going in. We took some test shots at the venue so that we would know what we'd need to do to get it right. We nailed our shots. The thing that helped me most was to look at wedding photos and choose what I would want to deliver in the way of posing. I spent the time pre-ceremony shooting family shots - somewhat formal, but letting people gather in their own groupings. I did a lot of shooting candidly and getting natural unposed shots of people interactions. I did details shots of the dress, the flowers, and table settings. They moved the location from our initial walk through of where the ceremony would be and they did not leave room for a photographer with out me having blocked everyone's view of the ceremony. Because I'd already surveyed the venue, I was able to find a spot to capture the ceremony up front and my husband got long shots. You should also have multiple contact with the bride and groom before the event so that they are comfortable with you. You will be spending most of their wedding day right next to them and they need to get to be comfortable with you shooting them. You have to have confidence because if you don't them they will feel it in their interaction with you and your camera.

Remember you are recording a story of a couple and their day. It's all that will be left at the end of the day will be their committment and the images you take.