First Wedding : Advice?

[KariBelle]

One of my friends saw my "regular" work (portraits, animal portraits, architecture, music shows, etc) and asked if I would be interested in shooting her wedding in March 2012. I've never shot a wedding before (and she knows this) - I want to, but have not had the opportunity yet. It will be just me shooting, so I am looking for suggestions and advice on shooting a wedding solo. She is not your traditional girl - she's still working out what she wants and the venue, but she said she wants a few of the traditional portraits/serious shots but mostly just wants to have fun. She does not have her guest list determined yet (she just got engaged a month ago and has started planning the wedding). There are still many details to work out, so I know the venue and size of the event will come into play... but I'm looking for some suggestions in the meantime.

Any suggestions/advice for shooting this wedding?

Thanks!

[SusanH1970]

Since you've got over a year before her wedding, I'd strongly suggest you be a second-shooter with an experienced wedding photographer for a while to learn the ropes.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Since you've got over a year before her wedding, I'd strongly suggest you be a second-shooter with an experienced wedding photographer for a while to learn the ropes.

big plus 1
even if you assist one or two for free...

[KariBelle]

Thanks... I'll definitely look into that!

[wsu_danielle]

I agree to hook up with another photog and go as a second shooter to a few weddings. Also, somewhere on here is a list of types of wedding pics you should make sure to take. Use it! I did for my first wedding and it was immensly helpful.

I had family that asked me to shoot their wedding this summer. Like you, I hadn't shot a wedding before and had ony been doing portraits for about a year. It was a great way to break into weddings and I now have another booked for February!

A couple of side notes are to make sure you have enough SD cards and a powerful flash. And just know that no wedding ever runs on time!

[fantasmic2tek]

I have this list of wedding shots . If you will private message me I will send it to you.

[Boscopix]

If possible to work with someone first, that would be amazing, but if not there are some other things you can do to help you prepare. I shot my first wedding actually as a present for the couple, and some things I learned...

Research online: Like someone said, on here are some great lists of shots you should try and get. Also, look lots of wedding photographers to get ideas for different angles and creative shots. I personally love documentary style wedding photography (sounds maybe like your friend likes this as well)

Chad Richardson Photography | Twin Cities area wedding photojournalism and wedding photography | Hastings, MN
This is a good friend of mine who actually shot our wedding, he really has an amazing way of capturing moments without you even knowing he was there

Be prepared: Make sure, double, triple sure, you have enough batteries and cards! You don't want to run out of space (and you will use a lot) or battery juice. I say this, beacause on my first wedding I totally ran out of space, and trust me, never will happen again! haha
Also, be prepared for all types of lighting. Which is why definitely good to have a strong external flash incase you need it.

Knowledge: I know your not quite sure of all the details yet, but I always found it helpful to know how everything was going to go down. I live in Munich at the moment, and they do weddings differently than in the US..so I always recruit a nice family member to tell me how everything will go...and maybe some key people (brides aunt who she is very close with) that you might want to try and get a special shot of.

Shoot in RAW: just incase you dont...very important

Have fun: Try not to get too stressed about it (I was a wreck!) Yes, it is an important day, but just be prepared and do your research and you will do great. If you are having fun, the people around will be loose as well, and that makes for great pics!

Hope this helps a little!!

[candleman]

Originally Posted by Boscopix

If possible to work with someone first, that would be amazing, but if not there are some other things you can do to help you prepare. I shot my first wedding actually as a present for the couple, and some things I learned...

Research online: Like someone said, on here are some great lists of shots you should try and get. Also, look lots of wedding photographers to get ideas for different angles and creative shots. I personally love documentary style wedding photography (sounds maybe like your friend likes this as well)

Chad Richardson Photography | Twin Cities area wedding photojournalism and wedding photography | Hastings, MN
This is a good friend of mine who actually shot our wedding, he really has an amazing way of capturing moments without you even knowing he was there

Be prepared: Make sure, double, triple sure, you have enough batteries and cards! You don't want to run out of space (and you will use a lot) or battery juice. I say this, beacause on my first wedding I totally ran out of space, and trust me, never will happen again! haha
Also, be prepared for all types of lighting. Which is why definitely good to have a strong external flash incase you need it.

Knowledge: I know your not quite sure of all the details yet, but I always found it helpful to know how everything was going to go down. I live in Munich at the moment, and they do weddings differently than in the US..so I always recruit a nice family member to tell me how everything will go...and maybe some key people (brides aunt who she is very close with) that you might want to try and get a special shot of.

Shoot in RAW: just incase you dont...very important

Have fun: Try not to get too stressed about it (I was a wreck!) Yes, it is an important day, but just be prepared and do your research and you will do great. If you are having fun, the people around will be loose as well, and that makes for great pics!

Hope this helps a little!!

congrats!

[Boscopix]

Originally Posted by candleman

congrats!

Thanks a lot!

[KariBelle]

Danielle,
Thanks! I will look around on here also for wedding pics to take. I've also been checking out Flickr a lot to see what other people are taking, just for ideas. My friend is very.... spunky, shall we say... she's not a gal to conform to the normal stuff, so I know a lot of the photos I'll be taking aren't going to be the serious shots. She said she'll be happy to keep me in the loop on locations of the wedding and reception and let me know if she has another location she'd like to shoot at, so I'll be able to scout out the locations.

Originally Posted by wsu_danielle

I agree to hook up with another photog and go as a second shooter to a few weddings. Also, somewhere on here is a list of types of wedding pics you should make sure to take. Use it! I did for my first wedding and it was immensly helpful.

I had family that asked me to shoot their wedding this summer. Like you, I hadn't shot a wedding before and had ony been doing portraits for about a year. It was a great way to break into weddings and I now have another booked for February!

A couple of side notes are to make sure you have enough SD cards and a powerful flash. And just know that no wedding ever runs on time!