First wedding, tips and pointers?

[mikeLphoto]

Hello all,

I have my first wedding shoot in about a month and was looking for any advice that might be helpful. I have shot a handful of formal events, etc. before but nothing quite like a wedding. Is there anything that I should be aware of that could potentially save me from ruining anything?
Gear that I own: Nikon D300s, Nikon 50mm 1.4, Nikon 70-200mm 2.8, Tokina 11-16mm 2.8, SB-600 speedlite, westcott shoot through/bounce umbrella, 8' light stand, 60" reflector
Gear that will be rented: Nikon 24-70mm 2.8, SB-900

I will also have my friend photographing as well however he is there more for the learning experience. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated, do's and dont's, things I should be looking out for, during the event as well as after for presenting the images to the client.
Thanks and happy shooting!
-Mike

[candleman]

umm.... where do we start?


Don't stand on the brides veil or knock the cake over ?

• In no particular order
• Talk to the Celebrant before the ceremony and ask if they have any rules. (the majority don't... but you'll feellike an @ss if the Minister decides to stop the Wedding to make an example out of you.)
• Find out EVERYTHING you can, about the ceremony. think like a planner but don't get in the way.
• The Limmo driver, Videographer, DJ and Catering Staff are valuable tools.. so communicate with them about what they understand should be hapening or when thy are going to do something. They can be allies if you're courteous and understand that they also have a job to do, and take their just as seriously as you do.
• Travel the routes between all locations in the days before the wedding.
• Make a shotlist or pose list to help jog your memory for poses
• Use flow posing to help you save time. (a slight variation to the pose at a time)
• Check out the venues beforehand and plan where you will be, when you will move etc. etc.
• Check behind you often so you don;t bump guests, or something worse.
• Take an umbrella in the car (I got rained on today... lucky I had an umbrella )
• Shoot in groups of threes. first overall, then 3/4 then detail for each scene.all without moving which will make you start at square 1 again on your lighting.
• Shoot kids first, they get bored, dirty and tired quicky
• Take refrshments for yourself... you will need it. I take hydrating energy drinks and biscuits. I only eat or drink between locations and in my car.
• Anticipate and plan ahead during the ceremony, make sure you're ready for when they "peck" and retract instead of smooching.
• Find out by asking someone who the family members are, and make sure you get shots of them mingling.
• Tell your friend not to shoot from the same angles as you and n he same focal length.
• Make Damn sure you get the parents and the couples formal shots together, you can ask them to make a shotlist of who they want in each group photo. Also ask them to delegate someone who knows the "important" people so you don't have to yell at their guests to hurry the hell up.
• Don't wear bright colours, most professionals wear all black so they are less conspicuous.
• Don't eat their food.. you're a hired hand not a guest. If they offer.. I generally say thank you and have a quick orange juice in a quiet corner. It's unprofessional to sit around, not taking pictures and eating their food.
• Keep spare cards and batteries and a lens cloth ON YOU.. you will need it at the most inopportune time. (EG. today in the rain I had to clean a water drop off during the outdoor ceremony. AND I had an ERR message during the Recessional... "OH %$#*" indeed. but managed to clear it in around 3 seconds.
• NEVER EVER format a card at the wedding.. Murphy's Law states Thou shalf format the wrong card.
• smile smile smile.. if you smile.. they smile.
• Ask the B&G before you leave if that is all you can do for them... don't just walk out.

you have good kit.. it's all down to how well you know your gear.



the hardest part by far... is keeping the ball rolling in the creative/bridal party shots.. and keeping the ideas and fun flowing.

all the best.

[Biomech]

Absolutely allof the above! ^^

Just a quick few off the topof my head.

In a Catholic wedding the bride is always on the left of the groom.
Bride comes first, groom second.
Get everyone, not just the people you know / like the look of.
umm...., use flash but check it use with the ceremony holders first.
If you miss something, use your knowledge to fake it if you can. ie First dance, stop down, vignette and isolate the bride dancing at a later date while they are dancing. That one saved me last time :P

Top tips:

1. When it goes quiet - particularly during the reception - it means something is about to happen. People always wonder why I jump up and rush to another room mid conversation during a wedding :P

2. Don't forget the detail. It's not all about photographing the people. That button hole flower might not mean much to you but could be a 2,000 year hierlooms. Try and capture the theme - you/old/classical/fun/crazy etc

I'll think of more when I get home. HTH

[autofocus]

Mike, a little tidbit video to watch...can't say it's real informative, but just some ideas for you
Perfect Picture Video Tips and Tutorials

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by candleman

umm.... where do we start?

• In no particular order
  Candleman's list follows...

This should be a stickie.

[candidrachel]

Those are great tips! I would strongly suggest you find out exactly what kind of photos the bride and groom want.

My first wedding ever was for a couple who both got married before so they didn't want all the fancy, ponsy, all singing all dancing whistles and bells posed shots. They just wanted me to mingle in amongst the guests capuring a comprehensive fly-on-the-wall approach.

It was hard work but well worth it. I produced a coffee table book for them showing all the hightlights plus a cd of low res outtakes at their request.

I don't agree with Candleman's "don't eat the food rule". I feel that its only polite for the bride and groom to offer to feed you! Afterall if you are taking pics from 10am til gone midnight like I did there is no way you can work productively without food in the belly!

Good luck!

[scootermcq]

Could be different areas have different practices. Here it is the norm to feed the hired help (dj, photographer etc). It is in my contract that they feed me. Usually gets cold as I am jumping up all the time, but 10-12 hours is too long to go without eating (especially for me)

[Biomech]

I think food is definately something to consider. I don't think any of us are saying sit down during the speeches and have the main meal with everyone else. But there's nothing wrong with a plate of buffet or a sandwich off to the side out of the way.

[candleman]

If you're shooting the entire reception, they will more than likley fed you.
I've been given a meal once (when I did the entire reception), and I quite often get given nibbles or a drink. It's only really the norm at larger & high end weddings here.

What i'm saying is, don't expect to be fed and looked after as if you're a guest.
As a "hired hand" walking over to the buffet table and loading up a plate and scuttling of to a corner without being offered anything, I think is just rude. (common sense)

The majority of my weddings I don't shoot the entire reception.
I'm normally shattered by then, I don't enjoy it, so have priced accordingly.

[windrider86]

I agree Candleman. I'm always offered a plate or drinks but I find it difficult to sit down and eat and drink when they are paying me a lot of money to capture their "special day" I'm there to do a job, plain and simple. What if I was off in a corner stuffing my face and something happened and I missed it? there is no going back when the bride stuffs the cake into her new husbands mouth.
Befriend the wedding planner. That person is priceless for you. They know when every event is going to happen and where.
If you have weak knees, wear a knee brace because you will be up and down more than you can count.
Bring lots of business cards with you to give to the guests.