First wedding, lessons learned

[voodoodude]

Hello all,

Wasn't sure where to put this, but since it's "general" advice, I figured I'd just put it here. If it's wrong, let me know where to put it please.

Just so we're clear, I'm no wedding photographer. I do small events, cars, landscapes, architecture, and other things that don't move much. Or at least, nothing that anybody will miss if I don't get the shot.

This past Friday morning was my girlfriend's best friend's wedding. I already knew the couple and their family. Nice folks. They were having a rush wedding, so no real time to prep and go over details. They had a couple friends with cameras, and I was going to be one of the shooters. Somehow, it went through the grapevine that since I had biggest camera, I would be the primary. Ok I thought, no big deal, I've read every web article on weddings ever written. I almost exclusively use "M" mode on my camera, and have decent glass. I had backup equipment, and a nice pressed suit. This would be cake.

I was barely ready ( this is my opinion, my gf kept saying I would be fine, but that's her job isn't it?). I hadn't realized how much exposing a white dress would darken a black suit. Av mode was nigh useless. I hadn't realized that even though I was able to get the shots indoors, I would forget to switch from iso 1600 back to 100 for the outside shots, then back to 1600. There's a lot to be said for Auto iso, lol.

The worst was my lack of crowd control for the formals. 6-7 photogaphers besides me drawing attention away from the group. Oh yeah, heads and eyes pointed everywhere.

Still, even though I'm sure the pros will chuckle, I wouldn't have traded the experience for the world. There are some things you won't learn unless you do it. Unless you are forced to work your camera and knowledge to your absolute best. When your best plans are ruined and you get the shots anyway. That nice fun either you do it, or you do it attitude.

I loved it. Once I got home and looked at the pics, I only saw the great ones, around 10 of 488 frames. Once I relaxed though, and looked again, I started seeing more and more keepers. Ended up with a good 150 shots. Again I'm no pro, but working like one, is something no amateur should shy away from.

Here's my favorite shot from the day.



Shot with Canon 5d classic, with Tokina 28-70mm f2.6-2.8.

Thanks for all the advice that the pros give on this website, as well as other forums they may post in. It's invaluable to someone starting out like most of us here I'm sure.

Congrats!

Weddings are so much fun. Some people are scared because of the challenge...I love it because of the challenge

Each wedding has different challenges...different lighting, venue, models...you never know what you're going to get. You find yourself adapting to each situation and finding different ways to make it work. And the more you do, the better you get.

My piece of advice is to back-up your photos immediately. I didn't think it could happen to me, but last week my hard-drive went down in the middle of processing wedding photos. I was lucky enough to recover it all, but scary none-the-less.

[Jim Bryant]

Good for you! Yup..get them off your card into a folder and burn a copy of the folder asap, choose your selects, work on them and burn a copy of everything.

[voodoodude]

Well thanks to my IT background, that's the one thing I did as soon as I got back to the office. I've got two copies of the raws, and two of the jpegs + online backups on smugmug and dropbox.

Here's hoping I've got enough backups

Thanks for the advice though! Not enough of us backup!

[zetson]

Originally Posted by voodoodude

Or at least, nothing that anybody will miss if I don't get the shot.

I really like this quote because it so important, especially in the learning phase. Shoot and learn. If you get some good shots, it's a bonus. Well said.

[stellarshots]

I just did my first one for a friend a few weeks ago. She told me she'd pay me, but I insisted that I have absolutely no experience it shooting weddings. I couldn't justify taking her money and possibly letting her down on such an important day. I also told her she needed to hire someone that was experienced, but that I would certainly try to get as many shots as I could just as a sort of wedding gift.

And I totally agree with everything you just said. Portraits are one thing. Shooting a wedding is a whole different ball game! I definitely learned a thing or two and it was most certainly a priceless learning experience!

I think the example shot you posted here is a fantastic start! Keep up the good work. And I hope you get more chances to practice! :-D

[candleman]

congrats.. the first time is the easiest
ignorance is bliss

Next time you will probably stress out more, because now you have an idea of what you’re in for and have seen where you need to improve.

crowd control is always a problem... you need to let the bridal party know before the even to pay attention to you.. and not to everyone else and cite the reason for people looking out of the frame. Etc etc.
its even more annoying when subjects in the frame refuse to do as told. "move closer" ..tell him 5 more times and he's still in the same spot. “ok, give us a big smile on 3” ....no smile
FML


looking forward to seeing some more

[ilookalot]

haha sounds exactly like my first attempt at my sons wedding .We were told of the event 3 days beforehand .I did some quick research at dps and kept my fingers crossed.On the day it was a sweltering 40 degrees C and a blazing bright sun needless to say i spent a good deal of time in front of the computer fixing things. i ended up with some good photos after all .it was a great experiance but would like to add that if it was a film camera all would be lost ,thank you whoever invented digital

[voodoodude]

Originally Posted by candleman

congrats.. the first time is the easiest
ignorance is bliss
)

Hah, that's what I'm afraid of. Next one will be bridezilla throwing my camera gear on the ground because I kept taking pictures of her ex husband who was for whatever reason in the audience. (I dunno why but, a couple of my friends, they take the "lets just be friends" very seriously.)

Thanks for all the well wishes and warnings!

I don't think anybody around me is getting hitched any time soon, so whew! I can just take event pics and practice.