so i did it

[eNZee]

so i had my chance this morning and afternoon to do some shooting at a wedding and guess what i learned?????????????

its HARD!!!!!!!
no pressure on my end - i wasnt the paid photographer and i quickly got over my jitters.
its interesting to observe a wedding from that end though. lots and lots of commotion and you get so many obstructions - its not even funny.
it was pretty funny because my husband was observing the other photographers who were eyeing my gear but in comparison to theirs - mine was a joke.i still found that funny.
they were nice enough though. didnt get any cut eye.
but ive definately figured out that (and this also goes for all of you who are looking to get into these waters) that you totally have to be prepare equipment wise and skill and experience. without that youre SCREWED!! i have discovered that i dont like my kit lens. just not fast enough (i have the 50mm but didnt want to use it because didnt want to get in the way - i was really on the sidelines) and trying to manuver around everyone to catch the shot was difficult. im guessing from a setting up the shot point of view its much easier when you are the paid photographer but still
overall i felt it was pretty challenging.
ugh lots to learn, lots to learn

[candleman]

which lens did you use?

looking forward to the pics

[eNZee]

i used the lens that came with my camera 18-105mm
definately not liking it for this stuff. oh well.

[rosserx]

Originally Posted by eNZee

so i had my chance this morning and afternoon to do some shooting at a wedding and guess what i learned?????????????
edit
it was pretty funny because my husband was observing the other photographers who were eyeing my gear but in comparison to theirs - mine was a joke.i still found that funny.
end edit

I had the same experience at a gathering where several photographers were present. Eyeballing each others gear covertly and deciding whether you're a threat or not. Weird.

Annnnddd...Now you see why Jim and I are hardest on wedding photographers.

Starting to make sense, eh?

[amymnc]

I'm so glad to hear somebody say it was hard. I've talked to quite a few folks who don't know the first thing about lighting or editing (and I'm at the bottom rung myself) and all I hear is "oh it's super easy to do weddings, just go for it, charge x amount".
Then I see their wedding shots with the bride and groom crooked and I know why they said that.
It's just nice to hear other folks who have that healthy fear of weddings. Always feel bad for the newlyweds who end up with horrible photos.

Sounds like a great experience and learning tool you had today! I'd like to follow along on some wedding shots myself.

[AGoldenTouchPhotography]

I think being the non paid behind the scenes photographer is a great way to start out.
I shot as a second once lol, but was in the wedding so my shots while intimate where limited.
I just turned down a wedding today, while I am flattered I don't feel that I am even 5% there both equipment and experience wise.
I hope you get more opportunities to get in there and get the experience you want.

[PnwGuy]

Thanks for sharing your story. Made me feel better. It IS hard. Very hard. The first and only church wedding I shot at least I had the chance to visit they day before during the rehearsal. I took some practice shots and when I looked at them that night I just knew I was in over my head. I furiously brushed up on flash and ended up more confused than when I had started, and with less confidence. Plus I had no real plan as it was a last-minute request.

Walking into the church the next day I thought about my first jump/fall off the high dive. Just close your eyes and jump, and that's how I approached it. Even with 2 bodies and one fast lens and two 580EX IIs I still felt quite unprepared. Having flash and knowing how to use it effectively are two different things entirely, especially when you add diffusers to the equation. Luckily they were only paying me 300 bucks and there was one semi-pro shooter there. We worked in tandem quite well actually.

I also agree about the chaos and obstructions. I was getting bumped and jostled during key shots. Cell phones and point and shoots were thrust in my shot more times than I could count. Halfway through I remember thinking "never again".

[eNZee]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

Annnnddd...Now you see why Jim and I are hardest on wedding photographers.

Starting to make sense, eh?

you're sooooo right.
but let me just say this experience definately wont turn me away or scare me away from doing it in the future. i likedthe challenge and im very determined to do this. but i think i also have a realistic approach to it. i totally get what you guys are saying.
there are soooooo many factors involved. i have this certain standard i set for myself and i dont feel i can reach it with my equipment or experience.
aside from that i think my BIGGEST issue is overcomming that lack of confidence. being able to control a situation. however, i definately wasnt in the place to do that but i was still very self conscious while doing my own thing.
its not easy people, its not easy. and i think for those people who think it is, is very very naive and have no idea what the hell they are doing in the first place.

practice, practice, practice. thats all i can say.
in anycase, i think i got some shots that im really happy with and others could be better. i was just happy to get this chance in the first place to even test the waters.
makes me want to push further. ill get it one day .............hopefully

[amymnc]

Originally Posted by eNZee

i have this certain standard i set for myself and i dont feel i can reach it with my equipment or experience.
aside from that i think my BIGGEST issue is overcomming that lack of confidence.

I'm at that point too. Hang in there