Shooting My First Wedding In 2 Weeks, any tips?

[sch1308]

I have a Nikon D60 and I'm borrowing a D90 and SB-800 flash. I am only 15 and I'm nervous about what settings to use etc. The wedding will be in a church at 9am. I live in Florida (not sure if that matters). I will be going to the rehearsal to scout out locations to shoot at later on this week. I have been shooting for my Boy Scout Troop for years and also in my High School Band so I have a little experience.

[metalpam]

15 and shooting weddings already? Wow! All I did when I was 15 was cut school and smoke cigarettes. haha

1. When the big moments happen, pay attention to your settings. Don't risk anything being lost to camera shake! Ask me how I learned this the hard way flying on Av and not watching my shutter speed!

2. For group shots, have everyone close their eyes and count to 3 before firing a few frames (set your drive to multiple shots) so they can all open their eyes and smile. This will keep the shots from being ruined by one blinker (and even doing this you still get them sometimes!) Also helps with squinting if it's sunny.

3. Plan every detail possible ahead so you can move fast on the big day. Make a pack list for your gear even if you don't think you need one and triple check it.

4. Memory cards and spare batteries ON YOU, not in your bag. If they're not on your person I can almost promise Murphy's Law will kick in and your battery will crap out as the couple is exchanging their first wedded kiss!

5. Ask the bride/groom to point out a person who knows the order of operations and who important people to photograph are. You don't want to be nagging the couple every few minutes (though I do ask before I leave if there's anyone in particular they want pictures of in case someone important was missed). The DJ (if there is one) usually knows the order of things, become his/her friend immediately!

6. Stay calm. I'm still working on that one.

[metalpam]

I just realized you are borrowing a camera...I just did this for a wedding and will probably never do it again. Get to know that camera before the wedding!! Just because it's a Nikon doesn't mean everything is in the same spot. If you're already familiar with it, ignore this post. Ditto for the flash!

[kencaleno]

A blow by blow account of a typical wedding - Ceremony at 4pm

You have your little schedule cards on a loop of string

You have your flash/strobe set to ¼ Iso (for fill-in, or all outdoor photos if you want to play safe, use at full Iso for indoor shots)
Your 18-55 zoom lens on camera

1. At Groom’s house 10:00 am - 11:30am ( All times can only be approximated)

Groom, getting ready,
Groomsmen, playing around
Groom, in mirror
Groom dressed, GQ pose, jacket over shoulder
Groom Full length
Groom with mother Close-up
Groom with Father Close-up
Groom with both parents full length
Groom with both parents close-up
Groom with Grandparents Full length
Groom with Grandparents close-up
With sisters
With brothers
With immediate family
Groom and Best man full length
Groom and Best man Close-up
Groom and best man shaking hands
Groom and all groomsmen

2.At Bride’s house 12:30am - 3:00pm

Bride dressing
Mother helping with veil
Mother/maid of honour adjusting veil
Bride looking in mirror

Bride with mother looking in mirror
Bride putting on garter
Bride putting on garter with bridesmaids looking on
Bride full length
Bride half length
Bride close-up
Bride with Mother close-up
Bride with Mother full length
Corsage being pinned on Mother
Bride with Father full length
Bride with Father close-up
Bride pinning-on Father’s button-hole
Bride with both parents, full length
Bride with both parents, close-up
With Grandparents close-up
With Grandparents full length
With sisters
With brothers with immediate family
Bride and maid of honour full length
Bride and maid of honour. Close-up
Bride with attendants
Bride with flower girl/ring bearer
Bride leaving house with parents and Bridesmaids
Father helping Bride into limo



3. At the Ceremony 3:30pm - 4:45

Groups of guests and everybody
Flower girl walking down aisle
Ring-bearer walking down aisle
Maid of honour walking down aisle
Bridesmaids walking down aisle
Father walking down aisle with Bride
Father “Giving Bride away”
Bride & groom exchanging vows
Bride and Groom exchanging rings
The Kiss
Bride signing register
Groom signing register
Bride and Groom walking back down aisle
Bride and groom outside church

Bride and Groom getting into limo 3

4. Formal Photos 5:00 - 6:30

Bride alone Full length

Bride alone ¾
Bride alone close-up
Bride alone head shot
Bride alone peeping over flowers

Bride & groom Kissing
Bride & Groom full length
Bride & Groom close-up
Groom full length
Groom ¾
Groom close-up
Close-up of rings
Group shot of bride & bridesmaids [18-55mm zoom]


5. At reception

Wedding party announced
Bride and Groom announced
Bride & groom’s first dance

Wedding party dancing
Bride’s dance with Father
Groom’s dance with Mother
Best man toasting Bride & Groom
Bride & groom toasting each other
The cake

Bride& Groom posed at cake
Cutting cake
Bride & Groom feeding each other cake
Throwing bouquet
Bouquet catch
Groom taking off garter
Groom throwing garter
Garter catch
Bride & Groom with catchers
Guests leaving
Posed departure of bride & Groom ( Kissing, waving etc.,)
Bride & Groom leaving reception venue
Bride and Groom leaving in limo
Close up of invitation
Picture of band or DJ






Ken Caleno

Creative People Photography Phone/Fax :


Standard Wedding Photography Contract

Wedding date_____________
Bride’s name____________________________ Phone:______________
Address___________________________________________ ________
Groom’s name___________________________ Phone:_____________
Address___________________________________________ ________
Address After Wedding________________________________________
1. This constitutes an order for wedding photography. All original images remain the intellectual property of Ken Caleno. The client agrees that editorial use of photos and/or advertising use by Ken Caleno is acceptable unless otherwise noted. Ken Caleno may make use of these wedding photos for samples to show future customers.

2. Although all care will be taken with the negatives and digital images taken at the wedding, Ken Caleno limits any loss, damage or failure to deliver pictures for any reason, to return monies paid ( Except for Scheduling fee )


3. Upon signature, Ken Caleno reserves the time and date agreed upon, and will make no other reservations for that time and date. for this reason, Scheduling fee is non-refundable, even if date is changed or wedding cancelled for any reason.

4. A scheduling Fee of 50% is due on signing this contract; the remaining balance to be paid 7 days prior to wedding date.
All terms of this agreement are understood and agreed upon.

Agreed price for photography $_________________________

Signature of photographer:_________________________________
Signature of signing party__________________________________
Address___________________________________________ ____
Date________________