What’s Your Preference?

Kellidascope82 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-26-2009, 10:29 PM

I took some pictures of my best friends wedding in May of 08. There are only a few because I was also in the wedding. I was just standing alongside of the photographer she had hired. Anyway, her sister is getting married in August of this year and asked if I would take her wedding pictures. I need all the help that I can get. I have posted some pictures. Please take a look. Any feed back would be great. In all honesty seeing what you see, do you think that I should do the wedding?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/...ff5d1f24_m.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/...fddba358ba.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3302/...1f631f1cd6.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/...24a9bcb738.jpg

Canon Powershot S3 IS

private · #2 (**permalink**) 01-26-2009, 10:36 PM

Well, that depends - what size is the wedding and what demands does she have?

Kellidascope82 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-26-2009, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by private

Well, that depends - what size is the wedding and what demands does she have?

Not really sure yet, they have a huge family so I am sure that the wedding will be big. She really doesn't have any demands. I plan on making a list of who she wants photographed ex. bride and groom with grandma, groom and mother...ect. She is pretty laid back about everything.

candleman · #4 (**permalink**) 01-26-2009, 11:15 PM

what gear are you going to be using? you dont want to do it with anythign less than a decent dslr.
believe me.
my first was with a bridge camera.. it went ok but better gear would have meant the ceremony shots werent so "hit -n-miss". there WILL be a massive amount of "miss" especially if the wedding is indoors.

bear in mind its an incredible amount of work too.. i spent around 40 hours all up on the last one i did.
the last one i did i spent 5 hours just reviewing and deleting, betore i even started my editing process..
theres a reason the pro's charge so much. its definatley the hardest thing i've done photographically.

anyway.
it boils down to
1. are you up to it?
2. is your gear up to it? -can you freeze a moving target in your living room with the curtains closed?.. if no then you probably wont be able to do it in a ceremony

if you feel inadequite then i'd suggest you dont do it, but if they cant afford a pro and wil have no photographer at all.. then just do it (thats how i got my first)
best of luck tho' you've gotta start somewhere

wulf · #5 (**permalink**) 01-27-2009, 09:44 AM

I've moved this thread - critique is for ONE image at at time but you are asking about how to approach photographing people at a wedding so it fits better here.

There is still a limit on no more than four photos and it would be much easier if you could include the photos here rather than just links. I've edited down the number of links - skim the FAQ for help on presenting them as photos. You can edit the post to fix that (and perhaps then give a link to a set on Flickr for those who want more).

Thanks,

Wulf

kencaleno · #6 (**permalink**) 01-27-2009, 09:55 AM

Hi your pictures are all underexposed- I have worked on a couple so you can see the difference-For wedding advice see my take on wedding photography in the tutorials forum. regards, Ken

private · #7 (**permalink**) 01-27-2009, 01:48 PM

I am also a very laid back person, and 10 years ago, all I wanted from my wedding was candid photos. (We got married on a boat). And this is what I learned, be very specific with the photographer. If the wedding is indoors, make sure you have a fast lens.

DennisBZ · #8 (**permalink**) 02-03-2009, 02:03 AM

Not to dishearten you but wedding photography takes skill, practice and experience. I suggest you read Ken's take on weddings. I agree that you have to start somewhere, somehow but skill levels in this field of photography is achieved with proper training and experience. Having the right cameras (you should have two at the least) and equipment is an entirely different story.

I suggest that you ask the couple to hire a professional and volunteer to be a second shooter. This way, you get to have a first hand experience in wedding photography and learn from the professional. Of course, the pro should be informed of your role. He or she may give you instructions on where to place yourself and what to shoot and other stuff. The important thing you have to remember though is that the professional has priority in taking photos so try not to get in the way. If you enjoy it, then get formal training.

Here's another article that you may want to look at: http://www.aljacobs.com/NEW%20WEDDING.pdf

Cheers.