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05-10-2009, 02:52 PM
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My first (and probably only) wedding! Help!
Hi All -
I've been asked by a sister-in-law to photograph her wedding next weekend. I've warned her that I'm an amateur photographer with very little experience and I learn something new everytime I shoot. Let's just say, my price was right... aka FREE. This time, I feel like there's no room for error - I don't want to miss something from her special day! Basically, I'll run down some of my concerns - perhaps you can lend feedback on some or all of the issues. I'm using a Nikon D40 with kit lens (18-55mm), and zoom lens 55-200mm f/4-5.6. I also have an external flash (Nikon SB-400), two batteries, and 2 x 2.0 GB Sandisk Ultra SD Cards. 1) This is an outdoor afternoon wedding - should I be using flash? If so, will the SB-400 have enough power due to its small size? What about flash placement? (Straight on vs., angled?) 2) What shots should I be looking for? E.g., bouquet toss, cutting cake, etc. 3) My style of photography is mostly landscape where objects don't move and I can take my time with the composition. This also means I can take several shots with the hope of getting at least one good one. This obviously won't be the case. Any general tips to a beginner? 4) In terms of people, I'd rather capture candid happy couple/guest shots versus posed ones, considering I don't even know how to pose them! Any thoughts? 5) Should I be shooting in RAW? I'm concerned I'll run out of space on my 4 GB worth of cards. 6) Once everything is done, how can I distribute the pictures online to family/friends so they can view/print full sized prints? As you can tell, I'm a little lost here. Thankfully (or at least I hope), the Bride and Groom know what they're in for... but regardless, I'm going to do my best and put my all into this. Thank you so much for your help! I look forward to hearing some advice! 
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05-10-2009, 09:02 PM
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Quote:
 1) Yes, especially if the sun creates harsh shadows. Turn down the exposure *slightly* and use the flash to help balance shadows. I, for example, didn't have any extra flash equipment; just the default one. Use a piece of white tissue in front of the flash to soften it a bit (with a little tape to keep it in place) if you notice it's too harsh. 2) Probably as much as you can. Otherwise, no idea, I'll let someone else answer this. 3) Just take lots of shots; you'll get lots of different poses and candids and positions but ONE of them will be good. And post-processing may be your friend (I know it's mine!!). 4) They WILL want some posed shots probably, but for candids, I would take my telephoto lens and stand away from the crowds, always looking for good angles. If they stand around talking a while, I find a good angle quickly and shoot from afar off, so they don't notice the camera easily. 5) Yes, RAW RAW RAW. I could take 200 on my 2 GB, so you'll be fine with the 4 GB. Just be slightly conservative when it comes to "random" shots. 6) Distribute on a CD or DVD, but give them high-quality JPGs (this is up to you), never give clients your RAW photos, even family. (That's my decision anyway. Most people can't read PEF files. Heh.) I think you'll do fine. Scope out the place before you start. Know the environment; look up the weather, etc.
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camera Pentax *istDL θ wide Pentax 18-55mm f/3.5 Φ52; tele-macro Tamron 70-300mm f/4 Φ58 Photos registered under a CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 U.S. license.
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05-10-2009, 10:32 PM
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I don't have answers to most of your questions, but if you have the time check out this site. It's got a lot of information about using on camera flash effectively, and he talks a bit about weddings too I believe...
And I've never shot a wedding, nor do I plan to any time soon, but I would pick up an extra 4gb or so of space just in case. I don't know prices where you're at but I usually have no trouble finding 4gb cards for around $15... so why not pick up the extra space in case you need it.
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05-10-2009, 10:38 PM
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My take on Wedding Photography - Kenneth William Caleno ( Part One)
Essential Equipment Two camera bodies that share the lenses Two flashes (strobes) plus cables, etc., 18mm-55mm zoom-for groups 50mm standard lens F1.8 or even better F1.4-for low-light situations Not essential, but handy for candids and from back of church images- 70mm-300mm zoom lens large capacity digital storage cards At least triple batteries as you think you will need Two white reflectors Diffusion (soft-focus) filter 85c warming filter for grey days Tripod for formal photos Lens hoods to control flare Planning the wedding shoot You must have a timetable to work from, or you will fail miserably. You must always remember: The Bride is never on time Cars are sometimes late arriving Ministers will often talk for longer than expected Traffic may be chaotic Something may have been forgotten somewhere Murphy, being the Patron Saint of Wedding Photographers, will no doubt ensure that if anything can go wrong-it will, and usually at the most inopportune moment. Allow for plenty of time for each section of the shooting script. Planning Session Planning is crucial, so make sure that time has been allowed for photography, and travelling to each location. A: Who is Paying? Find out who is paying for the photography, because the person footing the bill is the client, and needs to be consulted-If the bride’s parents are paying, and want nice, classic portrait shots of Bride & Groom, and the Bride wants cross-processed, arty, or black & white images-you had better get nice safe photos for Mum and Dad as well! It is very important to find out and determine EXACTLY what the client wants, and is expecting to get. Quite often people do not know what they want-until you have shot it. What you don’t want to hear is: “ We didn’t want half of this stuff, we want a refund!!!” Whoever is paying, make sure you get paid up front. I usually ask for my daily rate photography fee on signing the contract, and the balance seven days before the wedding date. (This saves you wondering if and when you are going to be paid, and saves you chasing clients for payment.) I also only charge for the day’s photography up front-prints are priced separately - I take around 2000 shots per wedding, and shave these down to around 500 and put as proofs on CD’s made to show to my clients-then they can choose what they want for their albums. B. Working with schedules and timetables Once you have found out what is wanted and who is paying, start working out your shooting schedule. I usually type these out and give to attendants in the bridal party, to organise everybody for their photo to save time. I also type my schedule on small cards for my pocket while I am shooting, so I know when the next sequence is due. Let your clients know that formal photos of the bridal party should take between one to one-and-a-half hours.-Any longer will drag the proceedings, and any less time will limit the number of set-ups wanted. Subtly point out that the guests should be advised of what is going on. It is important to let the client know that if they cut your time, you will need to cut the amount of photography to shoot. Protocol and family Politics You need to tread very carefully where family politics are concerned, as you set up groups- ex-wives versus new wives, step-children, recently divorced couples. Better to let people sort themselves where they want to be, then just arrange set-ups accordingly. If everyone, guests included, know exactly what happens, and when, and with whom, it will alleviate, the Bride’s and groom’s stress, your stress, and you will get results that please your clients. Once PLAN “A” ( Beautiful sunny day, no wind,) is in place, work out alternatives- “B”; “C”; “D”; etc., You need somewhere to photograph if it’s raining, snowing, gale-force winds etc., And a choice of idyllic locations. A Typical Schedule Plan a). Groom’s House Photos at the Groom’s house happen rarely, but if they are wanted, then you must make sure things run on time, in order to get to the Bride’s house on time b). Bride’s House Get to the house early, showing you are organised and professional. The Bride may be very nearly ready, and being the early bird may give you a chance to get things in order without rushing. Confidence is the keyword, so compliment the Bride, say she looks nice, and has nothing to worry about (Do not, under any circumstances tell her she is beautiful, because, if she isn’t, she will know, and this could turn her against you.) If you can help the bride and her family to be calm at the house, the tone of the whole wedding will reflect on this. Let the family know what you are going to photograph outside the church, or wedding venue. c). Church or Wedding Venue Get to church, or wedding venue as soon as you can to get set up for what follows. Talk to, and photograph the Groom. Talk to minister/celebrant, checking all is ok, use/non-use of flash, etc., Wait outside for cars to arrive While the ceremony is taking place, look around for photo opportunities-is the Bride’s Mother crying? her Father, crying or smiling? Once the vows have been made, register signed, etc., Bride and Groom will walk down the aisle, or things will just finish. This can be an awkward moment-one of two things usually happen: a) The Bride & Groom will be surrounded by guests, and if there are lots of guests the crowd may take a time to clear. b) (Usually at churches) when Bride & Groom come out there is no-one at first, then all guests file out slowly and stand around the couple looking at them. Some guests will want to take photographs at this point, so set up the shot and let them fire away, after you. Work with these people throughout the day, and some of these people could be your next client. Start the family photos, beginning with the Bride’s side, then the Groom’s, then all the friends and hanger’s-on. d). The Formal Photos After all the ceremony kerfuffle, the bridal party will want to relax a bit, maybe have a drink and a smoke for 10 minutes or so, while you are getting ready. But when you are ready, you need to get them back on track to get all required images done on time Bride and Groom, at this point, aren’t usually the problem, it’s generally the best man wants another beer, or the maid of honour who wants another smoke, or someone gets loud. You need to gain control of this. If there are children in the party, use them first, as they have a very short attention span. No matter what happens here,-stay calm, even when things go wrong, keep calm you won’t get good photos if you are stressed. When you think you have finished, better check with Bride and Groom that you have all they wanted, or if you were pressed for time, that you have the set-ups they wanted the most. Now you have to get back to the reception before the wedding party do. e). Mock Cake Cutting This is done when budgets are tight, and you aren’t required to attend the reception, due to funds being tight. f ). The Reception Before the bride and Groom arrive at the reception venue, Be ready to catch them arriving. Things that usually happen at reception are: (in any order): speeches, toasts, food, then the first dance. While there is potential photography, don’t eat, or drink, just in case you miss something worthwhile. Before leaving be sure that the Bride, Groom and whoever is paying for the photography, have all the shots they need with nothing missed. g ). After it all Get the finished prints to the Bride & Groom as soon as possible, that’s good business, You will want them to see the prints while the day will still be fresh in their memory. Do not get caught in the middle of any disputes-CD’s are always to be delivered to the Married couple, and not to anyone else. (unless arranged otherwise). If someone other than the Bride & Groom is paying for the photography, it should be explained to them beforehand that the Bride & Groom get the CD’s When sorting out the finished images, take out the blinkers, and the ones that aren’t up to par.
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05-10-2009, 10:41 PM
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My take on Wedding Photography - Kenneth William Caleno (Part Two)
The Photography 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) You 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 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________________
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05-11-2009, 02:14 AM
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Phew Ken, that was an eye-full! Thanks for the info, there are some good tips in there.
A few amendments to my initial post. -- Wedding is casual, in the bride's backyard. Nothing too fancy, especially once they fire up the grill to cook dinner! -- Wedding is NOT in the afternoon, but specifically at DUSK. I thought lighting wouldn't be a problem, but now I'm very worried. On that subject, what's the largest ISO I should use for this? 400? 800? -- Lens Hood. I received one with my 200mm purchase, but I have no idea what it is used for aside from the it's definition, "for lens flare". Should I be using one at dusk? BTW, it is circular all the way around, does not have the 'flower pedal' look. Does this change much?
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