 Becky Austin |
Photographing a 2nd Wedding I have been asked to take pictures at the wedding of a friend whose wife passed away in 2003. This is a second wedding for both the bride and groom. I would like some advice on second weddings and photos. Do you take different photos that at a 1st wedding. They are both in their 50s ... does this make a difference?
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Mark Feldstein |
I can't think of any reason to either charge or photograph people remarrying any differently than first-timers ... regardless of their age. As in any assignment, I'd just find out what they want, figure out how much of your time is involved to provide the requested services, charge my hourly fee and any incidental costs, and write the contract accordingly. As to taking different photos, unless you photographed both their weddings first time around, I'd assume you're going to take different shots than their first wedding photographers, and besides, I'd assume the players are somewhat different this time around. True, I think repeaters might not want the same elaborate kind of coverage they may have had at their first wedding - the outfits may be simpler, fewer guests, simpler reception, etc., etc. But all that shouldn't impact on your talent to shoot it only perhaps in terms of time to do the work. Like I said: Just ask the couple what they want and then provide it at a reasonable cost. Whaddya think? Mark
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Becky Austin |
Mark, thank you for the advice. I will be sitting down with them to find out just what they do want. Thanks again, Becky
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Mark Feldstein |
My pleasure Becky. Glad to help out. ;>) Mark
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Maria Melnyk |
The photography shouldn't be any different, but sometimes the bride and groom say they "don't want anything fancy" because it's a repeat wedding for them. However, they're forgetting why they're marrying this new person in the first place -- love! So treat it like their "first" wedding, and give it all you've got! Make sure you get pictures of the bride & groom with their children, if any. First, each of them individually with their own children, and then the joined families together. The only other thing worth mentioning (and it's just a little thing) is sometimes the bride dresses more simply, or doesn't have a bouquet. Some photographers might say it doesn't make a difference, but I always make sure the bride will be holding flowers, even if it's just a single rose, and that she has something in her hair - if not a veil then a flower. That makes the pictures prettier. And make sure the groom has a boutonniere.
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Becky Austin |
Maria, thanks for your help. I like the part about making sure the bride at least has one flower. Thanks Becky
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Denyse Clark |
Becky- how did the 2nd wedding go?? Any pics to upload?
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x |
Often 2nd weddings are different in that the couple often have children, it is more casual and intimate, and they don't really want a big to-do. In my experience, they are way casual. So, your job, normally, is to just document the going's on of the event. It's not the story book situation of the bride, in this case. Usually they want more pic's of their family and friends and less on them, as a couple. Although, they usually want a small nice portrait session. But, as far as charging, it's the same. Many times they want an album. The focus is just a little different. They are in a "been there, done that, bought the t-shirt" situation. So, there's little BS about the wedding. They are usually pretty straight forward, and a bit more challenging. I have one of those booked this year.
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Autumn Todd |
My experience was similar to what Jerry described. My first wedding was a 2nd wedding, and I was kind of disappointed. Not in the quality of my pictures, but in the content. The couple got married at a beautiful clubhouse on a beach. They did not want any pictures on the beach, or pretty much any portraits at all and just wanted to get down to the party. There was a lot of potential given the surroundings! Also, there children wipped of there dressed and put on jeans before we even new it. They were very casual about the whole event (which is fine because thats what they wanted), but I was really looking forward to photographing the couple and wedding party with on the beach,ect.
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Maria Melnyk |
Gee, Autumn, I'm disappointed right along with you! I too have been a victim of 2nd weddings. Perhaps there's a reason, but I fail to understand why a 2nd-marriage couple would not want their wedding to be just as beatifully or as thoroughly photographed as their first. I mean, do they intend on still displaying their first wedding albums and wall portraits in their living room, and then just putting some small photos of their second weddings somewhere in a corner? If any of you photographers out there have been married more than once, perhaps someone out there could explain. I've been married once, but if I were to cut down on the photo hoopla the 2nd time around, I'd feel like I wasn't putting too much importance on my new husband. But, back to being a photographer rather than a 2nd-time bride, many times you just have to take a gulp and realize that you are getting paid for your work (or your lack of work) and you are making someone happy. Just make sure you're ready to say "I told you so", if necessary, after they see their photos.
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- Sherry Stricklin Boles Contact Sherry Stricklin Boles Sherry Stricklin Boles's Gallery |
Maria, I have no idea why 2nd time brides wouldn't want to have all the special things especially the photography! I appreciated everything more, planned more of it myself and had a much better wedding the 2nd time! I was VERY disappointed when my wedding photos didn't turn out as good as I expected. (Our 'professional' photographer photographed our wedding with a brand new camera!)
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Denyse Clark |
I think it's like any event- it totally depends on what the person wants. I was married, did the big wedding, blah blah. Now I'm divorced and planning to remarry next year. Will I hire a photographer? YES. And I expect good pics. BUT there won't be the hoopla, so what I want from the photographer will be worlds apart than my first. Instead of a 12 hour day, 250 guests a reception, it'll be us and 10 friends/family. I won't need 300 pics, 30-40 will do. I want to spend an hour on just me & him, instead of cramming in all the required shots with a 15 person bridal party. It's just different, but that doesn't make it mean less to us. From the photographer side, we should still be shooting our heart out, and making the best of whatever the client gives us to work with. Hey Becky, we're all dying for a followup!!
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x |
...because, the 2nd time, the focus of the wedding is on what YOU want, not what your parents want, or the family wants, and it doesn't have to be a SHOW, it's simply a wedding. An expression of love between two people. Why does that have to be such a big deal? I mean, for the two of you it is, but it doesn't have to be a specatcle. Some of the best weddings I have seen have been small initimate backyard type weddings.
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Denyse Clark |
Jerry you are exactly right, exactly what I was getting at.
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Becky Austin |
I have another coming up in May, 2006, but it's a young couple, 1st wedding. Any pointers I would appreciate it. Becky
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