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Inform wedding


My aunt is getting married and she asked to do her pictures. I have taken pictures before but never a wedding. She is haveing it very inform and I am not really sure how to do it ? Can you please help me.


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July 18, 2007

 

Kerry L. Walker
  Ask her how important her wedding photos are. If she says they are very important, tell her you are not qualified and suggest she get someone who is. If she says they aren't very important, just go and shoot to the best of your ability and enjoy yourself. Shooting a wedding is not easy. You need two (at least) of everything you take - camera, flash, lens, etc. just in case something breaks. You need to know what to shoot, when to shoot it, how to pose, when to pose and when not to pose, how to use flash (doesn't mean just put it in the hotshoe and fire away or, Heaven forbid, use the built-in flash). For example, what do you do when you have to shoot toward a reflective background, like glass, metal, etc. I am not trying to discourage you so much as to inform you about what you are getting into.


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July 18, 2007

 

Melissa Defernandez
  Hi
Good advice there Kerry.

Amanda you might want to go to your local library and borrow a few wedding photo books and get some ideas from them. Also make a list of must photos for example at the groom's house, at the bride's house, at the ceremony, cutting the cake, after the ceremony, at the reception, close ups of the rings, the bride's family, the groom's family, friends, the whole group etc. I think if you structure it something like that then it lessens the chance of forgetting what you are supposed to be doing. I would agree if you can have two cameras, even if it's a SLR and a compact. With the SLR if you just want to stick with one zoom lens then maybe something in the 35 to 200 mm range might do. Don't forget spare batteries. If you can talk someone into being a sort of assistant that might take some of the pressure off of you. Most of all make sure you know your camera/s well. I would definitely use print film, maybe something like a Fuji 160 portrait film which is made for skin tones but you might also want to bring some faster speed film for indoor shots without flash (eg ISO 400 or 800). (Also ask if the couple want just colour, or some black and white as well). Then get the prints printed on matte paper as people always look better on matte and I would pay the extra and get them printed at a 'pro' lab. Then put them into a good quality album and if there are any 'bad' photos which don't turn out, ie out of focus, or really bad colour or light, then don't show those to the married couple.

Generally speaking get the predictable 'safe' shots first and then once they are in the bag so to speak then if you are comfortable and happy with that then experiment a little with slower shutter (but you may need a tripod) speeds, natural light, different camera angles.

Make no mistake wedding photography is a challenge but if you plan well and know your camera you should do well. Best of luck! Perhaps if you let the forum know what camera and equipment you have then maybe we can give further suggestions?


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July 20, 2007

 

Craig m. Zacarelli
  YOULL NEED A GOOD , FAST ZOOM UP TO 20mm AND A GOOD SHORT LENS LIKE A 50mm

get a decent ot shoe flash and a stofen omnibounce at least.. take alot of practice flash before hand... outside and inside, in good light and bad.. shoot in Av, ISO 200 or 400 with flash, bounce when and where you can. if you are in real doubt about a shot, try auto mode.. shoot in RAW if you can, bring loads of mem card and batteries.. most of all, have fun. I did a whole wedding with my XT, 420ex flash, 50mm lens and 75-300mm zoom.. it was great! I wont do that again though, I had no time to drink!!!!


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July 20, 2007

 

Jeremy C. Jones
  Hi Amanda,

Most of my family and friends know that I am an aspiring photographer. As a result, it doesn't take long for word to get out that there is cheap photographic help on the market. I don't mind doing things like engagement photo sessions and photojournalism for family events, but wedding photography is a bit daunting at this stage of my career.

When recently asked to shoot a wedding for someone I really don't know, here is the answer I sent:

Hi xxxxxx,
>
>Congratulations on your engagement!
>
>Thank you for offering me this opportunity. Wedding photography is a very,
>very specialized niche; don't let anyone tell you otherwise. As such, yes,
>it is typically pretty costly. If you find what you consider to be a "real
>bargain", please be very wary of the photographer and make sure to get
>references as even portfolios can be faked.
>
>Because of my "budding" status as a photographer, I'm just not confident
>that I can give you the level of quality that your wedding deserves.
>Documenting the ceremony and the reception are easy enough to do, but the
>actual family and couple portraits are something else. I am lining up
>engagement-photo sessions with newly engaged couples, but that is an
>entirely different type of session.
>
>Again, thank you for the offer but I think it is in your best interest to
>find a true professional for this work. You'll have memories that will be
>cherished for years to come.
>
>Sincerely,

By being honest with the person, she was actually even more interested in my portfolio and decided that she wanted to have me as her photographer anyway.

I know this is a very neutral answer to your question (since I ended up doing what I said I didn't feel comfortable doing), but I hope it provides a little bit of a different perspective.

In the end, you're the only one who can determine if you are comfortable with this or not and if you have the proper equipment for the occasion or not.

Take care!!! :o)

Jeremy


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July 22, 2007

 
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