advice from wedding photographers please

[GBOBM]

Shug, how many times have you heard from people that they really wish the had not asked a friend, uncle bob, or a colleague to photograph one of the most important days of their lives?

Probably not many

I on the other hand hear it all the time

I've heard people say to me that they wish that they had me photographing their wedding instead of the so called pro they had at theirs. I do sports photography, I hate weddings and take my hat off to anyone who can do them because there is a huge amount of pressure to get every shot and not to much it up, no second chances. I was asked to do one a while back and I directed them to my mate who's a wedding photographer and I assisted him for the day. No way I was taking the chance of stuffing it up.

The problem is the perception of photography. People 1. think that pictures are not worth that much 2. think that anyone who has a big camera can take a photograph like they see in the magazines. Both are not true.

I think when people make the decision about such a big day they need to look at examples and if they like what they see then go for that photographer, then look at the price. Unfortunately it doesn't work like that. People think that uncle Bob (hang on a minute, I was uncle Bob) has a nice camera and he'll do.

Bob

p.s. My sister was not going to hire a photographer for the christening but I took mine along anyway and took some shots, because I thought it would be nice to have some nice photos rather than the snaps my mum would end up taking.

[vx220]

Bob, Bob, Bob

Amateurs can take just as good shots as a pro

[GBOBM]

what?

note the word "CAN" in the sentence, it would mean something completely different if it wasn't there. Anyone can fluke a good photo by being in the right place at the right time and accidentally pushing the shutter.
With experience and better gear, there will be less fluke's and more good shots. It's the consistency that makes the pro.

The big thing you need to think about if hiring someone is things like if they have backup's, spares, liability insurance, fall back plans etc. Pro's will always have these, amateurs not so much.

[smee]

EEEK what have I started here? I am not for one minute saying that anyone can do a photographers job. You get what you pay for, especially with wedding photography, £2000 will get you a professional package and most people will be happy, me, i'm free, what does that tell you? But I would also like to point out just how seriously I am taking this. I don't intend to twat about on auto mode, and whilst I have not had the benefit of a photographic degree or years as a photojournalist I am a prolific reader on the subject and practice when I can. My boss did not ask me to do it because of my camera but because he liked the photos that he had seen inclding a series of portraits I am currently working on the portray the state of British farming. He also had a professional last time but prefered the shots of a firend as they were more personal. What I am completely novice to is the lack of control and time constraints, it's no good if it's too late, I can't say can you do that again please and act natural? Please go easy on me, we all had to start somewhere.

Once again, than you all for your advice, i really appreciate all the help I can get, and also sorry if I have caused any upset by doing this.

[vx220]

Smee no worries mate, if you want, feel free to pm me if you have any questions etc

Cheers
kevin

[Dominic]

Righto, forget all your fancy camera gear for starters; that's way too complicated to know where to start with.

Best bet, stop at a filling station and invest £4.99 in a disposable camera. You may be advised to get one with a flash, and use the flash on everything, just to be sure. As you will only have 36 shots at the most, you will need to be carefull that you don't miss anyone. So take plenty of time over each shot, 10 mins each should be enough. Tell jokes to keep everyone smiling (best buy a joke book as your banter sucks). Don't forget to get the shots developed. Probably best to use a postal film developing service, then you have the excuse of 'lost in the post' when you get the prints back. HTH

[BiggestNizzy]

Best bet, stop at a filling station and invest £4.99 in a disposable camera.....

convert it to a tazer and zap anyone who gives you any hassle

[David Bryce]

Righto, forget all your fancy camera gear for starters; that's way too complicated to know where to start with.

Best bet, stop at a filling station and invest £4.99 in a disposable camera. You may be advised to get one with a flash, and use the flash on everything, just to be sure. As you will only have 36 shots at the most, you will need to be carefull that you don't miss anyone. So take plenty of time over each shot, 10 mins each should be enough. Tell jokes to keep everyone smiling (best buy a joke book as your banter sucks). Don't forget to get the shots developed. Probably best to use a postal film developing service, then you have the excuse of 'lost in the post' when you get the prints back. HTH

damn

my secrets out

[frog]

Yip, always check with the priest if you can take pictures and use/not use a flash. They will feel more relaxed if they know what is going to happen with picture and also happier (its better than just appearing in the middle of the service with flashes everywhere). Just mention basically what your going to photograph etc and I am sure he will accomodate

I'd stick the Prime 50mm on and open the lens as wide as it will go (1.8,1.4) , set ISO to 800 without flash if the light is good enough. 50mm should be good enough, but you will have to get close-ish for the shots. If not then use a reflected flash - but shaddows can cause problems unless slaved (if too close with the 50mm and flash then you end-up with Over Exposure on the whites (christening shawl etc)

The best shots are generlly more group orienated inside the church -with the priest, mother & child, god parents at the Baptismal Font. I would try and avoid taken close-up pics (face only or baby only) of the baby when the the water is being used as the they are generally not too good - either the baby crying/ or the face is blocked by the priests hands. If you want a close up of the baby at the Font then do before the water is being pored. If the setup is good, then pictures like this are best http://www.testmeat.co.uk/photos/images/christening.jpg. (sorry that I dont have any of my pictures online. If you want closeup pics then ask the priets after teh service can you take a few pictures Staged in the church. Hope this helps.

Individual staged pictures of the baby with Parents, baby with god parents, baby with other sis/bros , baby with grandparents are musts....This can either be at the church entrance, inside the church at pews or formally in an after party/nice location.

hope this helps

[vx220]

If you are just doing group shots after the ceremony then use whatever lens you like just remember to stop it down abit to ensure you have sufficient depth of field for multiple rows of people.

If you are going to shoot some images in the ceremony then first job is get the vicar on your side and establish ground rules.

I wouldn't recommend using the 50mm wide open because this will complicate your shooting...

1. You will need to consider depth of field all the time in your composition.

2. Composition will be more difficult if you cannot move about as you will not be able to control composition at the frame edge - such as including people you dont want to and excluding people you want in the shot.

3. All the images will have a very "samey" feel to them if shot from the same place with the same focal lens, gets very boring to view them!

4. If you dont want to get the "samey" type of pictures as above (number 3) then you are going to have to move about in the ceremony - this WILL more than likely upset the vicar and some guests and will be frowned upon.

So I say go for the zoom and crank up the ISO abit and this will alleviate all the problems above!

Try to avoid flash if you want natural looking pictures, if you HAVE to use flash try bouncing from the ceiling and walls but consider where the shadows will land.

[frog]

Mr VX220, some fantastic original work in your gallery - totally inspiring. I just do photography (mostly people and sport) for a hobby. I've got an all day wedding to attend in April, so I hope that I dont annoy the photographer too much by watching him. I have been asked to cover the night work, I'll also do some day stuff that the professional is not interested in (general guest etc) he'll probably tell me to get lost...

[vx220]

Why thank you Mr Frog!

Good luck with the wedding, am sure aslong as you dont interfere with the photographer he wont be bothered what you do, its a good opportunity to experiment and capture those images the main photographer cant.