My First & Last Wedding Photography Assignment

RWH

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14 Oct 2011 - 3:31 PM

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There have been lots of requests on this and other forums for advice for first-time wedding photographers. I've trawled through these and am extremely grateful for all the excellent contributions. But having just completed my first (and last) wedding assignment (a family wedding), I thought other amateurs might find it interesting (and it might make the pro photographers smile) if I related what went right and what didn't.

I'd warned the couple about the risks. I'd predicted some good shots and some ****-ups and I was right on both counts. The wedding album is a success but it was a close thing.

I'd visited both church and reception venue. On a very gloomy day at the church, my test shots needed between 1/10s and 1/80s at ISO 3200 and f4 (the maximum aperture on my zoom lens). I'd be shooting at focal lengths of 35 to 50mm with image stabilisation. Flash wasn't allowed.

The reception venue was magnificent, but rather a photographer's nightmare inside. Some promising camera angles but ceilings too high for bounce flash, lots of dark oak and very ornate decoration.

What went right:
I hired a fast prime (50mm f2), which was less than expected from Calumet. I used this for all the getting ready shots.
I bought/borrowed books and trawled the net for wedding photography tips, examples of good photography and examples of good album design.
I drew up pages of plans and check-lists and the couple organised someone to shepherd people for the formal shots.
I got to grips with flash. This worked well for the getting ready shots.
I shot everything in RAW, which was invaluable for dragging out the fine detail of the bride's dress.
The vicar was exceptionally helpful in pointing out the best angles for photography.
It didn't rain. Heavy cloud made for soft lighting for the outdoor shots.
Many of my not-so-sharp images are still usable in the album. Test prints confirm that they are acceptable at the planned size.
I got a couple of wow shots of the disco, full of colour and movement, though I've no idea how I achieved this. I will of course pretend that it was all down to my finely honed flash technique.
I have sufficient good usable images (just) for the wedding album and the couple is delighted with it.

What went wrong:
Despite repeated attempts I could get no prior experience as a 2nd shooter.
I never thought to practise photographing shoes, jewellery, flowers, etc.
I should have practised photographing groups of people indoors – again & again. Perhaps then I'd not have used centre-spot focusing.
I had no opportunity to practise with the hired prime lens. On the day, I opted to forego tripod and the fast prime for the church interior shots. Mostly, I got away with this, but some good shots were spoiled by blur and of course the shots are grainy.
At the reception I made good use of my 70-200mm zoom. But I had the camera at too low an ISO value and I didn't keep checking my shutter speeds and image quality. So at the maximum focal length, lots of shots were ruined by blur.
I used rechargeable batteries for the flash (fully charged the night before). When starting the indoor portrait session at the reception venue, I didn't pick up instantly on the comment that the flash didn't fire. By the time I'd realised and fitted fresh batteries, it was too late to repeat the shots and I'd messed up those of the couple's grand entrance down the oak staircase. The portrait shots were retrievable but the flash would have improved them.
The cake was located in a nice, bright window alcove. But for cutting, it was moved to the dance floor, where it was illuminated by disco lights. And of course I hadn't orchestrated a mock-up shoot of the cake-cutting. There is no picture of the cake cutting in the album.
I'd planned my flash technique for the disco, but the initial results were dire – all blue, green or red depending on the phase of the disco lights. The other end of the room was too dark for auto-focus so nothing happened when I pressed the shutter. But having sent a runner out for new batteries, I now had a surfeit of them. So I fired off endless shots on manual flash, manual focus hoping I'd get at least a handful of usable images (I did). The replacement (non-rechargeable) batteries were still going strong after 300+ shots.
Despite my obtaining a list of formals from the bride and groom, they were dismayed that the album and proof set were short of images of his extended family. They have therefore requested a copy my entire set of 1200 images, amongst which they can scavenge for anything to fill the gap. They are also asking around for pictures taken by others at the wedding, with a view to substituting these for some of the images currently in the album design.

I guess my key lessons are:
1. Outside your well-trodden camera techniques, practise, practise and practise again.
2. Make friends with the vicar.
3. Keep checking image sharpness.
4. Don't put your faith in re-chargeable batteries.

Hope others find this useful

JackAllTog (e2 Member)

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14 Oct 2011 - 5:15 PM

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Thanks for some excellent comments and idea's - If we learn by mistakes then you are better now than you were.

MrDennis

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14 Oct 2011 - 5:35 PM

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You should of hired a 17-70 f2.8 lens (i use a Sigma 17-70 f2.8/4) You should of had at least 4 sets of 4 AA batteries (non re-chargable) for your flash gun (I did and used 3 sets for the full day).
Flash settings in camera should be 250 to 60 then flash gun chooses the setting Automaticly.
I used my flash gun for at least 95% of the wedding. It rained on the day but I made the most of it though I had bad backgrounds inside.
I tried my 70-200 f4 and gave up after 4 shots. Never used no more than ISO400. ISO200 was used for 600 shots. Speed of 1/250 to 1/60 set in camera. Warm look gets sorted in either Lightroom or Photoshop CRAW so images look natural after. Though Bride n Groom liked a lot of the warm images I kept just in case. Your Disco lights were correct, you need to record the colours of them.
Cake shots were taken long before the cutting, then during the mock cutting in a dark corner of room. (flash was used) RAW, RAW, RAW every time NOT jpg.
All shots were Hand Held. (No Tripod)
I had no Group shot of Brides Family or of Grooms family. Was I angry, Yes I was. Instead I took small group shots of between 3 and 5 people. It worked out quite well in the end.
My next one is soon, and that is in a church. i will use my flash gun once and that is when Bride n Groom will be walking back down the isle after marriage vows. If Vicar Bans me after, Who Cares..Vickers are like superstitious Witches. (sorry to say that, but true).
The Wedding is on Nov 5th. (it rains then don't it)

If you had read the Forums in ePhotozine you would of had plenty of tips on how to take wedding photos. I read them. Members here are Very Helpfull.
Don't give up. Practice Portrait shots on Family & Friends, inside and out side. You'll get most of it correct in the end. Most Well planed events go wrong somewhere along the line.
Next time you see someone getting Married, ask them if you can practise taking a few shots of them. Watch what their photographer is doing then do your shot a little differently. That way you don't annoy their photog.
Be Good, Take Care.

zed

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14 Oct 2011 - 6:00 PM

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Quote: Next time you see someone getting Married, ask them if you can practise taking a few shots of them. Watch what their photographer is doing then do your shot a little differently. That way you don't annoy their photog.


Don't do this. It's wierd and rude.

pulsar69

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14 Oct 2011 - 6:50 PM

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We have a way of dealing with officious vicar types which has a 90% success rate with even the worst offenders .... but that would be telling

Paul Morgan (Challenge Team)

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14 Oct 2011 - 7:10 PM

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Well done.

You have spotted and accepted your weaknesses and are heading in the right direction.

Laurel_Steinbeck (e2 Member)

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14 Oct 2011 - 7:27 PM

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Please don't think of it as a failure Bob. It's a learning situation and as we all know, it ain't easy.
As mentioned before, you have shots to make up an album. So well done you I say. You kept your head, thought about what you were doing and got through it.

RWH

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14 Oct 2011 - 9:18 PM

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Gosh. Didn't expect so many comments.
Yes Jimthistle, the re-chargeable bateries were new and I've heard since they need to go through a few cycles.
Thanks Pulsar69. I appreciate there's a big difference between the sympathetic smile and ridicule. Fortunately, I'm still speaking to my niece.
I've not said this in my last wedding because of this experience. It's simply that I don't seek to make money from my photography and the next of my relations who might be getting married has only just passed her 2nd birthday. In fact, I'd quite like to try another wedding, just to lay the ghost of this one to rest. But I won't be actively seeking it and I'd only do a stint as 2nd shooter now as a favour to a friend.
Whilst I'm kicking myself for my stupid mistakes, I know I'll be delivering a nice looking wedding album as my wedding present.