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Work Colleague's Wedding

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    RaeSparrow
    10 May 2011 - 7:25 PM
    0

    Firstly I hope I've put this in the right bit of the forums - I always panic when writing on these things that I've put it in the wrong topic box.

    Well here we go -

    A work colleague has asked me if I would photograph her upcoming wedding. I would love to, to give me more practical experience behind the lens. She has seen examples of my work.

    Anyway I was wondering if anybody has any tips or such for me just so that I can gain some more confidence.

    Thanks Smile

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    angej
    8
    477 forum posts United Kingdom
    10 May 2011 - 7:46 PM
    0

    Having looked at both your portfolio and website Im not seeing any portraiture at all and whilst you may have such examples somewhere of people shots please be very aware of the task you are undertaking. The last thing you want is to lose all credibility with your work colleague. Wedding photography requires a total set of different camera skills to landscape or macro shooting.

    Having said that Im aware that everyone has to start somewhere, so....

    1. Ensure you have the very best kit at your disposal, ie a camera that can cope well with little or no light, good / fast lenses that cover the full range comfortably, ie 24-70mm and at least a 70-200mm for those unobtrusive shots, a macro lens for the detail shots.
    2. Practice, practice and practice with anyone who will let you prior to the event, hone your photoshop skills to account for processing good skin tones and read up on everything to do with taking good wedding photographs.
    3. Please be aware that wedding photography is very stressful and needs very good organizational skills in order to be at the right place at the right time.
    4. Visit both church and venue prior to the wedding and take your camera along to give you some indication of what ISO you will need on the day as well as anticipating some good areas for group shots etc etc.

    I could go on and on but....

    There is a whole host of information that is available on this subject, be prepared for some sharp advice as well as criticism to follow on from this post..... Smile))

    Hope this helpsSmile

    Ange

    Last Modified By angej at 10 May 2011 - 7:51 PM

    RaeSparrow

    I was asked to do this and felt the same way as you do. To get round this, I recommended he paid for a pro photographer for the day, but not to pay for the full package, just the minimum and I would also run around during the day taking snaps. This way he got the guaranteed good photo's from a pro and I managed to take good ones for him for free. I can't remember the name of the lady who was the 'pro', but she was very pleasant and I made sure I didn't tread on her toes. We had a good chin wag and she gave me a few useful tips which I put into practice later on! Oh, she never knew what I was doing, I was just a guest with a D90!

    Also, yes, get some confidence!

    Andy

    Firstly, to save repitition, type in "wedding photography" to the search box and do some reading on previous threads.

    Ange is right, your portfolio of inanimate objects is nice but as a wedding is 90% people and organisation skills its not an arena in which to gain "more practical experience behind the lens".

    If you value her friendship, ask her to employ someone and ask if you can go along and take pics on the day as a guest (subject to her pro's approval - some don't allow it...). Make her up a £35 photobook with the pics you take and give it to her as a present. You need experience without the pressure at this stage, and this is a good way of doing both.

    Andy

    RaeSparrow
    10 May 2011 - 8:38 PM
    0

    Thanks so much for the tips and I think I need lots of criticism and stuff as a beginner because a lot of you are soo super good and coudl offer me loads of advice.

    Andy that was a great tip having a pro there and having the minimum package - am going to suggest that.

    I do do portraits - the photos on here are just me playing around on photoshop to get my head around it! I wasn't going to charge for taking photos but was going to do something with them a photobook would be great idea for a wedding present. She's very laid back and told me she wasn't a bridezilla(!) but on the day I am sure she'll be nervous and stressed and a pro would be useful.

    I didn't really mean that I was just going to use the day as an arena to gain more experience - I did realsied when I typed it that it sounded like I didn't care about the person's wedding.

    Anyway enough of me wittering I am going to go to work and see if she agrees with paying the minimum for a pro.

    THANK YOU

    Hugo
    8
    584 forum posts United Kingdom
    10 May 2011 - 11:04 PM
    0

    Have a search - this has been asked a lot before - with most people saying "don't"

    ade_mcfade
    10 May 2011 - 11:49 PM
    0

    plan the day closely - with a timeline

    had a meeting last night and the couple hadn't really thought the timings through, we got that all sorted over a pint and the day's all in a spreadsheet now - ready to give the ushers and best man Wink

    with this, you know where to be and when.

    witheye
    11 May 2011 - 10:16 AM
    0

    when you have taken all the photos
    upload them to DSCL they are an excellent photo
    processor if you print them 10 x 8 they cost like
    50p each the quality is great..you are bound to get
    some moments that only can be captured only once

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