Does any one have any tip’s for wedding photography?
I volunteered to take photographs of my friend’s dad’s wedding, and i know nothing about lighting or how to go about taking photo’s at a wedding. I don’t think they mind that part, they just want it done cheaply. I do have an eye for art, and 6+ years expeirence in photoshop. Any advice from fellow photographers out there, much appreciated.
Related posts:
- What are good ways to get a job as a wedding photographer? aspen asked: I’m graduating this month and i would...
- What do I need to shoot wedding photography? Elizabeth asked: (Please only answer if you are extremely...
- wedding photography question? charli neep asked: my dads friend is getting married...
- Wedding photography? RMB’s all the way! asked: I am planning a...
- Wedding Photography — what is the average cost for a normal wedding photographer? mobyisaparrothead asked: Part 2- if a person (myself) wanted...
Posted: March 16th, 2009 under Wedding Photography.
Tags: 6 Years, Fellow Photographers, Wedding Photography
Comments
Comment from Ara57
Time March 20, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Go to and search the wedding forum archives for first time and beginner. You will find reading material enough for several visits.
I certainly hope you are not charging for this. Unless you are exceptionally talented and experienced in photography (rather than photoshop) you are unlikely to produce more than mediocre snapshots. Weddings are usually fast paced, and you only get the one chance to get the shot.
Try to get a backup camera and flash, if you can come up with one. I assume you will be shooting digital, so have lots of memory. Have extra batteries Visit the venue before the wedding and take some test shots. If you know about manual camera settings and are comfortable with metering and setting your camera, then shoot manual. If you do not know how to shoot manual, then use program mode. If you are inside in a dimly lit room, you will have lots of blown out faces with dark, cavish backgrounds. You need to learn a technique called dragging the shutter to expose for the subject while allowing some ambient light to illuminate the background. Also bouncing the flash is a good thing to learn.
If you are outside in the daylight, you will be marginally better off. Use the flash and balance it with the ambient to avoid raccoon eyes and harsh shadows.
If you are in a church, be prepared not to use flash during the ceremony, most churches won’t allow it. Take a tripod and shoot from the balcony or the back of the aisle.
If you don’t get but two good pictures, one needs to be a posed shot of the B & G, and one of the bride alone. When posing people, never never turn them square to the camera. Always use an angle. They should have a front and back shoulder, not a left and right. If it bends, bend it. Have the bride hold her flowers at waist level, or at a hip for variety. In group shots, the B & G are in the center of the grouping, either in front or above. Don’t try to get fancy, get pleasing arrangements and shoot several times.
Take control of groups and the other photogs as well. If you are the event photographer, ask others with cameras to let you get your shot first. Otherwise, the people will be looking every which way, and that does not make for pleasing portraits. You may have to insist a bit, people can be pushy in getting a picture. I had to remind an over- zealous MOG a couple of times recently to stay back when I was shooting the formals.
Be sure the wedding couple understands your limitations, and the fact that their pictures may not be all they are hoping for. Of course, you may nail every image in photographic perfection, but realistically, you will have a lot more misses than hits. Hopefully you will produce some good pictures for their memories. It is a big responsibility, so prepare as best as you can, and good luck.
Comment from ken198889
Time March 22, 2009 at 12:52 am
i agree with PBIPhotoArtist
there’s more to taking wedding photos than just about lighting. professionals know how to create that perfect wedding photos without really trying.
I had discovered the hard way by doing one of my friends weddings as a last minute favor which there’s was much more work than I had anticipated
Comment from dean h
Time March 22, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Volunteered? There’s a reason we get paid. It’s physically hard, emotionally stressful, you need a ton of expensive equipment and requires experience to do a good job. I love it, but if I weren’t already in it, I probably would run from such an arrangement.
Comment from PBIPhotoArtist
Time March 19, 2009 at 9:39 am
My advice, don’t do it.
If you know nothing about lighting or about photographing weddings the chance of you getting decent photos are very low. In years to come you will feel bad that they don’t have a great wedding album to show family and friends.