Photography Info & Reviews.

Comment from ivelostmypjs
Time March 8, 2009 at 3:32 am

im not too sure but i think you need a camera…

Comment from fotoguy
Time March 10, 2009 at 3:35 pm

“Digital Wedding Photography” by Glen Johnson is an amazing book with tons of information about wedding photography. I recommend reading it right away!

Comment from Mere_Mortal
Time March 11, 2009 at 1:29 am

You best advice is to read books. They have been writing wedding photograph how-to books since about 1890.

Comment from ???????
Time March 14, 2009 at 11:53 am

people with fireworks…….use a shutter of say 4-8 seconds, fire a flash on the people during the exposure to freeze and burn them into the image

for weddings you need a wide for group shots and tight indoor shots - so a 10-22mm or something like that, depending on what other lenses you have that and 35-100mm ish on your 1.5 crop should be helpfull also

two off camera flash units/strobes, an assistant to watch your back and your gear and to hold the flashes et cetera

D80, 80D whatever tools are just that……….d80 is a fine camera for shooting weddings, if you do upgrade one day full frame is the best weapon for weddings……..d3

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Comment from zorro1701e
Time March 15, 2009 at 2:43 pm

tri-pod is a must, also get a second camera and use it.
This is a once in a lifetime event, Take pictures with your camera, 2 of every pose, then take 2 more with your back up camera.
Flash is important, so is plenty of film, ( or memory)
Also remember to dress nice but functional.

Comment from sns
Time March 18, 2009 at 5:40 am

The best advice and equipment I can give in wedding photography is to bring an uplifting charismatic approach when dealing with people. You want them to be happy in all of the photos in this wedding ceremony and the celebration afterwards.

My professor (who has been freelancing for over 3 years) was invited to take photos for his friends wedding, although the bride already hired a “wedding photographer”. And the result of the “wedding photographer” was actually crappy than the ones my professor got because he was able to entice more people to join in on his picture taking. Stood on the chair, had his fish eye lens haha) and told everybody to raise their cup of alcohol and say cheese!

He later showed us his print out album of photos and later told us that the bride ended up buying most of his instead of the rip off he got from the official hired “wedding photographer”.

Comment from lidybeff
Time March 18, 2009 at 8:07 am

I do believe that shooting people with fireworks is illegal, but then being in jail might protect you from the irate bride whose wedding photographs you have stuffed up.

Comment from fhotoace
Time March 19, 2009 at 12:19 pm

If you don’t want to have to deal with irate mothers of the bride, you had better have at least some experience as an assistant photographer to a successful wedding photographer … there is more to it than owning the “right” equipment … that is only a small part of the business.

When you charge $2,000 to show up and shoot a wedding, you need some marketing skills as well as great photo skills. The cost of doing business in any field of photography is steep … about a 5:1 ratio cash flow to net earnings is not unusual.

Comment from Ara57
Time March 20, 2009 at 2:39 am

Definitely a backup body, lens, and flash. You shouldn’t be “booking” weddings unless that is already in place. Lots of memory. Fresh batteries and spares.

Here is my standard link for first time wedding photographers.

Also go to photo.net and read the archives for first time and beginners on the wedding and social event forum.
Shooting a wedding is very different from doing seniors and babies. It moves fast and there are very few opportunities to make up a missed shot. And there are no do-overs if something fails (which is why backup equipment is so important. Believe me, a camera or flash could malfunction at any second, and you need to be able to seamlessly switch w/o missing a beat.)

If the weddings are in dark venues, you will need a fast lens. Perhaps a small stepladder to get good angles if the wedding party is large.

For shooting people and fireworks, use a long enough shutter speed to capture the explosions (start with 1 or 2 seconds and go longer if needed) and rear curtain flash to light the people. You will need a tripod and remote release. Try zooming for a few, makes some interesting effects. Also try painting with sparklers. I have shot weddings on the 4th for three years out of four, but don’t have one for this year, they are lots of fun, usually relaxed and informal events outdoors, so have fun shooting. Just don’t forget that you still have to capture the same shots that are mandatory for any wedding. Good luck.