Wedding Photography

[StanPhotography]

Hi all,

 

I've opened this topic for two reasons mainly: first to hear how you guys do wedding photography, tips and tricks, lessons learned, funny events occurring that affected you as a photographer (obviously holding privacy where its place is), what was the most highest expectation thing you were asked to deliver during a wedding, how do you communicate with the Videocameraman, and the list could go on - you guys can bring up more and more ideas on the best practices when it comes to wedding photography.

 

Secondly, I wanted to offer (ask to any of the experienced wedding photographer if interested in) myself as a 'second' shooter. I'm looking (at some point in time) to start as a freelancer wedding photographer and would like to begin in the 'fly on the wall' mode at few weddings for the beginning so that I can learn from on the field practice situations and build a portfolio to be able to use it as show my work to potential clients would I take myself a wedding on as main photographer. I'm interested in Uk only and we can discuss details off line if you are interested.

 

Here are two shots at a wedding during my trip to CA last year:

 

 

 

If you want a little more about my Portraits please see the following links:

https://www.facebook.com/byStanPhotography

http://www.bystan.co.uk/wedding-photography/

 

 

Look forward to hear your comments regarding item #1 and looking forward to work with those interested in item #2.

Thank you.

 

Kind regards, Stan Photography.

[Leon]

I like those shots....

 

....I was asked to do a wedding a few years ago, been asked to do another one again, not sure the responsibility is something I am ready for, plus I don't have the equipment..... if thats your thing then kudos to you

[GrahamNfk]

Lovely setting! Trains and pretty girls, all that's missing is beer

 

I know nowt about wedding photography as I've become allergic to weddings generally

 

But I like your pics, they have a warm and informal feel.

[FUJI]

Hi, Stan,

A bit of a specialised subject, but one I learned a great deal about in one very busy day in 2012.

A distant cousin knew that I dabbled seriously in photography, her daughter was getting married in a famous church and the reception held in a local Abbey, so both were special.

They had booked a well known Professional Wedding Photographer to take all the important shots, but wanted me as .....more of a.....behind the scenes photographer. To capture candids of, kids faces, errant aunts, naughty cousins merry males plus anything interesting not near to the official photographer.

They did ensure that he knew exactly what my role was and thankfully, he readily agreed, so much so, that, during a lull, he chatted to me about my camera and kit......the best bit if advice ever, was to ditch my flash unit.

As a pro, he has never used a flash for wedding photography, instead he has developed a number of strategies to make the best if ambient light. After we had both completed our stints at the Church and main part of the reception, it was Disco Time in a dimly lit Cellar Bar, the band and singers were lit by mainly purple floods and the dancers and table via candles in jars.....I wondered his he was giving to cope......he had time to demonstrate extremely high ISO settings, and explained how he usedPhotoshop and Lightroom to post process in both colour and mono.

The only extra light he used, was during the cutting of the cake, when he produced a pair of portable battery powered spot lights, dh allowed me to shoot alongside him.

It is to him that I owe thanks for showing me his strategies to cope in almost all light levels......a very generous professional.

I will try to dig up one if my low-light results from the wedding disco......here you go...

FUJI

[FUJI]

Here is another one, to show just how the lighting was in that Cellar Bar.

Remember though, that he was using one of the latest pro full frame cameras, plus an X100 compact

All of mine are from my modest SONY A55.

FUJI

[colinb]

 I have up-to-date shot two weddings both seemed happy with the final results but I wasn't and whilst I'm sure both of your pictures would go down well with the bride I see many errors in both pictures and that is the reason I refuse to 'do' weddings - I simply can't live with feeling that I hadn't made such an important day 'perfect'.

[ChrisLumix]

I think those two pictures are excellent ideas, really.

 

However, there are two aspects to them that need attending to, to make them great wedding pictures:

 

1. The lighting is very ordinary. You would need reflectors out of shot, especially on the second one, or off-camera flash strategically placed.

 

2. Distracting backgrounds - especially on the second one. You would need shallow depth of field; repositioning of the subjects; and possibly a dramatic change of camera angle - e.g. much higher in the first, and lower in the second?

 

But it's good that you thought of trying something different, and that's a great start IMO.

[bugmeister]

On your examples, I do like the incongruity of the stylish dresses against the harsh industrial background and it shows a good eye, although as already pointed out, the lighting is a bit flat and could do with a perk from a reflector or fill-flash.

 

Wedding photography is something that these days, very few people can make a living from, simply because there's so many people with high quality cameras that the guests pictures are often as good as the professionals.

 

What makes the difference is developing a style that previous clients are happy to talk to their friends about and to show them your pictures, the best recommendation there is, and also your being able and willing to spend the time before, during and after the event.

 

Visiting the venue/s to see the location/s and talking to the people there. That also allows you to plan for the weather.

Pre-wedding visits with the couple to see what they want and if the shots they want will work in the venue/setting

On the day be prepared to spend time with bride and/or groom as they prepare (often it's hair/makeup for the girls and male bonding in the bar for the guys) If possible also talk to the registrar/celebrant because they may have their own opinions of what is acceptable or not..

During the ceremony - you need to position yourself to get pictures of the couple during the ceremony and the second shooter needs to be at another angle. There's not much point taking pictures of their backs.

At the reception, if there's a formal greeting line, you may be asked to take pictures of all the guests arriving and as boring as this may be, it's what they asked for.

Then comes the fun part, getting the candids. A longish lens of good quality (I use my 70-200 for this) will stand you in good stead as will the ability to blend into the background so the guests ignore you.

 

As a second shooter, you would still need much of the above, even if initially it's just information passed to you by the prime shooter, although preferably you'd be along on the prep work as well as on the day, and that is especially true if you want to progress to prime shooter.

 

I'd disagree with never using flash at a wedding, the same as any event. If there is bright sunlight and you can't use a reflector for any reason, then a fill-flash is a neccessary lifter for the shadows, as well as a relief if the sun is just in the wrong place or the light is flat. I would however, tend not to use it if there was a possibility of atmospheric pictures such as Fuji demonstrated. A lot of couples wouldn't like the noise effect, some would like the atmosphere, so it's worth taking both types if the opportunity arises.

[Guest]

I have been asked to do 3 weddings, I flatly refused two as both couples had reasonable jobs and were financially able to employ a seasoned pro if they wanted. The third couple had a bit less cash and I still declined but agreed to take my camera and work around the guy they booked. As it happened Heather and I both took our cameras and chatted with the “pro” who was using the same tamron lens that Heather was using which surprised us a little as we thought it was a tad soft which was one of the reasons we didn’t want to do the pictures in the first place. I tended to shadow the pro and Heather went off doing some candid shots. We were very please with the results and the couple that got married said that they preferred our pictures to the ones the “pro2 took. We thought they were being kind until we saw the photo book they had made from all the images the three of us supplied. There were only one or two from the “pro” in the whole book.

 

Now to introduce the cat to the pigeons

 

I’m not sure what style of weddings some of you have done but those talking about lighting and reflectors must have done posher weddings than I have ever been too as I have never seen a wedding photographer use such equipment unless its for a magazine shoot, like the celebs that sell their soul, sorry wedding pictures to OK magazine or the like. I think if you started to mess around with lamps and reflectors and said hold the pose etc etc etc then most normal people would get bored. The celebs are aware of all of what goes into a professional photo shoot your average bride isn’t and the guest will get very bored not too mention the kids that will be running around will probably fall over your reflector or knock your off camera flash.

 

Fuji’s shots are great to anyone that knows he is going for the gritty image style or for anyone that likes that style of photography for anyone else they will compare those with a shot taken with a flash and wonder why he didn’t use a flash.

 

Ok I’ll separate the cat from the pigeons again and return to what I think are the important things to remember if you do accept the challenge of doing a wedding

 

As has been said the important things are to understand what the happy couple want, if possible get one of their friends roped in to hold the list of pictures they want (keep a copy yourself) they can then round up the guests to do the various shots the couple want. I would look at all venues you will be at and try to visit at the time of day you will be there so you know where the sun will be and where you want the guests. Make sure you get the exposure right on the brides dress if she can see all the detail in her white dress in the pictures she will most likely love the pictures as she probably spent many hours picking that dress. Theres another reason I don’t photograph weddings getting the detail in the dress in bright sunlight can be a nightmare.  Make sure you have spare kit with you, lots of batteries, lots of memory cards and a couple of cameras and lenses so even if a bratty kid trips you over after the first shot you can still shoot the wedding. Don’t forget to meeting the person officiating the wedding and check if you are allowed in during the ceremony what the rules are about flash and check with the couple if they are having a videographer and try to work with them to know what space each of you will use. No one wants the photographers head in their wedding video of the photographers voice on the CD saying get your head out of my shot lol.

[Heather]

just as an add to the end of Ricks post, and i dont know if someone has already mentioned this as i havent read the whole thread yet ... but  please dont forget to get some insurance ! firstly if the pictures dont work out and the bride and groom sue you, you are covered ... secondly if you put your camera bag down and a guest trips over it and sues you for personal injury you will want to be covered 

[FUJI]

Great reply Richard.....thank you for the mention.

 

I forgot to say, that the reason my particular pro never used flash, is (he claims) that Flash kills spontinaety, movement, natural expressions and interaction between couples and groups, he had experienced many years in S Africa, so possibly had better light there.

 

Dont forget too (as I said previously) he had at least two Pro, Full Frame Cameras that could handle extreme ISO far better than my modest SONY A55 could.....if I can, I will try to find his web site:

 

The spots he used in the Cellar Bar just for the cutting of the cake, were tiny battery powered ones, just to emphasise the couple and cake.....I have seen the Wedding book and I am pleased to say that it contains quite a few of mine, so I must have done something right.

 

Best of all, my reward was reimbursement for  the TAMRON 17-200 lens I had purchased especially for the shoot, I also enjoyed a great day out, a good day's photography and a slap up meal.............Cant be bad?

 

FUJI

[ChrisLumix]

I have been asked to do 3 weddings, I flatly refused two as both couples had reasonable jobs and were financially able to employ a seasoned pro if they wanted. The third couple had a bit less cash and I still declined but agreed to take my camera and work around the guy they booked. As it happened Heather and I both took our cameras and chatted with the “pro” who was using the same tamron lens that Heather was using which surprised us a little as we thought it was a tad soft which was one of the reasons we didn’t want to do the pictures in the first place. I tended to shadow the pro and Heather went off doing some candid shots. We were very please with the results and the couple that got married said that they preferred our pictures to the ones the “pro2 took. We thought they were being kind until we saw the photo book they had made from all the images the three of us supplied. There were only one or two from the “pro” in the whole book.

 

Now to introduce the cat to the pigeons

 

I’m not sure what style of weddings some of you have done but those talking about lighting and reflectors must have done posher weddings than I have ever been too as I have never seen a wedding photographer use such equipment unless its for a magazine shoot, like the celebs that sell their soul, sorry wedding pictures to OK magazine or the like. I think if you started to mess around with lamps and reflectors and said hold the pose etc etc etc then most normal people would get bored. The celebs are aware of all of what goes into a professional photo shoot your average bride isn’t and the guest will get very bored not too mention the kids that will be running around will probably fall over your reflector or knock your off camera flash.

 

 

1. A slightly soft lens would not hurt a wedding shoot whatsoever - the very last thing you need where 'glamorous people' are involved is a supersharp lens that shows up every pore, spot, and wrinkle!

 

2. I raised that after seeing that long video that ?Fuji posted, from the American photographer who specialised in weddings - perhaps that 'spoiled' us a bit; he had reflectors out at every opportunity.

[StanPhotography]

Good points and suggestions from all of you. I'm thankful for that.

 

Also, can I please ask if you guys have any contract examples/samples you guys are using with your clients after they agreed to book you in as their photographer for their wedding?

I'd really like to see how you guys have summarized many of the things mentioned in here in documents.

 

Thank you.

Kind regards, Stan.

[jeremy rundle]

Nice images but skin colour is way off also a very very basic fault a light is growing out of the head of one, was it a white dress as it is blue, the shot of the wedding rings on your site is messy, I suggest you crop or get closer next time

[StanPhotography]

ok, 

Completely agree with the shifted skin colours. 

 

Trying it again:

 

 

 

 

you can see more and please feel free to come back and comment after you've seen them at:

http://www.bystan.co.uk/wedding-photography/

 

Thank you.

Regards, Stan Photography.

[StanPhotography]

Anyone - has anyone had time to look through the photos?

 

Thank you.

[ChrisLumix]

I think they are a very mixed lot to be honest.

 

1. I'm not sure I like the orangey-yellow cast to them, I know it's warm, but it doesn't do a lot for me.

 

2. Did the bride and groom request that location? It makes for very fussy backgrounds, where a stretch of empty rail or a large driving loco wheel, might have been better?

 

3. In one of the shots you've managed to include half a bridesmaid on each side - that's a big no-no, and should have been cropped or recomposed.

 

4. However, there is quite a lot of zest and imagination gone into the shoot, I can see that. I especially like the ones where they are all holding their bouquets in front together.

[colinb]

Anyone - has anyone had time to look through the photos?

 

Thank you.

 

yes I have and its cleared up a mystery for me. I couldn't understand why you stood to the left of the rail line rather than on it but after looking at the link I know realise there was another photographer shooting the wedding and presumably you are a guest?

 

So it would be unfair to comment on composition as the 'set up' of the bride etc would be for the wedding tog who's pictures would probably look quite different.

 

But one thing I would suggest be thoughtful about is the sky - nothing there and it adds nothing to the pictures, using a small step ladder and/or shooting at a slight downward angle would help eliminate a lot of it.

 

But in general a nice 'guest' set and some lovely dof on a few of them.

[StanPhotography]

Thank you.

 

@ChrisLumix

 

Tried re-calibrating the White Balance using the groom shirt as a reference.

Will definitely try to find better cropping for the photo where lateral bride's maids are cut in half.

 

 

@colinb

 

Yes, I was a second shooter and had no input in either location chosen or posing directions/patterns. Yes, indeed, I tried not to obscure at all in any way the main photographer though I used a 17 - 50 mm while he used a 70-200 mm lens.

 

Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback.

 

Cheers,

Regards, Stan Photography.

[ChrisLumix]

As a guest, your success depends on how well you know the bride and groom - here is an example from decades ago, of a wedding photographer trying to be good humoured about the fact I was shooting over his shoulder, while my friend the groom was 'playing up' pretending disapproval. 

 

 

On the other hand, the fact they were both my friends meant I could get this shot on my own account :

 

 

(A scan of a rather battered print, I'm afraid. In fact, they're both scans from smallish prints ). I think the second shot is one that any bride & groom would be happy with, if that's any help to you.

 

 

 

[StanPhotography]

Thank you for sharing your photos and thank you for taking a look on the ones on my www.byStan.co.uk and provided your feedback.

 

Cheers,

Regards, Stan Photography.