Oh dear...agreed to shoot a wedding tomorrow.

Columbo

Columbo

Columbo

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As title really.

I didn't ever want to get into to this type of photography but it seems I'm the last hope as the professional tog they booked (a friend of the family) broke his leg at work last night and arranging one at this late stage seem's to be off the cards to them.

Mainly due to the brides confidence around strangers and the fact that a fairly recent bout of meningitis has left her with a life changing condition.

Now the couple are my friends so I was attending anyway and there are only 15 people at the wedding so it's not a big one at all but I'm now bricking it if I'm honest.

I'm not a total noob and have helped out a several weddings before as a 2nd photographer but that taught me enough to know that it's not for me.

So any advice from the wedding guru's on here?
 
First, go and charge all your batteries, and format the cards.

Keep your cards safe and together but separate. Know which ones you've used and which ones are blank. Have the blank ones ready so you can swap out in a momenth's notice.

Know that you have enough of both to last the whole day, keep an eye on your card usage and set your RAW size so you have enough, shoot mRAW if you had to, on the 5D2/3 mRAW is still large enough to give a big print.

Now make a list of the must shots to take, I am not sure if you have asked them yet, any formals?

B&G with B's family
B&G with G's family
B&G with parents only
B&G with siblings only
B&G with uni friends
B&G with grandparents
etc

You should confirm this before with them.

Then there other shots, like the ring, bouquet, the car, the cake, table settings, the little details basically. This list you just pick them off throughout the day, i don't write it down, just comes natually.

In a way small weddings are easier and more difficult, it is easier because people are easier to gather for the formals and you won't miss that shot of the distant relative because he/she is amongst the 150 guests. It is harder because there are only so many photos of Auntie Betty you can shoot before it gets samey.

Try different angles, get on your knees, shoot through chairs, think of the negative spaces when you frame a shot. Always have your camera ready for a shot for that environment. Check your settings everytime you walk through a doorway. You will forget you were shooting ISO 800 at F/1.2 with 2/3+ ev a moment inside the church and then now outside as you are walking backwards out the door shooting the couples walking down the aisle but now at ISO800 F/1.2 is just too bright in midday even for 1/8000 sec so it is over exposed. You need to know the dials on the camera like the back of your hand to switch everything back for that condition in about 2 seconds flat.

Some people have the tendancy to blink more or in time with your shutter than others, you will know quickly who they are on the day, its just the way it is sometimes. So take 2 shots when you do the candids, 3 if you have to in order to get that shot. Blinkers is a horrible memory filler for rejects for me.

Keep your eyes open at all times, even with a camera to your face, mindful of the children running around.

Lastly, remember, if you are in the moment with them, you are missing the moment to shoot it. You need to step outside the moment in order to capture the moment.
 
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Ray, you sir are a legend and that is superb advice. Fortunately all 9 of my batteries were charged at the beginning of the week but I've started sticking them all on again anyway.

Now what I've done so far:

> I've got a full timeline for the bride and groom as I only knew where to turn up for the wedding.
> I've requested and got a list of their most wanted shots with various members of family.
> Agreed with them how long they would like me to spend with them after the wedding & post reception.

The scary bit is that it's nearly all going to take place outside. The wedding itself is a 10 minute registry office affair but the reception is a garden party at the brides parents house and there is marquee / gazebo should any rain fall. :eek:

What gear I plan to take:

1: Sony A77 + Carl Zeiss 85mm 1.4 + Sony HVL56AM flash & Sony HVL42AM as a backup.

2: Nikon D7000 + 35mm f1.8 + Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR + Tokina 12-24mm f4 + SB700

I think that should cover me on all bases.

Dony ask why I've got both a D7000 and an A77 it's a long boring story :p

Anything else to add?
 
Sync your camera time now or when you import them they will be out of sync.

Speak to the registrar when you arrive, introduce yourself and ask them what their rules are, then stick to it.

Marquee is good, it's basically a giant light reflector inside.

Be mindful when shooting indoor with natural light how one shot is under expsosed and another is over exposed because you are shooting back to the window or to the window. You need to be able to dial the exposure comp on the fly the compensate. This is why i like identical bodies so it is easy to know where i am.
 
the shadow said:
Start a Wedding Thread on TP :D
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Erm that'll be a no...:p

Raymond Lin said:
Sync your camera time now or when you import them they will be out of sync.

Speak to the registrar when you arrive, introduce yourself and ask them what their rules are, then stick to it.

Marquee is good, it's basically a giant light reflector inside.

Be mindful when shooting indoor with natural light how one shot is under expsosed and another is over exposed because you are shooting back to the window or to the window. You need to be able to dial the exposure comp on the fly the compensate. This is why i like identical bodies so it is easy to know where i am.
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Thanks again Ray that's brill advice.

Ideally I'd like to shoot identical bodies but the gear I've got was never intended for this purpose so it's a bit of having to make do.

Good shout on the time sync, I've just looked at the D7000 and it was an hour in front of the A77. Thanks! Will check them again in the morning.

I've borrowed the 70-200mm VR from a friend and I've never used it before so I'm going to try and get a couple of hours out with it this afternoon to at least get used to feel of it though I'm not overly impressed with how bloody heavy it is..:(

I've got a feeling I'm going to end up sticking with the primes.
 
I don't take my 70-200 with me. Never had the need to, 135mm is long enough for me and I have that in my bag.

By all means take it, most of the gear is in my car and I swap lenses out depending on location and time of day. i.e. I don't need to carry the flash in the day so they are not in the bag and the 85/1.2 goes back in the case as it is too long for dancefloor.

The skill you need is not one I can teach exactly, the skill is know what you need to do no matter what happens, whether it is lighting, location, people or broken gear. The ability to adapt no matter what, that comes with experience i am afraid but if the weather is good, the day goes to schedule then it should be fine, with a small group you shouldn't run over time.

Spend some time looking at photos this evening, remember the poses that you like and try to recreate them tomorrow for yourself. Don't be afriad to try something else if it doesn't work, if your gut tells you this shot isn't working, then move on to the next one. Unless you know exactly why it doesn't work - i.e. arm is too high, seeing double chin etc.

Also be mindful of things behind people's heads. It's annoying to take a photo, it looks great but notice later on that there is a lamp post sticking out a head. Pay attention to these details.
 
I'm pretty sure my knowledge & ability with a camera is up to the task, it's the interaction and direction that's my weakness and the reason I've never wanted to get into this side of photography and that's not something that come easily.

I've always been envious how good photographers are able to get the best out people by have them do what but yet still look like they are in a natural environment, its an art and a skill and

One thing I've got be mindful of though is that because of the brides recent health issues she cannot stand stand up for very long as she's has only just started walking again in the last 6 weeks.
 
Nothing much to add except good luck and remember what ever you produce is going to be 100 times better than the nothing they currently have so the chances are they will be happy even if you are not.

Nice to see such a friendly atmosphere in this thread such a contrast to similar threads on TP, Ray your advice is really refreshing to read positive, encouraging and practical it's good to see te OCUK spirit isn't dead despite the rummours.
 
-BA- said:
You never know, being thrust into the limelight like this might be a whole new beginning :)
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Don't think so. I know for fact it isn't for me and there is no way earth I would have agreed to it if I didn't know them already.

a1ex2001 said:
Nothing much to add except good luck and remember what ever you produce is going to be 100 times better than the nothing they currently have so the chances are they will be happy even if you are not.

Nice to see such a friendly atmosphere in this thread such a contrast to similar threads on TP, Ray your advice is really refreshing to read positive, encouraging and practical it's good to see te OCUK spirit isn't dead despite the rummours.
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It is indeed and I knew I would get a some decent advice here, especially considering the circumstances.

An Exception said:
I may have not got to this thread in time, but if the wedding isn't too far from Oxfordshire, I might be able to pop over if you feel you need help.
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That's a very kind offer Rhys and if it was anywhere near you I'd have bit your hand off. However I would think Cumbria might be a little off you radar.
 
Well, it is a bit late in the day to worry about your gear and if I were in that photographer's shoes who had broken his leg, I would want my client to have the best chance for some photos, so doing a TP style drill on you wouldn't help them one bit.

It is a bit grey today so if the rain holds out you can do the formals without any eye squinting. Otherwise always try to have people back to direct sunlight. If you see a nice sunset, do not be afriad to drag them out from their mingling with guests for 10 minutes for that once in a life time shot, and remember to pick up the bouquet on the way out !

Hopefully by the time you read this the ceremony part is done and you can relax a little, remember to keep an eye on shot left on the camera, having to change cards during the first kiss is one of the thing i fear most !

Touch wood the weather holds out for you :)
 
Yeh cumbria is a bit far.

Below is what my standard group shot list looks like. I try to order them in the most efficient way. Also I ask an usher or best man to round people up while I am taking the pictures.

1) B&G Brides family, Parents, Grandparents, Siblings
2) B&G Brides parents
3) B&G Brides parents + Grooms Parents
4) B&G Grooms Parents
5) B&G Grooms family, Parents, Grandparents, Siblings
6)Bride and Bridesmaids
7)Bride and girlfriends
8)Groom and Groomsmen
9)Groom and Guy friends
 
I've got my first couple of weddings to shoot later this year for family and friends so this thread is basically gold dust. Saved and thanks for later. Oh and hope it went ok Mancubus.
 
In much the same situation myself, although not quite as last-second. Shooting my first solo wedding in July having done quite a few as a second 'tog. Small family affair with not too many guests but hell of a setting (Bovey Castle). Am rather nervous!
 
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