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

[Columbo]

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?

 

[Columbo]

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.

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

Anything else to add?

 

[Columbo]

Start a Wedding Thread on TP

Erm that'll be a no...

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.

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.

 

[Columbo]

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.

 

[Columbo]

You never know, being thrust into the limelight like this might be a whole new beginning

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.

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.

It is indeed and I knew I would get a some decent advice here, especially considering the circumstances.

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.

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.

 

[Columbo]

Well I've just got home and I'm happy to report that I survived.

They day went pretty well and I think everyone seemed pretty happy with how I approached it though as I knew before this type of photography just isn't for me.

Raymond your advice not only helped me through the day it was positively priceless and I cannot thank you enough.

The bride is so low on self confidence that she has asked not to share any shots with her in them but she is happy for me share a few examples of how the day went without her in them so once I've slept I'll take a look through them tomorrow and share a few here.

I got around 500 shots and the B&G only wanted around 50 so I'm hopeful that they've have a proffessional looking album at the end.

One thing I will add is that shooting on my own has made me appreciate even more what a bloody hard job it must be to keep up there with the best and people like Ray and Rhys deserve all the credit they get.

 

[Columbo]

Cheers guys, I've still not even loaded any onto my computer yet as it seems I brought something else back from Cumbria with me which has caused me to not dare venture too far from the bathroom......bloody buffet food.!

I only used the D7000 + 35mm & A77 + 85mm and my 16-50mm f2.8 inside the registry office and even managed to do some noob video of the ceremony itself with the A77 hand held at waist height.