First Wedding This Weekend

Well I will be leaving tomorrow to shoot my first wedding on Saturday. Any last words of advice or tips

from the professionals before I leave? Your help is much appreciated!

Don't forget your camera.

 

Just kidding! (Well, not really.) Good Luck!

Having just done my first wedding this past weekend, what I thought were the hardest shots to get were the processional/recessional shots. If you can, practice these shots during the rehearsal. Those with experience may not need it, but I found the practice during the rehearsal invaluable.

 

Script out the day for yourself as much as you can (times, order of shots, must have shots) and stick to the script as much as possible.

 

Good luck,

George

haha ... it is kind of funny, but not really. Seeing that it's your first, take your time to get your kit together. Cards, batteries, shutter release, sync cord.

 

It's the type of thing that is SUPPOSED to be in your camera bag, but you left it in the car.

 

At this point, all you can do is show up. Be aware. Interact. Know what you want. Know what will happen. Take lots of pictures. Make it happen.

 

It sounds like you're traveling for this gig?

During the formals keep shouting "everyone look at me" - especially if there are other guests behind you taking pictures. Explain to people that for each pose you're going to take a handful of photos then you'll let them have a couple of minutes to get theirs before the next grouping / location etc. Don't let your nice pics be ruined by the bride / groom looking at Grandpa over your shoulder!

BE PATIENT, and your imagination will capture the moments for you.

Check your settings every time you shoot a frame.

Dont forget to eat!!!!!!!!!

I would recommend:

 

2 cameras, (I would shoot with both with different lenses, but you could use the other as a backup camera).

 

2 flashes, (or more, depending how you go about doing this, and if you have an assistant).

 

2 or more larger size camera memory chips, or many film rolls so you will not run out. If digital, I would take perhaps 3 to 5 hundred photos, many more for an all day event. If film, I would shoot about 100 pictures, but that depends on your agreement with the bride and groom, and the duration of the wedding or follow up party.

 

2 or more spare batteries for your cameras.

 

3 or more sets of fresh batterires for your flashes, that depends if you have a high capacity exernal power battery packs or not.

 

That may not be enough for a full day event, so you may want to pause and plan a bit so your resources will last through the day.

Bring deodorant. You may need it.

A lot of great advice has already been shared...here's a few more things to consider:

 

--Keep the 8x10/11x14 crop ratios in mind when shooting formals (especially large groups). You don't want to risk having members of the family or wedding party cut off in enlargements.

 

--Fresh batteries in your flashes before key events---especially the bouquet/garter toss.

 

--At the reception, keep in close contact with the DJ/MC. Let him/her know before you take a break and make sure you check their timelines.

Every so often, take yourself in hand, and breathe...

I'm trying to remember my first wedding...

 

If you're worried about processional shots (why shoot the recessional except for the B&G?) pick a spot in the aisle where your subject is the correct size in your viewfinder. Then "prefocus" by focusing on the back of the pew/chair at that spot. When your couple/bridesmaid reaches that pew, just shoot- no need to focus. Don't worry- nobody buys enlargements of the processional anyway.

 

If that's your most difficult thing all day, you're in good shape.

Good advice above to practice the processional/recessional. It is one of the most difficult shots of the entire day - low light, people moving, needing to crouch and move in and out of the aisle discreetly...

 

Hope is works well. I still remember how nervous I was shooting my first wedding back in the day...and how energized and excited I was when it was all done, knowing things had gone well.

Yea, remember to have fun and let the couple have fun in front of you. May sound stupid but it takes time for couples to be able to act freely in front of the photographer. Take along a corny joke book. The looks on people's faces when you tell a really stupid one is invaluable.

take your spurs off before you squat, and don't pick your nose on a bumpy road...

Make a check-list of what you are packing in your camera bag(s) and then double-check it before you leave home.

Wow this is great everyone! Thanks a whole bunch for all of your bits of advice! I will keep

everybit of it in mind this Saturday in New Orleans! Keep em coming!

Write out a list of your equipment.. then double check against it before you leave.. Obviously you won't be able to run home and grab something if you're in FL and the wedding is in LA.

 

Check the list again.

To look like a real nice guy and a true pro ask the mothers, bride, groom, a day or 2 ahead of time, if they have any special requests. If so, ask them to write down the requests, like out of town people, best friends, co-workers. This gives everyone a warm fuzzy feeling that you care! These photos oftem mean a lot to the people requesting them.