Picture Presentation

<p>I'm shooting my first wedding in about two weeks and I've been looking for the best way to give the couple their pictures. I'm looking at boxes, but I'm not sure which way to go with those. I'm going to give them prints and a DVD of their photos, how should I present them?</p>

<p>Also, does anyone have any advice for shooting a wedding? I've shot parties and such before, but I don't know how different this will be.</p>

<p>Thanks! : )</p>

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<p>how should I present them?</p>

 

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<p>I have no clue as I have no idea how much you charged them. If this is a "bargain" shoot, I would simply use a black photo box and a jewel case for the disc(s); although I would use an inkjet printer to print a graphic on the disc. </p>

 

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<p>Also, does anyone have any advice for shooting a wedding? I've shot parties and such before, but I don't know how different this will be.</p>

 

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<p>My advice would be to assist with a professional photographer doing weddings before ever adventuring out to do your own. There are no do-overs in wedding photography. If you haven't done this or can't do this, then my advice is to not shoot the wedding. But that's me. I can't begin to describe what you might encounter on a wedding day.</p>

<p>If you are asking for advice on shooting a wedding, DON'T do it! You onl get sone chance to do this to make someone happy, andif they are not, it will cost you in the long run.<br>

FInd a pro and assist/second. Learn the job. This is not something you just jump into.</p>

<p>1.) If you don't intend to make wedding photography your career or at least, a serious endeavor, just get either a box or decorated albums from a place such as Aaron brothers. They usually have inexpensive items such as these that have been nicely decorated. You can usually find something to color coordinate with the wedding colors. As John suggested, a nice jewel case for the CD or DVD would be fine.</p>

<p>2.) As already stated, there is no way we can know what you don't know, or what will happen that day. I would suggest that you start studying the archived threads for beginning wedding photographers, or ask specific questions. Photographing a party is very much different from photographing a wedding.</p>

<p>Two basic things are to a) have a back up camera, lens and flash and b) brings LOTS of batteries for your flash and at least one spare battery for your camera, as well as plenty of memory cards.</p>

<p>Until you have an established business license and tax ID, http://kolo.com/ offers some beautiful storage boxes that are archival quality. ;-)</p>

In your case, I am far less concerned with the presentation as with the <i>product</i> you will present. I am concerned that, by your own admission, you are preparing (?) to capture arguably a couple's most important day yet you are clueless about what to expect, and this 2 weeks before said event? I would seriously consider hiring a pro for them. Not sure if you'll manage to find one competent just 2 weeks before the day. If that is not a viable option, then I suggest you knuckle down and search these forums as has been suggested. Make copious notes. Take as many practice shots as you can, preferably at the same time of day (and same location) that the wedding will be. Find out the ground rules well in advance. Assuming you are in the Northern hemisphere, it is now winter. Aside from the cold weather (which can wreak havoc on your gear if not careful), it also gets dark very early. The officiant of the day may not allow flash photography during the ceremony. You need to clear that with him/her well in advance.

<p>A wedding is in large part about your interaction with people, your confidence and critically, about knowing what you want to achieve, photographically. This will in turn inform your style of capture and ultimately choice of equipment (http://www.photo.net/learn/wedding/). You may well be a very accomplished portrait photographer but there the variables are relatively few. Weddings are chock full of variables. Things can run late, venues can change last minute, cameras and memory cards can fail and most importantly, in such a mix of people, there are occasional clashes of personality. You need not only backup equipment but also the mental wherewithal and flexibility to cope with constantly-changing scenarios and lighting conditions. This comes with practice, although you may inherently be a person who is 'quick on their feet,' which I hope is the case.

<p>I reiterate, if you cannot get them a seasoned pro, then you need to practice practice practice. Ensure you have backup kit and are comfortable using it. I don't know your photography skill level, but I would hope you at least know your basics of shutter speed, aperture and ISO. Search these forums as this is a very frequently asked question. You will dig up tons of useful advice.

<p>Finally, on the day, if you <i>are</i> to shoot this wedding, then you must gather your wits about you and exhude confidence. If you show that you are nervous, everyone around you will likely pick up on that and get nervous too. And it will show in your photos.

<p>That's the cold, hard truth...