athena_cupp

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<p>Here are the images...</p><div></div>

<p>Hey guys, I shot my second wedding this weekend. I think it went really well. Thank you for the feedback from the first wedding shoot, all of your advice really helps. Like they say practice makes perfect!</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice. The exposure is one of the area's I know I need to work on! </p>

<p>I had the Yonguo 560II on my Nikon D7000 with an 18mm-125mm lens<br>

and the Nikon sb400 on my Nikon D5100 with a 50mm lens. I had 3 other lens with me but used just the two I already had on my two camera bodies. They served me well during the day for different situations so no need to change lens but brought them as backs up..just in case!</p>

<p>I really like this one too. My bride wore her fiances flannel while she was getting ready to feel close to him. May not have been one of the best photos of the day but I loved the sentiment behind it. </p><div></div>

<p>The couple</p><div></div>

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<p>All the advice I received opened me up to all kinds of possibilities and scenario's that I had not thought of or would not have been prepared for. Thank you all again for the invaluable information. Here are some more of the wedding photos. </p><div></div>

<p>Hi Aleks, my biggest piece of advice is just be prepared! As far as what I would do differently..there were poses that I had didn't have the couple do that I had decided on before the wedding but things got behind as far as the bride and groom getting ready so everything got behind and I felt like in the rush I didn't choose my best poses. My biggest mistake of the night when going from inside to outside I forgot to dial down my setting on the camera so I had a handful of pictures that were very overexposed. Thankfully I am shooting in Raw so I was able to fix those pretty well in Lightroom. A lot of the things that I was not happy with I am not sure that I could have prepared myself for,I think a lot of these things just come with practice and experience. The three weddings that I am doing this summer are all as favors for couples who are friends / family and they are all aware that I haven't got the skills of a professional photographer or a second shooter (which after running up and down the stairs for hours trying to not miss any thing I can see the value in) however I feel just because I am doing these weddings as favors that is no reason not to do the best job and I can do. I don't know where it will lead or even if I plan to persue it as a business but regardless I feel very accomplished learning something new. I'm sure whoever asked you to do their wedding saw something in your work that they admired so just be confident in yourself and your abilities!!! Best of luck to you this weekend and in the future!</p>

<p>Thank you both. I am not sure why my original picture didn't post but it seems to be there now. </p>

<p>I posted a few months ago asking for advice about shooting my first wedding. Although the advice leaned heavily on aborting my mission for lack of experience I made a commitment ( actually 3 ) that I was determined to keep. I took all of your advice to heart. I was able in those few months to secure more equipment including a second body, came up with a suitable contract and purchased liability insurance. Then I immersed myself into every practical blog, article and of course shooting, shooting, shooting to prepare myself. All that aside, nothing compares to actually throwing yourself in there! The day started with major bridesmaids drama and a crying bride (what a way to get started, I played many roles that day including counselor) but the day ended all smiles. I came in ready and composed and determined to do my job and do my best. There are things I wish I would have done and some area's where I now know I need improvement but all in all the day was a success! Thank you all who gave me advice. Even the hard words made me more determined to do it and do it well!</p>

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<p>Thanks Lex! I am not going into this with blinders on. I am definitely the type of person who gives people the benefit of the doubt and always try's to see the best in people. Even if the first one is bad I will go into the second one with life lessons learned and more experience than I had! </p>

<p>Thanks again for all of your advice. I am truly grateful and I am taking it to heart. <br>

I am shooting in RAW. I generally use Aperture priority, I do shoot in manual sometimes.<br>

The online portrait class I am taking right now mostly covers lighting and posing. I am finding it very helpful. <br>

The three weddings are in completely different type of locations. One is outside at a farm, one in a church with a restaurant reception and one is at the beach. The church / restaurant one will be the most challenging as it is a 10 hour drive so I won't really be at all familiar with the location aside from attending the rehearsal the night before. I have asked my poor husband and sons who so LOVE being my guinea pigs to let me practice with them in our own church, I know all churches are different but it least will give me some type of experience shooting from the aisles..etc. </p>

<p>The equipment I have is <br>

Nikon D5100 camera body<br>

Nikon 18-55mm lens <br>

Nikon 55-200mm lens<br>

I originally stated 70 -200mm lens in error, I was referring to this lens that came with my kit. I rarely use the kit lens as I also have a Tamron 18-270mm lens. This is the lens that stays on my camera most of the time.<br>

Nikon 50mm lens<br>

Nikon SB 400 Speedlight</p>

You are correct I did lash out in frustrationand I do apologize. I have been trying to maintain a positive outlook but It's

never easy to be told over and over that you are doomed to fail when you are determined to succeed.

<p>for example I note the priority mention of the product “Lightroom” in this thread.<br>

Really? I guess trying to learn "Lightroom" is frowned upon too since it was a priority I mentioned it. Is it not in the habit of most photographers to do post production work on their photos. I only mentioned to bring attention to the fact that although I am a highly unqualified ameateur photographer with no experience and sadly underrated equipment I do care enough about my work to try to not just hand the them the memory card at the end of the night. <br>

Maybe in lieu of shooting their weddings I should just buy them each a case of disposable cameras and call it a day!</p>

<p>Wow! I totally get that 99% of you feel like i should not do this. That you have made obvious. I have numerous times in this thread explained the situation.<br>

1. I have sit down with each of these couples and explained the extent of my knowledge and the lack of equipment compared to a pro. <br>

2. I have a personal connection and know all of their situations. Where you assume they can pay a professional when I have already stated that financially it is not an option. <br>

3. I have made a commitment (which I do not take lightly) to these friends and intend to honor that. <br>

4. Instead of just showing up with my camera I am taking as many steps as I can..online classes, purchasing lightroom, taking a lightroom class, reading every article I can get my hands on. Doing free portrait sessions with my other friends just to get more experience with my camera and with editing. <br>

I have indeed found much of your advice helpful and you have raised points that I had not considered. Points that I am following through on like insurance, contracts and backup plans. Just to be clear however, I am not disregarding anyones advice nor am I only accepting the advice that I like. I did NOT ask for advice on whether or not I should accept the job I asked for advice on Shooting the wedding. For example...one photographer friend told me to tell the couple to hold there kiss because a quick peck could easily be missed. I read maybe here or somewhere else to get a list of the important pictures the couple wants so you don't miss any poses with special family or friends. These are the types of things I was asking for in order to be prepared for the task at hand, my apologies if I did not make it clear what I was asking for. </p>

<p>I am only getting paid for one of the weddings and that is only because they would not accept it for free. I didn't even quote them a price, I just told them they could give me a "donation" based on what they thought was acceptable and affordable. I have put a call into my insurance company to pick up liability insurance and I have also began to research contracts so I can put together something suitable for me. I do appreciate all of your advice and I am taking to heart. Thanks again for your help. </p>

<p>I guess I should make myself clear also on the fact that I am not trying to break into the wedding photography business. I work full time and my most important job as Mom. We own a dairy farm in a rural area. My husband and sons work 7 days a week, some days very long hours farming and this affords me a lot of free time. I love photography and helping people. I have often thought of trying to take my photography to a more professional level but I don't intend to do that for at least a few more years when my youngest in out of school. I am perfectly content with the way things are now...to slowly work my way in that direction while gaining experience and trying to expand my knowledge and work on my skill. I have served as wedding director for many friends weddings and I do understand the time and attention that goes into a wedding day. I do appreciate all of your comments however my mind is made up. I intend to do these wedding as stated. I know the risk but I think to help others it's a risk worth taking. I will certainly keep everything you said in mind and make a contract but I am not going to allow myself to become so cynical that I turn my back on these good friends because I am more concerned about myself than others. Now back to my original question...I am looking for tips and advice on shooting a wedding and would appreciate feedback on that.</p>

<p>I know all 3 of these couples and their situations and no I don't think they can afford anything better and with that being said at least with me having a personal connection to them they are getting someone who CARES about their wedding and is going to strive to do the best job I can do..if I back out now I can't say that some guy they hire from craigslist is going to give them that. I am totally committed to doing this. I realize that I don't have the best equipment nor do I have the experience. I have also thought long and hard (and maybe had a few nightmares) about the things that can happen. It does sadden me that we live in a world where a good deed can turn into a nightmare but if I let that fuel my decision than I would never do anything out of fear! One of the weddings is my nephew. He and his fiance have postponed their wedding for a year due to lack of funds. They both work hard and are paying for the wedding on their own. They like most couples want to have the wedding of their dreams. He is one of the main reasons I decided to take the photography classes online through Improve Photography. I have photoshop but I purchased Lightroom and I am taking a Lightroom class so that I can be proficient in editing these wedding sessions. I LOVE this kid and I want him to make his day special. And in response to the comment about my lens...I do have other lens but I was reading an article on a photography blog that said those were the BEST two lens sizes to shoot a wedding with...I guess it all relative to each photographer and what there style is..etc, etc. </p>

<p>I have gotten many good tips on here but I did see a few posts in various forums where someone new was "bashed" for not having experience and accepting photography jobs. There is a big difference in constructive critisism and someone being completely rude. I know this is not going to be easy and I don't mind constructive critisism or someone giving me the hard facts. This is exactly why I came to this site. Most of the shoots I have done have been for free or less than $100 regardless of the time and effort that were put into them. I paid a very big price for my Sons senior pictures a few years ago and I noticed that several of his friends were not getting senior pictures because they could not afford it so I studied up on portrait photography and then tried my best to give them something decent. Were they the same quality as my Son's pictures..of course not. The last portrait session I did was at Christmas for a lady at church who just had twins then her husband lost his job. I did Christmas pics of their children. All of these weddings that I am doing..these people aren't skimping on pictures to pay higher prices for other things, they are just trying to have the best wedding they can on the budget that they have. I think I am a pretty decent photographer with a good eye and a creative streak, God gave me this talent and I wish to use it to bless others. I don't think people should be without the opportunity for memories because they do not fit into a particular income bracket. One of the things I see over and over in the forum is that the bride should increase their budget to get a more experienced photographer, that is not a reality for everyone. I do appreciate all of your comments and advice!</p>

<p>I have been asked to shoot 3 weddings this year, the first one being in May. I came upon this site in an effort to gain knowledge and advice. There are lots of great tips but I have to weed through so many negative and even hostile comments. Every single one of you has been a newbie at some point in your career and had to have that one person(s) who saw something in you or your pictures and wanted to give you that chance or perhaps you saw a way that you could use your photography to bless or help someone else.<br>

I have basic equipment. A Nikon D5100. A 70-200mm lens, a 50mm lens 1.8f, a basic speed light on camera flash. I have done many portrait shoots for friends and family. I am taking online photo classes and read as much as I can and then try to practice those tips in order to improve myself and my photography.<br>

The three weddings I am shooting are all for friends for family members. One I am getting paid for, two I am not. I don't think it is irresponsible (as I read in one persons comments that is irresponsible to accept a wedding with no experience) to accept a wedding for someone who otherwise wouldn't have one due to finances, etc. I know that I am not a professional and do not claim to be and all of these people know that.<br>

With that being said, although I am not a professional, I do have some experience and my goal is to continue to improve myself and to deliver the best wedding photos that I can possibly provide. I would love to hear your comments and tips to help me with that goal.</p>

 

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<p>MODERATOR NOTE:</p>

 

<p>The main question asked by the Originating Poster is for assistance and advice regarding shooting weddings.</p>

 

<p>The Thread's Title has been edited to reflect that theme.</blockquote></p>