Brandon Rice
Distributed Producer
Exactly. It'd be different if I was doing a video, because I have done a bunch of those.
Wedding Photography
- Thread starter Brandon Rice
- Start date
Jeremy Ordan
Major Contributor
I think Matt spelled it out perfectly (BTW, thanks for calling me back!).
Either way... If you want to get into weddings contact someone and go assist. That is the way to get started. After you do a dozen of those you will have a good idea and be able to work with the person you are assisting and take a lead position. From that point you can do a solo shoot at a small (<50 person) event. At that point you can move forward.
The key is to build with this. If you are taking a $hit when the wedding cake is cut you can't recreate that moment. Furthermore, you need to know where to position yourself during the ceremony (one of the reasons the D50 is nice as a third camera with the wireless remote).
The big thing though is that when you shoot weddings you need to know what image you get WITHOUT looking at your display screen. In fact I turn my monitor off to conserve battery power (and I am shooting with vertical battery grips on my D200's with at least 2-4 extra batteries in my jacket/bag). You need to just know and be in the moment.
Start by assisting... Hell, for the event I am shooting tomorrow I have an assistant and then an apprentice (someone who is coming to learn and work and not get paid).
It is a process.
Either way... If you want to get into weddings contact someone and go assist. That is the way to get started. After you do a dozen of those you will have a good idea and be able to work with the person you are assisting and take a lead position. From that point you can do a solo shoot at a small (<50 person) event. At that point you can move forward.
The key is to build with this. If you are taking a $hit when the wedding cake is cut you can't recreate that moment. Furthermore, you need to know where to position yourself during the ceremony (one of the reasons the D50 is nice as a third camera with the wireless remote).
The big thing though is that when you shoot weddings you need to know what image you get WITHOUT looking at your display screen. In fact I turn my monitor off to conserve battery power (and I am shooting with vertical battery grips on my D200's with at least 2-4 extra batteries in my jacket/bag). You need to just know and be in the moment.
Start by assisting... Hell, for the event I am shooting tomorrow I have an assistant and then an apprentice (someone who is coming to learn and work and not get paid).
It is a process.
Simon Höfer
Veteran
Ok, I think that is more serious than I thought. Weddings in america seem to be a much bigger event than in germany.
Thinking about that I recall some weddings from american movies. They always look huge.
Well, you should listen to the guys with the knowledge....Im out
Thinking about that I recall some weddings from american movies. They always look huge.
Well, you should listen to the guys with the knowledge....Im out
Brandon Rice
Distributed Producer
Yea, see, I don't intend to really get into shooting weddings a lot, so I think it's best left to a pro.
My humble two cents. I wouldn't do a Wedding myself unless I was doing it for free AND they had another pro there capturing their memories. Wedding photography is a very difficult and precise craft. It's far from a point and shoot, have some fun ordeal.
I think it's taken too lightly by many photographers and the couple suffers in the end having crappy shots to show their grandchildren because you decided, 'what the hell'. Not necessarily you, but you get my point. I admire those highly trained Wedding photographers and can only hope to reach that skill level someday.
I spent months with my wife choosing the right photographer for our wedding. I couldn't imagine throwing a rookie to the wolves like that. Anyway, whatever it's worth.
Good luck!
www.ricardezphoto.com
I think it's taken too lightly by many photographers and the couple suffers in the end having crappy shots to show their grandchildren because you decided, 'what the hell'. Not necessarily you, but you get my point. I admire those highly trained Wedding photographers and can only hope to reach that skill level someday.
I spent months with my wife choosing the right photographer for our wedding. I couldn't imagine throwing a rookie to the wolves like that. Anyway, whatever it's worth.
Good luck!
www.ricardezphoto.com
Brandon Rice
Distributed Producer
I emailed my friend.
------------------------------
Paul,
After some intense research and studying, I think you'll be better off finding someone who does wedding photography full time.
I've never shot a wedding (stills), but I've shot a lot of videos, so I have experience there, but I'd hate to not capture those still moments for you, and let you down.
I actually might be able to convince another friend to come up with me and shoot video, if that's something you'd want. Take a look at the sample I sent earlier. If not, then I'll be glad to just come up and enjoy seeing my friend getting married!
Looking forward to it either way!
-Brandon
------------------------------
Paul,
After some intense research and studying, I think you'll be better off finding someone who does wedding photography full time.
I've never shot a wedding (stills), but I've shot a lot of videos, so I have experience there, but I'd hate to not capture those still moments for you, and let you down.
I actually might be able to convince another friend to come up with me and shoot video, if that's something you'd want. Take a look at the sample I sent earlier. If not, then I'll be glad to just come up and enjoy seeing my friend getting married!
Looking forward to it either way!-Brandon
Jeremy Ordan
Major Contributor
Brandon,
I think that is a great solution and decision... but if I were you and you are going to the wedding any way then go ahead and bring your camera and shoot... Practice is the only way you are going to learn.
I think that is a great solution and decision... but if I were you and you are going to the wedding any way then go ahead and bring your camera and shoot... Practice is the only way you are going to learn.
Brandon Rice
Distributed Producer
Oh I definitely will, because even when I do a video, I use some of the stills I shot during the event.
XCheck
Veteran
This may be too little too late, but: a checklist of all the posed pictures is a must. Groom & Bride. With her parents. With his parents. With both parents. With her parents/siblings... etc. Think of every possible combination and put it on a list. Shoot them all, and then some.
Speaking of CRAZY wedding photo assignments: when my son was getting married (one of those 07/07/07 marriages), I:
Travelled to another continent. About 80% of my luggage was the gear alone.
Was the father of the groom
Did the formal still shots of bride&groom
Directed a three-camera video of the ceremony (naturally couldn't shoot)
Shot most of the reception
Edited & color corrected (mix of daylight & halogen - ew!) the wedding video DVD. Cutting it in NTSC & PAL.
I am still recovering, and not just financially.
Speaking of CRAZY wedding photo assignments: when my son was getting married (one of those 07/07/07 marriages), I:
Travelled to another continent. About 80% of my luggage was the gear alone.
Was the father of the groom
Did the formal still shots of bride&groom
Directed a three-camera video of the ceremony (naturally couldn't shoot)
Shot most of the reception
Edited & color corrected (mix of daylight & halogen - ew!) the wedding video DVD. Cutting it in NTSC & PAL.
I am still recovering, and not just financially.
WaveRiderXIX
Well-known member
I have worked with some of the biggest known a$$holes in Hollywood. Who happen to be some of the biggest directors and producers of stuff everyone has seen.
Let me tell you....
They are $#!T compared to the wrath you can get from an BrideZilla.
If you have done less than 3 weddings... save yourself a headache and do it free. Don't charge them $500. Tell them "you'll shoot if if they cover your cost for your trip". In other words, they pay your flight, hotel, food, and rent-a-car if needed. ($25-40) per day per diem in food is more than acceptable.
...because that $500 might not even cover your cost.
also, I would get more of those SD cards. like 8 more. or get 4 2giggers.
I shoot about 12-16 gigs worth of pictures for a full wedding. (prep, ceremony, reception) Carrying x4, 4gig CF cards, and 2 cameras.
...if one camera goes down... and it happens to be on the garter toss... and you have no backup... you had better get ready to jack Aunt Jenny's Cybershot 10mp camera out of her hand. Because those are the shots you only get one chance at.
Advice #2....
Rent!!!
Rent a speedlight. And no, they are not cheap. An SB-800 costs over $300 with tax new. THEN... you will NEED a Quantum or lummy battery pack. Or.. carry like 20 batteries with you. You can rent a speedlight for like $12 bucks a day, and a Quantum for about $15.
And also, rent a 18-50 f/2.8 lens or buy a 17-50 Tamron f/2.8.
Let me tell you....
They are $#!T compared to the wrath you can get from an BrideZilla.
If you have done less than 3 weddings... save yourself a headache and do it free. Don't charge them $500. Tell them "you'll shoot if if they cover your cost for your trip". In other words, they pay your flight, hotel, food, and rent-a-car if needed. ($25-40) per day per diem in food is more than acceptable.
...because that $500 might not even cover your cost.
also, I would get more of those SD cards. like 8 more. or get 4 2giggers.
I shoot about 12-16 gigs worth of pictures for a full wedding. (prep, ceremony, reception) Carrying x4, 4gig CF cards, and 2 cameras.
...if one camera goes down... and it happens to be on the garter toss... and you have no backup... you had better get ready to jack Aunt Jenny's Cybershot 10mp camera out of her hand. Because those are the shots you only get one chance at.
Advice #2....
Rent!!!
Rent a speedlight. And no, they are not cheap. An SB-800 costs over $300 with tax new. THEN... you will NEED a Quantum or lummy battery pack. Or.. carry like 20 batteries with you. You can rent a speedlight for like $12 bucks a day, and a Quantum for about $15.
And also, rent a 18-50 f/2.8 lens or buy a 17-50 Tamron f/2.8.