My name is Chris and at the moment I am in the early stages of my journey as a wedding and portrait photographer. I have been shooting for years, but for the past few years I have just been absorbing as much knowledge as I can about becoming a quality wedding photographer. This site has provided me with so much information. For a long time I have read messages and lurked here, but never really felt like I had much I could contribute. Not to mention the level of skill here can be intimidating. But really I feel like I should thank so many of you for your honesty and willingness to share. The mix of styles and personalities is perfect. This place is an amazing resource.
Anyway up to this point I have have done several engagement shoots and some portrait sessions. I shot my sister's wedding which I was informed I was doing. It was very low key on a beach and only took about 2 hours from start to finish. I also shot a wedding for a friend of a friend last year that was in a very small restaurant and felt more like large dinner party where someone got married than a wedding. However two weeks ago I was finally able to finally shoot my first wedding, and I loved it! Now I can't wait for my next one, unfortunately it is not until November.
Anyway here are the pictures of what I consider my first "normal" wedding. I got plenty of midday sun, but at least was able to avoid the heat that hit the Mid-Atlantic! Any comments or feedback, criticisms included, would be very much appreciated. I am here to improve!
gj for the first post. I have yet to make my first wedding post. I agree the level of skill others have are quite intimidating.
My only critique off the bat is #22. The lighting from the high sun blacked out here eyes and a speedlight could've made a quick fix. But overall, good job!
For a first wedding these are very nice!
I am glad you got them out of the sun for the portrait section.
Nothing kills photos worse than direct sun overhead!
A few of the shots (like the guys walking on the sidewalk) seem a little artistically forced....
My advice would be just to keep doing what you are doing and to use the rules of thirds etc. more often.
They will be thrilled with what you have here!
hardlyboring wrote:
For a first wedding these are very nice!
I am glad you got them out of the sun for the portrait section.
Nothing kills photos worse than direct sun overhead!
A few of the shots (like the guys walking on the sidewalk) seem a little artistically forced....
My advice would be just to keep doing what you are doing and to use the rules of thirds etc. more often.
They will be thrilled with what you have here!
+1
But let me also add that I hope my first wedding turns out as well.
Thanks for the comments guys. I think I agree with the comment about the sidewalk shot. Definitely good to hear things like this. Sometimes you don't see it until someone else points it out.
Also if I may add...
If you really want hard crit put up like 5-8 shots of things that you think you may need help on etc. and let us pick them apart.
This way we can really focus in on a few crucial images or techniques you might want to work on.
Way to put it out there bro. Overall, I think you did ok, tough light for sure. Groom with hands in pockets, 22 has to go. Maybe focus on a more refined set of photos. If it doesn't really add anything to the story or it doesn't further your branding, I wouldn't post it. Good Luck!
Thanks you all for the comments taking the time to look and my pictures and offer advice and critique. I really do appreciate it.
Brian, this is good advice. I think I will go back through the wedding and create a smaller more refined set. When you have 1,000 + pictures, culling/selecting is a tough job. I am guessing it gets easier the more you do it? I hope so anyway!
It was very low key on a beach and only took about 2 hours from start to finish. I also shot a wedding for a friend of a friend last year that was in a very small restaurant and felt more like large dinner party where someone got married than a wedding. However two weeks ago I was finally able to finally shoot my first wedding, and I loved it! Now I can't wait for my next one, unfortunately it is not until November. 