JeffHall916 wrote:
Let me clear this up, I am helping my mother in law. She hired a photographer but she loves the way I take pictures so I said I would help out, that's it. I am NOT the main photo guy lol. But just want to make sure I have all that I should need
stay out of the way of the pro photog. don't bring a lot of lighting because you may interfere with their gear/triggering. 28-70 equivalent, 70-200mm equivalent and maybe something around 20mm equivalent. all you would need.
Just like you, I have relatives or friends who ask me to shoot their wedding even though they have a paid pro so here's what I do:
1) Stay out of the way of the paid pro's angles and have a conversation with him prior.
2) I bring a long lens 70-200 2.8IS II to capture intimate moments more than the group shots. I take with me a second camera for my long shots which could be anywhere from a 35mm 1.4 or a 50mm 1.2. Both cameras are full frame. Inside my bag is the 24 TSE II on standby.
3) I try not to use a flash as much as possible.
I've experienced this at my wedding close to 25 years ago. My sister-in-law's boyfriend had better shots than the jaded pro photographer and his crew that we hired. We're talking film days here.
dont bring anything. WTF is it guests feel they need to bring gear and interfere with whats going on? If you're single,
go and mingle. I'd be more worried about trying to get laid at a wedding than taking photos.
The worst is when all of these jabroni's want to come up and talk "shop" while you are trying to work and impress you with their arsenal of camera knowledge and gear.
Then most of these People W/ Camera have no talent and no eye for creativity, they just copy what you do. it's annoying.
Then they upload their crap photos to facebook and people think they are the shots the pro took.
voltaire wrote:
Just like you, I have relatives or friends who ask me to shoot their wedding even though they have a paid pro so here's what I do:
1) Stay out of the way of the paid pro's angles and have a conversation with him prior.
3) I try not to use a flash as much as possible.
I've experienced this at my wedding close to 25 years ago. My sister-in-law's boyfriend had better shots than the jaded pro photographer and his crew that we hired.
I did the same thing at a friend's wedding. He had hired a pro, so I had brought a tiny little u4/3 PEN with a 20mm f1.7 lens on it and a small flash.
The couple thanked me to no end, since the "pro" turned out to be a flop. Her images were soft, OOF, flat, and boring... Their memories book is filled with mostly my images...sucks for them, because I didn't have any of my long lenses.
I completely agree about uncle bob getting in the way, and it is a PITA in the few weddings that I have shot, but just calling them out saying "leave your camera stuff at home because you are a guest" is a bit of a generalized statement. If I have a problem with a guest with a camera, I tell him/her to STOP getting in my way VERY firmly.
One reason I don't do wedding too often is that it really brings the jerk out of me. I'm a real @sshole when I'm doing weddings, but the couples are always happy.
lowa2 wrote:
I did the same thing at a friend's wedding. He had hired a pro, so I had brought a tiny little u4/3 PEN with a 20mm f1.7 lens on it and a small flash.
The couple thanked me to no end, since the "pro" turned out to be a flop. Her images were soft, OOF, flat, and boring... Their memories book is filled with mostly my images...sucks for them, because I didn't have any of my long lenses.
I completely agree about uncle bob getting in the way, and it is a PITA in the few weddings that I have shot, but just calling them out saying "leave your camera stuff at home because you are a guest" is a bit of a generalized statement. If I have a problem with a guest with a camera, I tell him/her to STOP getting in my way VERY firmly.
One reason I don't do wedding too often is that it really brings the jerk out of me. I'm a real @sshole when I'm doing weddings, but the couples are always happy. ...Show more →
Ha-ha! I'm always fighting my inner jerk too. The pressure to get "the shot" is one of the areas I try to keep in check, and stay as relaxed as possible. Always a challenge in uncontrolled group situations.
I know most pro will say leave it at home, and at the same time, most pro are unwilling to shoot all the guests, or despise table shots..
what we have to realize is that most wedding, will always turn into a mini-reunion. Hence the guest meeting up together are just as special to them as the bride/groom special occasion.
I once was at a wedding where the "great aunt" flew in from Italy. Everyone wanted photos with her.. a different corner away from the bride and grooms.. do you expect the pro will come and shoot this? most likely not, unless he has second and third assistant...
So in all, check with your MIL why she wanted you there? any special person coming?
Then...
1. Check with the Pro if they are okay with this?
1A. Assumed they are okay, ask if you can use flash.. or better yet.. step aside when they are capturing the moments...nothing worst than distracted subject..due to multiple cameras being present.
2. check and understand the rules of the venue.. if they said no flash it means no flash...
Equipment wise.. you're good.. maybe extra batteries and memory card..and yes... leave the tripod at home, unless you want to do a small family portrait in the back corner (do check with pro first)
Skill wise - learn to shoot wide open :-D; ambient light.. etc..
JeffHall916 wrote:
Ok so I have a 5D Mark III and this is going to be my first time doing a wedding, can you suggest things that I will need. I have a tripod obviously. I will be using the- 24-70mm lens too. I have the 430EX flash I will be using. The ceremony will be outside and the the reception will be inside with no windows around, no natural sunlight.
Thanks for any info you might have!
Jeff
Oh, God...
"I'm just about to climb Mount Everest. I have some boots and a brand new backpack. Can someone tell me what I'll need?" ;-)
jojosung wrote:
I know most pro will say leave it at home, and at the same time, most pro are unwilling to shoot all the guests, or despise table shots..
what we have to realize is that most wedding, will always turn into a mini-reunion. Hence the guest meeting up together are just as special to them as the bride/groom special occasion.
I once was at a wedding where the "great aunt" flew in from Italy. Everyone wanted photos with her.. a different corner away from the bride and grooms.. do you expect the pro will come and shoot this? most likely not, unless he has second and third assistant...
So in all, check with your MIL why she wanted you there? any special person coming?
Then...
1. Check with the Pro if they are okay with this?
1A. Assumed they are okay, ask if you can use flash.. or better yet.. step aside when they are capturing the moments...nothing worst than distracted subject..due to multiple cameras being present.
2. check and understand the rules of the venue.. if they said no flash it means no flash...
Equipment wise.. you're good.. maybe extra batteries and memory card..and yes... leave the tripod at home, unless you want to do a small family portrait in the back corner (do check with pro first)
Skill wise - learn to shoot wide open :-D; ambient light.. etc.....Show more →
Interesting to see the comment out side of the wedding forum.
This is just me ...and a few of my shooting friends .... but we would know about the Aunt that flew in from overseas. and the the oldest generation of brothers... and don't forget the the special small bible (WWW1 vintage) that grandma wants to pass down to her grand daughter.
And having his/her 2nd shoot the Aunt is a good thing. and when the B&G are with the Aunt .... the pro should be there.
I hear what you are saying .... let just not generalize.
In the end, OP, just be respectful to the pro ... no matter how much a jerk he/she may be or not. You never know .... it could turn out to be a blast.
Daan B wrote:
If there is a pro, just tell your ant no. Sit back and enjoy the show
+1, this guys got it. I don't take my camera gear to weddings I'm not shooting anymore, just too much extra weight, plus you will spend the night watching your gear instead of enjoying the day.
If you want to shoot it, I'd leave the tripod at home, take some pictures during the ceremony outdoors and then when you enter the reception, put your camera down and relax. With a pro, they will be doing the dirty work, you are just taking some extra pics. Last thing anyone wants is another flash gun going off all night ;-)
Stay out of the pro's way, don't shoot over his shoulder, and be respectful and you shouldn't have any problems with him/her. I try to make friends with the guests who have camera gear at weddings I shoot, leads to better referrals than threatening to walk. Hopefully you get a pro with the same idea.
But, again I recommend you leave your gear at home and just enjoy the wedding.
2 years ago when my sister got married i was in the same position. In the end i took a P&S and left the photographer to get on with it. Last year i did my first wedding as the main photographer and i used 50D, 24-70 & 580EX flash and it was the perfect setup so you should be good with what you have. I had some other kit for backup but i kept things simple and i am glad i did. If your going to take pro kit then i would try to get pictures that the main photographer will not get and as others have said let them get the job done.
By the way, no one needs to get permission "from the pro" to photograph at the wedding, especially if the couple or the family asked you to shoot. Etiquette says to stay out of the hired photog's way and to generally avoid shooting their posed shots, but some aren't too upset even by that. It would be astonishly rare - I've never heard of it - for a wedding photographer to demand some sort of right to be the only person using a camera.
If a wedding photog was hired, you probably won't want to try to duplicate the semi-standard stuff that he or she shoots. Think of your role perhaps as shooting lots of fun and informal photographs of people that the B&G may not have time to see.
1st: calm down.
2nd: let the booked photographer do his job. If he is PRO he will not care about you shooting, so long you do not disturb him in doing his job.
3rd: Do not use a flash. Those pictures (if the flash is mounted on camera) are the most horrible pictures one can do (destroying all athmosphere). If you can not use one or more well positioned flashes forgett about them. Use a camera mounted flash as a fill-light only outside. There should be some light even without windows. Use the capabilities of your camera.
4th: Use this chance to learn! If there is a pro, there is no responsibility (for you). Calm down (again) and check what your gear is able to do. Play around and take it as a lesson to find out what is important for you. Do not promise anything. Just surprise the coupple with some nice (or great) additional (to the pros) pics.
5th: Try to achieve great results in PP, too. You will be able to use any experience for future jobs.
6th: Have some pleasure. And stop doing what your mother wants you to do. You are not shooting to make her happy, but you.
gdanmitchell wrote:
By the way, no one needs to get permission "from the pro" to photograph at the wedding, especially if the couple or the family asked you to shoot. Etiquette says to stay out of the hired photog's way and to generally avoid shooting their posed shots, but some aren't too upset even by that. It would be astonishly rare - I've never heard of it - for a wedding photographer to demand some sort of right to be the only person using a camera.
If a wedding photog was hired, you probably won't want to try to duplicate the semi-standard stuff that he or she shoots. Think of your role perhaps as shooting lots of fun and informal photographs of people that the B&G may not have time to see.
Chris Ventura wrote:
Just a hunch, but I am guessing perhaps he would like to learn and actually enjoys photography?
Using this logic, 99% of the shooters in the Landscape forum should just take their point-n-shoot to Yellowstone, because surely, and better photo has been taken before and they can just buy that instead?
No sorry, a wedding in NOT the place to learn photography and the fact you enjoy something does not give a person carte blanche. The OP should speak to the paid photog and come to an agreement. Doing just this simple thing will make the paid photographer appreciate you and who knows, you might just open a door for some real learning.
gdanmitchell wrote:
By the way, no one needs to get permission "from the pro" to photograph at the wedding, especially if the couple or the family asked you to shoot. Etiquette says to stay out of the hired photog's way and to generally avoid shooting their posed shots, but some aren't too upset even by that. It would be astonishly rare - I've never heard of it - for a wedding photographer to demand some sort of right to be the only person using a camera.
If a wedding photog was hired, you probably won't want to try to duplicate the semi-standard stuff that he or she shoots. Think of your role perhaps as shooting lots of fun and informal photographs of people that the B&G may not have time to see.
you are right about not getting permission..... but did you check the pro contract. pretty much i bet it will say something about he/she is the only shooter - regardless what another family member may say. granted this would be referencing another want-a-be pro shooter. if you come armed like one .... you might get treated like one.
just saying.....
And yes, i have told uncle bob/bobette to step back and out because they were taking pictures of everything i set up. not because of the setup but because the clients did not know where to look.
also... understand if it is a big event there would be multiple pro shooters but that is in a different league.
I shot 2nd camera at a wedding that had a hired "pro" photographer. It can be fun to take a fast F1.4 lens and get available light mood shots. That way you are not using a flash and impacting the "pro" photographer.
The available light mood shots make a nice additon.
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