Hey guys,
I was just wondering how much time you guys typically allocate for photos on wedding day. And how many of you shoot all the formals before the ceremony? I've always left it up to the bride as to whether she wants to shoot them before the ceremony (highly recommended) or afterward. When I got married 6 1/2 years ago, our photographer tried to talk us into doing them before the ceremony but I didn't want to see my wife until she started down the aisle. And yes, I cried like a baby. We did do all the shots before the ceremony excluding the ones with both of us in them. What I'm really wondering about is for you guys who do some really nice informal formals outside and stuff, how much tiem to you set aside for that?
thanks,
Greg
I typically start two hours before the ceremony shooting the bride bridesmaids and groom groomsmen separately. Typically the bride and groom do not want to see each other before the wedding.
Then I try to get 30 minutes immediately after the ceremony to shoot all the formals for the family and bride and groom and wedding party. I don't have much to set up, and I have it all planned out beforehand so I work really fast so I do not lose their attention.
The biggest trick is to not let anyone disappear after the ceremony if you let that happen then it takes forever to get everyone back.
Sometimes I can get more time and that is great, that is when I take the bride and groom off for about 30 minutes before the reception starts.
If there is a big gap of time between the wedding and the reception then I have all the time in the world to shoot the bride and groom which is really cool, then they have time to relax and you can come up with some cool stuff.
I let the couple decide. I give recommendations based on their schedule, but I let them know that "I'm here to work with your schedule, not vice versa."
Tony Hoffer wrote:
I let the couple decide. I give recommendations based on their schedule, but I let them know that "I'm here to work with your schedule, not vice versa."
+1
Making suggestions and helping guide the bride and groom with their schedule is key, but in the long run we are there to work for the bride and groom.
Making suggestions and helping guide the bride and groom with their schedule is key, but in the long run we are there to work for the bride and groom.
Helping the B&G alot time for pictures is (in my opinion) a big part of my job. I like to offer my "suggestions" on time frames and such and give them examples of ways to maximize there time. I like to drop hints in ways that makes the client think they are coming up with the best scenario. It makes them feel more in control and that makes everythign work better, But in actuality my suggestions work more in my favor and keeps me in control of how the time for pictures is spent.
I have never had a group all show up early emough to do any formal shots before the wedding. I no longer even give it as an option. Just a waste of time and people get upset when one or two are late.
After the ceremony I am usually allowed 20 minutes by the church. Not sure what I would do if I did not have a church coordinator pointing to the clock every couple of minutes. Who knows, I may even get creative if they would leave me alone long enough to think.
