Creative Assistance Needed

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Archive 2009 · Creative Assistance Needed

Lisa_Bonami
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p.1 #1 · Creative Assistance Needed

Next week, I've been hired to shoot a wedding, but it is not a traditional wedding. It will be at a court house with the justice of the peace. She will not be wearing a wedding dress, or have any flowers...and i will be the only "guest".

They hired me to follow them around and make sure i capture their special day....BUT....

I'm having difficulty thinking of ways to capture that "wedding" style, when there are little to no wedding-like indicators. I got the idea last night to review some "Engagement Photos"...and definitely moved me in the right direction, but i'm looking for any creative suggestions that would help me pull this off.

Thanks for your assistance!

Equipment:
5dMK2
17-40mm f/4
50mm 1.2
70-200 2.8L IS

Dec 17, 2009 at 03:27 PM

MagicNikon
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p.1 #2 · Creative Assistance Needed

I'd first check to make sure photography is allowed in the government building that you'll be in.

Dec 17, 2009 at 03:31 PM

jcolman
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p.1 #3 · Creative Assistance Needed

It seems to me that this couple may not be into the whole "beautiful romantic" wedding type shots but if they are, create something on the steps of the courthouse, or in a hall way. Or simply document their day at it unfolds.

Dec 17, 2009 at 03:41 PM

Marici Photo
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p.1 #4 · Creative Assistance Needed

^^^ What he said.

Just keep clicking through out the process of them signing papers etc.

And then once they're done take engagement style portraits around or in the courthouse. The couple can't blame you for not creating a wedding environment.. you're the photographer. Not a magician.

Dec 17, 2009 at 03:47 PM

MichelleL
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p.1 #5 · Creative Assistance Needed

With a no-frills scenario like this just do your best to capture the day as it unfolds. Be sure to document as much as possible and try to be creative with your compositions. They may not be dressed in formal wedding attire but that doesn't mean that the day is any less special for them.

I agree w/ JColman - use the building if you can (if photography is allowed inside), and just get some nice shots of them together. Good luck!

Dec 17, 2009 at 03:48 PM

Lisa_Bonami
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p.1 #6 · Creative Assistance Needed

The one nice thing is that i dont have to compensate for the Whites and Blacks of traditional weddings

Thanks for your help guys. I was actually thinking that i could give it a wedding feel with the Album...more than the photos themselves. For instance, i could write: "For Better..." and take a happy picture...then write "or for worse....and have her choking him.

Might be a little cheesy...ok, A LOT cheesy...but maybe if i only use it once, it might give it a little extra

Dec 17, 2009 at 03:52 PM

jamphan
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p.1 #7 · Creative Assistance Needed

You could approach this with a purely "photojournalistic" style meaning just shoot the day and get what you get and not try to make it the artistic posing you are used to doing. Could turn out really cool and you will have captured the "true" day and not something you helped script. Good luck.

Dec 17, 2009 at 04:05 PM

bryanlindsey
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p.1 #8 · Creative Assistance Needed

I'd approach it like an e-session, with a couple must-get "ceremony" moments thrown in.

Dec 17, 2009 at 04:11 PM

Ian Villaceran
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p.1 #9 · Creative Assistance Needed

I shot a civil ceremony before and had the same concerns.. I simply approached it as it be like an engagement session. I also told the bride to wear a white dress.. not necessary a bridal gown but more like a cocktail dress then some flowers out from the street.. it worked beautifully..

Dec 17, 2009 at 04:16 PM

Ziffl3
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p.1 #10 · Creative Assistance Needed

Are you going to follow them for a meal afterward?

Not sure why this could not be a cool chance to push yourself.

Dec 17, 2009 at 05:13 PM

Inku Yo
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p.1 #11 · Creative Assistance Needed

Man, there's so much potential with this type of shoot.

Dec 17, 2009 at 05:51 PM

Rengie Mendoza
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p.1 #12 · Creative Assistance Needed

Holding Hands, Eye Contact, etc. Since there's really not a lot that says "wedding" stick to the emotions of the day.

Dec 17, 2009 at 06:06 PM

VetraLens
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p.1 #13 · Creative Assistance Needed

Have you seen this thread: http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/846800

Lots of great images of a similar situation.

Dec 17, 2009 at 07:59 PM

Lisa_Bonami
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p.1 #14 · Creative Assistance Needed

Thanks Everyone!

Dec 18, 2009 at 09:26 PM

sherijohnson
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p.1 #15 · Creative Assistance Needed

I think you are on the right track. If they are a fun couple, then you will have an easy time getting good pics of them. More than anything just try to find interesting spots for pics and make suggestions to them if need be and I am sure you will do well. I had a wedding sort of like this, there were flowers, but no wedding dress, there was a priest, but very small intimate wedding. We spent time doing pictures and they told me they were very happy with what we ended up with. I agree with finding out what the policies are with taking pictures at the location, it should be fine, but you might find some great spots to do pictures in the area after you leave, that would be ideal.

Dec 18, 2009 at 09:39 PM

Lisa_Bonami
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p.1 #16 · Creative Assistance Needed

Thanks for all your help. If anyone would like to see the results... www.akantardjian.smugmug.com

Go to Katie and Tim's Wedding

I'm quite pleased with the outcome, but (as this was my first wedding)...it was quite nerve racking!

Jan 02, 2010 at 02:04 AM

Chris Fawkes
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p.1 #17 · Creative Assistance Needed

Lisa don't take this as an attack but those prices are way too low. If you had a starting point of $500 you would still get plenty of work.

I understand you feel you need to start somewhere but $500 is considered really low anyway and there are many people out there prepared to pay it.

Jan 02, 2010 at 02:33 AM

pattyw
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p.1 #18 · Creative Assistance Needed

When the slideshow started, I had a hard time telling the wedding from all the pictures of the dogs

Jan 02, 2010 at 03:37 AM


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