I'm following Ron's thread on the "This second shooter thing", what a good discussion. Now that's showing the best of the Wedding Forum on FM.
My question for you is: When you went to your first few weddings, what was the most difficult part of it for you? Assuming that we all go in believing that we're technically competent with the camera and lighting, what was tough?
I'm shooting my first in April, followed by a second in May in Maui. At this point I believe that my greatest challenge is going to posing the formals of the B&G in a time and pressure environment. I'd like your thoughts on what was toughest for you as there may be other areas that I'm completely ignorant of. Besides, I need more to keep me awake at night now
FYI, I'm going to WPPI and taking the early 2 day class from Williams and Wilkins "Weddings and Portraits: Back to Storytelling", in addition to shooting all the portrait and family groups I can get to get ready.
For me the toughest thing was (and kinda still is) posing clients, and just getting all my thoughts and visions out of my head, communicated to the client, and on to film...(uh, i mean silicon) ..i find after the fact i'm like "aw man i should have done this..."
Probably the time pressure due to things running late. This pressure on top of 'must not miss this/screw up' pressure shows any inexperience very quickly and certainly my level of photography took a dive. Through some of it I was almost just box ticking the important shots playing catch up. With more experience this isn't as bad because the game feels it has slowed down and I'm ahead of it rather than hanging on and I am more proactive in the scheduling.
I'd also never photographed all day and with the nerves and pressure I was exhausted half way through which didn't help. Constantly being on alert looking for fleeting moments takes a lot of energy.
tandlh wrote:
My question for you is: When you went to your first few weddings, what was the most difficult part of it for you?
Washing my underwear when I got home.
I remember having all these amazing plans in my head about how I was going to shoot this and that when in reality it took everything I had to just stay in front of the ball and not miss stuff. Creativity went out the door!
The second part was the physical aspect. I shot with two cameras using only the neck straps. My back, shoulder and neck was tightening up halfway through the day. And my shoes. They killed my feet. I was a wreck by the end of the day. I've got it down now to where I feel nearly as fresh at the end of the day as when I started. Big difference.
All of the above. I found the confidence thing the most challenging however. You have to be confident in your posing, directing, crisis/time management, etc, or else your couples will feel the pressure too and it will show in photos.
Being assertive in the posing of both the couple and the groups, having the patience to continue to direct and then redirect people who either weren't listening or were just being plain awkward, and keep smiling throughout it all.
The hardest thing about weddings is the ceremony. Trying to decide between standing up front to get the ring and kiss. Or staying in back and just let things happen and get what I get. The worst part is when the ring/kiss happens on an elevated platform. Who stands right up there to get their shots?
the shooter at a wedding really is the gate keeper - the time keeper.
trying to harness the concept of time in a wedding day - speaking more to mid size to large weddings ... well there is nothing like experience.
i have been at weddings with other experience shooters. We plan the night before performing various shots given the bride & groom. Only to have something turn the timing all around and mess the flow of the day.
You adjust, keep it rolling and still have a good day shooting. But it did not unfold as planned....
The experience is how you pull out interesting images with some amazing shots sprinkled in.
as a beginner .... verify the night before your equipment is good and go in knowing something will happen and just go with it.
swoop wrote:
The hardest thing about weddings is the ceremony. Trying to decide between standing up front to get the ring and kiss. Or staying in back and just let things happen and get what I get. The worst part is when the ring/kiss happens on an elevated platform. Who stands right up there to get their shots?
Thats called a zoom lens .... specifically 70-200mm or a 135mm.
standing up in front you can be in the way of the guest .... unless you are shooting from the sides.
Recognizing the important family members and guests. Especially if B&G specifically said that they want those people's pictures.
Being in the right place at the right moment without intruding the event.
i think taking control of the day....one of the things you really want to communicate with your couple is when portraits or family formals are scheduled to be photographed. you don't want to be shooting the bride and groom at mid day, outdoors with the sun blaring or in the evening when there is no light outside. Just make sure you discuss the timeline of the day so there are no surprises.
Other than that, go with the flow and have fun. Don't be scratching your head and look like you don't know what you're doing...
Oh I remember my first wedding. I stood next to the groom in hopes to take photos of the bride walking in. It would be so epic. EOS 3000 at the ready with loads of Kodak 400ASA I waited.
Music started. Everyone rose up. I was golden! The image will be a tear-jerker.
One woman stepped into the aisle. Then another man. Then followed by another kid. Before I knew it the aisle was filled with what used to be pleasant folks. Camera flash blasting a way and dials whirring. I was stupified... like a dear in a headlight. That tear-jerker image? Well it remains in my mind only.
I think if I 2nded for few weddings, I would be better prepared instead of jumping in cold. Thankfully it was one of those "I have no money, friend you have big camera come take photos for our wedding" gig.
Getting the ladies at the wedding to stop flirting with me. Yeah...that was the toughest part. The solution to this was to bring a competitively handsome guy to 2nd with you, Conrad. True story.
