Do YOU KNOW what you are talking about?

Question:I am 16. I am exploring my different options for a career... Photography has been a big interest for me. My sister's friend was talking to her about a wedding photograher and told her about me... she also saw some of my work. So, I am photographing her wedding. Do you professionals, or even amatuers have any pointers or tips for this event? I have never dont anything like this... where I'm not just goofing off... I'm nervous... but EXCITED.

Thanks for the help! God Bless.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I am 16. I am exploring my different options for a career... Photography has been a big interest for me. My sister's friend was talking to her about a wedding photograher and told her about me... she also saw some of my work. So, I am photographing her wedding. Do you professionals, or even amatuers have any pointers or tips for this event? I have never dont anything like this... where I'm not just goofing off... I'm nervous... but EXCITED.

Thanks for the help! God Bless.

Good luck! This is exciting! My dad is a professional wedding photographer and I worked with him at weddings from 12 years to 19 years old so I know you can do this.

(b/g = bride and groom)
* Be prepared (lots of film, batteries memory cards w/e for camera)
* Don't freak out
* Be professional and organized
--- Take pictures at rehearsal dinner, dress / tux fittings, bachelor(ette) parties, showers, not just at wedding
--- Be at the rehearsal, talk to the minster / justice of peace, take photos to see how the lighting is and how pictures will turn out, where you can stand during ceremony etc for good pics
--- Establish with everyone at the rehearsal that wedding pictures will be taken after the ceremony is complete, and decide on the location. Make sure all the people required for the photos on your list will be there, ask the b/g to assign one of the bridal party members to "round up" people for pictures.
--- Discuss what "posed" photographs the b/g want make a list ahead of time. Ask a friend or someone to help you check them off as you take them

There is some pressure at the wedding so much happens that you must take a picture of right at that moment, however recreating a moment for a photo is VERY common. If you miss the kiss don't freak out! They can pretend it after the audience is gone.

Try to take as many pictures before the actual day if possible. Your friend is going to want to try on his / her outfit (tux / dress) before the actual day. If you really want this to be a gift and a job at the same time schedule to be there for these days too. Take some casual /artistic shots during these times this type of photo is where you will shine. My dad always sent me in with the ladies while they got dressed. Some of their favorite pictures of the day are what happened before and after the things everyone else saw.

Be sure to attend the rehearsal. This way you get to see the place ahead of time and figure out where you can stand. Make sure to ask the minster / justice of the peace if he has rules about pictures during the ceremony and make sure he is ok with where you are thinking of standing (and stand there while they practice up the ailse etc and even take pictures so you can see how the lighting will be etc. Catholics don't let you take pictures during certain parts of the mass for example so be sure to speak up and ask questions.) Also at the rehearsal be prepared to give directions to the family about picture time. Standard picture taking time during weddings is just after the ceremony. The b/g usually wave bye and the people go on to reception, you have about 30-45 mins to take pics of b/g with the family then the family leaves for reception, b/g and wedding party stay for 10-15 mins more pics then everyone goes to reception.

Reception should be pretty easy after the mad dash of the wedding. First dances, cake cutting and toasts are usally run on schedule and you just check with the people in charge of these events to make sure you are there before it begins.

As for the actual wedding, make a list of shots and go over the pictures with your friend ahead of time. You will want standard pictures like bride and groom (b/g from now on), b/g kissing, maybe one with the minster / justice of peace, one with b/g and their parents, obviously b/g and wedding party. Usually standard to do b/g maid honor/ best man. Standard to do all girl bridal party and all boy bridal party pics. Special pics of little kids like flower girl and ring boy. You don't necessarily have to make a list of all the specific pictures but be sure to notice special ones you may not have thought of, like great great aunt so and so that is his / her FAVORITEST ever relative you never heard of...

If you really want to devote more into it, take pictures of b/g several days / week in advance being lovey dovey in regular clothes like in park or something.

When you are all done with the picture taking get prints or sort digitally. Go back over your list to identify the pictures you talked about ahead of time. Arrange in a photo album or scrap book before showing your friend. If the pictures are digital and the lighting wasn't so hot, try making the pictures black and white or sephia and play with the contrast and you can still get a good pic.

Good luck!

Know your camera frontwards and backwards. Don't be spending time fumbling for settings. And by the way, I am assuming you KNOW how to set your camera for various lighting and movement conditions you will encounter.

You should have back up equipment. If your camera or flash or lens fails... are you prepared to keep shooting, or do you have to throw up your hands and say, "sorry, you will not have any wedding photos".

Get to the venue very early and do test shots to help determine camera settings and scout out good shot potential.

I know you probably do not have liability insurance, but remember, you can be held liable if an accident happens and it can be related to you as your fault... being 16, your parents may actually be in more trouble than you.

Have a SIGNED contract spelling out EXACTLY what you will and will not provide during the shoot and afterward.

That only scratches the surface. I'm not giving you the lecture that you should really not be doing this with no experience. A wedding is a far different shoot that anything else... people's memories are in your hands and you have no room for error... you can't shoot it over.

steve

you're better off taking too many pictures than not having enough....this is someone's special day and they want memories of it.

go onto some other photographer's websites and have a look at their wedding pictures...they'll give you great ideas of what to take and what people are looking for.

take some nice unexpected shots, get some nice close ups...i definately urge you to check out some websites.

also, dont forget a good camera

Geez , you don't have to be rude to Steve you asked for help and he gave you a great answer .

Steve isn't bringing you down. There's no instant replay at a wedding, and you will need some practical advice like that.

By the way, some people would take "Do you know what you're talking about" as kind of a slur. You just never know how your words will be interpreted.

The first two answerers gave wonderful advice. I'll only add two things. When you show your pix to the bride and groom, don't show them any of the out takes. The other is, have plenty of batteries and if you're shooting film plenty of that as well.

I've done a few weddings. It's scary and exciting. Get the usual posed shots and some good candids of grandparents and any children and you'll be fine. Good luck.

Coming from a video background here’s a couple pointers…

Be DIRECT when posing group shots! Make sure that they know you’re in control. You may come off as an *** but in the long run they will thank you later for a good collection of photos.

Candid, candid, candid! Try to get those illusive moment pictures. The ones where the subject doesn’t even know they’ve been photographed. This rids the percentage of “fake” smiles.

Believe it or not but get as many formal pictures before the bar opens. Nothing ruins a picture more than sweaty, red faced, droopy eyed subjects. After all the “money” shots have been captured, then it’s time for the blackmail shots.

Work with the video people when shooting the couple. Remember, these two people are exhausted and want to relax and celebrate… make sure they don’t end up doing the same thing twice.

Don’t tell anyone you’re 16!

And have fun! The more fun you have, the better your pictures will turn out.

I shot one wedding as a favor, and I'll never make that mistake again! It's not something you want to do if you've never tried it before. Find a pro and work with them, learning what they know first.

wedding nightmare even more so if you know the people

first most weddings are a two photographer job
one at the grooms house taking pre wedding shots
one at the brides house taking ore wedding shots

you need to talk to the couple find out what they want, to a T spot on wedding days do not allow for mistakes

you need to calmly be able to organize people
If its a church you need to speak to the vicar find out what is and what is not acceptable some churches will not allow pictures to be taken during the ceremony

I did a wedding in London last Saturday started at 8 am in the morning and got home at 4 am the next day

you will need essential items spare camera spare batteries spare card
18-200mm lens is best also wide angle for group shots and shot of buildings
Flash gun
weather proofing if its raining change of clothing
Light meter is a good idea as no chance for mistakes
take 4 of each picture you fire

good luck weddings are hard work then all the editing after so normally 1 wedding to me = 3 weeks work