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Shooting a wedding

L

Lazarus52980

Senior member
I am only a 2nd shooter, but I am doing by first wedding tomorrow and I'm super nervous about it. 😱 Has anyone here done weddings before? Could anyone give me any advice about how best to prepare, and how to best assist the primary shooter? (I'm also being given a pretty free hand at different points, so general ideas about fun shots to do would be great too if you don't mind).


I know that weddings are a big part of doing photography, but this is still a little intimidating...
 
Talk to the primary about what he wants you to do. 🙂

Avoid just standing next to that person and taking the same shots from a slightly different angle (unless he wants you to do that).

I was second shooter at one and that was all I needed to know that it's not for me at the moment. 😀 We divvied up tasks between us (I focused on candids while she took care of posed pictures with the bridge, groom, bridal party, etc.) During the actual ceremony, she was in the back while I was toward the front (tried to stay out of the way while also grabbing pics of bridge and groom as ceremony progressed). The venue was super tiny, no flash allowed, no room to move. So, I'd get the lay of the land if you get a chance.
 
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Spoooon said:
Talk to the primary about what he wants you to do. 🙂
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Well, here is what the primary photographer sent me when I asked about what she wants from me and when:

During the bride and groom portraits I am hoping you can shoot different angles as if it were the ceremony. Shoot from up high or down low. Zoom in. Basically opposite from what I am doing. 🙂 I am hoping for you to do the same thing during the ceremony. For the family portraits it would be cool if you could walk around and get some shots of the area. i.e., buildings, parks, architecture, etc. I do not know if we will need much at the reception. I am looking for candid shots of Bride and Groom and their guests.

Sound like a plan?
 
LOL. Do you know her personally or worked with her before? 😀

Candids are easy, the venue seems easy enough too. I looked at portfolios of other wedding photographers to get ideas of things to look for. Honestly, I learned more by actually doing it than anything else.
 
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Spoooon said:
LOL. Do you know her personally or worked with her before? 😀

Candids are easy, the venue seems easy enough too.
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I have known her for quite a few years, but I have never shot with her before, so this is all new to me.

Shows how much of a noob I am huh? 😛
 
Add to the above - don't use a flash during the ceremony. Be careful not to include the ill mannered yo-yos shooting with their cellphones. Your primary gave good guidelines. Try to be unobtrusive in your work. Good shooting!
 
Yea basically your goal should be to not have any of the same exact shots as her so that your shots supplement what she has. If she's out on the dance floor shooting the dancing, try shooting the band or the parents/relatives that aren't dancing but still having a good time. Also as the 2nd shooter you should assist the main in any way possible like getting then water, carrying stuff, etc. Don't give out your business card since that's usually viewed as a no-no for a 2nd shooter, BUT you can take this a step further and get some of the main photog's cards to hand out in case anyone asks. being the 2nd also gives you more free time to do more creative details shots of like melted candles or decorations and such.

All that said, good luck! Second shooting a few times was all I needed to know I never want to be a main at a wedding! Talk about a busy job... also if the wedding doesn't have an official coordinator, the photog becomes it! I felt so sorry for the last chick I 2nd shot for as she was getting asked every few minutes what was next since photos drive weddings if coordinators don't!
 
Watch your background. Compose well in camera, but discuss with the primary shooter how tight she wants you to shoot for cropping into various size prints later. I habitually crop in camera very tightly, but I have to remind myself to be a tiny bit loose on weddings.

Try to be relaxed, but keep on your toes. Keep shooting. Don't let yourself get caught up trying to find the perfect shot to the point that you shoot too little. Keep shooting and have fun. Weddings are beautiful events and usually held in beautiful settings.

Try not to chimp (check your photos in camera) too much. It's good to confirm your exposure and such once in a while, but taking your eye out of the viewfinder means missed shots.

Don't get stuck on a single shot of some detail or artsy shot if it means you will miss the money shots you have to have. Again, keep cool and keep moving and shooting.

Don't be afraid to go where you need to to get the shot, within reason. Discuss this with the primary shooter ahead of time. IMHO, it's fine to step out in front of guests to get a shot as long as you are quick and quiet. Just don't stand there all day long.

If you have extra gear, bring it. Even if it's a crappy kit lens, bring it because you never know when a primary lens or camera is going to break.

Be confident and professional. Outside of the actually ceremony, don't be afraid to direct people a little to get the shots you need when appropriate.

Keep your head turning and keep shooting. Don't limit yourself to preplanned shots. Try to document every part of the pre-wedding, wedding and reception that you can.

Hey, sorry for such a rambling post. I'm pretty tired right now. Good luck and have fun.
 
Just bring an AK-47, you should get em all in one shwack.

Sorry was having a Kill Bill moment there.

Just relax a bit you'll be fine.

Yeah I'd focus on the Bride of course, but look for reactions too a bit I'd think here and there and stay alert for things happening outside the norm.

As you're doing secondary it sounds look a bit for those little things that happen off on the edges a bit now and then.

You've got the good job then as you don't have to get the main shots, you can get the outside things going on or candid shots.
 
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Lazarus52980 said:
Well, here is what the primary photographer sent me when I asked about what she wants from me and when:

During the bride and groom portraits I am hoping you can shoot different angles as if it were the ceremony. Shoot from up high or down low. Zoom in. Basically opposite from what I am doing. 🙂 I am hoping for you to do the same thing during the ceremony. For the family portraits it would be cool if you could walk around and get some shots of the area. i.e., buildings, parks, architecture, etc. I do not know if we will need much at the reception. I am looking for candid shots of Bride and Groom and their guests.

Sound like a plan?
Click to expand...

This is pretty much how I operate. My wife is the main photographer & I am the bagboy/B-cam. I shoot exclusively with vintage lenses & mainly focus on candids. Most of the time, I stay behind her or to the side and capture the moments inbetween the poses - the quick kisses & smiles and stuff. Kind of a spray & pray technique - lots of photos, especially since my lenses are all manual focus (35mm Zeiss, 50mm SMC Takumar, etc.). It's fun for me because I like to shoot "things" more than people, so being B-cam means that most of the pressure is off me & I can just have fun shooting :thumbsup:

I don't know what they have planned out, but I ran a small "photo booth" setup a couple weddings ago, which was kind of fun - my wife handled the reception dinner & dancing while I had everyone acting goofy on the porch with props. And of course, don't forget wedding drones! :awe:

http://qz.com/236716/the-story-behind-the-rise-of-the-wedding-drone/
 
My first thought on shooting weddings: Outdoor weddings at 8:45 at night, under a poorly lit canopy are not fun to shoot. My intention had been not to shoot using a flash, but after getting 0 usable shots of the ceremony by about 1/2 way though, I put the SB-910 on and did my best with it.

Other random musings:

1. Note to self: Avoid getting a reflection of yourself in the rings when taking the ring shot <sigh>

2. Thank God for the advice that someone gave me to bring my own food and water. I had no chance to eat or drink other than driving, so those protein bars saved my rear.

3. Keep taking photos until after the father/daughter dance, even if you are not officially still being paid (thank goodness I did or there would have been no photos of it).

4. Weddings are some of the most fun/stressfull things I could think of doing as a photographer.

Thank you all for the advice, it was a harrowing experience, but very enjoyable.

I'm at work so I only have unedited images, but I might post one or two if anyone wants to see them (is that even allowed/appropriate?)
 
Lazarus52980 said:
My first thought on shooting weddings: Outdoor weddings at 8:45 at night, under a poorly lit canopy are not fun to shoot. My intention had been not to shoot using a flash, but after getting 0 usable shots of the ceremony by about 1/2 way though, I put the SB-910 on and did my best with it.

Other random musings:

1. Note to self: Avoid getting a reflection of yourself in the rings when taking the ring shot <sigh>

2. Thank God for the advice that someone gave me to bring my own food and water. I had no chance to eat or drink other than driving, so those protein bars saved my rear.

3. Keep taking photos until after the father/daughter dance, even if you are not officially still being paid (thank goodness I did or there would have been no photos of it).

4. Weddings are some of the most fun/stressfull things I could think of doing as a photographer.

Thank you all for the advice, it was a harrowing experience, but very enjoyable.

I'm at work so I only have unedited images, but I might post one or two if anyone wants to see them (is that even allowed/appropriate?)
Click to expand...

Time to get an A7s - the Dark Knight! :awe:

http://www.bestmirrorlesscamerarevi...ark-knight-first-impressions-of-the-sony-a7s/

Yes, fun & stressful pretty much sums it up. We only do 2 or 3 a year since it's not a full-time thing. Along with carrying your own food & drinks, we also carry a small "bride bag" with some misc stuff for the wedding party, like bobby & safety pins, tic-tacs, granola bars, bottled water, wet naps, a travel kleenex pack, floss, etc. for the small emergencies that come up. Comes in handy since you're always around the bridge & groom and can help them out in a pinch, plus it endears them towards you 😉

If you branch out on your own, develop your own set of tools. Like finbarqs mentioned, have a shot list:

http://www.bridalguide.com/planning/wedding-planning-basics/wedding-shot-list

The bride has been planning her wedding day since she was three years old, so chances are she has a pretty good idea of what she wants. We've found the most important thing is to talk to the bridge & the bridal "assistant" (usually the mom) so that we schedule time for photos. Things get hectic on the day and you need an "in" with the group who can corral people, usually the mom or dad - you put them in charge of herding people for photos instead of dictating what needs to be done, usually works a lot better when you have an insider on your team like that because it gives me them a role to play during the day.
 
Lazarus52980 said:
My first thought on shooting weddings: Outdoor weddings at 8:45 at night, under a poorly lit canopy are not fun to shoot. My intention had been not to shoot using a flash, but after getting 0 usable shots of the ceremony by about 1/2 way though, I put the SB-910 on and did my best with it.

Other random musings:

1. Note to self: Avoid getting a reflection of yourself in the rings when taking the ring shot <sigh>

2. Thank God for the advice that someone gave me to bring my own food and water. I had no chance to eat or drink other than driving, so those protein bars saved my rear.

3. Keep taking photos until after the father/daughter dance, even if you are not officially still being paid (thank goodness I did or there would have been no photos of it).

4. Weddings are some of the most fun/stressfull things I could think of doing as a photographer.

Thank you all for the advice, it was a harrowing experience, but very enjoyable.

I'm at work so I only have unedited images, but I might post one or two if anyone wants to see them (is that even allowed/appropriate?)
Click to expand...

Congrats, you made it! 🙂 I've only shot weddings informally as a guest, and the lighting can be atrocious so I'm not surprised you had to flash. I hope you got some keepers anyway.
 
I'd add before shooting a wedding study as many albums as you can. This is probably the most important event in most people's lives and so many photographers screw it up thinking gear = ability.

I'd even suggest shadowing someone a few times to understand not only the shots, but the best way to capture them without being in the way.
 
alkemyst said:
I'd add before shooting a wedding study as many albums as you can. This is probably the most important event in most people's lives and so many photographers screw it up thinking gear = ability.

I'd even suggest shadowing someone a few times to understand not only the shots, but the best way to capture them without being in the way.
Click to expand...

"shadowing" was one of the main reasons I wanted to do the 2nd shooter thing. I feel like I would need to 2nd shoot at least 6 or 7 weddings before I would even consider trying to do one on my own...(even then, I'm not sure I would be brave enough...)
 
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