Camera Labs

Post a reply and let us no how you got on Citruspers. Whats ur first name btw?

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Nikon D90, MB-D80 Battery Grip
18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 VR Lens
Speedlight SB-600
Tamrac Expedition 5 Backpack
Sandisk Extreme 3 - 8gb
Vista Attaras Tripod

so far......

I will! My first name is Marijn, nice to meet you Chris

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I take pictures so quickly, my highschool was "Continuous High".

Like wise man

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Nikon D90, MB-D80 Battery Grip
18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 VR Lens
Speedlight SB-600
Tamrac Expedition 5 Backpack
Sandisk Extreme 3 - 8gb
Vista Attaras Tripod

so far......

Hi,

I've done a couple of wedding for hire. It's very exhausting and, at times, nerve-wracking. The hardest lesson for me is the realization of how incredibly fast certain key moments pass by - in other words: don't fool around or experiment at a wedding. You better KNOW your settings at all times and KNOW how to change them without taking your eyes off the events.

Here's a list of shots for inspiration. I use it to cross off what I have covered and to remind me what may come. Don't stress and try to get every single one...but make sure that you get some in each group!

Good luck

Wedding Photography Shots Before the Ceremony
Wedding dress lying over a chair
Zipping up or buttoning the wedding dress
Mother of the bride fastening the bride's necklace
The bride's garter
The bride's veil
A close up of the bride's shoes peeking out from under the dress
Bride looking into a mirror
Bride looking out window
Bride and bridesmaids putting on makeup
Bride pinning corsage/boutonniere on mother/father
Bride hugging parents
Bride touching up
Bride and parents leaving for ceremony
Groom tying tie
Groom looking into mirror
Bride looking out window
Groom pinning corsage/boutonniere on mother/father
Groom hugging parents
Bride and parents leaving for ceremony

Wedding Photography Shots At the Ceremony
Outside of ceremony site
Guests walking into ceremony site
Bride and father entering ceremony site
Parents being seated
Grandparents being seated
Maid of honor walking down the aisle
Bridesmaids walking down the aisle
Flower girl and ring bearer walking down aisle
Groom waiting for bride
Ceremony musicians
Officiant
Altar or canopy during ceremony
Close up of bride, just before she makes her entrance
Bride and father walking down aisle
Groom seeing bride for first time
The back of bride and father walking down the aisle – with the groom waiting in the distance
Bride's father and Bride hugging at end of aisle
Shot of the audience from the bride and groom's point of view
The unity ceremony
Close up of bride and groom saying the vows
Wide shot of bride and groom saying the vows
Exchanging the rings
Close up of hands
The kiss
Bride & Groom walking up the aisle
Receiving line
Bride & Groom outside on steps
Guests throwing confetti/rose petals/birdseed
Bride & Groom hugging guests, laughing, getting congratulations
Bride & Groom getting in car
Bride & Groom in back seat

Posed Wedding Photography Before the Reception (These can also be taken before the ceremony)
Bride alone (full length)
Bride with Maid of Honor
Bride with bridesmaids
Groom with bridesmaids
Bride with parents
Bride & Groom together
Bride & Groom with parents
Bride & Groom with families
Bride & Groom with entire wedding party
Bride & Groom with flower girl and ringbearer
Groom with parents
Groom with best man
Groom with groomsmen
Bride with groomsmen

During the Reception (to help your photographer, you may wish to list these shots in the order they will happen at your reception)
Outside of reception site
Bride & Groom arriving
Bride & Groom greeting guests
Table centerpieces
Table setting
Bride & Groom's table (head table)
Musicians or DJ
Guest book
Place card table
Closeup of bride and groom's place card
Wedding cake
Groom's cake
Gift table
Decorations (specify which _________________________)
A shot of bride & groom with guests at each table
Bride with college alums
Groom with college alums
The buffet or, if having table service, a dinner serving
Bride & Groom's first dance
Bride & Father dancing
Groom & Mother dancing
Guests dancing
Bride & Groom cutting the cake
Bride & Groom feeding each other cake
Toasts (specify who is giving them: ____________________)
Bride & Groom drinking champagne
Signing the marriage license
Bride throwing bouquet
Groom retrieving garter
Groom tossing garter
Garter/Bouquet dance
The getaway car
Bride & Groom leaving party
Bride & Groom driving away

Guests the photographer shouldn't miss: (provide your photographer with a seating chart so that he can easily identify them)

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Nikon stuff and other stuff, but not nearly as much stuff as I really want!

Also a big event like this is always an excuse to get some new kit. Maybe you could get a portrait lens

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Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

Ha Ha james, i no what ya mean! Been looking at wide angles for a while so this could be a perfect excuse!

LahLahSr, thanks! Thats great advice.

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Nikon D90, MB-D80 Battery Grip
18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 VR Lens
Speedlight SB-600
Tamrac Expedition 5 Backpack
Sandisk Extreme 3 - 8gb
Vista Attaras Tripod

so far......

I am interested in getting a wide angle as well but I need a general purpose lens first (24-105). A wide angle lens would be really good for the big group shots.

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Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

@LahLahSr

Wow, pretty long list.. I see you got "Bride looking out window" twice there? Little mistake?

This certainly makes it clear that it's pretty impossible for a beginner to propperly photograph a wedding. But if the bride and groom insist..

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550D + 18 - 55mm kitlens
50 mm F1.8
I apologize in advance for my poor spelling..

Chris
Here is my 2p.

Discuss with the B&G just exactly what they want, traditional, documentary candid or a mix?!

For the groups have a shooting list preplanned and on the day make sure they are waiting in the wings for you to call out their names.

Visit the venue and discuss with the events manager the procedures on the day. Checkout out the lighting conditions at the same time (lightmeter).

Ditto for the ceremony.

Consider/discuss what the minister will or will not allow?

Dont shoot it all on one card, it might fail.

Use a tripod for your groups.

My work horse lense for weddings is the 24-85, never had any problems with largs groups other than getting high enough.

Recommended prime, 50mm 1.4

Pre-plan & preparation

HTH

G/L

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Alan
D4 & D700


http://www.alanwilliamsphotography.co.uk
BLOG: http://www.ayrshireweddingphotographer.org

Nice list LahLahSr!

Going back over this thread, I agree with Bob's comment.

I also agree with Karlk that it's a huge once-in-a-lifetime event. It's a massive responsibility for someone, especially for a friend of the couple, and even more so if they haven't had much experience. Even if all parties agree and understand the limitations, I'd still warn against it. If the photographer fails to capture the expected shots, the couple (and their extended families) will be disappointed and that makes it very hard on both parties if they're friends. The couple may not even be directed as easily by a friend on the day than a relative stranger. So I would always warn against it.

So that's what Karlk was saying, but unfortunately it went a bit far and off-topic into insults, which as you all know, we don't tolerate here.

But anyway, as we've established, the arrangement is going ahead, so our job now is to help the photographers as best we can.

As a non-professional portrait photographer, I'm a big fan of candid shots, and as the others - including Karlk - have suggested, enlist as much help as you can. Make sure lots of people have cameras throughout the day and know they're going to contribute. Assign them some of the key shots which LahLahSr suggested. It'll make them feel important, direct them in the right way and of course take some heat off you - but do always take backups yourself where possible as they may not share your responsibility or skill.

Since you are friends with the couple, try a few rehearsals first, ideally at the actual location. While you all have some time, try and find some good locations and angles, check the lighting, confirm settings, try different poses and see what works for them. Then you can go into autopilot to some degree on the day because as the others have said, you won't have any time for experimentation then.

Good luck!

Hi Chris,

You said the couple would be relying on family and friends with their compacts for their photos and they understand your expertise level. Although you will want to do a great job for them, you should condition yourself to feel no pressure. There are some good positive suggestions here for you to consider and practice before August.

LahLahSr has produced an extensive list, most likely you won't shoot all the suggestions, perhaps discussing this list with your friends and find out their preferences from the list and if it's at all possible, this way you will have a clear picture of what you will do on the day and can practice similar shots at home and later at rehearsals in a similar environment, you have plenty of time, but start now.

I reckon you will have a great day and be proud of what you have achieved.


Cheers

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Nikon D7000, D40X, Nikkor 18- 200 VR II, f3.5-5.6, 70-300 AF non VR, Kit Lenses.

Alan,
I have just visited your website and notice that you have the Nikon logo on there.



Do other brands not offer the same level of quality?

There seems to be a lot of brand loyalty going on.

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Canon EOS 500D
Lenses: EFS 18-55mm IS, EF 50mm F/1.8 II

hehehe Aye very good

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Alan
D4 & D700


http://www.alanwilliamsphotography.co.uk
BLOG: http://www.ayrshireweddingphotographer.org

Thats it exactly. Im under no pressure at all and if the pics arnt great i wont feel that bad as they have been warned! That sayed, im the type of person that wil do there best in the situation. All the comments so far have helped. I deffo intend on seeing the place first so im not caught out on the day. And the list is a great idea too.

_________________
Nikon D90, MB-D80 Battery Grip
18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 VR Lens
Speedlight SB-600
Tamrac Expedition 5 Backpack
Sandisk Extreme 3 - 8gb
Vista Attaras Tripod

so far......

Also ask if there are any family members who don't get on with each other, so you don't create any problems by asking them to pose together etc.

Good luck Chris & try to enjoy the event.

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Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/