Wedding photos

[MarkBarbieri]

Good luck. I've got a co-worker (who is an avid photographer) getting married in May. I've been picked to be his photographer. I've got to shoot the bridal portraits next Friday.

 

[NLD]

Good luck! You are probably shooting right now... hope it is going smoothly!

Oh and please do post afterwards! I agreed to do a wedding for a friend (no wedding budget to speak of, second marriage, would not hire a pro) and am a bit terrified. Would love to hear how it goes for you, what you learn, advice, etc.

 

[Master Mason]

Good luck! You are probably shooting right now... hope it is going smoothly!

Oh and please do post afterwards! I agreed to do a wedding for a friend (no wedding budget to speak of, second marriage, would not hire a pro) and am a bit terrified. Would love to hear how it goes for you, what you learn, advice, etc.

Well, the first thing i learned was the chapel at the court house is a crappy place to take pictures. The put two lamps against the wall and it plays havic with the pictures. Then they wanted some outside shots, and of course it was 4 in the afternoon and finding someplace where the sun wasn't killing all the shots and still had some sort of back ground was a total nightmare.

Still have to go through them, but think I got at least a few decent ones.

Oh yeah, and the other thing I learned was if they want you to be the photographer, then they need to tell the brides sister to stay the hell away with the camera, I spent way too much time moving around just trying to get her out of the shot.

 

[Master Mason]

Still uploading but here are a few that I liked

 

[Master Mason]

a few more

 

[NLD]

Looks like you held your own and will have some shots for them. Thank you for sharing. I like the sepia and black-and-white of bride and groom in your second set.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I love the one of them at the tree with the baby bump!

Professional Wedding photographers are expensive.... I know!!
Great job!

 

[Evad]

Wow, very nice work there MM!!!!!

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Hello!

This weekend I'm going to be the unofficial backup photgrapher at the wedding of one of my friends and I was wondering if anyone here would be willing to post some stunning and/or unique wedding shots that I can try to recreate myself. Also, if anyone has any tips, I'm all ears!


Some background: The bride's already got a professional lined up (a friend of the family who does primarily posed shots and whose work I'm not overly fond of), so I'm not going to be expected to produce anything. I've basically just been given permission to feed my photographic addiction by wandering around and getting the photojournalistic type shots the paid guy won't be interested in. This isn't the first time I've done this sort of thing for a friend, but it is the first time I've done it with some really nice equipment.

I'll be taking my DSLR (18-55 and 70-300), and probably my old film SLR (also has wide angle and zoom lenses, but I've momentarily forgot their sizes) for B&W photos only. I've decided to nix tripods and any timed photos. Oh, I'll also have my DH's point and shoot for backup...and I'm considering (just considering) bringing along my little pocket panoramic camera. I'll make the final decisions after the rehersal, when I'll get to see what there is to work with in the church.

Thanks!

 

[MICKEY88]

oops

 

[Geoff_M]

Z,

First question: I know you're both family friends, but does the paid photographer know what you'll be doing and are they OK with it? I understand that it doesn't sound like you'll be shooting over their shoulder, and will be doing different photos, but if they think your actions may be taking photo sales away from them, they might not be too happy having a "shadow photographer" work around them.

 

[Chikabowa]

If you are going for photojournalistic types of shots then there isn't anything you can recreate because being a photojournalist means you capturing action organic to the event you are shooting.

But doing a search on flickr for photojournalistic styled wedding photos will probably garner a lot of results.

And to expand upon the point Geoff made... you better make sure that this is all above board and you have permission from the photographer (not necessarily the bride/groom or their families). Most photographers have clauses inside their contracts that stipulate that they can walk if the couple hires or allows another professional to photograph the event. Basically, the photographer has grounds to leave the event, not return any moneys paid, and give no product. You definitely don't want to be the cause of that! So make sure that you have permission from the other photographer/contact holder.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

First question: I know you're both family friends, but does the paid photographer know what you'll be doing and are they OK with it? I understand that it doesn't sound like you'll be shooting over their shoulder, and will be doing different photos, but if they think your actions may be taking photo sales away from them, they might not be too happy having a "shadow photographer" work around them.

No, it's a good point. I broached things carefully with the bride because I was concerned about this as well. She seemed to think everything was hunky-dory, but the answer is, I don't really know if he's been told or not. She's a bit of a laid back bride. However, I'm not going to get in his way, and in fact will be making a conscious decision to stay out of it. I'm basically just going as a slightly overenthusiastic guest. No asking for poses or taking time away from his shots. Also, I've "technically" worked with him before (he did another friend's wedding were I was a bridesmaid and took a whole bunch of B&W photos), though I doubt he remembers me.

Point being, I'm very aware of the possibility of giving passive offense and will be doing everything in my power to avoid it.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

If you are going for photojournalistic types of shots then there isn't anything you can recreate because being a photojournalist means you capturing action organic to the event you are shooting.

You are correct. Allow me to rephrase: photojournalistic and "artsy" photos. For instance, I found one online of a ring balanced on an open bible such that the shadow it casts is heart shaped. Have no idea if I could manage something like that, but I think it is made of awesome. Stuff like that is what I'm thinking of...out of the ordinary shots. Things the "smile for the camera" photographer won't take.

 

[Geoff_M]

I broached things carefully with the bride because I was concerned about this as well. She seemed to think everything was hunky-dory, but the answer is, I don't really know if he's been told or not. She's a bit of a laid back bride.

That's a red flag for me. Don't rely on what the bride says. Unless you can confirm that the bride has expressly talked to the photographer about what you will (and won't) be doing or you've talked to them personally I think there's a good chance one of you won't be the friend of the bride after the wedding. If the photographer is charging a flat rate, they won't likely mind your efforts, but if they're going to sell prints they'll likely view you as a threat to their pocketbook. It doesn't matter if you're talking different photos. If they like your non-traditional photos of the happy couple better than the posed ones in the front of the altar, they may not order prints from the official photographer and just go with yours.

 

[NLD]

This discussion has me curious. I understand about professional photographers having contracts stating that they will be the only hired pro at the event. This makes complete sense and needs to be respected.

However, at what point is it actually a violation of contract to have another guest there who is also taking pictures?

Let's say I'm a guest at a wedding, and I bring my D700 and a couple lenses. The bride and groom haven't asked me to take pics; they're not paying me; and I have no intention of trying to sell prints to them (or anyone else at the wedding). I will specifically make sure to stay OUT of the photographer's way, out of respect for the job they do. At that point, I am just a guest with a nice camera taking photos, right?

The pro photographer would not have any right to "walk" just because I'm shooting pictures with a DSLR, any more than they would have a right to "walk" if I were shooting with a point-and-shoot--would they?

So legally, is there a difference between the above scenario (showing up at a wedding with a high-end camera and taking pics) and being invited by the bride and groom to come with the camera and take pics (for free)?

When I got married we put disposable cameras on the reception tables, so guests could take pics, leave the cameras, and we'd get the film developed. In other words--we were inviting guests to take pics for us. This did not seem to be an issue with our pro photographers.

Where do you draw the line?

 

[MICKEY88]

This discussion has me curious. I understand about professional photographers having contracts stating that they will be the only hired pro at the event. This makes complete sense and needs to be respected.

However, at what point is it actually a violation of contract to have another guest there who is also taking pictures?

Let's say I'm a guest at a wedding, and I bring my D700 and a couple lenses. The bride and groom haven't asked me to take pics; they're not paying me; and I have no intention of trying to sell prints to them (or anyone else at the wedding). I will specifically make sure to stay OUT of the photographer's way, out of respect for the job they do. At that point, I am just a guest with a nice camera taking photos, right?

The pro photographer would not have any right to "walk" just because I'm shooting pictures with a DSLR, any more than they would have a right to "walk" if I were shooting with a point-and-shoot--would they?

So legally, is there a difference between the above scenario (showing up at a wedding with a high-end camera and taking pics) and being invited by the bride and groom to come with the camera and take pics (for free)?

When I got married we put disposable cameras on the reception tables, so guests could take pics, leave the cameras, and we'd get the film developed. In other words--we were inviting guests to take pics for us. This did not seem to be an issue with our pro photographers.

Where do you draw the line?

a well worded contract would leave it to the photographer to make the determination on whether you appear to be a professional or not, if they believe you are, they would most likely discusss this with the bride or groom, who would then have the option of asking you to put your camera away, or risk losing their professional. and all money paid

 

[mom2rtk]

Let's just say.... if the photographer is named Don... and he asks for your ID.... you should run for the door!

I can't imagine any pro feeling that snapshots taken on a disposable camera would diminish what they are likely to sell. Someone with a DSLR and more than a kit lens would likely give them pause.... Swap out that lens too many times..... more cause for suspicion.....Similar to the discussion on the amateur photographer encountering problems at Downtown Disney, it probably would depend on how "professional" the extra photographer looks and acts. Carrying two camera would probably be a dead giveaway, as would professional looking lenses. I think if you get the camera manual out a few times and fumble with the pages and look confused, you'll probably be OK!

 

[NLD]

Let's just say.... if the photographer is named Don... and he asks for your ID.... you should run for the door!

I think if you get the camera manual out a few times and fumble with the pages and look confused, you'll probably be OK!

Okay, well what if I bring a D700 with a 18-55 DX kits lens attached, but also trade out occasionally for a 70-200 2.8, a SB900 speedlight that I occasionally bounce off the clouds, and I fumble with my manual a moderate amount?

 

[NLD]

a well worded contract would leave it to the photographer to make the determination on whether you appear to be a professional or not, if they believe you are, they would most likely discusss this with the bride or groom, who would then have the option of asking you to put your camera away, or risk losing their professional. and all money paid

Interesting. That would seem to perpetuate the myth that it's the camera, and not the photographer, who makes great pictures. Because truly... I can think of several amateur photogs here on the DIS who, especially at an outdoor wedding, could put me and a D700 to shame with just their point-and-shoots.