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Hi Damo88. I came on to look for some advice myself but saw your post. I've done three Weddings myself and been an unofficial shooter at another three since 2009 + I have a degree in Photography. There's some great advice on here and to be fair a lot more positive than I found myself years ago (albeit during the recession when a lot of people were trying their hand at being Photographers and digital was still evolving).
I just wanted to add from personal experience to please check the focusing on all the lenses you will be using, close to the day for back or forward focusing issues. Most Pro camera bodies can compensate but you should do test shots checking the full image on each and yes stop down from fully open unless you have the best glass. I borrowed a lens at the last minute from a friend (35mm F1.4 Sigma I think) and he didn't tell me it back-focused slightly. The images were still very passable but you couldn't pixel peep on them and luckily it was when I was unofficial.
Also make sure your camera has no error messages that come up at odd times and that you know what codes mean if they do. My current D700 Nikon needs a service as the mirror keeps locking up and I can't take on any work now as I can't currently afford the likely £570 fee! Luckily photography is on the back burner to another career at the moment but I'd never say never.
I'd also advise to shoot RAW for white balance and the 2 stop safety barrier it gives, as well as that it's better to slightly over-expose than under (less noise in shadows). Nikon for me seems heavy on the blacks by default, though I don't think my Aperture 3 software on my old Macbook Pro helps.
I'd too opt for AP with min shutter speed dialed in and auto ISO unless you are certain of, e.g. good lighting outdoors. Use the camera's memory banks and sync them on both cameras.
I use a dual harness to carry both cameras with different lenses mounted on a quick release so I can dump one to be lighter when needs be. I also got great shots using an assistant to hold my flash on an umbrella mounted on a monopod in manual mode. Great outdoors at dusk.
I hired a 70mm - 200mm F2.8 Nikon lens for around £75 from LensFettish twice and they seem great but get it for a week to get used to. Oh and I found I didn't use it really. The wide 35mm F1.4 was much better as was my 50mm F1.8.
If you're doing it free, I would stress that editing isn't included or only edit a handful as that for me is extremely time-consuming, especially when they might not want the images you edit. Also don't give everything. Limit it to 600ish decent shots that tell the story of the day.
Drink lots of water on the day and take snacks you can eat fast. Also be prepared to assert your role amongst other professionals there but don't get in the way, e.g. catering, as they will often take over re: timings and leave you stressing over getting the shots. And watch out for family members who hog shots when you need to get the one's of the couple on their own before the sun disappears and the night guests appear.
Also grab a posed shot of the couple with the cake quietly.
Look for interesting angles and to accentuate leg length by crouching slightly. Get the candid shots of family matriarch's shaking hands and meeting. Speak to the registrar for rules on shots.
Oh and I would draw up some sort of contract, even for free stuff, and licence use for the couple only or immediate family. You need to make it clear you may use shots in future self promotion or even competitions. Oh and seems obvious but be sure to be insured for public liability and professional indemnity as a minimum. The later is only active as long as you ay afterwards too so costs mount over time.
I like your shots 1-3. I do reckies too beforehand and look for my scenes imagining my couple there. Practice shots in windows in case of bad weather. If you plan to get elevation to grab group shots from a window, a walkie talkie could be useful to advise someone on the ground regarding rearranging.
This is just stuff I've learnt. Good luck!
I just wanted to add from personal experience to please check the focusing on all the lenses you will be using, close to the day for back or forward focusing issues. Most Pro camera bodies can compensate but you should do test shots checking the full image on each and yes stop down from fully open unless you have the best glass. I borrowed a lens at the last minute from a friend (35mm F1.4 Sigma I think) and he didn't tell me it back-focused slightly. The images were still very passable but you couldn't pixel peep on them and luckily it was when I was unofficial.
Also make sure your camera has no error messages that come up at odd times and that you know what codes mean if they do. My current D700 Nikon needs a service as the mirror keeps locking up and I can't take on any work now as I can't currently afford the likely £570 fee! Luckily photography is on the back burner to another career at the moment but I'd never say never.
I'd also advise to shoot RAW for white balance and the 2 stop safety barrier it gives, as well as that it's better to slightly over-expose than under (less noise in shadows). Nikon for me seems heavy on the blacks by default, though I don't think my Aperture 3 software on my old Macbook Pro helps.
I'd too opt for AP with min shutter speed dialed in and auto ISO unless you are certain of, e.g. good lighting outdoors. Use the camera's memory banks and sync them on both cameras.
I use a dual harness to carry both cameras with different lenses mounted on a quick release so I can dump one to be lighter when needs be. I also got great shots using an assistant to hold my flash on an umbrella mounted on a monopod in manual mode. Great outdoors at dusk.
I hired a 70mm - 200mm F2.8 Nikon lens for around £75 from LensFettish twice and they seem great but get it for a week to get used to. Oh and I found I didn't use it really. The wide 35mm F1.4 was much better as was my 50mm F1.8.
If you're doing it free, I would stress that editing isn't included or only edit a handful as that for me is extremely time-consuming, especially when they might not want the images you edit. Also don't give everything. Limit it to 600ish decent shots that tell the story of the day.
Drink lots of water on the day and take snacks you can eat fast. Also be prepared to assert your role amongst other professionals there but don't get in the way, e.g. catering, as they will often take over re: timings and leave you stressing over getting the shots. And watch out for family members who hog shots when you need to get the one's of the couple on their own before the sun disappears and the night guests appear.
Also grab a posed shot of the couple with the cake quietly.
Look for interesting angles and to accentuate leg length by crouching slightly. Get the candid shots of family matriarch's shaking hands and meeting. Speak to the registrar for rules on shots.
Oh and I would draw up some sort of contract, even for free stuff, and licence use for the couple only or immediate family. You need to make it clear you may use shots in future self promotion or even competitions. Oh and seems obvious but be sure to be insured for public liability and professional indemnity as a minimum. The later is only active as long as you ay afterwards too so costs mount over time.
I like your shots 1-3. I do reckies too beforehand and look for my scenes imagining my couple there. Practice shots in windows in case of bad weather. If you plan to get elevation to grab group shots from a window, a walkie talkie could be useful to advise someone on the ground regarding rearranging.
This is just stuff I've learnt. Good luck!
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