First wedding as a pro

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AliB

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Gulp!

I've spent months leading up to this moment. I've shot as a second, I've done friends weddings where the expectation is understood but now I'm actually being paid to deliver the goods.

I've cleaned and checked my gear, charged all my batteries, made sure I have spares for the flashes, got myself some more memory cards so I can spead the day better. I've practiced for the formal shots with flash in the garden with my poor long suffering partner.

I've read book after book and studied websites, I've done courses on winter weddings and had a walk through with the lovely DiddyDave and Dellipher.

And now it's here.

Yesterday was my first wedding, on my own, as a pro.

And it was fab! Yes I still have a lot to learn, yes I know I made mistakes, but none that will mean that the happy couple don't get the shots they were paying me to get. I suppose knowing what the mistakes were and making sure I avoid them next time out is all part of the process, at least I know the bits where I know I could improve.

I think the hardest bit was the speeches. the top table was against a brick wall with a thin curtain over it and lights at floor level pointing up the curtain. That was all the lighting there was! Horrific to work with. Right up at ISO 1600 I was lucky to be getting 1/30. Luckily I had set up a softbox with a flash earlier just in case so all I had to do was switch on the radio trigger and I could get light in there. I do hate having to use flash for that but sometimes there really is no option.

The first dance was a relief, I had learned how to use 2nd curtain synch on the course that I had done so I knew that all I had to do was set up one camera 1/60 at f5.6 and second curtain synch and off I went. Worked fine too. I can still improve those shots a bit by my positioning but it's getting there.

I've got several hundred shots to download and it will probably be well into New Year before I emerge from my office :geek:

I'll try to get a couple up here later to share with you lovely lot.

Oh, and I ache :D
 
Well done Ali! Weddings are definitely tiring, I know what you mean about aching afterwards!

I've always found the speeches to be the hardest part of the day to shoot. I normally try to get as many "reaction" shots as possible so that I'm not just focusing on the people talking.

Sounds like you had a hard time with the brick background though! Good plan taking the flash & softbox.

Enjoy downloading and editing them all! I'll look forward to seeing some shots!

James
 
Glad you enjoyed it, look forward to seeing the results:)
 
Congratulations on your achievement. I am sure that the couple will be pleased with the results. Good to read that you've found things that you can do better next time. It's my view that if you reach a stage where you can't improve on last time then you should stop doing it and go out at the top. Lagavullin is very good for curing stiffness. Well done.
 
rh1944 said:
Congratulations on your achievement. I am sure that the couple will be pleased with the results. Good to read that you've found things that you can do better next time. It's my view that if you reach a stage where you can't improve on last time then you should stop doing it and go out at the top. Lagavullin is very good for curing stiffness. Well done.
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Interesting idea - finally get to be a 'perfect' tog then give up :cuckoo:

Well done Ali :clap:

Next thing we have to work on then is your workflow, having to spend the next 3 days on them is a definite :nono: IMO

Are you presenting them with digital 'proofs' on a DVD or a proof album?

DD
 
DVD David, they are off to Edinburgh to get a bit tipsy and will be back in a week so getting a proof album printed would be a bit tight for time.

It's my partner's birthday tomorrow so I've promised not to spend it photoshopping, we are going for a family walk on the beach, hence it probably will be New Year by the time I'm done! lol.

I'm downloading now while doing housework and posting on her. Multitasking! :)
 
Why do you have to use 2nd curtain sync for the first dance... is it a Highland Fling?? :D
 
My first wedding I had loads of blinkers and droopy eyelids. Realised afterwards I had 2nd curtain on.

Next wedding, 1st curtain.. no blinkers! :thumbs:
 
Janice said:
Why do you have to use 2nd curtain sync for the first dance... is it a Highland Fling?? :D
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You don't have too, there are a million and one ways to skin a cat. The OP has just decided that this gives the type of shot she wants to present to the couple, it will have a bit of motion in it which some people like.
 
Always good to get the first one done and dusted. I guess the inital shoot is the one you learn most from then pick up little things from every subsequent shoot.

Well done, fab achivement and huge courage going pro especially in the current climate :)
 
Congratulations :D I bet it was a huge releif when the dust settled. Look forward to seeing the result
 
a1ex2001 said:
You don't have too, there are a million and one ways to skin a cat. The OP has just decided that this gives the type of shot she wants to present to the couple, it will have a bit of motion in it which some people like.
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Spot on Alex!

I often shoot with the flash on ETTL if I want to balance flash and ambient, Manual if I'm using it radio triggered and I just happen to like the 2nd curtain synch for the first dance. Shot with 1/60 f 5.6 it lets in enough ambient to get nice colours on the dance floor and still get enough of the couple sharp. First curtain, to me, always has too much movement over the top of the image I want, whereas 2nd curtain has the movement behind if that makes sense.
 
AliB said:
Spot on Alex!

I often shoot with the flash on ETTL if I want to balance flash and ambient, Manual if I'm using it radio triggered and I just happen to like the 2nd curtain synch for the first dance. Shot with 1/60 f 5.6 it lets in enough ambient to get nice colours on the dance floor and still get enough of the couple sharp. First curtain, to me, always has too much movement over the top of the image I want, whereas 2nd curtain has the movement behind if that makes sense.
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I think that's a pretty good explanation, though I've also seen some nice work done (where it's still underexposed with ambient light) as low as 1 sec with 2nd/rear curtain sync - now that's blurry dancing :D

DD
 
Congrats on getting the first "out of the way" Ali :clap:
and here's to many more :thumbs:
 
having just got married and got a pro in, have to say not a job i would like to do on my own.

a) so much on the line for someone special day, i.e. making sure nothing goes wrong with the gear and most importantly the photo's!

b) making sure you get the shots people want

c) hard to know the people straight off, some people might need guidance, others don't like being told etc.
 
Well Done Ali. Takes some guts. Not something I would like to do. Look forward to seeing some of the pics.

Chris :)
 
That's a fair point about the equipment. I have tried to make sure that I have everything that I can possibly expected to cover with me. Two bodies, several lenses with crossover on ranges, enough memory to keep swapping cards at natural breaks. Batteries are another consideration. Three flashguns a couple of lighting stands just in case (I leave the excess in the car but at least it's still accessible!)

I was merrily shooting away during the ceremony, 35mm f1.4 on a 1DsII and 70-200 on the 5D. All going swimmingly. Went to shoot with the 5D..............nothing...........nada...........sweet **!!! Quick glance at the top plate............blank.............no power. Now my 5D has never used more than one or two batteries in a day and this was only 15 mins in! Thankfully I have a bum bag type thing that, while not the most flattering attire, serves a very important purpose. It holds my batteries and spare cards.

Within 5-10 sec I was back up and shooting again. I went through three on the 5D yesterday. I've shot mainly in the summer months and a chilly Cheshire barn in 3deg was eating batteries.

I also use an Epson P2000 and copy the cards onto that as soon as I can. By the time I had driven from the Bride's to the venue I already had a copy of all the bridal preparations. I copied the cards every opportunity I had so by the time I left the venue I had a complete backup.

And a booking from one of the bridesmaids :)
 
wooot! Well done Ali!!! :) Sounds good!
Cant believe how much the batteries went through! THREE? Omg!
I have two for my D200....and whilst shooting with Diddydave he has two bodies also, so three cameras between us and the only lens we have the same is the 18-70 - we're ok.
I'm really looking forward to seeing the pics. And....well done on the other booking!
 
rh1944 said:
Congratulations on your achievement. I am sure that the couple will be pleased with the results. Good to read that you've found things that you can do better next time. It's my view that if you reach a stage where you can't improve on last time then you should stop doing it and go out at the top. Lagavullin is very good for curing stiffness. Well done.
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Yes, Lewis Hamiliton should quit now and retire. :thinking:
 
AliB said:
I was merrily shooting away during the ceremony, 35mm f1.4 on a 1DsII and 70-200 on the 5D. All going swimmingly. Went to shoot with the 5D..............nothing...........nada...........sweet **!!! Quick glance at the top plate............blank.............no power. Now my 5D has never used more than one or two batteries in a day and this was only 15 mins in! Thankfully I have a bum bag type thing that, while not the most flattering attire, serves a very important purpose. It holds my batteries and spare cards.

Within 5-10 sec I was back up and shooting again. I went through three on the 5D yesterday. I've shot mainly in the summer months and a chilly Cheshire barn in 3deg was eating batteries.
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This should be required reading for anyone who thinks they can shoot weddings with a minimum of equipment.

Well done for your professional approach. :clap::clap:
 
I always dislike the bit where you have to drive from the Brides house to the Church and get there at least ten minutes before her despite leaving at what seems like almost the same time! To take some shots of Groom, Best man & Ushers. Make sure the Ushers get all the people in the church despite everyone wanting to see the Bride before she goes in with 1 minute before the ceremony is due and still having to take some shots of her and the father of the bride and bridesmaids. Once that's out of the way things seem much easier to me the speeches and last dance are the least of my worries

Sometimes the modern single venue weddings seem such a breeze !

Having learnt the trade with Medium format and adding 35mm reportage along the way I now find myself at a crossroads of now moving onto DSLR and these type threads are very useful :)
 
Ali - Many, many congratulations. Your bride and groom should be over the moon with their photos (and I haven't seen any yet!) - you have done everything right - all the learning, practice, back up kit, work flow (I've never managed to download anything before the end of the day). You've EARNED success. :) I have a very successful friend in the hotel trade who always says it took her 15 years to become an overnight success, meaning that it's thorough preparation and ongoing hard work.

The first wedding is the hardest, though, and I'm so glad it went well - and that you enjoyed it. :clap::clap::clap:

Here'e to the next one. :beer:

Jean
 
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