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- Pat MacInnes
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Today came around quicker than I thought when i first promised to shoot a workmate's wedding some 18 months ago. Anyway, with bags of nerves (people's weddings are a whole world apart from cover shots and DPSs) and with a handy shot-by-shot list from the bride, today passed like a whirlwind... I've shot a few weddings before but today was a totally different level of efort and brain power....
The weddings I have shot before (5 years ago) were when i was just a 'shutter presser' and not someone who's thinking constantly about f-stops, ISOs, depth of field etc - doing it properly in reality... Those people I'd shot for before were people with low expectations, which made it easy... today was much more serious, even though I gave the B&G plenty of warning that this wasn't my forte...
Anyway, after doing the informals of the groom, best men and ushers (and a few other family members) I was in the groove yet still racked with those nerves you get about it being someone's big day and there being no second chance. This was the point where I was getting a feel for low-level shooting with regards to high ISOs and low f-stops.
Then it was off to the church, which was more fun than I thought; the vicar was laid back and gave me a balcony to shoot from, which gave some good views of the ceremony, plus he was keen for me to move around either side of the congregation to shoot candids, providing i kept quiet. The register signing was a bit of a mad moment because there's the obvious need for the B&G to get moving and walk back down the aisle. Anyway, did a million shots with a million different witnesses then grabbed some aisle shots before heading outside to do an 80+ group shot (kind of worked) plus the confetti, champagne and car shots, plus some more candids of hugs and kisses for the happy couple from friends and family.
Then it was a race over to the reception venue (the weather getting ever so moody looking - rain was imminent) to grab the B&G for 20 minutes to get the lovey-duvvy shots in the grounds - these worked an absolute treat and the off-camera flash work I've been loving of late paid off big-time. It also worked a treat for the big group shots of aunties, uncles, brothers and other members of family. Then it was more B&G shots upstairs in the bedroom with shoot-through brollies, which turned out the best of the day...
To cap off the day I shot a mass of hand-shaking shots as guests were welcomed into the dining area before I said my goodbyes to the B&G, thoroughly pooped and in need of a cuppa, a fag and a bit of food. Got home at 6pm (after a 9am start) having loved every minute.
The B&G are on the honeymoon for the next 10 days so have said there's no rush on the pics; everything's backed up and I'm happy. Will post some pics up ASAP...
I have to say that as a part-timer to this I have utmost respect for the pros and although I don't intend on doing this on a regular basis, it showed me how much the regulars have to put into it to make it work - mucho respect
The weddings I have shot before (5 years ago) were when i was just a 'shutter presser' and not someone who's thinking constantly about f-stops, ISOs, depth of field etc - doing it properly in reality... Those people I'd shot for before were people with low expectations, which made it easy... today was much more serious, even though I gave the B&G plenty of warning that this wasn't my forte...
Anyway, after doing the informals of the groom, best men and ushers (and a few other family members) I was in the groove yet still racked with those nerves you get about it being someone's big day and there being no second chance. This was the point where I was getting a feel for low-level shooting with regards to high ISOs and low f-stops.
Then it was off to the church, which was more fun than I thought; the vicar was laid back and gave me a balcony to shoot from, which gave some good views of the ceremony, plus he was keen for me to move around either side of the congregation to shoot candids, providing i kept quiet. The register signing was a bit of a mad moment because there's the obvious need for the B&G to get moving and walk back down the aisle. Anyway, did a million shots with a million different witnesses then grabbed some aisle shots before heading outside to do an 80+ group shot (kind of worked) plus the confetti, champagne and car shots, plus some more candids of hugs and kisses for the happy couple from friends and family.
Then it was a race over to the reception venue (the weather getting ever so moody looking - rain was imminent) to grab the B&G for 20 minutes to get the lovey-duvvy shots in the grounds - these worked an absolute treat and the off-camera flash work I've been loving of late paid off big-time. It also worked a treat for the big group shots of aunties, uncles, brothers and other members of family. Then it was more B&G shots upstairs in the bedroom with shoot-through brollies, which turned out the best of the day...
To cap off the day I shot a mass of hand-shaking shots as guests were welcomed into the dining area before I said my goodbyes to the B&G, thoroughly pooped and in need of a cuppa, a fag and a bit of food. Got home at 6pm (after a 9am start) having loved every minute.
The B&G are on the honeymoon for the next 10 days so have said there's no rush on the pics; everything's backed up and I'm happy. Will post some pics up ASAP...
I have to say that as a part-timer to this I have utmost respect for the pros and although I don't intend on doing this on a regular basis, it showed me how much the regulars have to put into it to make it work - mucho respect
