Wedding photos

welly

welly

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Alastair
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I was having a chat with a friend of mine who is getting into wedding photography and has done a couple with reasonable results. I was almost roped into doing a wedding shoot with him but fortunately/unfortunately I had to work so couldn't do it.

We were looking at some wedding photographs for some inspiration, of which I thought some were fantastic but he thought were terrible. These were mainly the shots of things such as the bride's shoes, and more still life images from a wedding. Also he was very critical of some of the shots that were clearly set up and had the couple looking away from the camera etc.. His argument was weddings are all about the people and while shots of shoes etc. make nice "art" they're not, in his opinion, wedding shots and that wedding shots should have faces in them. I argued that I felt that you're creating a story of the entire day.

He was very strong in his opinion that set up shots shouldn't be part of a wedding album as they're not really part of the wedding day. I see his point although still disagree with him but wanted to get some thoughts from you guys who are doing shooting weddings on his argument.
 
Personally, i think its best to shoot and not need that need and not have shot! if he takes the pics and the couple dont want them in their album then fine.. but its for THEM to choose which pictures they want in the the book.. I think think taking the detail shots shows you have an eye for detail, and although some couples wont choose them to go into thier ablbum the fact that on the day the photographer went to all efforts to get a wide range of shots will go along way to build good will in his business..
 
Couples put a lot of time and effort into the details of their day: flowers, order of service, table plans, cakes, favours etc etc and to suggest it's wrong to photograph them is silly imo. Similarly brides spend time and money choosing their shoes and often have a pair of expensive jimmy choo's and a shot them, executed well, is a winner.

A lot of my customers specifically ask for certain details like that to be photographed (though I shoot them anyway). And more often than not the detail shots go into an album.

The people there on the day are of course important but I guarantee if your friend shoots a few more weddings he'll soon find people saying "Did you get any shots of the cake/flowers/etc?"
 
I agree totally. I'm going to discuss this with him over the weekend, if only for his benefit. I thought it was rather short sighted of him to disregard the opportunity to shoot other parts of the wedding. Like you say, brides spend lots of money on the dress and the shoes etc. and that's as much part of it as any otherwise why would they bother going to the expense?
 
Absolute must haves for me I'm afraid.

Shoes, jewellery, dress in detail, 3/4 and full length and flowers are all on my must haves.

Contemporary wedding photography is all about story telling and for most brides getting all that together and putting it all on, on the day, is all part of the story.

Does he feel the same way about the cake too? Will he avoid those nasty wedding cars and insist they arrive in their own cars?

Does he realise that most of the B&G shots (even when they look natural) are set up? Shots of the bride on her tiptoes kissing the groom don't just fall in your lap! The vast majority are set up. Putting them in a good location to begin with is setting them up!
 
Quite a lot of wedding togs up here refuse to photograph the guests. I find this quite strange because thats who I get most of my orders from.
A workmate was his brothers best man recently and asked the photographer if he could have his photo taken with his 2 sons as they had hired kilts for the day.
The tog replied that she didn't do that type of shot.
 
First and foremost I think the job is to do what the couple wants. That said, if you set out your stall as being a particular kind of style, and do not wish to be moved on it, as long as you explain that well, and your customers accept it, so be it.
For me, I feel it's a tad arrogant to try and second guess what people might want, unless you have a hell of a lot of experience.
I had my shoes made out of a specific fabric for my wedding - there was no way I didn't want them in the photos. People put SO much thought into details like favours, place cards etc it is natural that they want these captured.
Your friend could hang out on wedding forums a bit to get an idea of what brides want. That said, he may of course not be after the the type of client that hangs out on wedding forums.

L
 
I have come across this photographer before. I remember my first "Digital" wedding she was shooting a wedding in the same hotel. She came across and was as nice as ninepence (however nice that is ???). When she asked what I was shooting with I showed her my 300D entry level camera. She gave a sarcastic giggle and walked away and did her best to encroach into my space for the rest of the afternoon. Words were descretely said but you don't want to create a scene at someones big day - FEMALE CANINE!!!
 
This is what "Contemporary" wedding photography appears to be about and I will say its not my cup of tea either,what is important is giving the couple what they want be that contemporary or traditional.My worry is that photographers impose their views on the couple rather than giving them what they actually want
 
CaptainPenguin has it spot on. The whole day is about the bride and groom and the important thing is to get from it what they want.

I start by going through the different styles and finding out which they want (sometimes a mix of formal and candids). We then work a plan of which formal/posed shots they consider must haves then the rest is pretty much down to us.

There are some must haves for us such as shoes, dress, rings, flowers, etc. As AliB says the couple might not choose them for the album but how often do you hear guests commenting on some accessory that simply made the dress/outfit? So people do notice and you can bet if you don't capture them someone will ask later!

Sounds like I'm really getting into my feminine side now so better stop before the wife thinks I've gone soft!
 
mstphoto said:
A workmate was his brothers best man recently and asked the photographer if he could have his photo taken with his 2 sons as they had hired kilts for the day.
The tog replied that she didn't do that type of shot.
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I can't imagine why they would do that. It takes seconds to do and if nothing else there's every chance they'll buy the photo after the wedding.
 
Surely if they take a look at the previous weddings that the photographer has done- if they don't like the style/shots etc, then they won't get hired?
 
Fair point aligibbs but who knows what was said when they met?! Maybe lots of nodding and "yes we can do that for you" and then do what tey usually do instead. Or just maybe the B&G didn't make it clear enough up front?

Always a bit subjective to comment without all the facts (from both parties).
 
seema a strange approach to say no. I always say if it's legal and we have the time I'll do it. At the very least it gets a laugh but more importantly it lets everyone know it's there day not mine. I wish some of the vicars would take the same approach though
 
keirik said:
seema a strange approach to say no. I always say if it's legal and we have the time I'll do it. At the very least it gets a laugh but more importantly it lets everyone know it's there day not mine. I wish some of the vicars would take the same approach though
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Thats copywright I have been using that comment since 1989 and yes it gets a laugh every time
 
adsayer said:
I'd have kicked her in the fanny, it's a wedding reception there's more than just the bride and groom at the event.
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Thats Funny! As in your reply , thats made me :lol: :lol: But my friend had the same at her daughters wedding asked for some posed shots etc... And the tog replyed I dont have time to do that shot! So she never bought any photographs at all from her. She said F*** her.
 
I guess it might be a biit difficult, depending on the attitude of the B&G. If they are OK with these type of guest requests then fine but at least the tog should be polite and if in doubt at least have the courtesy to say they will ask the B&G if they mind.
 
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