Wedding toggers, please help me!

kitschenalia

kitschenalia

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Some of you may recall me bleating on about this ;) but my best friend is getting married (September 11th this year, we had v. short notice!) and I asked if I could SHADOW HER PROFESSIONAL photographer (stupidly assuming she would have one). But the wedding is v. low key, and she said that they won't fork out for that, not tooooo bothered. However, another friend had already offered to do it. I said it would therefore be perfect if we did it together. But she clearly felt uncomfortable about having two (shame, as I think if you're having amateurs, the more the better). She just got back to me however, by text, to say that her and fiancee would be delighted if I could do the "wedding party shots". She said "we have other volunteers to do the informal shots, so you can relax afterwards :-)". I didn't want to be stressy or pushy so I've said yes. I am sad though, as I would have preferred candids, but am hoping to sneak in a few any way. Can you give me some general advice on doing this kind of shot? I've never really done this before? Also can you look at my following questions?

1) What lens would be ideal for this? I'm going to try and get something affordable today which can be delivered next day delivery (as I'm going away for the weekend with family so can practise). I was wondering about a 25-100 zoom?

2) I assume I will need a v. wide angle if there is a big group shot. Will the kit lens that came with my camera be ok for these shots, or is it as rubbish as I think it is? (I haven't used it much ever since getting my 50mm 1.8 lens).

3) I live too far away to visit the spot in person, much to far (10 hour drive). We can't get there til the night before the wedding. So how can I research/prepare the best places to do these shots?

4) In this situation, would it be appropriate for me to carry on shooting after this stage, if only for my experience/portfolio? Or will it pee off the other photographer(s)? I really won't want to put my camera away anyway! And I will DEF. want to take shots of the details e.g. close ups of dress, shoes - all that sort of stuff! Or has my "permission" for this been taken away?

5) I was thinking of offering to also go and take getting ready shots - I think the other volunteer is a bloke (but I don't know who the third/whatever are)....

6) Can you give me some advice on the best apertures depending upon how many people are in the group? I always shoot in manual and would be too scared to switch to aperture priority...

P.s. I am of course not charging, this is a wedding present. But I only get one chance to make a good job of it!
 
Hmmm, thats a bit of a mess at the moment and being honest the chances of your friends getting a balanced cohesive set of shots from a collection of amateur photographers working separately to each is pretty low (and thats not a dig at the photographers just the whole concept.) It would be miles better for you to work with the other photographer(s) throughout the day

being honest as it stands you've got the rough end of the deal. The group shots are pretty boring to do but stressful because you need to be a photographer and sheepdog.

I'd stick with your kit lens and use f8. That should keep everyone in focus and get the best out of the lens. I can't see much point you putting your hand in your pocket when you're not getting anything back. A load of group shots does not a portfolio make....
Just watch for distortion if you go too wide

I'd say if you want to get the experience and you feel you're up for it suggest plan B to your friends with you being far more involved than just doing the groups and explain why it will be better for them
 
Thank you. This is how I feel too :( But my husband says I get stressy about these things and might scare her off a bit - I don't want to add stress to her tight schedule and I did try to suggest we work together. She thought that would be tricky because we didn't know each other and would have no chance to meet in advance.

I want this to be a good experience for me (and to get some sleep the night before, rather than be worrying!) but I don't want to stress her or annoy her.
 
Regarding the big groups try to avoid a long line of people, rows of people will be better or if you have the chance to get above them gather them around the b&g and shoot down on them.
For the bridal party shots build the groups up around the b&g starting with them nicely posed ie don't stand the bride square onto the camera!!!!
 
It sounds like they are letting you take photos just to please you, sort of she wants to do something so how can we get her involved. You may have been better to turn round and say you only wanted to do it originally to help out or get some experience based on the fact they had no one else. It now sounds like they have someone so let them get on with the job.

I think your looking in to it more than you need to, they will already have all the more formal shots from the other person, they seem to want you to document the evening party people enjoying themselves etc. Bearing that in mind you would be better to buy a 17-50 f2.8 from Tamron for low light performance and a flash.

Very wide for groups? nope not needed ultra wide will distort the photo making people look fat.

You need to speak to your friend and see what they want you to do at the moment your taking pre wedding shots, party shots, posed and formal shots. They would be better to let 1 person do the whole thing. The party stuff you could do as a guest with a camera and that would be my preferred way of doing things after all so many couples still do the grabbing the photos everyone else has taken during the day.
 
Ok, you have been dropped right in it so let's see what we can do. :)

The venue should have a website, have a look! Google maps and zoom in too. Get there early when you are not under pressure and look for nice clean areas (free of distractions) where you can shoot. Find out what your plan B is going to be in case it rains! That's your minimum.

Group shots are as much about your feet as they are your aperture. Don't go wider, they will distort, you move. Try not to go wide if you can help it but move your feet instead. Perspecive is much better if it's done that way.

Get help with the group shots. Shoot the biggest one first and follow a pattern. One big group followed by all the brides family and friends, grooms side and then you get rid of all the friends. Shoot both families and then get down to just parents and formal party. Shoot with parents and formal party then take out the parents and shoot the formal ones, then take out the boys leaving the girls and swap. Finally shoot both sets of parents together and separately and then you are down to B&G. Don't let everyone get to the bar after the ceremony or you will spend the next half an hour trying to get them out and you will end up with people holding drinks in your group shots.

Clearly your bride has not got a clue so you may as well suggest a few bridal prep shots and detail shots because she has not thought about it and may welcome some advice. Why don't you go over the shots normally taken on the day with her and ask her if she would like something more complete. If you don't ask she won't get so what is there to lose?
 
firstly don't panic. That easier said then done I know and not that helpful.

I wouldn't use a tripod at all on the day, but thats me and others will be different. Shot the group shoots at around f8 so you don't get DoF issues.
 
Where's the registry office? I've been up and down Wellfield Rd on google and can't find it.
Reason I'm asking is that if it was me I 'd do the group shots there if possible rather than at the reception venue. More chance of keeping people's attention when there isn't a bar.

Edit: on the beach shooting from the seawall is tempting
 
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OK, you need a plan!

Had a look on google and the registry office is a shed! No decent parkland or gardens and on a cruddy looking road so count that out for doing groups.

but....all is not lost......because

the reception venue has gardens and a beach!! woo hoo. There's your location! Some groups shots should be achievable in the garden and I'm straight away thinking about what you can do with the couple on the beach. :)

Only difficulty I'm seeing is a plan B as in what do you do if it rains. Give the venue a call and find out if there is an area anywhere you can stage groups out of the rain. Sometimes you have to sacrifice the big group shot for smaller groups and more of them to make sure everyone is included. The other thing I have done is shot all the smaller groups while it rained and if you DO get a break in the weather whip everyone out for one group shot.

As for shooting off a tripod, yes I do but not for that reason :) I shoot off a tripod because while they are all laughing and smiling I'm shooting several without looking through the camera. I shoot while I am still talking to them, it's much more fun :)
 
boyfallen down - thank you. What do wedding togs normally do for group shots? I v. rarely use a tripod. Thanks for link to website, it's a v. low key wedding so won't be fancy at all I don't think.

DDP - good that there's a beach. But what if it's a fierce bright day - eek.

paul g - good idea if it's nice. But if it's nasty. Would be good to see it wouldn't it!
 
kitschenalia said:
boyfallen down - thank you. What do wedding togs normally do for group shots? I v. rarely use a tripod. Thanks for link to website, it's a v. low key wedding so won't be fancy at all I don't think.

DDP - good that there's a beach. But what if it's a fierce bright day - eek.

paul g - good idea if it's nice. But if it's nasty. Would be good to see it wouldn't it!
Click to expand...

atleast it won't be fiercle bright and nasty at the same imte. Being realistic its not likely it'll be so bright as to be a problem in Sept, but if it is is taking a CPL an option(in addition to the normall fill flash etc options). I tried this on a couple of blazing days in July and it worked very well
 
you'd be amazed how tricky it is to get them to put down their drinks much easier not to let them go there
 
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