Photography Poses and Other Cool Stuff

Photography tips for Wedding photography?

10 Responses to “Photography tips for Wedding photography?”

1. 

   Fishmeister

   - 9th Jul, 10 01:07pm

   This question is not easy to answer. You have given us no indication as to your current skill level and no clue as to the current equipment you have. If you could at least tell us those two things then we can give you a hand.

   because you are doing this for a family member I can relax a little. There is nothing worse that somebody such as yourself saying that they are booked for a wedding (of somebody they have managed to convince they are a pro) and don’t even know the settings to use.

   You need to explain to your sister that she can not expect images such as these..

   http://www.garyroebuck.co.uk/gallery.php

   This is taken from a previous question I answered a few weeks ago..

   Wedding photography, minimum requirements..

   1) Several years experience in using Manual SLR’s in ever changing light and circumstances.
   2) FULL knowledge of just what settings to use on your camera when the light is changing and FULL expert knowledge on photography (composition, posing etc), photography equipment (bodies, lenses, flashes, filters etc..) and expert control of ISO/Aperture/Shutter Speeds/White Balance etc..
   3) Quality equipment, not just one but two DSLR’s (or 35mm SLR’s). At least two lenses, both with wide apertures and covering a range of wide angle to around 200mm and preferably a third prime portrait lens.. Oh and preferably backups of all the lenses.
   4) At least two flashes and knowledge on how to use them effectively.
   5) Good business knowledge. This is not something that you do on a whim, this is something that is planned months in advance and you need a good understanding of running a wedding photography business.
   6) This is something that you can not do twice!. If you screw up you will find yourself in a lot of trouble (possible lawsuit).

   Most importantly..

   7) You will most certainly have shadowed or worked as an assistant or second photographer to a working professional wedding photographer for at least a year, preferably two before attempting one on your own.

   Now because this is your sisters wedding she will not be expecting pro quality (and you can ignore number 5), but she will be devastated if you screw up the whole shoot, if your camera breaks and you have no backup etc..

   What equipment do you have, and how good are you at using it?. Because if you do not own a DSLR with at least two lenses (one wide angle, one zoom, preferably a third prime portrait lens) with one of those lenses with an aperture of at least f/2.8 plus an external flash, then I will honestly say that you should not even consider doing this wedding.

   .
   References :

2. 

   Fat Rabbit

   - 9th Jul, 10 02:07pm

   please let a pro do it ..
   References :

3. 

   T

   - 9th Jul, 10 02:07pm

   If the wedding is taking place at a courthouse go for it. Other than that tell her to try to work something out with a photographer because if you take them and they don’t turn out they way she expected then you will have some problems. Nothings worst then an angry/ disappointed bride.
   References :

4. 

   Ara57

   - 9th Jul, 10 03:07pm

   Here is a good link:

   http://www.rokkorfiles.com/Wedding101-page1.html

   I am sure Sis has seen your work and thinks you will do an adequate job. Be sure to control expectations, it will be in the air a long time if something happens and your photos don’t turn out as well as she hoped.

   Also think about this: Your sister is getting married. As the event photographer, you will not be able to share in the festivities of the day as a guest and close family. You will be working. And it is work. I actually prefer being the photographer at family events as opposed to being a guest only, which probably says volumes about my family relationships, lol. Just be aware you won’t be able to visit with Aunt Mabel or Cousin Fred because you will be shooting. Also, family may not take you seriously in your job, so be prepared for some amount of distraction.

   A few tips:

   Have lots of memory and battery power.
   Have a backup camera of some sort, even if it is a P&S or an old film camera. Make sure your backup is fresh and ready to go.
   Shoot lots. Check your histogram for exposure and adjust to avoid blown highlights. Better shadows that are a little too dark than a wedding dress with no detail at all.
   Don’t delete the misses at the time. of shooting. Too easy to make a mistake. Upload it all to the computer, back it up to DVD or CD’s first thing, then delete the duds during your first edit. Don’t fill the memory slap full. Change cards before reaching capacity.
   Concentrate on capturing the moments. Now is not the time to try new techniques or artsy shots. Shoot in your normal way, it is what Sis likes after all.
   Read up a lot on fill flash and practice beforehand. You will need fill for outdoor portraits. Fill can also be used inside with a shutter drag to balance the ambient light and avoid the deer in headlights look.
   Look at pro sites and pay attention to posing. Turn bodies at an angle to the lens. Get closeups, three quarter, and full length shots. In the full length, avoid chopping feet off. Leave some room around all edges of the frame in group shots to allow for different size prints.
   Outdoors look for open shade with no dapples and a simple (or beautiful) background for portraits. Late afternoon is better lighting, mid day sun is harsh and leaves shadows.

   Good luck. Hope everything goes smoothly and the B&G are thrilled with their images.
   References :

5. 

   Nathan G

   - 9th Jul, 10 03:07pm

   Weddings alone are very expensive, it’s easy to see how your sister wouldn’t be able to afford a photographer- it’s pretty expensive. Wedding photographs are very important, as it’s a very memorable day. Ask your sister if she can hire a professional to take them. I’m guessing she can’t because she’s asking you to take the pictures. I’m sure they won’t be as good, but at least it’s better than nothing. People will discourage you to do it, but if she can’t afford a photographer, she deserves the best of your efforts. My only advice would be to take hundreds of pictures and see which ones are best. What kind of camera do you have? If you have a point and shoot, beg and plead for a professional photographer.

   If you’re forced to take them, just take a lot of pictures, and your sister can pick out the ones that she likes the best.
   References :

6. 

   Mere Mortal

   - 9th Jul, 10 03:07pm

   My best advice is that you insist that your sister hire a pro.

   If that won’t happen then check this http://photo.net/learn/wedding/wedding-photography-timeline and study answers found here http://photo.net/wedding-photography-forum/
   References :

7. 

   Arthur M

   - 9th Jul, 10 03:07pm

   Wow, that’s a big request. I shot my borther’s wedding but I am at least a hobbyist.

   Equipment:
   –Obviously do not use a point & shoot. Buy a DSLR, SLR, or rangefinder camera. Get comfortable with the equipment.
   –Make sure you have batteries, film, or memory cards that you need.
   –You will need a seperate flash that can at least tilt and possibly swivel.
   –If the ceremony is indoors in a church you will like not be able to use a flash. Make sure you have a fast prime lens. Your standard zoom lenses are slow, meaning they don’t work in low light as well. Look for a lens like a 50mm f/1.8, which are only about $100. This will need 1/4 of the light of the zoom which is, at best f/3.5. This means in low light you can use ISO400 instead of ISO 3200 at 1/60 shutter.
   –A tripod will help

   Technique:
   –Bouncing the flash off the ceiling is your friend. Do it when you can. Direct flash is harsh.
   –Learn the technique of "dragging the shutter." This is important when the ceiling is too high to bounce your flash off and it’ll prevent your photos from looking like they were taken in a cave.

   Finally…. practice.
   References :

8. 

   fiddlerboy

   - 9th Jul, 10 04:07pm

   I usually say "Don’t even think about it!!" You’re not going to be a bridesmaid as well I hope! If you are, I’d say pick which job you’re going to do and don’t even attempt to do both. If there’s no escape and you end up having to do the photos, try to follow the advice you’ve been offered so far. Make a list of the "Must Get" shots and don’t forget to get plenty of shots of the Bride and Groom together. I know someone who got roped unwillingly into the same position and was trying so hard to get all the various shots that they totally forgot to get B&G together.
   Best of luck.
   References :

9. 

   Bruce M

   - 9th Jul, 10 04:07pm

   Go find a pro, pay them.. tell him you will also be making images.. but want them to make the "money shots"… your covered, you get to make lots of images and if the pro does mess up your Sister is covered.. OR if your images do not work.. your covered…

   I did this for MY Sisters Wedding.. glad I did.. my flash fizzled and I only owned one at the time.. just getting started right out of HS..
   References :

10. 

    ChaoRingmeister

    - 9th Jul, 10 05:07pm

    My best tip is DON’T! It’s so bloody hard that it’s just best to leave it to the pros, because all that money pays for their experience mainly, plus their equipment (including backups of absolutely everything) and assistant/second shooter.

    You see the main problem of a wedding is there are no second chances. You miss a shot and it’s over so you can’t be fiddling around changing settings (or worse memory cards, batteries or lenses).

    So you need to be using two camera bodies capable of 5fps+ both with battery grips, and 8GB or larger cards, each with it’s own top range flashgun. Then you need a fast telephoto (70-200mm f2.8) which costs £600-1500 (depending on manufacturer) and a fast wide or standard prime (perhaps a 50mm f1.2) which may run into the thousands for that lens alone. You need to be able to master these cameras to the point that you only need a second to transition from inside a church to outdoors, or going into the reception.

    The fact that you never get a second bite of the cherry means I will never shoot weddings unless there is either a pro there to do is properly (so I can just go for the unusual shots) or the person asking me would kill me if I said no.
    References :