I know I have mentioned before about the BIG Wedding shoot. It is getting close, really close. On the Weekend we had a photographic walk through; where everything was located, where will everyone be sitting, various places the Bride and Groom want photos taken, what photos, who is in them etc, etc. I had previously typed up a shoot list, which I gave to the couple to go over and make any changes, I also used some images from Pinterest as inspiration, the couple had some special requests as well; nothing boring, they wanted quirky & fun!
I took my camera along as well, people think ‘yes we want photos’, but then when it comes to it, freeze……especially if they have never done a portrait shoot before, not everyone has. So I made a point of taking casual shots in places we thought looked good……….a) gives me more practice in this space, b) gives them time to get comfortable in front of the camera, c) I get to scout good spots to shoot. We set the time for approximately the same time of day as the Wedding, that way I would have an indication of what the light will be like on the day. Did I mention it is a garden Wedding?
-Julz
P.S. I am starting to get really nervous now!
Julie Powell - Photographer & Graphic Artist 
A great setting for wedding photos!
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Thanks John, I’ve never been there before, but it’s great
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You are going to do a great job! The lighting looks perfect for shots. What a beautiful place for a wedding. I look forward to hearing all about it 🙂
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Thanks Kirsten, I hope the weather is as good on the day
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Me too! Do you mind me asking what lens you will be using?
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Lol….2 cameras, a 50mm prime for close up, 18 -200 for most shots, 10-24 wide for larger group shots
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I tend to like to shoot with primes. I shot fun pics at a friends wedding this weekend with my Tamron 16-300 mm and almost everything over 100 mm came out grainy. And it was sunny and my ISO was at 100. I’m thinking I’m doing something wrong 😦 I’m using a crop sensor DSLR, but I don’t think it’s the camera.
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I have a crop sensor too. It happens. Raise the luminance to compensate. Does the lens have vr?
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Yes it does have vr and it was a sunny day. my dad says my sensor might need to be cleaned. I was able to fix them in LR and PS, but they weren’t sharp like when I use my macro lens for portraits. I will keep trying though 🙂 Thanks for answering my questions!
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That’s cool. Have you tried sensor clean setting on your camera (if it has it)
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Hmmm…I don’t think mine does, but I will look 🙂
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Looks like a marvelous location. I’m sure you will rock it!
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Thanks, I hope so
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Can’t wait to hear all about it!
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Why on earth would you be nervous? You are so good!
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I have never really shot a wedding………..when things go wrong you can’t re shoot! But many thanks
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I do weddings a lot. It’s all about the timing. If there is anything I can do to help let me know.
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Anything at this point is probably helpful.lol
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OMG. Where to start. Timing is everything. Ensure you have enough time prior to the wedding to spend with both the bride and the groom. Right when you think you have planned everything one or both of them will be late so stay flexible. Try to ensure that their parents and family are available prior to the ceremony so you can get as many family shots ahead as possible. Stay away from the moddled light. Be kind to the family and guests when trying to heard them around. They will not listen and no one likes having their photo taken but it is our job to delicatly get them where they need to be while still making it fun for them. Try to be small and not in the way when taking photos expecially during the ceremony, first dance, cake cutting, toasts, etc. Get lots of detail shots of shoes, rings, flowers, decorations, invitation, sign in book. Ask the parents and grandparents if they would like any special photos because the day is also about them. There are sometimes family dynamics that can cause problems so be aware of those. (Family the bride or groom doesnt get a long with, x-spouces that may or may not want to be photographed with their previous spouce.) Drink lots of water. It is a long day and you will have NO breaks. During the ceremony test your lighting going towards the bride/groom and away because you will have to capture them walking up the isle and also coming back down it. Be ready for the kiss. You cannot miss that. Be sure you bring lots of batteries and memory cards and have them available to you on your person in case you run out during the ceremony. There will be no time to run to your gear and switch things up.
Are you taking an assistant with you? They can be helpful in finding lost people/family that should be in the family photos afterwards. And they are wonderful dress fluffers. It is important to make sure hair and necklaces and dresses look perfect at all times. It’s everyone’s big day so anything you can do to make sure everything looks just right will only enhance the photos.
Remind the bride that the flowers will drip when you take them out of the water. They need to be dried off before she or the bridesmaids hold them or they will get water marks on their dresses. (Learned that lesson a long time ago.) Also adk them to hold their flowers down at their bellybutton when they walk down the isle. Every bride and bridesmaid ever gets nervous and wants to cuddle the flowers at their chest and it looks weird. It looks more natural down lower.
When you are done and finished editing make the couple two sets one in small format and one in large for enlargements. That way they have small photos to email and facebook but large format for enlargements.
I am sure there are a million more things I am forgetting and I hope any of these suggestions are helpful.
Can I ask you how much time you have given for photos with the bride and groom prior to the ceremony and after? It is key to make sure you have scheduled enough.
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Wow, thanks, all great tips, yes I will have an assistant. We have scheduled 1 hour before with the bride……..they do not want hair and make up shots, nor do they want the groom before (I could not get them to change their minds!) I did finally talk the bride into letting me do the shoes, jewelry, rings, bouquet (she’s a little strange). I have 2 hours after the ceremony for photos and then there is the reception
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Two hours is a good amount of time after. I have just noticed that the couple usually hits the wall after about an hour and they start getting hungry and makeup/hair starts to fade. But, sometimes you just have to do what they want you to do. Good luck! I am sure you will do great!
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thanks
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Thanks! you have given me some great tips Jenny, I was thinking I might make a post of tips from various people (yourself included) for tackling a wedding shoot……..I know it’s become more work than I anticipated
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Sounds like a great idea! I just threw a bunch of things out there. If I think of anything else I will let you know.
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great ………..so far I just have a draft document with a heap of bullet points, but it’s a start
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One more thing. Be sure to coordinate with the dj so you don’t miss any of the action!
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Great point also, however – apparently there is NO DJ, no music and no Dancing………….!!!!
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Ok. Then it sounds like you might be helping keep things roll along a little bit too.
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I am beginning to feel a lot more a wedding planner than a photographer for this couple
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It happens every time!
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Ok
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