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Originally Posted by Christine
A friend has asked me to take the photos for her daughters wedding in June.
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Everyone who has a 'serious' camera and interest in photography has at least one 'friend' like this! The assumption is, usually, that just owning a good camera will produce good photos, they'll save some money on an already expensive occasion and you'll provide the photos in lieu of a wedding present!
Most pro photographers worth the name will have learned their trade by starting off working alongside an established pro either as an assistant or by 'shadowing' them, only going solo when they've gained enough experience of a variety of situations.
As they get more jobs they'll learn more about dealing with people in order to get the group photos of family, etc., taken before everyone drifts away to the reception. They'll also get to know all the churches, chapels, registry offices, etc. in the local area so that they're prepared for those with less than attractive frontages or where the angle of the sun isn't very favourable at certain times of day. They'll know of alternative spots 'just round the corner' where better photos can be taken.
They will also be aware of which vicars are more strict on what can be taken inside the church, whether they allow flash, for instance.
White wedding dresses worn by the bride and bridesmaids and dark-coloured suits worn by the groom present a challenge to any photographer. Weddings shot on film are best tackled with one of the lower-contrast 'portrait' films - the pro will know how to get the best from these films as opposed to the normal ones available over the counter. Digital cameras are not good at contrasty subjects, they may need the lower contrast settings activated in the 'menu' - again, the good pro will have gained experience in getting the best from the camera at all settings.
You will have to 'know' all this without any previous experience and be expected to come up with something special as they're your friends, not just another client!
In many ways, taking the actual photos is the easy bit - if you're not fully familiar with the workings of your camera then don't even think about it! But if you're quite happy knowing how to use it without thinking then your personality in getting everyone's attention is more important.
The real success comes from 'Preparation' and 'Presentation.' Presentation, of course, means handing over an album full of high-quality photos with a printed form for anyone to re-order any shots, etc.
Preparation - all the work needed beforehand - is the key to success. Checking-out all those locations, the angle of the light at the right time of day, knowing how to use fill-in flash if harsh overhead sunlight causes deep shadows in peoples' eye-sockets, under noses, chins, etc.
As well as the usual posed group photos you'll want those extra shots that tell the whole story of an important day - can you get a shot of the bride at home, perhaps all dressed-up ready but just putting the finishing touches to her make-up in the dressing table mirror. An intimate moment with her father, who is about to give her way, just before they go off to the church, maybe..
But, you'll also need to be at the church in order to get a shot of a nervous groom shaking hands with his best man just before going into the building.
You'll need to arrange with either the bride's mother or the maid of honour to be on hand to arrange the bride's dress during the formal shots (don't forget to make sure the groom has his tie and collar neat and straight as well).
Have the groom's mates organised something such as an archway of golfclubs or cricket bats - if so, make sure you've got to know the 'ring leader' so you can make sure the shot is set-up properly and not just done whilst you're engaged elsewhere. If the groom is abirdwatcher you can get his birding mates to take their bins along and focus on the happy couple - if the bride has nice legs they can train their bins on the leg that has the 'blue' garter around - yes, don't forget the 'something old, new, borrowed and blue' and 'incorporate' them into your shots at some stage (very professional, this one!).
Do you
still want to do the wedding photos
Oh, and don't forget to make alternative arrangements in case it's chucking it down with rain on the day...