Walt -
It sounds as though there are a lot of unknowns at this point. A good
long talk with the bride to be should give you an idea of what she
wants. You need to know her expectations and results that she wants -
CD, 8x10s, album, books, etc. Once you know what she wants then you can
decide if it's something you can deliver.
What pixs does she want - of whom? Who are the special people? Many
times these are the last photos of old folks before they die.
Get a checklist and have her mark what pix she and the groom want. If
you can't find anything by googling let me know and I'll get you a
couple samples.
When it comes to what the bride, groom and their families want, get as
much in writing as possible. A completed checklist signed by the bride
(and groom) is invaluable both as a reminder to you of what pix to take
and as something to point to when someone after the fact says "but you
didn't get that shot that I wanted". They also need to sign off on all
the locations and what time you are to be at each one.
Know the venue. Where are good shooting locations and what limitations
does the clergy have? Sometimes it's not just a case of flash or no
flash. I had one minister tell me if he caught me taking *any* pix he'd
stop the ceremony and throw me out. OTOH, a Russian Orthodox priest
told me his only restriction was that I couldn't stand up on the altar
behind him.
Have an agreement about what happens in the event something unforseen
happens and you can't do the shoot. What if you are struck down by bad
lobster the night before the wedding?
No alcohol for you...you're working!!!
Then...have fun!
Will let you know if I think of anything else.
-p
On 7/6/2013 12:30 PM, Walt wrote:
Thank you, Stan.
One of the reasons I'm so hesitant about this is that it's going to be
in a setting of the type I've never, ever been in before. From what I
gather, this is going to be a fairly swanky affair replete with bigwigs
and such. So, I can't help feeling I'll be the proverbial turd in the
punchbowl. The closest thing I've done to this was an awards banquet at
the Olympic Club in SF -- back when I crashed on Larry's couch. I'd only
been shooting a little over a year at the time, and I've learned a
(relatively) huge amount since then. But, still . . .
Thanks for the pointer on practicing flash technique. As for what the
bride is expecting, as I understand it, she's going to want prints and
an album -- likely even a book. I figure I can glean the overall
aesthetic she's looking for based on what I see at the wedding itself --
assuming I'm stupid enough to take on the challenge.
Thanks for the input. You've given me a good set of questions to ask the
bride before making any kind of commitment. I'll have to sit down and
come up with a list of others to ask, as well as a litany of reasons why
she might consider someone who knows what the hell they're doing. ;)
-- Walt
On 7/6/2013 11:55 AM, Stan Halpin wrote:
The little I know about wedding photography comes from reading this
list plus watching the photographers at my own weddings. So, no
specific advice, but if it were me, my preparation would probably
involve a few aspects.
First, read. (By coincidence this offer showed up in my in-box today.
No clue if this is good, bad, or indifferent, but it is a reminder
that there are resources out there:
(
http://www.peachpit.com/deals/?WT.mc_id=2013_July_6_PP_PBM_WeddingShots_EDOW_ends
)
Second, at least sample some of the web resources Bruce mentioned.
Third, sit with the bride-to-be (and her mother if the mother is going
to be influential throughout the process) and go through some of her
friend's wedding albums, talking about what shots she (they)
particularly want and expect to be in the eventual wedding album.
Fourth, practice your flash technique in spaces similar to what you'll
see before-during-after the wedding. If you only get proficient in
using bounce-flash in low-ceilinged bars or basements, you might be at
a loss in a high-ceilinged church. (Speaking of church, find out early
what sort of restrictions there will be on photography during the
service; if it a church, some pastors can be quite fussy about
photography in general, about the use of flash [generally not
accepted], etc.)
Fifth, make sure that you and the bride-to-be are totally in synch
with respect to what the product will be. Prints? Albums? 600x800
jpeg's on Facebook? Does she expect to see everything, or is she
willing to let you cull and select the better shots for her to choose
from? And then prepare yourself for the process of editing, posting,
printing . . . And how soon does she want to see proofs? Note that her
friends will have wedding shots posted on Facebook before the
reception is over. She'll be willing to endure a wait for your
higher-quality images, but it may not take many days before your
contribution to the image set is seen as an afterthought, a footnote
to the big event rather than a major part of the event.
Enjoy the trip!
stan
On Jul 6, 2013, at 11:37 AM, Walt wrote:
Well, I approached my friend Dan about using the unfinished area of
his home as a studio, and he readily agreed (as expected) and
wouldn't hear of charging me for the use of it (again, as expected --
though, I'll insist on compensating him by hook or by crook). I'm
supposed to go over there today and get started on the cleanup and
preparation. It'll take a little work and time, but not a whole lot.
As I mentioned on a previous thread, the place is just about ideal as
a photography studio. So, as of now, everything's proceeding nicely.
After I talked to him yesterday and left for work, I got an email
from him asking if I'd be interested in shooting a wedding. Seems his
sister is getting married early this fall -- in Maine. At Walker's
Point. I'm supposed to talk to her about it today when I go over to
start working on the studio space. Needless to say, I'm a bit nervous
about the prospect. I've only done extremely informal wedding photos
so far, and I'm not sure I'm up to the task. Still, I feel like I'd
be a complete idiot to pass up the opportunity. I just want to make
sure I'm not getting in over my head before I even have a chance to
get off the ground.
It kind of makes me glad I'm going bald. At least no one will notice
when I start pulling my hair out, or if it just decides to fall out
on its own.
-- Walt
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