I'm shooting my second wedding this summer. I didn't think there was any way that I'd ever do another one; and I'm still surprised that I'm doing it.
My first wedding shoot was for my sister. She was having a small wedding and was not going to spend the money on a photographer. I hated the thought of her not having pictures, so I did the wedding.
I think many of us end up shooting weddings, either as the main photographer, or as a backup option. We're not professionals, we're not trying to take money from professionals (in many cases, they're either going with us or "Uncle Bob" with his point and shoot.)
Have you done a wedding? Are there shots of which you're particularly proud? Have you come up with something beyond the group family photo where everyone is staring at the camera with the fake smiles? Let's create a thread of wedding ideas/wonderful shots.
Post your favorites here. Favorite shots you've taken, favorite shots from your own weddings. Are you a professional? Do you remember getting roped into something? (you probably still are getting roped into things upon occasion...)
One of the weird effects of hurricane Katrina was that it seemed to blow grigrigirl AKA Julia bayley out of the DPC community, but she is till turning out great photographs and creates some truly unique and beautiful wedding images. Her website is well worth a visit if you want to see wedding images that are more than documentary evidence of a civil service.
I am always amazed at the number of images people post of themselves smearing cake onto their new spouse. Having been to many weddings now, I believe there is no better indicator of probable divorce than the cake feeding. If the bride and groom's first married act of mutual trust is used as a chance to smash food into the face and hair of their new life partner, they will be divorced within a decade.
I am always amazed at the number of images people post of themselves smearing cake onto their new spouse. Having been to many weddings now, I believe there is no better indicator of probable divorce than the cake feeding. If the bride and groom's first married act of mutual trust is used as a chance to smash food into the face and hair of their new life partner, they will be divorced within a decade.
funny you should say that, I have always wondered how that ever got started and presonally, I can't stand it.
I try to shoot one wedding per year for friends or family, esp if I know that they can't afford a photographer, or may need a backup.
I went to this wedding, for one of my wife's nieces, and sort of shot backup with the "official" photog's ok. Maybe it's just the style now, but almost every one of his shots was either overexposed, or edited that way, to the point of completely washing out the gown and most skin tone. He set up the first one, and I got that from about 300 ft.
And here's my fav, shot by my daughter in law, with one of my cameras. It's my son's best friend's wedding. I couldn't be there but the photo is great. Scott's trusty hound was the ring bearer.
Don't forget to catch people, especially the couple, having fun. Try not to worry about "perfect" as far as photography, and go for "perfect" as far as moments. Capture as many as you can.
Watch for nice settings. I saw this field while we were on our way from one place to another. He carried her there, set her down, then picked her up and brought her back. Very sweet!
