Wedding tips

[Chuckles]

I'm doing the wedding photos for a close friend in May.

Initially I didn't want to do it because of the worry of messing up and I know that my standard isn't as good as a pro. After much convincing on how low key it was (very close family only) I've agreed.

I have done one before but that was just for another friends mums second wedding (She's in her 60's) so I was OK with that.

He knows my style which is usually to capture people who aren't posing as I feel it gives a better feeling of the event, but I really should be doing some more conventional ones in this.

Kit wise, I'll be taking along my 5D, 17-40L 85mm 50mm and 70-200L and a 430EX

[Kitten]

Dee & Ray are probably the best people to help you. The best bit of advice I got when doing a christening was to 'always focus on the eyes!' Good luck though sure you'll be awesome.

[Mondo]

I am not sure what kind of tips you are looking for, but i would get a 24-70 2.8 for it. That's what i use for majority of the day.

For candids, the skill is to blend in and be prepare, WATCH people.

Gear wise, you need fast glass, you have most of the kit already, personally i would leave the 70-200 at home, I don't find it useful, as the shots that comes from it are all headshots, not very contextual for a wedding.

As for, "just a low key family only", don't think like that. My sister's wedding was too, 19 people in total and its what you make it. It can be as grand as you make it, the number of guest has no bearing on it, a wedding is about 2 people, not 200.

[Kitten]

Hmmm..I took pretty much all of the shots at Davey & Lynnes wedding with the 70-200l because I was able to sneak around and catch people unawares. Stood a way back and captured people being natural, dancing, chatting, laughing. I think it's perfect for candids, although obv. Not the mote staged stuff as you'd be closer. I'd take it anyway.

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Kitten

Hmmm..I took pretty much all of the shots at Davey & Lynnes wedding with the 70-200l because I was able to sneak around and catch people unawares.

Have to say you were doing very well at that! I noticed because I was doing my best to camera-dodge as usual! Of course, I failed.

[Dee]

Only just seen this, sorry! And sorry to Kitten for mentioning me, and then me being a no show

Mondo pretty much has it wrapped up, I dont have his experience, but I will help if I can

[Desmo]

Dress smarter than you usually do.

[Mondo]

Originally Posted by Kitten

Hmmm..I took pretty much all of the shots at Davey & Lynnes wedding with the 70-200l because I was able to sneak around and catch people unawares. Stood a way back and captured people being natural, dancing, chatting, laughing. I think it's perfect for candids, although obv. Not the mote staged stuff as you'd be closer. I'd take it anyway.

You don't need to catch people unaware though. They aim is not to catch them unaware, but for them to be comfortable with your presence. It should be easy as you are there to take photos, unlike the world outside a wedding, people at a wedding expect to be photographed. Just watch, prepare, compose and shoot. If they see you take a photo of them, smile and show them what you've just shot. After which, i find people like to be around me (some even poses), and they don't care I am there and I can shoot to my hearts content 2 feet away from them, whether they are chatting, dancing or kissing. I shoot most of my candids under 70mm, I have shot some on my 135mm in the last wedding but only for about 2% of the photos if that. The 50mm, 16-35 and 24-70 is what i use most.

In terms of technical tips...

Remember to check your settings between moving indoor to outdoor and vice versa.
Bring spare batteries
Pay attention to details - table settings, flowers, things dotted around, they all tell a story
Lots of memory, I tend to shoot at least 2 shots per "shot", why? People blink ! You could capture the moment but you can't stop them blinking, and some people are worse than others, it is almost like a 6th sense.

[Kitten]

Originally Posted by Mondo

You don't need to catch people unaware though. They aim is not to catch them unaware, but for them to be comfortable with your presence. It should be easy as you are there to take photos, unlike the world outside a wedding, people at a wedding expect to be photographed. Just watch, prepare, compose and shoot. If they see you take a photo of them, smile and show them what you've just shot. After which, i find people like to be around me (some even poses), and they don't care I am there and I can shoot to my hearts content 2 feet away from them, whether they are chatting, dancing or kissing. I shoot most of my candids under 70mm, I have shot some on my 135mm in the last wedding but only for about 2% of the photos if that. The 50mm, 16-35 and 24-70 is what i use most.
.

I still think he'll get great shots with the 70-200 and think he should take it. As he's not a pro, he might not feel *that* comfortable as a pro photographer would, and so would miss out on those natural, candid shots. I don't care what anyone says, people act differently when there's a camera around, some people just aren't comfortable being around them, no matter how much you 'blend in'. I'd be horribly on edge (and was) the entire time I was having my photograph taken 'close up' as part of the wedding party - and my facial expressions are totally different, and far tenser in comparison to the ones where I don't know I was being shot (from a distance) but then that's just me. Gets rid of the blinking issue too (certainly the 'sixth sense' one)

[Chuckles]

Originally Posted by Desmo

Dress smarter than you usually do.

Cheeky ****

Thanks for the advice so far.