Advice on Wedding Photography needed..

[sixxnine]

Dear All,

I'm helping my friend with his actual day wedding photography. As it is my 1st attempt, i need advice on:

1. Recommended lens to bring
2. Essential Equipment to bring
3. What are the essential shots need to be taken
4. Any other important advices

Hope that someone who have experiences can provide me some advice. Thanks!!

 

[brapodam]

I am not a wedding photog so I don't know about 3 and 4, but generally, equipment wise depends a lot on your style of shooting.

Some people bring a wide prime on one body and a tele prime on another and they shoot the whole wedding with that, some bring a wide or standard zoom on one body and a tele zoom on another, some bring 3 zooms. Most shoot with flash, but some prefer to shoot available light only. Depends on your style.

As this is your first time, I assume you are shooting as a backup or 2nd photog. Don't worry too much about what equipment to bring, just bring whatever equipment you are familiar with (i.e. if you shoot mainly zooms don't go rent a couple of primes and force yourself to shoot with them just because some photographers swear by primes and advise you to do the same), so you don't have to spend time during the wedding trying to figure out how to use your equipment. If you are shooting as main photog, I suggest you ask your friend to hire a decent wedding photog while you shoot as a backup or 2nd photog.

 

[Alpina]

not trying to be a wet blanket but i hope you are not the main photographer.
as it's your 1st attempt and the impression you give is you are not sure what to do at all, i suggest you not to take it up.
being a back up is fine otherwise your friend might go after you if you cannot produce pics for his once in a lifetime event.

 

[shierwin]

not trying to be a wet blanket but i hope you are not the main photographer.
as it's your 1st attempt and the impression you give is you are not sure what to do at all, i suggest you not to take it up.
being a back up is fine otherwise your friend might go after you if you cannot produce pics for his once in a lifetime event.

Have to agree. A failed job will sure break up the friendship. Good luck if the No: 1 photog...

 

[SkyStrike]

not trying to be a wet blanket but i hope you are not the main photographer.
as it's your 1st attempt and the impression you give is you are not sure what to do at all, i suggest you not to take it up.
being a back up is fine otherwise your friend might go after you if you cannot produce pics for his once in a lifetime event.

Got to agree with this.

 

[Ferderico]

The first thing in wedding photography is that you need to know the sequence of events and tradition.

You can do some research on the key shots of a wedding and do up a checklist that you have them covered.

Following an experience photographer is a good idea.

As for the equipment, bring the lens that you are familiar. It is ok to shoot a wedding with "P" mode. It is better to capture the scene and do post process than not having the moment captured.

If you need more information do drop me an email and I will share some info with ya.

 

[Rashkae]

Dear All,

I'm helping my friend with his actual day wedding photography. As it is my 1st attempt, i need advice on:

1. Recommended lens to bring
2. Essential Equipment to bring
3. What are the essential shots need to be taken
4. Any other important advices

Hope that someone who have experiences can provide me some advice. Thanks!!

Some thoughts...

1. This comes up every week. Have you tried to do some basic research on your own, or are you expecting to be spoonfed?
2. You are hopelessly unqualified if you don't even know the sequence, and are so unsure about your gear and the settings that you don't even know what lenses to bring.
3. Go on as an assistant for a few runs. There is no way you will learn enough on here to make it worthwhile. If you are the primary photographer you will ruin their memories.

Educate your friends and tell them that DSLR does NOT mean "Pro".