Comments on: How to plan the Wedding Day shoot http://www.prophotonut.com/2008/12/31/how-to-plan-the-wedding-day-shoot/ Creative resources for all pro photographers Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:31:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: damien http://www.prophotonut.com/2008/12/31/how-to-plan-the-wedding-day-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-5527 damien Sat, 14 Aug 2010 09:26:49 +0000 http://www.prophotonut.com/?p=1655#comment-5527 Hi Michael, Thanks for your review of how thing used to be done. I started my career shooting weddings in 1998 to offer brides something different, fresh and exciting. At that time the industry was full of shooters working to the Guild of Wedding Photographers manual. We shook up the industry and nearly everyone moved on at about the same time. Thankfully now wedding photography is less photography by numbers and more creative. Kindest regards, Damien. Hi Michael,

Thanks for your review of how thing used to be done. I started my career shooting weddings in 1998 to offer brides something different, fresh and exciting. At that time the industry was full of shooters working to the Guild of Wedding Photographers manual. We shook up the industry and nearly everyone moved on at about the same time. Thankfully now wedding photography is less photography by numbers and more creative.

Kindest regards,

Damien.

]]> By: Michael McGrath http://www.prophotonut.com/2008/12/31/how-to-plan-the-wedding-day-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-5472 Michael McGrath Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:54:07 +0000 http://www.prophotonut.com/?p=1655#comment-5472 I stay and take the speeches and toasts at the breakfast , I wait until the Bride & Groom have their first dance , shoot them on motor-drive , then I'm OFF , I'm GONE before the drinking gets serious and guests , sometimes the Groom , start to luck funny , dribble etc with staring eyes !!! I have a friend who freelances full-time for the local press with his Canon 7D and big L lenses , so he arrives to cover the reception for me because he loves doing it and all the socialising & boozing , and being the centre of attention himself , I bung him a hundred quid , paid for by the Bride & Groom . He delivers the cards to me personally after the wedding , then he gets his hundred quid ! I stay and take the speeches and toasts at the breakfast , I wait until the Bride & Groom have their first dance , shoot them on motor-drive , then I’m OFF , I’m GONE before the drinking gets serious and guests , sometimes the Groom , start to luck funny , dribble etc with staring eyes !!!

I have a friend who freelances full-time for the local press with his Canon 7D and big L lenses , so he arrives to cover the reception for me because he loves doing it and all the socialising & boozing , and being the centre of attention himself , I bung him a hundred quid , paid for by the Bride & Groom . He delivers the cards to me personally after the wedding , then he gets his hundred quid !

]]> By: Michael McGrath http://www.prophotonut.com/2008/12/31/how-to-plan-the-wedding-day-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-5471 Michael McGrath Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:42:16 +0000 http://www.prophotonut.com/?p=1655#comment-5471 I have always shot the Bride & Groom cutting the cake BEFORE the reception , in a mock up , privately , away from everybody else , I get much better pictures that way ( they don't actually cut the cake ! ) . And at the same time I get shots of them , arms intertwined , with glasses , drinking to one another and to their happy marriage in the years ahead . Here in Ireland the Photographer is given the complete freedom of the altar , where at one stage I actually end up standing beside the priest to get fabulous closeups of the hands at ther placement of the rings . I get several shots of them signing the Registry in the church sacristy . I always make sure to get shots of them too from the organ loft , with a big powerful Metz Mecablitz Hammerhead , the length of the church , with them on the altar , and in one print I sandwich therm in looking down on themselves from the church roof or dome over the altar . And I don't believe in this commonly abused word by wedding photographers here ( not Pro's ) , "Unobtrusive " . You can't shoot a big wedding without being obtrusive , but only for twenty minutes or so , when I usually end up barking out orders across the churchyard like a Sergeant - Major ! Because I want the Bride & Groom to have something worthwhile of their Big Day for every day of their lives , in this I am passionate . ( BTW I make sure to get all these important shots on Medium Format film , Bronica SQA loaded with colour , Mamiya 645 with True Black-and-White , that I D&P myself in my own darkroom , and also scan to computer ) . Hope this is helpful . I have always shot the Bride & Groom cutting the cake BEFORE the reception , in a mock up , privately , away from everybody else , I get much better pictures that way ( they don’t actually cut the cake ! ) . And at the same time I get shots of them , arms intertwined , with glasses , drinking to one another and to their happy marriage in the years ahead .

Here in Ireland the Photographer is given the complete freedom of the altar , where at one stage I actually end up standing beside the priest to get fabulous closeups of the hands at ther placement of the rings .

I get several shots of them signing the Registry in the church sacristy .

I always make sure to get shots of them too from the organ loft , with a big powerful Metz Mecablitz Hammerhead , the length of the church , with them on the altar , and in one print I sandwich therm in looking down on themselves from the church roof or dome over the altar .

And I don’t believe in this commonly abused
word by wedding photographers here ( not Pro’s ) , “Unobtrusive ” .

You can’t shoot a big wedding without being obtrusive , but only for twenty minutes or so , when I usually end up barking out orders across the churchyard like a Sergeant – Major !

Because I want the Bride & Groom to have something worthwhile of their Big Day for every day of their lives , in this I am passionate .

( BTW I make sure to get all these important shots on Medium Format film , Bronica SQA loaded with colour , Mamiya 645 with True Black-and-White , that I D&P myself in my own darkroom , and also scan to computer ) .

Hope this is helpful .

]]> By: damien http://www.prophotonut.com/2008/12/31/how-to-plan-the-wedding-day-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-4720 damien Tue, 06 Apr 2010 22:45:37 +0000 http://www.prophotonut.com/?p=1655#comment-4720 Hi Martin, Thanks for your kind words. We shoot the couple straight away because the B&G are the first to leave the Church and the first to arrive at the reception. So while the other guests roll up and powder their noses we get the shoot out of the way. The B&G can then make an entrance at their reception with no time lost. Regards, Damien. Hi Martin,

Thanks for your kind words. We shoot the couple straight away because the B&G are the first to leave the Church and the first to arrive at the reception. So while the other guests roll up and powder their noses we get the shoot out of the way. The B&G can then make an entrance at their reception with no time lost.

Regards, Damien.

]]> By: Martin Hodgkiss http://www.prophotonut.com/2008/12/31/how-to-plan-the-wedding-day-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-4716 Martin Hodgkiss Tue, 06 Apr 2010 09:56:19 +0000 http://www.prophotonut.com/?p=1655#comment-4716 Hi Damien, I have your DVD's and book which I find most useful. Can you tell me why you shoot the Bride & Groom on their own first before the group shots, I tend to shoot the groups first so that I can get everyone else out of the way. Also do you have a set check list that you fill out when discussing the wedding arrangements with the couple before their wedding? & what information do you request. Hi Damien, I have your DVD’s and book which I find most useful.
Can you tell me why you shoot the Bride & Groom on their own first before the group shots, I tend to shoot the groups first so that I can get everyone else out of the way.
Also do you have a set check list that you fill out when discussing the wedding arrangements with the couple before their wedding? & what information do you request.

]]> By: kathy norris http://www.prophotonut.com/2008/12/31/how-to-plan-the-wedding-day-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-2802 kathy norris Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:02:56 +0000 http://www.prophotonut.com/?p=1655#comment-2802 Having just finished reading your book the complete guide to professional wedding photography i had to take a look at your web site. I am just starting out in a photography business with my first two weddings booked for september and december this year.Buying and reading your book has been the best thing i have done so far. I only hope i can take some of your advise with me and start working towards producing photos as excellent as yours in the years to come. Thankyou Having just finished reading your book the complete guide to professional wedding photography i had to take a look at your web site. I am just starting out in a photography business with my first two weddings booked for september and december this year.Buying and reading your book has been the best thing i have done so far. I only hope i can take some of your advise with me and start working towards producing photos as excellent as yours in the years to come. Thankyou

]]> By: damien http://www.prophotonut.com/2008/12/31/how-to-plan-the-wedding-day-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-1812 damien Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:34:29 +0000 http://www.prophotonut.com/?p=1655#comment-1812 Hi Chris, All the information you need is <a href="http://www.prophotonut.com/2008/08/12/how-to-shoot-digital-colour-infrared-pictures/" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Damien. Hi Chris,

All the information you need is here.

Damien.

]]> By: Chris Costello http://www.prophotonut.com/2008/12/31/how-to-plan-the-wedding-day-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-1810 Chris Costello Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:55:14 +0000 http://www.prophotonut.com/?p=1655#comment-1810 Just watched the DVD, very good; can you tell us more on how to take infrared picures please? Just watched the DVD, very good; can you tell us more on how to take infrared picures please?

]]> By: damien http://www.prophotonut.com/2008/12/31/how-to-plan-the-wedding-day-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-1753 damien Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:08:25 +0000 http://www.prophotonut.com/?p=1655#comment-1753 Hi Luis, Thanks for your kind words. Yes you are right I neglected to fully answer Pat's question re pre ceremony pictures. My response to Pat's question is that Julie and I had our 'couple' pictures taken before our wedding and we thought nothing of it and at several times throughout our career we have photographed the bride and groom before the wedding. These have all been civil ceremonies or blessings. It is not uncommon for a couple to get married earlier in the week at the local town hall and to have a blessing on the Saturday. The ceremony is virtually identical and only those in the know would know. The couple even go off into another room to sign a certificate of commitment. The congregation often don't know. We are a far less superstitious lot here in the UK. Several of our Bride and Grooms have shared a room the night before their wedding. I hope this helps. Oh, and my brother Harley Lovegrove was our wedding Photographer. Kindest regards, Damien. Hi Luis,

Thanks for your kind words. Yes you are right I neglected to fully answer Pat’s question re pre ceremony pictures. My response to Pat’s question is that Julie and I had our ‘couple’ pictures taken before our wedding and we thought nothing of it and at several times throughout our career we have photographed the bride and groom before the wedding. These have all been civil ceremonies or blessings. It is not uncommon for a couple to get married earlier in the week at the local town hall and to have a blessing on the Saturday. The ceremony is virtually identical and only those in the know would know. The couple even go off into another room to sign a certificate of commitment. The congregation often don’t know.

We are a far less superstitious lot here in the UK. Several of our Bride and Grooms have shared a room the night before their wedding.

I hope this helps.

Oh, and my brother Harley Lovegrove was our wedding Photographer.

Kindest regards, Damien.

]]> By: Luis http://www.prophotonut.com/2008/12/31/how-to-plan-the-wedding-day-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-1751 Luis Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:51:41 +0000 http://www.prophotonut.com/?p=1655#comment-1751 Damien, Thank you very much for sharing your expertise so freely. You've set a very high bar for your paid advice :) Can you please address the question from Pat about pre-ceremony shoots with the Bride and Groom. I'm not sure how it is in Britain, but here in the US our brides tend to be on the superstitious side. I know mine was! Best Regards, Luis Damien,

Thank you very much for sharing your expertise so freely. You’ve set a very high bar for your paid advice :)

Can you please address the question from Pat about pre-ceremony shoots with the Bride and Groom. I’m not sure how it is in Britain, but here in the US our brides tend to be on the superstitious side. I know mine was!

Best Regards,

Luis

]]> By: damien http://www.prophotonut.com/2008/12/31/how-to-plan-the-wedding-day-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-1720 damien Sun, 25 Jan 2009 00:43:20 +0000 http://www.prophotonut.com/?p=1655#comment-1720 Thank you all for your kind words and valuable contributions. Damien. Thank you all for your kind words and valuable contributions.

Damien.

]]> By: romain lhuissier http://www.prophotonut.com/2008/12/31/how-to-plan-the-wedding-day-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-1705 romain lhuissier Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:44:35 +0000 http://www.prophotonut.com/?p=1655#comment-1705 Hi all ! I just discovered your blog and I have to say it is fantastic and full of good advices ! After two years of training practices with my two dslr, I start to have some customers and no doubt your articles will help me a lot ! thank you very much for sharing your knowledges, greetings and happy new year ! Hi all ! I just discovered your blog and I have to say it is fantastic and full of good advices ! After two years of training practices with my two dslr, I start to have some customers and no doubt your articles will help me a lot ! thank you very much for sharing your knowledges, greetings and happy new year !

]]> By: Tanya Plonka http://www.prophotonut.com/2008/12/31/how-to-plan-the-wedding-day-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-1633 Tanya Plonka Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:29:50 +0000 http://www.prophotonut.com/?p=1655#comment-1633 Really great write up! I am always generous with planning time.... if it's a short 10 minute drive, I give it 15. If the couple thinks the receiving line will take 10 minutes, I allot 30 minutes. I also try to make sure we plan to be done formals 30-60 minutes before they need to be at the reception; if we finish in time, they get a much needed rest (and some time with each other), or if we take longer we are still safe. Really great write up! I am always generous with planning time…. if it’s a short 10 minute drive, I give it 15. If the couple thinks the receiving line will take 10 minutes, I allot 30 minutes. I also try to make sure we plan to be done formals 30-60 minutes before they need to be at the reception; if we finish in time, they get a much needed rest (and some time with each other), or if we take longer we are still safe.

]]> By: dave http://www.prophotonut.com/2008/12/31/how-to-plan-the-wedding-day-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-1537 dave Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:46:30 +0000 http://www.prophotonut.com/?p=1655#comment-1537 Excellent advice as usual. Its so useful to have the insight of your knowledge built on the lessons of your experience. I am freelance and have worked for wedding photographers, covering weddings on their behalf and have found that some of them are so entrenched in their thinking that they sort out the planning of detail and timings just a few weeks before the wedding. As uyou rightly point out it leaves little latitude for error and mishaps, plus it doesn't always give the the bride and groom oportunity to really feel relaxed. Your formula of getting a framework of timings before details are agreed with stylists, wedding co-ordinators, and catering staff, makes perfect sense to me. If I branch out on my own, this is definitely the formula that I will adopt. Every good wish for 2009 Dave Excellent advice as usual. Its so useful to have the insight of your knowledge built on the lessons of your experience.

I am freelance and have worked for wedding photographers, covering weddings on their behalf and have found that some of them are so entrenched in their thinking that they sort out the planning of detail and timings just a few weeks before the wedding. As uyou rightly point out it leaves little latitude for error and mishaps, plus it doesn’t always give the the bride and groom oportunity to really feel relaxed.

Your formula of getting a framework of timings before details are agreed with stylists, wedding co-ordinators, and catering staff, makes perfect sense to me.

If I branch out on my own, this is definitely the formula that I will adopt.

Every good wish for 2009
Dave

]]> By: Dave Packer http://www.prophotonut.com/2008/12/31/how-to-plan-the-wedding-day-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-1526 Dave Packer Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:55:33 +0000 http://www.prophotonut.com/?p=1655#comment-1526 After to many weddings chasing brides down the stairs. Trying to photograph her whilst she races to the waiting car. I now insist on 20 - 30 mins after the dress is on to photograph the bride. I also repeat this after the service and group shots by having 20 - 30 mins with the bride and groom alone to capture the "mantlepiece" photograph. But if you dont mention it they will not include it in the times of the day. and as Damien said you will get very stressed indeed. Happy new year Dave After to many weddings chasing brides down the stairs. Trying to photograph her whilst she races to the waiting car. I now insist on 20 – 30 mins after the dress is on to photograph the bride. I also repeat this after the service and group shots by having 20 – 30 mins with the bride and groom alone to capture the “mantlepiece” photograph. But if you dont mention it they will not include it in the times of the day. and as Damien said you will get very stressed indeed.

Happy new year

Dave

]]>