Wedding Photo Shoot Problems

[Richard DeYoung]

I recently was asked to shoot a friends daughters outside wedding. Several problems evolved;
Outside at a lake site in bright sunlight with sun at right angles to the subget, brought shadows into play on almost every shot. The bride wanted the lake as a back drop on every possible shot and with this the sun was directly behind the subjects or close to it.
Relativs of the bride and groom showed up with each having a camera, determined to "take family pictures" and getting the bride and groom and other wedding participants to move here and there, regardless of the sun or back drop. How to handle this problem is difficult to answer without making some one mad.
I ended up with about 150 shots of which maybe 10 or so were good.
How do others handle sun and shadows and friends of the families using their point and shoots to screw up the poses I wanted.
I guess this is why the wedding photogs make the big bucks.

[jonnydonut]

you get some remote powered flashes and blast them. your pictures will be the only ones that turn out.

Or just establish yourself as dominant early. Be loud and confident. You're the professional, you know best and explain it briefly if you have to. .

[Citex]

Another method is a 2 shot method, one for background then other for people then post process if you don't have flash powerful enough. Id rather do it with flash myself at the site.

[ngoduyviet]

Originally Posted by Richard DeYoung

....
How do others handle sun and shadows and friends of the families using their point and shoots to screw up the poses I wanted.
I guess this is why the wedding photogs make the big bucks.

First problem, use flash.

Second problem, have an exclusive clause in your contract, and make sure you have control of the crowd. You won't be able to make everyone happy, make sure the b&g know about it and ask for a person in charge as your proxy for crowd control if needed if you are not the confrontation type, like me

[ka5txl]

Originally Posted by Richard DeYoung

Relativs of the bride and groom showed up with each having a camera, determined to "take family pictures" and getting the bride and groom and other wedding participants to move here and there, regardless of the sun or back drop. How to handle this problem is difficult to answer without making some one mad.

One technique I have seen used is were the family was given 10 minutes to take thier pictures before the actual wedding photog's started shooting. Once he started shooting everyone else had to put thier's away. I was the only family member that showed up at a cousin's wedding this summer with a non-cell phone camera, but I stayed behind the hired guns and only took my shots after they had taken thiers. I might be tempted to tell a family member that you would be glad to help them get a shot but you won't split your fee (opps did I say that out loud?) ! Or that you charge $50 per hour for your 10 hour course!

[toverman]

The outdoor ceremony may have made this part difficult, but usually we'll do group shots before or after everyone else has waddled off to the reception so they leave us alone!

[Richard DeYoung]

Thanks for the help. This was a situation I have not confornted before and since it was outside at a country club on a lake during the day there was no controlling the crowd.

[AndrewCCM]

The key is discussing that sorta thing ahead of time. Explain timing and outdoor issues with sunlight and first and foremost; if you want professionally shot formals...You must have control of your guests.. whether that is you or someone you designate to control them. Cooperation is key. While the photographer has some control over the situation...total crowd control goes a bit beyond the job description. You can even have the officiant make an announcement or whatever as the ceremony closes.

There is a fine line and as a vendor you do not want to make the guests upset, but you do need to do your job. I find it easier and less confrontational to have someone designated as the "coordinator" ahead of time.

So glad to be out of the primary wedding photographer business these days. I don't miss the crowd control part of it at all.

[MicWayWal]

Originally Posted by Richard DeYoung

with this the sun was directly behind the subjects or close to it.

First my preference is to have the sun at the subjects back. I fill with flash to correspond to the exposure needed. This normally keeps people from squinting so much and provides a very nice rim back-light. It is also much harder for amateurs with P&S to handle this lighting situation without a lens shade and powerful flash.

Originally Posted by Richard DeYoung

How do others handle ... friends of the families using their point and shoots to screw up the poses I wanted.

You must establish with the couple and parents beforehand that you are in charge of this part of the wedding and others taking pictures will do so at your discretion.
At the wedding, everyone must know and see by your demeanor and command of the situation you are in charge. If you do, 99% of the time they will respect you and work around you. If they don't quietly talk to them or get the parents of the couple involved.

Originally Posted by Richard DeYoung

I guess this is why the wedding photogs make the big bucks.

Thank you.

[lscottpht]

Definitely use fill flash, as far as the crowd, this is what we do. We explain to them that we shoot the shot, then we call "paparazzi" time, and they all move in for the shot. It seems to work for us, and they think it's funny.

[Richard DeYoung]

I shot this wedding for a close friend. No more weddings for me. Sticking with birds, they don't talk back.