Nervous, but excited...

[bethanne]

I'm shooting my first wedding (husband and I are shooting together) on Saturday! It is a small wedding and I'm doing it for almost nothing, but I am very excited. I've had a hard time trying to decide if I want to get into wedding photography, so I hope this gives me an idea--as well as some decent portfolio images.

Anyone have any words of wisdom for a rookie?

[Silvernic]

From rookie to rookie, don't forget you memory cards!!! Good luck to you!
Confidence is half the battle!

[MyKey]

Best thing I can tell you is this:

Bring snack bars cause you can not work when hungry your mind simply wont fuction on the go as well and you wont be at the top of your game

When you miss a shot (note I did not say if) MOVE ON, do not cry over spilled milk, cause if you do you will continue to miss shots all day long. We all miss shots during the wedding day, it simply is something that is unadvoidable, so relax take a deep breath and move on.

Since there are two of you, sperate the challenges between the two of you. This way your only in charge of 1/2 the wedding and not the entire thing. Do not let your sex tell you what to cover, you cover what your strong points are and let your partner cover what your weak points are.

The art means everything so remember do whatever you can to capture the image and if that means steping back and letting someone else capture it DO IT.

It takes two photographers many times to make one GREAT image, so work together whenever possible.

Finally always remember this:
The wedding day is about friends, family and the couple, do not interfere with the proceedings, it SCREAMS ROOKIE and simply does not work. No matter what your style is, including PJ styles you need to have the right equipment to not interfere with the day. The wedding is more about treating the people there right and not about the photographs. If you capture the most amazing photos in the world yet captured them in a manner that interfered with the day, your client will not like you or the photos. You work does not need to be the best in the world if you treat the client and their family with respect and care.


Hope it helps :)

[bethanne]

Thank you both very much. Mike, I truly admire you and your work!

[HotHolly]

Congrats Beth! A tip - you might have already done - is scope out the location ahead of time. Then you can figure out some shots you'd like and where you want to be. I tend to thing of things as a painting and wonder how Im going to set up my composition ahead of time. Its fun...yes, Im an art geek! But it helps get what you want and clam butterflies (if you get them). HAVE FUN!

[Michael Lyons]

Have fun! We recently did our 1st wedding and it was very small, which was perfect. Just dont be too nervous! I was so nervous I almost dropped my camera, hehe

[mobilezen]

Best of luck & skills at the wedding. I've been requested ONCE to do a wedding but my schedule conflicted. I'm in no position to do a wedding anyway. Have fun!

[dw75209]

Originally Posted by bethanne

I'm shooting my first wedding (husband and I are shooting together) on Saturday!
Anyone have any words of wisdom for a rookie?

Bethanne,

Best of luck to you and your husband shooting your first wedding. I got a call today to shoot a wedding in April; if take this on it would be my first wedding. Let me know how it goes for you.

Don

[photobykim]

I dont know how I missed this!

I am so excited for you. Mike gave you a lot of wonderful advice.

be sure to drink plenty of water too.

I always take some tylenol or something prior to the start of a wedding day to help keep my migraines under control and to keep back, legs, etc from hurting. wear comfortable shoes and wear nice pants so you can change levels and move about freely. (i know i didn't cover that on the 1 you came to me with).

be sure to have plenty of memory cards!! you'll do great!!

[stargal01]

another small tip: carry more batteries than you think you need

[photobykim]

ooooh that is not a small tip!!!

that is a must, must, must. make sure you have more than you need for both of you.

[LadyShutterBug]

If you capture the most amazing photos in the world yet captured them in a manner that interfered with the day, your client will not like you or the photos. You work does not need to be the best in the world if you treat the client and their family with respect and care.

best... advice.. ever.

oh, and wear comfy shoes. even if they are not the most stylish shoes you ever saw, be comfortable. there is NOTHIGN you can do in the middle of the wedding when your feet are killing you... not looking as fashionable is worth it to be in a better mood and comfortable!!!

[stargal01]

i speak from experience with the extra batteries tip. multiple experiences. why didn't i learn the first time?

i'm actually looking for some black shoes right now. i'm looking at some skechers that might be decent for a wedding. that's another really good tip.

[LadyShutterBug]

i wear "softwalk" shoes. they are black mules.

are they lovely? hell no. but my feet don't even barely hurt the next day... i have yet to find another shoe that doesn't leave me wishing fo ra foot massage the next morning.