What the heck was I thinking?

[rozzie]

I just got done with a rather involved wedding this weekend, and after it was all said and done, I am SO mad at myself for not doing what I usually do which is grabbing decent portraits and closeups of people--among other things. It's really what I was hoping to sell. First of all, it was late evening, so there was no more natural light, and I just didn't want to offer people semi-flattering portraits using my hotshoe flash. I did have my strobes and umbrellas, but with all the events being rushed the whole evening, I had no time to set them up for portraits (not that I could pull anyone away from that dance floor). Now I feel like a total idiot for not having an assistant or 2nd shooter with me to help with all the craziness that was going on. The ceremony started late, so once it finished, everyone broke out the booze (imagine a bunch of young 21-24 year old guys and girls) and then kinda acted all disappointed because it was picture time. So we rushed through that, and then I really wanted to get some B&G shots, and the groom was starting to act rushed, so I didn't get a chance to capture many of those shots, or even any decent mom & dad kinda shots. *SIGH*

I think for the wedding party and guests, everything went perfectly, but for me, I think it was a complete disaster. There was almost NO light in that chapel at 7:30p, so I had to use flash several times, which I really didn't want to have to do. Even at 1.4 @ 3200 ISO, I was barely getting 1/100. I just want to hit myself now... I would prefer not to have to depend on strobes & hotshoe flashes, but I guess that has to be how most photographers do it for late evening weddings. Note to future self: GET AN ASSISTANT

My whole body hurts now--I scrambled around the wedding for 6+ hrs with 3 cameras around my neck, and a camera bag around my shoulder filled with batteries and other accessories... and the thoughts running through my mind by the end of the night were... I totally did not charge enough for this wedding!! and THIS is the LAST WEDDING I EVER WANT TO SHOOT (ALONE). I realized that I had already agreed to shoot the groom's sister's wedding in September, and she's rather high maintenance, so I can only imagine what her wedding will be like. I am definitely going to be seeking some assistance for that one. I just don't see how you full-timers do it! It must take some tolerance to do those full-on weddings! I did 3 in a row last year, and it wasn't -that- bad, but for some reason, this one really took it out of me, especially since the last 2 I did were ceremony only.

Thanks for listening to me rant--I think I'll go hibernate somewhere now.

[HotHolly]

Assistants are great! Totally pay some college kid to lug around your stuff for you. Its worth it! It is rare that it doesnt happen, but wedding almost always have that rushed, fast pace that can throw you into a panic - if you let it. I noticed I work much faster (and better) when I dont let that get to me. And most of the weddings we cover have some formals, but its mostly a PJ style so that we dont do a ton of formals with everyone. Its more fun for you and less of a strain on those attending the wedding.

And I bet you got more than you think! Plus, siblings are usually opposites - so maybe the other wedding will be totally laid back and boring. ;o)

[LoungeLizard]

First, we are our own worst critics. Second, it was THEIR choice of venue and time - you can't take blame for it. Third, 1/100s for a ceremony is plenty fast. I've shot plent of ceremonies at 1/60s and even 1/40s. There's not that much movement going on.

When all is said and done, I'm sure you did just fine and they'll like them.

[Dsheree]

Even if the hire a second shooter with no photography experience it would be better then being alone. I drag family with me just to carry my equipment and get me something to drink. It makes a big difference at the end of the night.

[Ropinamoment]

I totally know how your feeling. The wedding I did on the 5th was crammed into three hours! It started at 6:00 with getting dressed and the bride and groom were rushed out at 9:00 PM straight up. They wanted me to do mostly formals. They spent all of 15 minutes at the reception. The altar was three steps taller than me so my flash was hitting their chest. The wedding coordinator (her first wedding) wouldn't let me stand in a chair or on a step ladder to get higher. I tried to show the bride that the pictures were going to be distracting with the tuling of the arches in the back ground and the lighting issue, but they still insisted on having them done right there. Then my flash bracket wouldn't stay in position for portrait shots, it kept slamming it'self back down. Horribly frustrating for an item that came so highly recommended! I had someone helping me pose and things, but he ended up having to hold my bracket for me. The party refused to use the courtyard with great light, which was much prettier and on even ground. They seem happy, but I'm totally disappointed! Like Jesus said "First, we are our own worst critics."

I'm disapointed cause I let the pressure push my creativity out the window. I felt sorry for the bride and groom cause when it came time for single formals of them, they just weren't into it. Hopefully the ceremony and reception pictures that are candid appeal to them, cause they are much better.

My husband thinks I'm overly critical of myself and take the blame on myself when I shouldn't. I feel like I never want to tackle this again, and it wasn't my first wedding, it was my third. The next day, I scheduled another one for next May. Thank goodness, it will be an outdoor with very few formals, and a very relaxing BBQ/party afterwards.


Sorry, I guess I went on a little rant of my own. Don't take it too hard, it happens! Many of us have been in the same boat. * offers flowers*

[LadyShutterBug]

i think we have all reached a self-conscious-frustration-overload point in our careers.

i try to remember that i am there at the invitation of the bride and groom. they have seen my previous work and hired me because they liked what they saw.

even if we have discussed formal portraits beforehand and everythign has been planned to a T, there is nothign I can do about the lighting situations at hand, so I work with them for the best possible result given my working conditions and the equipment i've got with me.

you never know what the reasoning is for wanting to take pics in a specific place. maybe that's just family tradition, or what the couple had envisioned their wedding would be like, and that's where they want pictures. even if i feel there is a better alternative, i am still going ot honor their wishes because it's THEIR wedding.

if the couple decides they really dn't want any bride-and-groom romantic portriats, then so be it. anything i can do on the day of the wedding to lessen the pressure or stress on the couple, i feel, is part of my job.

unless it is a 30-person wedding, i always have an assistant with me. whether they shoot or they sit around all night, at least there is someone THERE to help if i need something (no matter how big or small). one time my assistant ran to dillard's to pick up another toasting flute when the bride broke one in transit. there's always somethign your assistant can help out with, in addition to "photographer" and equipment-schlepping duties.


hopefully you can adjust your pricing structure to really reflect the work you are doing! that is pretty important in keeping morale high ;)


many people have said that wedding photograhy is one of the mot challenging types of photography because you do truly have to be a master of all lighting situations, shooting form any given distance (and 30 others), shooting people and things, dealing with the tiniest children to the oldest adults, and capturing that *one* special day that in theory will be the only one they ever have, and that they have spent a lot of time preparing for. it's a huge responsibility and a challenging situation every time.

the good news is that you learn somethign every time you shoot one.

[rozzie]

Thanks a lot for your experience-filled responses guys! It means a lot to me! I honestly don't think I'm being too hard on myself... I mean...Like, you, Shelly, my creativity just flew out the window despite all the pre-planning I did in my head, and I forgot to take pictures of the FOOD! OMG. So many things I'm used to documenting in a wedding, I absolutely forgot due to the panic. Hopefully, they will be happy with what pictures I was able to take rather than focusing on what I didn't!

I just need to learn how to handle the stress and flow of a wedding better. I just don't want to work so hard and charge too little for it. Yeah, maybe next time I can drag someone along to lighten the load a little.... this was too much for my out-of-shape butt :) I'm just super thankful the bride was the sweetest little thing ever, except for forgetting to pay me the remainder of her balance on her wedding day--I know her head had to have been spinning. Guess I'll have to wait for that to come til I can get a massage to rub away all this muscle pain *chuckle* ... I swear I must have been carrying close to 40 lbs worth of stuff around my neck... that can't be healthy for extended periods of time.

Thanks again yall... you're helping me keep my chin up. I wanna quit so badly!

[LadyShutterBug]

piece of advice #582: always get full payment before the wedding date. ;)

[Ropinamoment]

Rozzie, the only pictures that I was totally smitten with was the food pictures! They were such beautiful classy cakes! I've been dieing to post them here in TPF, but I haven't had time when I was at home and I can't upload from my work computer.

Kasey, my husband keeps reminding me that they hired me cause they loved what I did with the brides's sister's wedding. She had a friend and an uncle there with the ability to shoot the wedding too, but she chose to pay me to do it. My husband said that I handled it all very kindly and professionally, but I got to the car and wanted to crash! I hurt so bad the next day!

The only reason I scheduled the one for next May was cause she viewed the ones from the 5th and still wanted me to do the job.

I'd love to attend one of the workshops posted on here, but I'm out of vacation time till August and it's hard to take a weekend trip to Dallas or further from up here.

Rozzie, I'd love to see some of what you took....I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours.

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by rozzie

So many things I'm used to documenting in a wedding, I absolutely forgot due to the panic.

Panic will do that to you. If you bring along a 2nd shooter or an assistant, they can also help you keep your cool. I love working with Mike and Em (Belle's other 2 photogs). Our personalities just click perfectly so all the tension just dissipates. Laughter will do that. POOF!

Then the people around around you usually ease up a bit too - which helps you in the long run also. That may be something to think about when choosing someone to tag along with you.

[janetg]

i'm right there with you on the what was i thinking part...as a favor for a friend's friend...

i shot a wedding in the most depressing venue (now i know it was only what they could afford, so i'm not doggin' the place for that...but the lighting!)

at the rehearsal, the lights were up fairly high...i got fine shots with my flash. however..
at the wedding, the lights were probably down as low as they could be without being off - i used my tripod, an 85/1.4 and could only get 1/30th on the meter at 1600 iso.

btw..the groom said NO FLASH. needless to say, these pictures are what i consider horrible. the ceremony shots that is...food shots turned out great - haha.

oh well...just chalk it up to experience and make yourself a list next time if you need to. also, if you have the chance to second shoot with someone, it really helps get a rythm down as what to get.