wedding photo shoot!?

Question

Ok so its my mom's first wedding photo shoot!
And we need some poses that the bride and groom will love!
Any ideas? Also if you have shot photos for a wedding and had good feedback can you give us tips and pointers? Please Thank you soo much ;D

ok so how can my mom get experience :D ?
she doesnt know any other photographers... :(
HELP! thnks :D

Answer 1

Before shooting your first wedding on your own, you need experience as a helper or assistant photographer to a good wedding photographer. I helped 3 different photographers with over 50 weddings before I did my first one solo.

Weddings are (hopefully) a once-in-a-lifetime event for the couple, you should NOT take a chance on ruining it because of inexperience.

You can get a head start by reading some good wedding photo books, but there is no substitute for experience!

Answer 2

I know that every wedding photographer has to have a first one, but reading posts like this makes me cringe.

It ain't just posing, it's lighting and timing as well. Here are some resources for you:

Google Monte Zucker and see his work re poses and lighting.
Go to www.photo.net and go to the wedding forum. There is a huge section for beginners and first-timers.
Google wedding photography, then look at several websites to see what pros are doing. Then Mom can practice setting up the same (or similar) poses with models.

It would be helpful to visit the wedding venue ahead of time and take some practice shots at the same time of day. Make notes so you will remember what settings you used for each picture, or you can use the exif data.

Posing is all in the details. Never have someone stand squarely facing the lens. If it bends, bend it. Don't cut off limbs at the joints, always watch to make sure no fingers or feet are getting chopped off. It is OK for the groom's feet to be hidden under the bride's dress.

Watch your shadows and highlights. In fact, check the histogram for blown highlights, or keep the review on "winky-blinkys" Don't let the groomsmen line up with hands in front of their crotch. (A pet peeve, I hate that!) If you can, having a slightly elevated position will help the group shots.

When posing the bride, always have her turned so the narrowest body parts are nearest the camera. This is true for any size person, but double the value of this tip if she is big. You should never have a right and left shoulder, but a front and back. If she is large, shooting from slightly above her eye level will have amazing effects.

If she has a big dress, be aware what the train is doing. For the back of the dress shot, have her start with her back to you and the dress fanned out. Then have her slowly turn toward you and the dress will form perfect swirls all by itself. Brides tend to hold their flowers too high, and obstruct the detail in their dress bodice. Keep the bouquet at waist level or slightly below, or even do a couple with the flowers at her hip instead of front and center. Point the stems away from the camera.

It is better to have the dress properly exposed, even if the tux goes too dark. Do not blow the highlights on the dress! If you're using film, a low contrast film, like Portra 160nc or 400nc will take care of that for you. If you're shooting digital, you will have to watch for it. If the ceremony is indoors, try to get at least a few BG shots outdoors, in open shade if possible. Scout out the location ahead of time for scenic views. Watch the background for distractions, like cars, power lines, street signs, etc etc.

Unless Mom is comfortable shooting manual, I would suggest putting the camera on program and ttl and letting the camera pick the settings, maybe using exposure comp when necessary. If she is experienced at manual exposure, then by all means, go for it. I would use a fast lens, both for low light situations and to control DOF. If the ceremony is in a dark church, have a tripod available. Many churches do not allow flash.

I hope Mom has backup equipment. She needs at least two camera and lenses, and two flashes. Extra batteries, (always start the day with fresh batteries). More film and memory than she thinks she needs. Shooting someone's "special day" is a huge responsibility, even if she's doing it for free for a couple who would otherwise have no images at all. I hope all goes well, and good luck!

Answer 3

Take pictures of the bride and groom together, separate, sitting standing, and if the ground isn't wet, him kneeling toward her. Take pictures of the couple with family. I've done pictures of the couple with their siblings, their parents, their best friends from forever-and-a-day, etc. Find a nice location free from random people wandering through the background, free from distractions, and preferably facing a direction that will not cause everyone to squint.

My favorite wedding photo ever is of the couples hands, one on top of the other, with the wedding bouquet in the foreground.

Be sure to let the couple add suggestions, but do not let their mothers take over the decision making! It's the couple's special day, not their mothers'!

If you can, have an assistant, especially for large group photos (i.e. the whole wedding party on the church steps). One person positions people, and the other snaps the photos. Be assertive yet very polite when moving people around. It helps to have someone who knows everyone's names if you can't learn them all yourself - much easier than saying, "you there in the tux, move a step to the right" and having every guy in the group shift his weight.

As previous posters have said, have extras. If you're shooting film, have extra film. If you're shooting digital, having extra memory cards. With digital especially, it can't hurt to go crazy with photos for very important scenes. You can always delete the ones that don't work out. Likewise, be careful not to erase the pictures you'd like to keep! Also, tripods are your friend.

Answer 4

First of all take an extra camera, batteries and flash..Extras of everything..If you are using film extra film. Have an assistant take digital shots on a different camera.
Outside in park like settings but remember, The grass can be wet, or sprinklers come on, bugs, so go to the area beforehand and scope it out. Check out the angles in the church or wedding ceremony place.
I am an amateur photographer and I often take better pics than the professional..It really is in the eye. Shoot to include a piece of tree or flower or rock at the edge of your photo to frame it.
Pose for your mom and have her try shots digitally, pose in the grounds and check it out yourself then review. review the lighting and make sure they are not scruching their eyes becaue of sun. Take a shot from the back and have them turn their heads to the camera. If I had pics I would show you but these are just the best tips I can come up with. Use a soft filter or one that fuzzez the edges, forget what they are called.
All the best.

Answer 5

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