So I somehow got suckered into doing a wedding next weekend. I've never done one in my life, but I got talked into it because the couple doesn't have a whole lot of money, and I said I would do it for $20 and then they pay for prints.
I do know how to take pictures semi-professionally. The only thing is I've never been to a Catholic wedding. Are there restrictions? I've called the church 3 times and no one has ever returned my calls. The bride is about as dumb-founded as they come, and its not helping my nerves at all. And I'm afraid of doing something wrong and ruining the ceremony. Are there certain etiquette issues I should be aware of?
Ah!!! This may be my first wedding, and I have a feeling it will be my last!!!!!!
2007-10-15 06:54:08 · 7 answers · asked by Megan Deann 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Photography
You are falling into one big trap. First $20 is much, much too cheap. I would suggest that they pay for the film, first. Then I would also suggest that they pay you a minimum of $120.
The reason that you are not getting an answer is probably because the church is closed and there maybe a different number to reach the priest. There are some parishes that have a priest take care of several churches. He will reside at one church and take care of others . Look in the yellow pages, find the name of the priest, see if you can match that name to other churches and call some of these others.
the priest won't give you any problems in taking photos. Just position yourself to the side to take photos. As the bridesmaids and groomsmen come up the isle you can have one spot for them to stop where you will take the photo.
When the couple is at the altar or near the altar, you will be able to move around freely to take photos at different angles. Just don't get in the way of things.
If you have questions you can email me. I will help as much as I can. There aren't any etiquette issues that I'm aware of however I would just suggest being courteous. Speak with the priest before and tell him of your concerns. He will understand and do as much possible to make you comfortable and accomodate you. Most of the time you will find that everyone likes to try and make things go smoothly for you.
Always have a backup camera, just in case. Have plenty of batteries. I would suggest renting a good digital camera. If you're not familar with digial then stick with what you know and what you are comfortable with. Always take more than one shot, always try two different settings, just to be sure.
Hope that helps.
2007-10-15 08:40:57 · answer #1 · answered by landmj1 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1) best of luck to you. You probably are not ready for this, but lets hope that the bride and groom understand that they will get what they paid for. If you are not 100% sure of this, I'd pass on it and have them hire someone who is.
2) You really need to get in contact with the presiding priest. I have a Catholic wedding coming up and each church and priest have their own "rules". What I got for this one was, no flash when the ceremony begins, I could not be on the same level/platform as the altar, and there was a distance restriction I have to abide by(can't get too close). I can use flash when the bride walks up the aisle, but after that, it's got to be off.
3) Depending on how "traditional" the bride and groom are, see about getting some individual shots done before the wedding day. Some people agree, others don't. If they do, it will take a lot of pressure off of you and them.
2007-10-15 08:08:24 · answer #2 · answered by gryphon1911 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A Catholic wedding has a lot of things going on. There are 2 versions - Mass and Non-Mass. The difference for you is minor. In the Mass there is communion, in the non-mass there is no communion. It's not terribly important to know, but it doesn't hurt.
There is no hard and fast rule as to how you work it. Like many venues, it's totally up to the church (and often the priest) as to what you can do. Some will allow flash, some will not. Some will let you take everything, some will restrict you to certain parts of the event. While it's good to know this in advance, you can find out last minute and still be OK. Be prepared for either.
I've done several different religions, and as far as your concerned, they aren't that different.
- The groom and grooms men wait at the alter
- The wedding part walks down the aisle one by one or two by two
- The bride walks down last
- The father hands her over to the groom (kisses exchanged)
- The priest says some things
- 2 or 3 readings take place
- The priest talks more
- Communion
- The priest talks some more
- Vows are exchanged
- A candle is lit (the bride has one candle, the groom the other, and they light a big candle together)
- Rings are placed
- The priest talks again - bam your married
- etc etc.
- The Bride/Groom walk back down the aisle (Get this shot)
- The rest walk down.
The above is not in the exact order, but that's what goes on. You may not get them all, don't worry too much about it. Get the bride and parents mostly. When everyone walks back down, they often will come clumped together, if you can't get good shots, don't worry, get the bride and groom though.
So here is what you do....
Place yourself near the front or in an open aisle area. Shoot everyone as they walk down the aisle. Once everyone is done, move to the back. Hang out with a long lens and shoot things from the back. Sometimes the bride/groom sit to the side, place yourself to the opposite side of the church with a long lens.
Try and shoot without flash. Crank your ISO as high as your camera can still take good photos (this varies camera by camera) without digital noise. Use a tripod (this is a must) for these shots. If you have to shoot with flash, use indirect and diffused flash.
That's it in a nutshell as far as coverage.
Bring someone to help you. An assistant is an invaluable asset. They don't have to know anything about photography, they just have to be good with people and help you lug equipment around. Even if you don't have much equipment, get an assistant. They can also help you for posed shots, as well as just be moral support for you.
Bring LOTS of extra batteries, extra memory cards, and extra camera if you can swing it (you can rent one but at $20 you'll blow your budget). A tripod.
You really don't need to get a lot of the ceremony, but shoot a lot. The more you shoot, the better your chances of usable shots. The money shots are really the group shots you take before or after the ceremony and of course the bride and groom.
Most important ceremony shots...
- Bride/Groom walking down aisle
- Bride/Groom holding hands (a few of these)
- Closeup of holding hands
- Bride/Groom facing each other (lots of these)
- Bride/Groom kissing (you may not kiss the bride)
- Wedding ring exchange
- Candle lighting
- Anyone reading
- Any musicians (especially if they are related to the couple)
- Any (many) shots of kids - people love these shots
(Take lots of shots of all the above, NEVER take just one shot, always take 2 or 3 at least).
Shots before the ceremony (when no one is there)
- Get some nice shots of the Church, inside and out.
- Closeups of anything you can think of, the candle, the bible, flowers, bows, details of the church (a door, window, whatever) etc etc. It's better to over shoot then under shoot. You can always delete them, but you can't always add them.
Tip - If you missed something during the ceremony, re-create it afterwards.
Show up at least 1 hr early, take test shots, and get the before shots I mentioned.
Plan to sleep in the next day, relax, and unwind.
If you need more help, you can email me.
Good Luck!
2007-10-15 08:20:51 · answer #3 · answered by DigiDoc 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All the above advice is good. I photographed my brother's wedding and what I did was contact the Priest who is doing the ceremony and ask him. The one who presided at my brother's said flash was fine but not to over do it during the ceremony. Work up a shot sheet: lighting of Union candle, flowers to mothers of bride and groom, exchange of rings, the Kiss, any family wedding traditions ?,
DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS !!!
Then there are the after the ceremony shots; bride, bride and groom, bride & groom & wedding party, b&g&parents both sets (seperaterly) b&g&siblings, b&g&priest, get the idea. The after photos should be done somewhat quickly, as most are raring to go to the reception. after you write up the shot sheet show it to the bride and her mother and ask if its complete. You won't be able to catch everything, but with the list you'll get the most important. Have extra film (digital/35mm) and batteries handy, you never know
2007-10-15 08:32:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
20 bucks doesn't seem worth your trouble... but I would say at the very least, type up a "contract" so that if the couple isn't satisfied with their pics, you will atleast have yourself covered and it won't end up costing you for doing a good deed. As far as a catholic wedding goes, I was married in a catholic church, and my photographer wasn't 'suppossed' to take pics during the ceremony, but I told him to anyway and I just asked that he stand off to the side and not use a flash. Keep calling the church, and if nothing else, get the bride and groom to sign an agreement.
2007-10-15 07:05:10 · answer #5 · answered by izzymo 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No flash during the ceremony.
Be there early and get pics of the bride and her mom and dad and her attendants and any relatives.
Ditto for the groom.
Get pics of the bridesmaids, flower girl, ring bearer coming down the aisle - one of each should be sufficient.
Get several of the bride with her dad walking her down the aisle.
Get one of the groom looking at his bride to be as her father walks her down the aisle.
No flash during the ceremony so prepare to boost your ISO (400, maybe 800) and use a monopod to steady your camera.
Standard after ceremony pics - like the ones you've seen in every wedding album you've ever looked at.
At the reception get the bride and groom toasting each other, cutting the cake, feeding each other cake. Bride dancing with her dad, bride and groom first dance. Take 15, 20 pics of the guests.
2007-10-15 07:09:50 · answer #6 · answered by EDWIN 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Take a couple of backup cameras and flashes. AND LOTS of BATTERIES! For the cameras as well as the flashes. Being a devout catholic myself, be sure to take a camera which can withstand dousing with alcohol. I tried to convert my ex-wife but she complained she couldn't drink that much, and that was just at a friends' ordination.
It's like jury duty ,you'll get through it, but hope never to be called again :)
You might try just driving by the church and cornering the priest. But for $20 I'd put in on the couple to take a list of questions from you in to the priest. Or at least ask him for a handout given to all the other photographers... It's not like they haven't had weddings there before.
2007-10-15 11:45:20 · answer #7 · answered by Bob 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋