I don't want my photogapher to miss any of the wedding details. The Knot has a list of "must-have" wedding shots. Hi. I am a freelance wedding planner, and there is a great list I used recently. It is VERY complete. The list is really long, but you can go through it & figure out what photos you want at your wedding.
http://www.myplanninglists.com/wedding-p... i sent you an email with a list that my photographer gave to me There goes a beautiful friendship ;-)
My husband used to do weddings, he took the pictures and gave the film to the couple to get developed. This is what I give to my clients (sorry it's long)
FIFTEEN SHOTS NO ALBUM SHOULD BE WITHOUT
1. A picture of the bride before the wedding as she shares a sentimental moment with her maid-of-honor or a hug from her mother.
2. An informal shot of the groom chatting with his attendants just before the ceremony begins.
3. The bride and her father arriving at the church by limousine if she chose to dress at home, or the two of them pausing just before their walk down the aisle.
4. Several shots of the ceremony, including the bride and groom speaking their vows, kneeling in prayer or lighting the unity candle. This may depend on the church or synagogue's restrictions on photography during the religious service.
5. A candid shot of the wedding musicians.
6. The ceremonial first kiss between the newlyweds.
7. The beaming bride and groom as they stroll back up the aisle.
8. Both sets of parents and grandparents in a relaxed setting with the newlyweds.
9. One portrait featuring the entire wedding party at the altar or in an outdoor setting.
10. Scenes from the reception (including the bride's expression as she first glimpses the setting), the first toast and the couple's first dance as husband and wife.
11. A few pictures of the reception fare, including the buffet table or guests being served by white-gloved waiters.
12. The bride and groom sharing the first slice of wedding cake.
13. The traditional toss of the bouquet to an exuberant crowd of single female friends.
14. A heartfelt embrace between the couple and their parents just before the reception draws to a close.
15. The honeymoon-bound newlyweds as they depart from the reception amid a shower of rose petals, bubbles or confetti.
NOTE: The surest way to make an enemy of a photographer is to present this form to him. Most very good photographers are professional yes, but also creative and can be very touchy when they feel you are telling them how to do their job. Use this list as a suggestion to your bride and for your information only. The trend to photojournalists is extremely popular and it is best to advise your bride that she has to request certain shots.
Also the form that follows is for your information to help with your first few photography interviews. I would get several pictures of you walking down the aisle. Pictures of each of the people in your bridal party walking down the aisle. Pictures of anyone doing readings, the minister, any soloist(s). If you have anyone but an organist, pianist providing music. I would get pictures of the lighting of the unity candle, pictures of exchanging rings, pictures of exchanging vows, pictures of the two of you walking down the aisle, pictures of your first kiss, pictures of the bridesmaids individually and as a group, pictures of the groomsmen individually and as a group, pictures of you with each bridesmaid and groomsman and with each group. Pictures of you with your parents and with your family. Pictures of your groom with his parents and his family. Pictures of your parents and his. Pictures of your family and his. Pictures of the two of you in various poses. Pictures of the back of your dress. Pictures of the groom alone. Pictures of you alone. Pictures of the church. Pictures of you leaving the church. Pictures of the receiving line if you have one. Pictures of you getting into the limo if you have one and out of the limo at the reception site. Pictures of you signing the marriage certificate. Pictures of you entering the reception room. Pictures of you cutting the cake, pictures of the first dance, pictures of the last dance, pictures of your guests, pictures of an ice sculpture if you have one, pictures of the cake, pictures of the bouquet toss and garter toss or anniversary dance. Pictures of your bouquet. Pictures of your rings in a flower of your bouquet. Pictures of your program, pictures of the program and the rings. Pictures of the outside of the reception site. Pictures of the sweetheart table or bridal party table. Pictures of your minister and his wife, pictures of any special guests or special people in your lives. Any outside pictures at the church or reception site or anywhere else in the area/city.
That's all I can think of right now. Good luck! Oh, make sure you have a signed contract that includes the pictures you want taken. Don't forget [if you can afford it] to get a bunch of the disposables to put on the tables for the guests to take candids, it will be a blast to look at them later. Is your friend already a skilled, experienced amateur or professional photographer? Have they shot weddings before? Even talented photographers are at a big disadvantage when shooting that first wedding cold. The very best thing would be for your friend to assist or shadow a professional wedding photographer for at least one wedding from start to finish.
Does your friend have backup equipment in case something fails? Are they prepared to miss all the fun of the event because they are the main photographer? (To me, the fun IS the photography, but just be sure your photographer is not planning to party and visit, because that won't be possible) Does she/he realize the work and the expectations behind this sort of commitment?
Many people cannot afford a seasoned professional, and many of us got our start by shooting a wedding under those circumstances. But I will tell you, after 30 years of shooting weddings part time, the first ones I did make me cringe to look at them now. None were the type of high-dollar affairs that they have become, and I was a decent amateur shooter to begin with, but those early efforts were lacking. I had no real knowledge of how weddings were or what the bride and groom might expect. Fortunately the couples were pleased to have pictures at all, and people were less likely to have professional wedding photos then. I think now days if I were starting, I would/could be much better prepared due to the wealth of information on the Internet. But more information equals more pressure and expectation.
Sit your friend down and the two of you surf some professional websites to get an idea of what kinds of things are current. Theknot has long lists of "must-have"photos. Have someone in the family responsible for rounding up the family members you want recorded. Remember, an inexperienced photographer will take longer to arrange and pose groups, so allow for more time.
My normal wedding day is something like this: If requested, meet the bride for hair and makeup, usually in the morning. Then to bride's home, or sometimes directly to the church for the getting dressed shots. If I have an assistant, they usually get the groom getting ready shots, if not I grab them in-between as possible. Then the formals as possible. Usually the groom & party are ready first. I get the groom, G & best man, parents etc etc. Then the bride with the girls and parents etc etc. Then set tripod up at back or balcony for ceremony. If possible, I get the detail shots before the ceremony if the reception is at the same place. I also get the ring shots (on bouquet, program, or bible, no fingers in them yet.)
Then in the aisle for the seating of the "specials", g'parents etc. At the back again for the just before entrance shots of the wedding party, dad, mom, bride. The back to the front for the processional. I use zone focus for that, usually, and tell the WP just before they walk, "OK, when you get to the third pew, make sure you pause a step, look up and smile!" I flash for the entire processional, getting all at the same spot if possible. It is important to start this part with new batteries for the flash, as it needs to recycle quickly. Then the B & dad/escort. Very quick shot of groom at his first seeing bride. I shoot the bride all the way down the aisle, then step behind for a quick shot from the back. Then it's flash off for the ceremony. Quickly to the back//balcony for the ceremony. Usually 2nd camera body with long lens here. Continue through ceremony, get the unity candle, rings, special readings, music. then get back downstairs in time for the first kiss. Flash on for recessional. The recessional is much quicker. Then to the back for greetings, laughter, tears, relief. If there is a receiving line which I hate) it happens now. Then round them all up for the formals. Start with the largest groups with the kids and old people, and work down to the B&G. Go quickly, because everyone is waiting at the reception.
Then the reception, which is almost all candid work. Table shots if requested. (If not requested, I don't do them, tell your photog if you want them.) Entrance of the new B&G. Detail shots of the decor. Detail shots of cake and toasting glasses, gift table etc etc etc. Shots of guests, the toast from BM and MOH. The only posed shots are the cake cutting, and I orchestrate the bouquet and garter toss.. First dances. Cute kids. Cute drunk guests. Cute drunk wedding party. (JK) Then the exit with the bubbles or rice or whatever.
At some point during the day, I try to get the B&G alone for outdoor portraits, especially if all the formals were at the altar and inside. At different times I get the exteriors, guest register, special touches, etc etc etc. Every wedding is different, sometimes the schedule isn't on time, or the plan is a bit different. Very occasionally, someone wants zero formals. Then you have to plan to get well planned "candids". Hopefully your photographer knows all about posing and lighting and has the proper equipment and backups. Good luck, I had no idea I was going to write this much when I started! Have good communication, and best wishes for you wedding and your marriage! |
