Shooting my first wedding

I'm photographing my first wedding tomorrow (Valentine's day). I'm a little nervous about it, not so much in the actual doing it, just the technical stuff, like what if something happens to my memory card. I have my camera and my mum's camera. 3 or 4 sets of batteries for my camera (mum's doesn't take standard batteries).

I have a comprehensive shot list and plan. Have had discussions with the bride & groom (friends of mine) so I know what they want.

It's going to be a very busy day. 10am start and then go go go until probably 10:30 at night after the reception is over. I might get a little bit of time to sit and eat and relax a bit at the reception, but will have to be ready for the formal stuff, and have to go to each table and take photos of all the guests too.

Every half hour or so - just check your memory card to make sure the shots are there.

I'm sure you will do just brilliantly!!! Good luck!

Hope everything runs smootly for you tomorrow Danni :)

Nic

Any chance you can dash out & buy a spare memory card this afternoon or tomorrow?? I always always carry a spare if not two whenever I go to a shoot. Another thing I do is take my laptop so I can dump the photos as needed, that way I can guarantee there will be space on the memory card. When there is a lull (between the ceremony & photos with the bridal party, during the entree, after the cake) check your batteries and memory cards & dump the photos onto a laptop if you have one. Th last thing you want to be doing is saying, hang on I need to change my battery right in the middle of the cake cutting ;)

Weddings are lots of fun to shoot, I think the anticipation is far worse than the actual day! Make sure you drink lots of water, even if it's not hot, running around after the couple & their guests is hard work! Also maybe take some snacks (like nuts or muesi bars) because you may not get a chance to sit down while the meal is there for you.

Have fun!!

Goodluck for tomorrow Danni

Be prepared for everyone giving you advice and directing all your shots....

The day went really well and there were a few times when the bride & groom would politely tell people off for not listening to me or for getting in my way.

I've posted some (unedited) photos in the gallery

I took about 3000 (over 2 cameras). Only had to do one battery change, didn't get close to filling the cards which is good coz DH forgot to bring the laptop to the reception. We were going to play the photos through a TV that was behind the bridal table which would have been a great touch but it didn't happen coz of the forgotten laptop.

I left home at 8:30am to get to the bride's house by 9:30am and then it was go go go until I got home at 11:45pm but then I stayed up until about 2am checking the photos to make sure they were ok.

I still have to go through them and get rid of the really crappy ones (too light/dark/blurry) and I have to pick one, just one out of all of those to go into our state paper, but that's exciting, having one of my photos published in the newspaper. I was also asked to do another wedding as well (which is in Oct 2010). Who knows what could come up between now and then though.

Congratulations on a sucessful day :clap::clap:

It must have been such a relief when you were able to sit down and look through all your photos! They look fantastic as well :)

I wish you have a long and successful career!! Good luck choosing the best photo for the paper, I don't envy the job of looking through 3000 and choosing 1!! :dance:

Welldone :)

Thanks, and yes, it was a relief when they all loaded onto the computer properly and I got to see them.

I've asked a friend (who was helping me on the day) to help me pick one for the paper. I really need to get onto that soon. Might try to do some work on the photos tonight.

Oh, and this wasn't a paid job, but now that I know what's involved I will be charging in future! At least this showed me that I can do it.

I also now feel more "qualified" to call myself a photographer and not just someone who likes to take photos.

Well done Danni - They are excellent!!

They look fantastic!
Good job!

xx

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The day went really well and there were a few times when the bride & groom would politely tell people off for not listening to me or for getting in my way.

I've posted some (unedited) photos in the gallery

I took about 3000 (over 2 cameras). Only had to do one battery change, didn't get close to filling the cards which is good coz DH forgot to bring the laptop to the reception. We were going to play the photos through a TV that was behind the bridal table which would have been a great touch but it didn't happen coz of the forgotten laptop.

I left home at 8:30am to get to the bride's house by 9:30am and then it was go go go until I got home at 11:45pm but then I stayed up until about 2am checking the photos to make sure they were ok.

I still have to go through them and get rid of the really crappy ones (too light/dark/blurry) and I have to pick one, just one out of all of those to go into our state paper, but that's exciting, having one of my photos published in the newspaper. I was also asked to do another wedding as well (which is in Oct 2010). Who knows what could come up between now and then though.

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well done I had a squiz looks great i especially love the shoe pic too cute