Any wedding photogs here?

[berettafan]

I have been an ameteur photo junky for many years and am working on getting into wedding and event photography to help feed the beast in the garage. I currently have a reception to do in May to help start my album (friend/coworker, non-paid gig) but am having some trouble getting that all important first event. I have no doubt my work will be well received (wouldn't do this otherwise).

Anybody else here do this? I am wanting to learn more about posing and unique shots and hope someone here can point me to a website or book that will help me.

Also would be very interested in opinions on flash equipment, umbrellas, diffusers, etc. as well as non-traditional lense sizes.

Thanks!

Erik

[Super_Dave_D]

Tons of books out there on this subject, go to your bookstore. You have to build your portfolio so offer to do some friends for free to get it built up. I had the same asperations with nude photography but the wife wouldnt support me on this hobby.

[pookie]

I got no clue what you can do or how to do it, but my parents have a picture of just their hands and their wedding rings the day of the wedding.

My wife loved it and we have the same picture.

Just one that we haven't seen a lot of that might make a hit with your customers.

If he's a car guy make sure to get the car in some.

[stomachmonkey]

Forgo the standard "stand them all in front of a backdrop thing".

Develop a style that stands out.

My guy used to use the Planting Fields here in NY.

http://www.plantingfields.org/facolities/Wedding.cfm

He climbed 20 feet up a tree to get one of the hundred incredible shots that he took for us.

He put me and the wife in a field, climbed the tree, shot us thru a hole in the canopy with us off center. Spectacular shot.

Upside to it is he makes a ton more money because you just can't decide and end up purchasing way more than you planned on.

Also organization. Prepare a "form" for your clients. Have them list all the mandatory must do family combo shots. That way no one gets missed, you can run it like an assembly line and get it over with quickly, time is money.

Don't limit yourself to taking photos, you are a part of a couples most special day. I watched my guy and during the reception when there were no shots to be taken he was prowling the hall, instructing the staff to attend to things that were out of place, keeping the tables bused and orderly so they everything looked its best for the photos. I even saw him boot the wedding bands roadie because he was wearing jeans. He did a better job managing the room than the catering manager.

Stuff like that will get you recomendations. Word of mouth is huge for building the business.

My guy got 5 gigs from my wedding alone he was that impressive.


Good luck.

[LeRoux Strydom]

Try looking on one the Nikon discussions forums. They have one dedicated to wedding photography:

http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=list&forum=DCForumID50

Enjoy.

[island_dude]

You can look up my wife's web site at zoyaphoto.com Her email is there and you can see if she has any advice. Generally, she uses pretty minimal gear. Good luck.

[Steve Carlton]

fredmiranda.com

[masraum]

Go here. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

This question comes up quite often on that forum.

[Nostril Cheese]

wedding pic?

here ya go..

[Nostril Cheese]

[berettafan]

Thanks guys. Island, your wife's work is very nice and soulful. Enjoyed the site a lot. Excellent marketing as well!

[stomachmonkey]

Originally posted by island_dude
You can look up my wife's web site at zoyaphoto.com Her email is there and you can see if she has any advice. Generally, she uses pretty minimal gear. Good luck.

Yeah, that's the kind of stuff you want to do. There are those that know how to focus and click the shutter and then there are the true artists.

Island_dude, your wife is truly an artist.