I've no intent on becoming a wedding photog but I am being dragged (kicking and screaming) into shooting one for a relative the second weekend of August. The bride, my spouse's cousin's daughter, says to me "we're not looking for anything special, just a few nice pictures and you've got a really great camera." Ugh.
I made it completely clear that I am in no way, shape or form a commercial photographer and that there's every possibility that they'll hate the pics. I told them I sometimes look through the wrong end of the camera when taking pictures - they did not relent. So, I took them out for an "engagement shoot" earlier this month, as someone suggested in another wedding thread here, and while I wasn't thrilled with the results they really like them and still want me to do it.
I'm flipping between being scared out of my head and eager for the challenge. I've definitely got an angel cheerleading on one shoulder and a devil screaming "IDIOT!" on the other. I suspect they both are right.
I picked up a copy of
Digital Wedding Photography to help wrap my brain around things and have been reading as much as I can find online - there are some great threads here full of sane advice and tips. Would love to get feedback on what I've pieced together thus far.
Gear-wise I think I'm okay. This sped up my timeline for a 2nd body and some LBA I had planned for late this year, but I was really uncomfortable going into this without a backup body and I wanted a fast wide-zoom for candids. So I have K20D and K10D, DA18-250, Tam17-50, FA50 and Tam 90 2.8 macro. I expect zooms mounted w/ 50 & 90 there for "artistic" shots and backup. I have a dedicated flash and a Viv 285HV and 3 sets of NiMH batteries for each. I also have lightstands, umbrellas and triggers that I suspect I won't
need but taking just in case. Probably too much gear? But I'm not Lee Trevino and I couldn't play St. Andrews with only a 5-iron.
This weekend I'll be going on a recon mission to the chapel to get a lay of the land, take shots of everything make as many notes as I can; the
goal being to have the mechanics known so I can focus on timing and composition on game day.
The wedding party is going to be small. 1 bridesmaid, 1 groomsman, ring bearer and flower girl. The dressing room end of things shouldn't be too chaotic I hope? I have clearance to take shots of the procession and vows as I promised no flash and to be "invisible".
I'm also planning on doing my own "dress rehearsal" at the wedding rehearsal and dinner to iron out kinks in my shoot plan but most importantly to break the ice with everyone involved so they get used to my presence and establish some rapport. I'm a also bit introverted around new people so this is as much to get me relaxed as them.
So there's my "nutshell". For those who stuck around for the whole read,
I thank you and eagerly await hearing how off-course I already am.