Wedding shoot, what a stressful 48 hours!

Well, it's sure been an experience, and a wonderful example of, if it can go wrong, it will!

After leaving work at 6.30PM and shooting out to buy a boot load of umbrellas, our roller coaster emotional experience started on early on Friday evening. After viewing the photos Fiona took whilst helping set up the marquee, it appeared that our DA* 16-50 had developed a fault, as all of the photos Fiona had taken with the lens were very badly focussed. Even trying it on the K20D with the focus adjustments, just could not get the results from it that we were used to, so panic set in, then we went out for a drink with the groom and friends. Left there earlier than we wanted to as we had to come up with a plan!

After spending about an hour and a half coming to the conclusion that the lens would have to be swapped, and just hoping that SRS had stock, we got a text message from one of the best men. He was stuck in Barbados because a connecting flight puncture meant he had no way of getting back in time, even though he tried his best. Spent the next few hours working out how to get his speech through using modern technology, searching out my old projector, finding out it wouldn't be good enough for a marquee, basically running round like headless chickens! Under strict orders not to tell the groom until the morning so he could get a good night's sleep, which resulted in us getting to bed around 3am, not getting a good night's sleep!

Up earlier than planned at 6am, got ready, loaded the car, raced to SRS and back, pouring with rain at this point, got to the bride's house on time, left Fiona there whilst I went round the Grooms house to see how he was, not good obviously! Came up with a plan, raced to the shop, speech had been emailed over just in case the other best man had to do it, printed off 2 copies, just in case I lost one, whilst searching round the shop for a mobile phone cable that I could plug in to the disco setup!

Made it to the best mans (2) house on time, got some shots in, then because best man (1) wasn't going to be there, the couple that was going to pick Fiona up didn't need to drive, so I had to drive across town and back, and race over to the pub (in the rain again!), had a pint, got some shots in, off to the (wonderful) venue later than planned, Fiona had to redo Friday's shots, whilst I checked that the phone to disco setup would work!

All the extra activity meant that most of my shooting ended up rushed, so did not do as good as a job that I would have liked, and with the official photographer working quite quickly, my composition went out of the window! Constant theme seemed to be mobile phones on most peoples ears! Groom to bestman (1) in Barbados, bride going ballistic as the caterers turned up 2 hours late (fun as I hadn't eaten all day, 2 pints now!)

Anyway, we think we have enough decent shots for a photobook / album, as the planned careful prime shooting ended up going into paparazzi / blat it mode, because everyone was running all over the place! Finally got a 5 min loo break, and had to kick a door down as some poor lady got stuck in a cubicle when the lock seemed to freeze up! Carried on shooting in between the texting / calling best man (1) re: doing his speech, in between trying to shoot in the shade, in sunlight, overcast, under trees, basically a nightmare lighting scenario, never stayed even for 5 minutes (but, most thankfully the rain did hold off for the rest of the day after the morning deluge)!

Eventually, the speeches came, I had a friend on the disco setup ready with connected phone, father of the bride did his speech, then I got a wave, told best man (2) we were ready to go, he announced that the best man's speech was coming through now LIVE from an airport lounge in Barbados, everyone went quiet, we could hear it quite clearly, got very emotional, and because I had the opportunity to pre-read the speech, knew where the jokes were and got a couple of cracking shots! Finally, I felt relieved, had another well deserved pint, got some decent cake / dancing shots, and a good time was had by all for the rest of the evening, job done!

Well... not quite! We did offer to go back there today to do some shots with best man (1), so there were about 10 of us early this afternoon walking around the old school grounds doing shots we couldn't do yesterday, all dressed up in suits, bride back in her dress and the odd hangover or 2! Thought this was a perfect opportunity to take some time and get some proper photography done at last, but we ended up just getting there and getting it over and done with as soon as possible, as by now, the bride had learned that one of her grandparents who couldn't make it to the wedding had died on the Friday evening. Still, we got the shots done, had a laugh, picked the car up that we had left there the night before to go home, as it was all over now!

Until a can of coke exploded in the back on the way home!

Promise to get a few shots up when we get round to sorting them out! But until then, a few tips we have learned!

Don't offer to shoot your best friends wedding, you may be needed in an emergency!

Red Bull and Nurofen could be your new best friends, and we took loads with us!

Take a 2nd shirt, deodorant and food!

If using more than one body, synchronise the clocks on them!

It is possible to shoot a wedding with just the DA*16-50 (good copy!), DA* 50-135, and a low light prime!

Flashgun in a British Summer Wedding is not an optional accessory!

Don't spend many weeks / months researching, buying lenses etc. if 2 days before the wedding you still haven't sorted your suit out!

Fill the car up the night before and invest in a good speed camera detector!

Check the weather and have a boot load of brollies ready!

Only three pints?
A couple shots would'a complimented that, I think.

Is this the script for the 13th episode of Faulty Towers, Basil and Sybil would be proud of you

Sounds very interesting - now we just need to see some of the shots

Probably a lot better thant you think....

Sounds like fun!

Are you still keen to get into the wedding photography game then or has this dampened your enthusiasm a bit?

Glad it all turned out in the end Danny.
Sounds like a lot of fun.

Well, if I can get through that lot, just being in charge of photos will be a piece of cake!

Just to round things off nicely, we get to work this morning to find all our phone lines have been ripped out along with half the street, so we have no internet at work, which is causing havoc! That's why I'm at home now, working you see!

Oh yeah, Fiona's dress was delivered this morning as well, forgot that one!

Brilliant! I used to shoot 3 weddings every Saturday, you've reminded me why I dont do it anymore.

Wow. 3.
these days, that'd be tough.
I charge for event coverage, provide two photographers, and whole day coverage.
To cover three jobs I'd need to hire alot more staff!
but then I could make more money.....
but then there'd be more work.
but I like money.
I hate trying to think, before the coffee maker finishes, first thing in the morning...
I could open a coffee shop.
people like coffee.
I could make money.

I was working for a decent sized firm with 6 or seven photographers all shooting weddings. A guy on a motorbike would pick up your films halfway through to get them prooofed and back to the reception. It would be almost impossible now because clients want you to be there from start to finish and shoot a ridiculous number of pics which wont see the light of day. 6 rolls of 120 max.! Every frame would count. Happy days?

Well Danny,
Big compliments from me. It seems you managed well. And like Nimitz predicted, the pictures probably turn out great, and make everybody very happy.
And as a side note: If........for some obscure reason "weddings" turn out Not to be your thing, rest assure......You can always take up writing. Excellent piece of reading, with a very high amusement factor.
Well done,
Martin.

A friend of mine recently had a set of portraits taken (her and her boyfriend) and - whilst they were undoubtably of good quality - the prices made my eyes water!

I seem to remember you saying a little while ago that the mobile phone unlocking business wasn't quite as healthy as it once was. Now I've been in your shop; you're in a good position in the town with off-road parking for customers and a fair bit of square footage inside...

Have you considered turning what you've already got into a studio? If you can find the business (let's face it, you won't be tripping over competition in this town) then there's certainly money to be made there, and I'd imagine it's a lot more convenient than doing weddings.

Just a thought - I haven't done either on a professional basis so maybe I'm missing something?

Balls mate, and experience! that'd do it!

Things are not too bad at the mo, making a living, just don't want to do a paid wedding til I think I'm good enough! Hoping to go on a course this year as I started too late last year, maybe get a couple more under my belt next year, and go for it the year after when I have more experience!

Finally got a chance to go out and relax tonight, so I've had a quick look through the pics and picked out a couple of favs so far which are going in the photo section in a mo! Let me know what you think!

I've never been too sold on the idea of courses - no substitute for experience and all that! I think a better way to learn would be to assist a real wedding 'tog "in the field" so to speak. If you ask around you may find one willing to impart some knowledge in return for a few weekends fetching, carrying and generally herding guests.

Good luck anyway!

Definately plan to ask a pro if I can tag along for a few next year, was only thinking of a course purely for staying around like minded people.

Going out shooting / learning with others with the same interest I think would be far better than sitting at home on t'internet, gets me out of the house too! So, I hear ya, know what you mean, but I don't intend to rely on a course, just 'use' it so to speak.