Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
WEDDING IMAGE SCRIPT
I am placing this in a separate discussion so that people can add to it. Hopefully, this script may help Camilla or anyone else considering shooting a wedding. Unfortunately, I have not shot a wedding in a great number of years and I don't have any digital images to illustrate this script...
When I first shot weddings, I actually used a written script (from which the following has evolved). There are bound to be other shots; however, if you get these shots (or most of them) you will have decent coverage of the wedding. I urge you to be experienced with your equipment so you can devote most of your energy to getting the shot rather than to adjusting the camera.
If you take on the responsibility of being the primary photographer (whether paid or volunteer) you owe it to the bride and groom to do the best job possible...
I personally like to use bounced flash. However, many weddings are shot in photojournalism style with available light. Here are two sites with a lot of flash information. BTW: When I say that I use flash, I am not talking about the built-in camera flash. I am talking about a hotshoe flash like the Canon 430EXii or equivalent Nikon, Olympus, or Sony models...
http://neilvn.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/
http://www.dembflashproducts.com/flipit/weddings/
Pre-Ceremony
These are just some of the necessary shots. There are sure to be others. However if you get all of these shots, you should not be lacking coverage. I am most familiar with traditional American Christian weddings and receptions. Other ethnic weddings or receptions have their own particular ambiance and required shots.
Pre Wedding Day Photos:
Informal portraits of the bride and groom.
Location is often outdoors in a scenic location
...Formal portraits of bride in wedding dress. Specific shots dependant on type of dress.
...Full length showing wedding dress
...Front
...Rear with Bride looking back – showing train
...Each side
...Three quarter length
...Head and shoulders
...Bride sitting on floor with dress swirled around her
Wedding Day – Pre-Ceremony
Bride:
...General shot of bride’s maids helping bride dress
...Shot of each bridesmaid helping
...Bride interacting with Maid / Matron of Honor
...Bride in dress looking in mirror alone
...Bride in dress before mirror with bride’s maids
...Mother adjusting veil
...Putting garter on
...Humorous cut-up shots
...Bride’s maids and bride making one last toast
...Bride and father interacting
...Bride interacting with anyone else – especially kids
...Bride in environmental portraits if there are photogenic areas available
...Bride’s maids applying their own make up or adjusting their hairdo’s
...Bride with multigenerational group; mother, grandmother, g-grandmother if applicable.
Groom:
...Groom’s father pinning boutonnière on groom
...Groom with each attendant
...Interaction between groom and his mother
...Interaction between groom and best man
Attendants:
...Shots of attendants escorting ladies to their seats
...Shots of soloist and organist if applicable
...Groom, Best man and ushers waiting at altar
Ceremony shots – depending if flash photography is allowed during ceremony
Processional:
...At least one shot of each member of the wedding party
...Especially ring-bearer and flower-girl
...More than one shot of bride and father (or person escorting Bride)
(I like to ask Bride and father to pause momentarily at a predesignated point and look at me – don’t be surprised if they forget to do it)
Actual Ceremony: (If flash is allowed) or available light if you are confident
...Father lifting veil and kissing Bride at altar
...Groom and Bride’s father acknowledging each other – hugging or shaking hands
...Official from behind couple framed with couples backs
...Overall view of ceremony
Use assistant or remote camera
Choir loft is great otherwise low angle from back of church
Available light is often best
Couple facing each other holding hands
...Placing rings on fingers
...Lighting of candles
...If possible – a shot from the choir loft. (assistant or remote camera on tripod)
...Official blessing couple if applicable
...The first kiss
...Any special event in ceremony – drinking sip of wine, receiving communion, breaking of glass in Jewish ceremony
...Couple and official standing at altar and facing guests
Recessional
...Bride and Groom leaving altar
...Others coming down aisle (Bride and Groom are the most important – if you get them and no one else leaving, you should be O.K.)
Ceremony Reenactment
...Whether or not flash has been allowed – this is the time to shoot mock ups of the ceremony. You can get any or all of the above shots as a repeat or as initial shots if shooting during ceremony was not allowed. You can also get reverse angle shots from the altar side of the bride and groom.
...Stained glass windows – get a shot of one or two of these if they are photogenic.
Lighting of Candles
...All weddings do not incorporate the lighting of candles but, if there is a candle lighting, it is a very romantic and photogenic occasion.
Post Ceremony Coverage
Altar or Church Step Portraits (These can be shot in another place like a garden if desired)
...Bride (You cannot have too many shots of the bride ever)
...Bride and Groom
...Bride and mother
...Bride and father
...Bride and other family members – siblings, grandparents, etc.
...Groom (as above)
...Bride and Groom with their parents
...Bride and bride’s maids
...Bride and maid / matron of honor
...Groom and attendants
...Groom and best man
...Entire wedding party
...Bride and Groom with any other significant person such as priest or minister
Leaving Church
...Bride and Groom exiting
There may be some ceremony involved with this such as throwing rice or exiting under crossed swords for military weddings – be sure you know about and get shots of this. If rice is thrown – often using a slower shutter speed will show it better.
Romantic shots
...Shots of the Bride and Groom interacting. Often outdoors in scenic settings.
The above are often difficult to arrange what with the stress of trying to get to the reception. It is great for the photographer if there is sufficient time between end of ceremony and start of reception to allow this.
The Reception:
...Overall shot of empty hall decorated and set up with tables, flowers etc.
(IMO this is really a low priority shot)
...Several shots of wedding cake
Note: Your camera meter wants to turn everything into an 18% gray. Incrrease the exposure for a white cake to ensure that it will stay white in the image...
...Shots of any specific decorations
...Guests signing book as they enter
...Shot of presents on table
...Bride and Groom arriving at hall
...Close up of the Couple’s hands with rings with flowers and perhaps invitation/program
...Arrangement of flowers, invitation etc.
...Reception line if there is one .
...Shot of food or buffet line if it is photogenic
Note: shoot this before peple start serving themselves
...Best man toasting couple
...Shots of guest individuals/couples – standing, sitting at tables and interacting.
(Always ask specifically whom the Bride and the mother of the bride want photographed; Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Gertrude and Uncle Gus, etc.)
...The food line with people filling plates (IMO low priority)
(I don’t usually shoot people eating. Half emptied plates and food in mouths are not photogenic to me – I use this time to get my breath and make sure my equipment is in order.)
...Cutting cake – several shots from close ups of hands to overalls of couple
...Bride and groom feeding cake to each other
Note: I hate cake smashing but, get a shot of that if it happens
...Band or entertainers if any
...Anyone toasting couple
...Couple with arms entwined giving each other a sip from their glasses
...Bride and groom first dance
Note: at some weddings guests pin money on bride’s dress - get shots of that
...Bride dancing with her father
...Bride dancing with father in law
...Groom dancing with mother
...Groom dancing with mother in law
...Other shots of Bride dancing – especially with little kids
...Other shots of Groom dancing
...Members of bridal party dancing
...Various couples dancing – kids are great
...Groom removing Bride’s garter prior to garter toss
...Garter toss and catch
...Flower toss and catch
...Sometimes the man who caught the garter places it on the lady who caught the flowers.
...Any other significant thing that is happening
...Any romantic shots of couple
...General shots of opportunity – kids are especially photogenic
Leaving reception
...Couple getting in vehicle
...Couple kissing in vehicle
...Couple waving from vehicle
Vehicle leaving from behind (if there is a “Just Married” sign or other wedding related decorations)
BTW: This Photo Camel Wedding Forum often contains good information and comments on wedding photography: http://photocamel.com/forum/weddings/
GOOD LUCK and be sure to HAVE FUN!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Camilla and Darwin on
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Thanks Richard, this is very useful. I don't do weddings usually, because I don't have a backup camera, off camera flash, etc. But this is my 3rd wedding due to family members giving me a "Either you do it or we won't have any photos at all" situation. I took a checklist with me to both weddings and it was very helpful. I'm just going to do my research, do my best, and hope everything comes out better than the first two, I like to think I'm progressing.
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Permalink Reply by Sue & Lily Grace on
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WOW, this is an extremely scary undertaking. It makes me realize and appreciate the difference between me and a professional. My pictures are for my enjoyment and I can disappoint only myself.
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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth & Cosmo on
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Richard, this is a great list! Thanks for posting it.
I just wanted to suggest that some photographers may want to offer/include photos at the rehearsal dinner. DH and I were married in my home state, though we were living in Texas. For that reason, we weren't available for the engagement photos our photographer included in her wedding package. So we traded that off for shots at the rehearsal dinner, which included both sides of our family. They turned out to be some of our most favorite shots of the whole wedding!
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Permalink Reply by F, Calla & Luca on
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Richard, no one can say you do things half heartedly!
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