How hard is it to photograph a wedding?

[Gna]

How hard is it to photograph a wedding?

A couple have successfully sued their wedding photographer for his shoddy coverage of their big day. Anyone can point a camera at a happy couple, but what pitfalls do the professionals face?
The memorable shots from Marc and Sylvia Day's wedding are unusual, to say the least. Decapitated guests, a ceremony hardly visible through the gloom, and random close-ups of... not the bouquet, or a snatched kiss, but of carriage wheels.
The three-year-old bridesmaid - caught in one snap without her clothes on - could have done a better job.

The Days are so upset that they've taken their photographer to court for breach of contract over the £1,450 photo and video package.
But how hard can it be to get great shots at a happy occasion, where everyone is dressed up in picturesque locations? Most guests bring along their own cameras, after all. [...]

How hard is it to photograph a wedding? (includes video).

[KatMitchell]

After watching that video, I see their point..!

Kat

[swampler]

Originally Posted by Gna

How hard is it to photograph a wedding? (includes video).

It isn't hard at all. Unless you mean, how hard is it to do a good job photographing a wedding?

Thanks for the link. Hard to believe.

[Sean C]

Just wow. Not even any exposure control on the video. Apparently no IS or steady cam for follow shots. I've been drug kicking and screaming to do some friends & family weddings (stills) and would have been ashamed to turn in a job like that.

I don't want the pressure of doing that for strangers and can't imagine being so unprepared. Sheesh.

[korman]

That judgement is great for wedding photographers, just perfect. The couple got awarded £1000 for totally crappy pictures, an unedited video and seven spelling errors on the names, I doubt you could even do worse. So one can assume, the worth of a totally botched job is about as much, not a sum to be afraid of. It won't ruin anyone even for a photographer charging $400 per wedding it would only mean doing 4 jobs for free.

Korman

[Tykimeister]

I dont see the video on thi site

[moxi1]

Hi there,

How hard is anything

For some people it might be easier than others, besides skill you also need the love to do it. I shot several, but find it too nerve wrecking.

A friend of mine thought he probably would do better business if he includes video as well. He hired a video camera and as with his SLR did quite a few scenes in the vertical (portrait) format, needless to say his video was not a total success story.

Cheers Moxi1

[KmH]

Originally Posted by Gna

How hard is it to photograph a wedding? (includes video).

But, but, but, the guy's friends and family all told him his work was remarkable.........and he should start a business!

[jollyg]

That depends...will the mother of the bride be there?

[Songman45]

Originally Posted by jollyg

That depends...will the mother of the bride be there?

Now that's funny right there.

[waggles2004]

That depends...will the mother of the bride be there?

How very true! It has been my experience that the Mother of the Bride can be as demanding (if not more so) than the Bride herself.

[Sean C]

What about the mother of the bride and bride giving conflicting instructions?

I sympathize with the full time wedding guys for the social situations they've got to navigate when they're photographing a drama family.

[crankyinmv]

I can't find the video

[dean1401]

me either

[FatNakedGuy]

This is the one and only wedding I've shot and it was because my friend kept hounding me to do it. Never again, not my forte..

(click photo to start the slideshow)

[jeff martin]

FNG, loved the slide show.

Warning for newbies. If you do a wedding and include a slide show like that, gat permission to use the songs.

[FatNakedGuy]

Thanks Jeff. The bride asked on many occasions if I would shoot her wedding (we're friends at work) and I told her that I would do it only if she hired a pro photog. She finally agreed and so I brought my camera along and took random shots. I went into it with no experience or plan, just winging it. I did at least have backup equipment though!

The bride wanted that song for the slideshow so I contacted the artist and his publishing company via email and asked for permission. I had done a mockup slideshow with their song and sent that link for them to review. I was very surprised when they said "yes, as long as it isn't used for profit". I had never heard of Mr. Vassar until this but am a big fan of his now.

I would recommend to anyone wanting to shoot weddings to have a game plan and try to get some time shooting a with a pro first. I had no experience and made a lot of noob mistakes, missing key shots, etc. About the only thing I did right was to stay out of the main photographers way. It was an interesting evening but I don't think I'd want to do this fulltime (the stress of getting everything right would be too much I think).

And as Jeff said, be sure to get permission to use any song first. Sometimes they DO say yes!

[poloman]

Photographing a wedding and doing a good job is a challenging task.
You must have two of every important piece of equipment. You must have back ups for batteries. You have to be able to roll with the flow and set up and tear down equipment with inhuman speed. You need to give the bride and groom the right advice so that they will look as good as possible in your images. You must be able to shoot in any conditions at any time.
The toughest part... you only have one chance at all the important moments. Blow it and there is no forgiveness.
Still it is fun (at least for me) to be the one recording their special day and working to get those fantastic artful shots.

[flashmedic]

It's so easy anyone can do it (just ask them)...but hard enough that people can devote their enitire lives to it, and after decades of study & practice still learn somthing new each day.

[Bob Stothfang]

If the bride doesn't give you sufficient time to do your job it is hard to be creative. Sometimes it is tough to just get the shots that are requested without including any of the extra artsy photos.

I did a lot weddings back in the 70s and it actually destroyed my passion for photography for quite a while. I recently did a small wedding for a friends niece and it refreshed my memory about why I don't do them anymore.