Howdy from Austin

[Katopelli]

Okay I know I threw in the typical greeting that everyone expects but what else can you do when you live here. About me, I shoot Nikons and am awaiting my future purchase of that D800. Right now I'm shooting with a D5100 & D5000 as my back up. I have always held the title as family memory treasurer and lately I have expanded that to others. I have my first wedding contract coming up and I am nervous and excited all at once. I just started my own web page for sales and client galleries. Katopelli Photography - (very excited about that) with new stuff and edits happening daily. My facebook page has more of my work visible but I am trying to limit work there and redirect to Smugmug.
https://www.facebook.com/KatopelliPhotography

Thanks for the warm welcome!

[thcofer]

Hello and welcome.

If I may suggest... if you are getting into portrait and wedding photography, you may want to have more of such photos posted on your pages. Also, browse around the wedding threads for suggestions and ideas. Good luck with your first wedding. I find them to be an odd combination of both fun and frustrating.

[Katopelli]

Thanks! I am slowly building my portfolio - I never really wanted to go down that road because I love the travel and nature stuff so much more, but I like new challenges too. I need to get some of my friends to start modeling for me I guess so that I can build from there. It's kind of overwhelming when I start thinking about what a responsibility weddings and such are but the pay can be good if I am so I'm gonna keep studying everything and everyone eles' stuff until I master it.

[thcofer]

Originally Posted by Katopelli

Thanks! I am slowly building my portfolio - I never really wanted to go down that road because I love the travel and nature stuff so much more, but I like new challenges too. I need to get some of my friends to start modeling for me I guess so that I can build from there. It's kind of overwhelming when I start thinking about what a responsibility weddings and such are but the pay can be good if I am so I'm gonna keep studying everything and everyone eles' stuff until I master it.

Weddings -
Gather all the information possible before the wedding day.

IMPORTANT: Know if flash will be allowed during the ceremony. It can make all the difference in the world on how you need to shoot it and what you might need.

Have a check list of what photos you and the couple want to get as far in advance as possible. Also break it down to when and where you will be taking the shots. Many of the prep rooms for bride's party and especally the ones for the groom's are small or nothing more than a bathroom. Scout out the location in advance when possible. Get to know what all is there, what kind of lighting will be available, how much you will be able to move around, what lenses you will need.

Well meaning family members with cameras can be a serious pain in the butt. Their flashes can set off yours or can effect the lighting in your shots. They also seem to like to pop the back of their heads in front of your lens so they can get the shot. Politely as possible keep them away while you take the posed group shots, or at least arrange for them to get their shots after you are done. About a third of the photos from my last wedding were affected by their shooting.

Have a people wrangler to fetch and gather folks for the shots, someone who knows the people they are gathering.

Make sure you are being allowed enough time between the wedding and reception to get all the shots you wanted plus all the shots that you were not able to get during the ceremony. If it is hot out, everyone wants to get to the food and beer, you can only get so much outta them You have to be prepared to shoot fast frienely, and acuratly as you can., Plan fpr everything and expect none of it to go as pland. Be prepared fo a backup olan and have plenty of backup equipment with you at the shoot.

Know what people will need to help you get things done and how they are going to do it.

This is their once in a lifetime chance to do the wedding , or at least this wedding. There are no real re-do' or do-overs.

Most of all I would suggest another photographer as a 2nd photographer on your first one. Pack at least 2 of everythig you think you might need at the event. Things break , things get lost. Have a backup and a backup plan.

Smile, act silly. Your mood lightens them up and will bring out the expressions and cooperation that you want . It will end with you feeling like you did a great job, feeling you have soo much more to learn, or feeling that it isn't the biz that you really want to do at all.

Good Luck

[Katopelli]

Thanks again Tom! Your help is so appreciated, you have no idea. I have a plan to drive out and check the "lay of the land" at both the church and dance hall before the big day and even shoot some angles and ideas then. I have another meeting with her soon to go over certain poses and party counts and stuff like that. And Texas in July, We want it done fast or the bride and groom with their party will be solid balls of sweat (not to mention their photog). All of you advice is so welcome. Thanks again.