My First Wedding.
I will never forget when I was asked to do my first wedding. Of course I was as nervous as hell, who wouldn't be; after all it’s not an occasion you could ask every one back to do again. It was a family wedding so there was some comfort in that.
I was using a Fuji-Film FinePix S602 ZOOM and the bride’s father’s camera as well set to take all my B+W photos. If only I knew then, what I know now. I could have done such a better job. All the same the Bride and Groom were happy with all the photos they got which were the main thing.
I had created the inside of the mass booklets, photos and the DVD of the wedding. How I got it all done I can’t remember but I did. I was given the video footage of the wedding and mixed it with my photographs along with the music played on the day. Maybe that made up for all the mistakes I made.
So what did I do right on the day well I planned it. I searched the net talked to the Bride regarding what she wanted and what was happening so I knew when I could take the photos. I had a list of the service with me so I was ready for any photo opportunities and because I had created the mass booklets I had a better insight to the whole event.
I got some great photos on the day the bride leaving her room coming down the stairs, the groom in the pub with all the groomsmen.
What I missed out on was these were not thought through properly for me. I hadn't planned for these shots and they could have been done better if I had.
The other mistake I had made was not paying enough attention to what people were doing and giving them better or more direction.
But I had learned two things from this wedding.
- Be prepared
- My style (reportage / documentary style photography)
I was complimented on the fact that there were a lot of natural photos taken on the day people in their own element and not posing for me. But of course I also had directed the posing for the camera too.
I often wonder if my first wedding was family would it have gone so well or would it have been a complete disaster. So I have to thank Joanne and Phil for the opportunity they gave me in capturing their wedding, it was a pleasure and great learning experience.