Follow me @argentiquegal

FIRST TIME AS A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Canon EOS 80D - Editing Lightroom

I know, nobody’s in the mood for a wedding because it’s quite not allowed in most of countries right now (my god, am I writing that ?). BUT I wanted to tell you about my experience and guess what, I wrote this article in November and then I forgot it. I’ve just finished it and I wanted to share, no matter what !

When my brother and my sister-in-law told me they were going to get married, I was super happy for them and then I asked about the wedding photographer. They haven’t thought about it yet, maybe yes, maybe no. I told them that I was totally able to do it! First reaction of my brother : « you’re not a photographer ». Indeed, as I already talked about here, I’m not a real professional photographer because it’s not my job (at least not a full time job) and I have no degrees.
BUT I was totally certain that I was able to do it, it was not the first time I took pictures at an event.
Few weeks after that, my sister-in-law asked me if I was still ok to do it. Hell yeah! And that’s how I became the photographer of my brother’s wedding (and not the sister of the groom) (haha).

First of all, I didn’t want to shoot film that day. Even if I was confident about doing this, I wasn’t so sure about analog. Why ? You know why ! With digital, you can see immediatly if you’re not messing up the memories of the super important day. I chose to shoot digital, and I used my Canon EOS80D. My dear beloved 80D ! I had also with me my Olympus OMD EM 5 Mark ii (more like a just in case camera) and, for fun, my Olympus mju II zoom 115.
I don’t have an extra battery for my 80D and actually it went well (that’s also why I had my OMD EM5 Mark ii with me, I have an extra battery with this one).

Expectations VS reality
Of course, I enjoyed a lot doing it because I’m super happy of the result but when the D-DAY was there, I was quite stressed out ! I realised that I had a huge responsability during 2 days. If I wasn’t able to do it properly, people would have think that I’m not a photographer, I’m just the little sister, playing with a big camera. But if I’d do it good, it would be my chance to prove my passion !! Weird thoughts ? Hey it’s not that easy to be kind of the artist of the family.

I took 800 pictures and kept 250 of them! I litteraly spend 2 days shouting ! Shooting a tone ! Shooting a tone ! During the ceremony (not at the church hopefully) I had so many troubles to have a picture where everybody looked OK. Everybody was moving like I was not there. It’s good BUT I should have told them « think of the camera », « look at me sometimes », « don’t go to fast ».
I forgot to give some tips !

Then it was outside and it was super sunny. It was perfect ! But same, people were living their life, they didn’t care about the camera. So I took a decision, I would do my best and it will be only « on the moment pictures ». Because I learned something about myself that day : it’s too difficult for me to go to people, asked them to take the pose, then shout them, then leave them. For some people, I didn’t even know their names !

I made some pictures of the groom and the bride also, on the beach. It was quite magical even if I had to struggle with people having bath sun ! No one would like to have people wearing horrible swimsuits on their wedding pictures right? It was quite difficult to do it because the groom and the bride were super busy that day so we litteraly took 15 minutes to do it. 15 minutes to chose the spot, do the settings, shoot! Well... not easy ! Especially when you feel that you have to do it quickly!

I made also a picture of everybody. It was before the dinner, the sun was quite low at that moment but people were missing. We made a first picture with « not everybody », then we made another one with everybody. It was not easy because for the second one I had to go super quickly due to the decreasing light, so the groom and the bride were not in the middle ! Oh my god ! I also lost my voice : « DO THIS, DO THAT, SMILE, 1, 2, 3 ! »

When I came back to my hotel at 2am, I was so exhausted but the day after, I was up at 9am and having a look at my pictures. I was so so so happy ! I was like : « yes babe I made it »
It’s funny because I was proud of my work and my pictures looked like my usual pictures in a way... I don’t know if you know that feeling!

So the second day was way easier because I was sure I was able to handle it. And you know, it was only the day after, so less pressure !

I think it took me like 24h to sort and edit the photos. Then I sent them to the lovers and they were super happy too !

So, here my 10 tips to know if you commit to be the wedding photographer for someone of your family :
⁃ Know that you won’t enjoy the party like everybody else
⁃ Know that people will think that taking pictures is super easy (only pressing a button right?), people are not used to settings and light troubles
⁃ Talk to the bride and the groom before the ceremony
⁃ Have different SD cards, I had one for the ceremony, one for the party, one the next day (if I had a problem with one of them, I won’t lose everything)
⁃ Don’t be afraid to ask people to « fake » something because you want the shot for the bride and the groom
⁃ If you have long hair, make sure to have the perfect hairstyle because it can be super annoying ! Thanks to my sister in law, my hair wasn’t a problem
⁃ Have an outfit you’ll be confortable with. I had a super long dress, it was super comfy but also super sexy when I was making some mouvement to get the right angle. Oops !
⁃ Present yourself to people. I didn’t do it and I regret it. Daaamn ! Why am I so shy ?
⁃ Trust yourself. Your pictures are gonna be amazing ! And if not, you don’t care, people didn’t pay you !
⁃ Don’t drink to much, or at least, too early. You have to take these photos !

So this was my experience ! A lot of stress, but I was quite proud afterwards. Like after a huge workout (I did it! Yaaaas).
If I have to do it again? Shall I accept? Not sure because enjoying your beloveds’ weddings is quite something... But making amazing pictures is quite something as well !

Here some pictures of the wedding : 

Olympus mju ii zoom 115 - Kodak Ektar 100 - For the privacy, faces have been blured

Canon EOS 80D - Editing Lightroom

Def my favorite !!! I did that ! Canon EOS 80D - Editing Lightroom

Canon EOS 80D - Editing Lightroom


Canon EOS 80D - Editing Lightroom

Please share your experience as well ! I’m super curious to know if some of you have already experienced this.

Cheese ! 

Comments

  1. I really love your photos. Can you share how you edited your photos with Lightroom. The color looks very cinematic <3. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much ! I used presets I bought years ago haha But yes I should talk about it here !

      Delete
  2. Good information, You have provided important and valuable data for us. It is good and essential for everyone. Keep posting always. I am very thankful to you. Asian female photography Birmingham

    ReplyDelete
  3. I definitely enjoy this. It is a great website and has a nice article. I want to thank you. Good job! You guys do a great blog, Keep up the good work.Dubai Drone Videography

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's a fantastic post and an exceptional subject which you have shared here. Much obliged to you for sharing it. portrait photography services

    ReplyDelete
  5. It’s actually a great and useful piece of info that you have shared here. I’m happy that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing it.Dubai Aerial Photography

    ReplyDelete
  6. I truly value your work which you have shared here. The article you have shared is extremely enlightening and the focuses you have referenced are exceptionally useful. Much obliged to you for sharing this post. Wedding Planner Dubai

    ReplyDelete
  7. You have done a good job by publishing this article about watermark removal Mac..... I appreciate your efforts which you have put into this article, It is a beneficial article for us. Thanks for sharing such informative thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Very good information, I am heartily thankful to you that you have shared this essential information with us. I got some different kind of knowledge from your web page, and it is very helpful for everyone. Thanks for share it. Read more info about wedding photography in oklahoma

    ReplyDelete
  9. I read the above article and got some knowledge from your article which is about..birthday gift Montreal It's actually great and useful data for us. Thanks for sharing it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am very thankful to you that you have shared this information with us. I got some different kind of knowledge from your web page, and it is really helpful for everyone. Thanks for share it. Read more info about photo booth North Wales

    ReplyDelete
  11. It is a proficient post that you have shared here about Best Wedding Photographer in Sydney. I got some unique and valuable information from your post. Thankful to you for sharing this post here.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I generally check this kind of article and I found your article which is related to my interest. Genuinely it is good and instructive information. Thankful to you for sharing an article like this. Print To Canvas

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your blog took to me an entirely significant spot. It is a beneficial and factual article to enhance knowledge. Thanks for sharing an article like this. best polygamy sites

    ReplyDelete
  14. You've written a fantastic article about artificial flowers for sale. This article provided me with some useful knowledge. Thank you for providing this information.

    ReplyDelete
  15. A very delightful article that you have shared here.Professional family photographer edmonton Your blog is a valuable and engaging article for us, and also I will share it with my companions who need this info. Thankful to you for sharing an article like this.

    ReplyDelete
  16. You have a genuine capacity to compose a substance that is useful for us. You have shared an amazing post about Houston model portfolio photographer.Much obliged to you for your endeavors in sharing such information with us.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Excellent knowledge, You are providing important knowledge. It is really helpful and factual information for us and everyone to increase knowledge. Continue sharing your data. Thank you. Read more info about Wedding Photo Booth Service Los Angeles

    ReplyDelete
  18. I liked your work and, as a result, the manner you presented this content about Yarra Valley Wedding Photographer.It is a valuable paper for us. Thank you for sharing this blog with us.

    ReplyDelete
  19. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I just need to say this is a well-informed article which you have shared here about hoodies.Best Wedding Photographer In Asheville Nc It is an engaging and gainful article for us. Continue imparting this sort of info, Thanks to you.

    ReplyDelete
  21. You have worked nicely with your insights that makes our work easy. The information you have provided is really factual and significant for us. Keep sharing these types of article, Thank you.ballito wedding venues beach

    ReplyDelete
  22. You have shared a nice article here about the Your article is very informative and nicely describes the causes and natural remedies of Snoring. I am thankful to you for sharing this article here.cancun wedding photographer to hire

    ReplyDelete
  23. I really love it and amazing information in this blog. it's really good and great information well done. SEO Agency

    ReplyDelete
  24. You have achieved unimaginable work by dispersing this article here. It is useful and favorable information for us. Keep on overhauling our knowledge by share these sorts of articles.Indian Wedding DJ Dubai

    ReplyDelete
  25. I just need to say this is a well-informed article which you have shared here about it. It is an engaging and gainful article for us. Continue imparting this sort of info, Thanks to you.Affordable wedding venues in kzn

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts