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Finding the right light and then exposing correctly help a lot..but on those shoots in-particular I had an assistant who was helping bounce light back at them using a reflector.
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Usually I will shoot a large group shot of everyone there (including friends) and then family breakdowns into extended (if requested) and immediate. I start with the largest group and work to the smallest...so people can leave once finished. These shots typically aren't fancy. I try and find open shade and possibly steps so everyone can be seen. If there is no shade just aim for even lighting..all sun, all shade, all backlite. You only need a couple shots of each grouping so don't over shoot. B & G in front with parents next to kids and small children up front. I also always shoot the family who is paying me first. If the brides family is paying I shoot their extended family and immediate first. I think it's polite. Makes some jokes, smile when you talk so they smile back and click click click.
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Positioning! You have to place you subject in front of the sun, so the sun hits their back...backlighting. Then expose for their face..blowing out some of the light behind them. If sun on the face can't be avoided and there are shadows, have them look away from camera. Avoid shooting squinty eyes.. unless that is the look you are going for. Hope that helps. Playing to the light you have and positioning your subject correctly is everything. Once you can do that, you can shoot confidently in any light, at any time of the day.
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Thanks! I have a lengthy answer addressing my workflow on here already...search and you will find. xo.
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I was making money as a photographer before I graduated from college..and after college I moved to NY to work and assist. To get started and find out if you will even like the "business" of being a photographer, I highly recommend working for one. Find someone you can shadow. Find a studio manager position...or just start shooting. Create beautiful work and people will eventually want to pay you to create for them. (I have answered this in a couple other questions so search through here for more)
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I think adding a bit a contrast to a dull digital file can really help..and some brightness. Besides that the only other thing that can help is making sure you expose correctly in camera. That's all I got.
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I think traveling light is key. If I have too much gear I won't shoot as much. I love my 50 f1.4 for my main travel lens. It is so small and light. I think that and a 24mm lens would be the perfect duo...I also have my eye on the new fuji x100. That camera looks so convenient. The Fuji GF670 looks like a medium format dream to travel with..if you shoot film.
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First, I am lame for not responding to this earlier. I haven't been getting very many questions here so I haven't given it the best attention.
I don't shoot with 2nds a lot and find that I can get everything I want on my own....but shooting with someone else can be fun I just don't think in most cases it's necessary. Getting ready shots can be tricky. I typically spend most of the time with the bride. If the bride and groom are in the same location I will bust over to the groom once the bride is ready. I can shoot what I want with the groom in 5mins. If they are in different locations I will usually be with the bride and then shoot "primping" shots of the groom once we are the ceremony location. This seems to work for most people. Of course it is always up to the couple on how they want to work this.
Hope this helps. -
Is it at night? Will there be any access to sunlight? Yes, you might have to use flash to light some of the situations but I would try and use the available light when possible. I think it creates a more authentic mood and stretches you to really know how to shoot in low light situations without an extra light source. If you are shooting film, get some 3200iso Ilford BW and go crazy. If you are shooting digital...bump up your ISO a little and use a fast prime lens. I love using my 50 1.8 in low light situations or my 70-200 2.8. You probably won't be able to avoid using your flash a little and that's OK. Bounce it off the walls or ceiling when possible and if you can, shoot those model portraits outside before it is dark...or use a ringflash!
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Great question and I am sure everyone has a way that works best for them. I organize by year and then month. I don't separate business and personal...If I shot it in Jan 2011 it goes in the Jan 2011 folder. Inside that folder I organize by client/job/shoot name. Inside THAT folder I organize by RAW/scans, highres jpegs, webres, blog folders etc...Simple and easy.
I found this way has worked best for me but I am open to suggestions if anyone has a better way! -
Congratulations!
Improving people/directing skills is muti layered. Work on directing smaller more low key shoots. Practice communicating your vision, giving validation and showing excitement. If you seem bored or uninterested your subjects will follow suit. Talk to them about other things besides shooting. Ask them personal questions and try to form a friendship...even if they friendship will only last for an hour. If they like you they will trust you more and you will get a more natural authentic image. Practice practice practice. You don't want to show up to a wedding and be too experimental right off the bat. Have a loose idea of what you want to shoot and when. If everything is going great, at least you have some back up ideas in case you get stuck. Communication is key. Make sure you know what they expect and they know what you are willing to give. I kind of agree with the phrase, "under promise, over deliver". They should get more than they expect and not the other way around.
This question could be the theme of a workshop..so much to say...hmmmmm.... -
In the past I've used http://bludomain.com/, but now I have a custom website. I host on http://www.bluehost.com/...not to be confused with bludomain. You can also make super simple custom sites using apple software. Having any work online is good. I waited WAY too long to get a website. Something is better than nothing.
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I have LOTS of tips when it comes to wedding photography. Do you have something specific you are wondering about? One thing that sets wedding photography apart from some other types of photographic jobs is that it takes directing as well as shooting. You need to be confident and capable of talking to people, working within tight time frames, and seeing light QUICKLY. You have to be on your toes at all times. True documentary and photojournalists are always at the ready. Never put your lens cap on.
If you have some more specific questions about wedding photography I would love to help answer them. -
Blogging and having a website are the best marketing tools you can have besides word of mouth. I haven't ever paid to advertise, but choose instead to spend my time on shooting, staying current and sharing my my best work.
Setting rates/pricing has everything to do with what you are shooting, your experience, your location, what's worth it to you etc.... I'm not sure I could advise you what to charge your clients without knowing all of those details. The best way to determine your worth is to see what others with similar experience are charging and what clients are willing to pay for your services. At some point, you determine your own worth. No one will pay you thousands of dollars if you are only charging hundreds. If you are just starting out learning and practice are way more important than money. Or for that matter, loving photography is way more important that money. Shoot because you love it and I can almost guarantee you will make money. -
Thanks for the questions and thanks for the word "amazing".
I would say having your worked shared by a blog or publication involves a few different things.
For one, you have to create images that match the style and the feel of the content on the site. Style Me Pretty posts different content than Ruffled for instance. You need to know what the content they are looking for in order to know if your work fits or not.
Second, wedding publications are often looking for inspiration to share with other brides. They want details and more details. Maybe a few of the bride and groom but they want to showcase the details first and foremost. Look for light and shoot details.
Third, be consistent. Be true to how you shoot and DO NOT shoot solely for the purpose of appealing to a blog, magazine or anyone else. Be authentic and create images you will be proud of regardless of if anyone else ever sees them. When you do this, your genuine style will emerge and you will draw attention from others who value what YOU are doing. Consistency with your work keeps people coming back to see more and more often than not the blog or publication will approach you about sharing your work.
Also, most like to share new content that hasn't been featured yet. Most don't care if you post on your own personal portfolio sites first but don't send content that has already been shared.
Last, don't be annoying! If you are the one submitting, follow their guidelines for doing so and don't be a pain. Short to the point, sincere emails are great. If they want to share your work great, if not, no biggie since you are hopefully shooting stuff you love regardless.
Hope this helps! -
For 99% of my work I use natural light. If shooting indoors I try to situate myself by windows and I do somethimes use a bounce to reflect light when needed. I also shoot fairly wide open, which lets me shoot in lower light.
Essential equipment for weddings?...A CAMERA! A back up camera, a few lenses (24mm, 50mm and a telephoto one for the ceremony), memory cards/film, a bounce (just in case), A fill flash for dancing at the reception. That's about it. Everything else is extra and for me, usually unnecessary. Oh, you also need snacks, water, and gum/breath mints (in case you eat onions during lunch).
More gear is not necessarily better. I like to travel and shoot with a light load. It gives me flexibility and works with my style of shooting. But everyone shoots differently and your style may lend itself to lighting and tripods etc etc etc. -
The first thing I do when shooting large groups is make sure my aperture is never under f8. Large group refers to 20ish people. It's one of the only times I shoot above f5.6. Usually it's somewhere between f8 and f11, depending on light and size of group. Once my exposure is set I focus. I'm pretty sure I just center focus using the focus points?....I'm trying to remember...It's probably best to find a focus point in the middle of the group..not the front row and not the back. This is what I do at least.
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Next to never. Last year I hired a 2nd shooter twice. I would prefer to shoot on my own (with assistants) and find I can get everything I need without team shooting. If someone requests it I have pricing I offer, but a 2nd photographer is never included in any of my pricing. More images doesn't mean better images. Sometimes you have to teach the client this. Quality over quantity always.
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10yrs? Has it been that long? I am happy with Grant. A lot has happened in the last 10yrs and I here I am.. and it feels good.
Grant and I have a lot of mutual friends between NY, CA and UT. We meet while I was shooing some NY friend's wedding in UT but didn't reconnect and really start forming interest until a couple of years after that. It was New Years Eve and I was only 6months out from a pretty serious relationship and didn't have any interest in being in another one. Grant, friends and I spendt new years together but I had no idea he was interested. I was contemplating moving to CA with one of my friends and was planning a trip to CA to look for apartments when Grant caught word of this he snaked my email address from a mass email and sent me a creepy email basically saying, "When you come to CA, for a good time give me a call". I was disgusted, bewildered and intrigued. That trip out we had our 1st kiss. There is only one way Grant describes that kiss...fireworks. I have to agree. We dated long distance before I moved. Emailed a lot. Once I moved we were pretty serious and the rest is HISTORY.
Here is a little photo time-line if you are dying to see the story through photos:
http://rachelthurston.com/thehappycouple/ -
Finally a relationship question!! And an important one at that. Unfortunately if you have nothing else to "show" as proof of your manhood, you have a much bigger..er..smaller..problem than women's deodorant. Did I take that too far? Sometimes the truth is hard to hear.
Can that guy in Seattle bring his wife and baby along for the shoot?! If so, we would love family photos!.. once we are a family. Serious.
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rachel thurston’s Bio
I'm a documentary/lifestyle photographer & soon to be mother.
