Advice and tips for shooting first wedding

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QOTD from Matina: "I was asked to shoot my first wedding this coming January and I'm super nervous. Anything I should know in advance? What are good lens to get? Pretty much any and all advice you could give me, would help me greatly."

Cate: It take YEARS to answer this question girl, but Bp4U has a great guide that helps to cover everything. Get that! My short answer: breathe, get ready to work/sweat, have confidence, and never put your camera down.

Dena: Buy this book. It helped me tremendously!
http://photographyconcentrate.com/simple-wedding-photography/

Julie: Since you have a little time left, see if you can second shoot for someone else before you go out on your own. I have learned more from 10 minutes on set with the lead photographer than in 10 hours with my nose in books!

Dena: & if you're shy, like me, read The Shy Photographer’s Guide to Confidence. It's a freebie ebook fromPhotography Concentrate. :)

Mary: I would recommend second shooting as much as you can beforehand. Even if it's for free. There are so many things that can happen- the more experience the more prepared you will feel. For equipment what do you have now?

Kelly: Have a backup for EVERYTHING! And remember to breath and take your time to remember all the shots you want to capture! It will go by fast!

Sharon: Toms are great shoes. They are comfortable and don't make any noise to interfere with the ceremony.

Heather: Congrats! Here's a nice list of certain shots that are popular. I know it says for the planner but you can give it to the couple for them to fill out and you can get an idea of what they want,etc. Best of luck!

http://www.shutterfly.com/wedding/to-do-list-photography-checklist.pdf

Bob: For lenses, make sure that you have both a wide lens (something like an 18-55) and a telephoto (something like a 55-200). You need flexibility because you'll be in changing conditions. You'll be in a cramped dressing room early and a large ceremony later. Obviously, the faster the better. A prime lens could be useful too. I know Nikon has a cheap 50 mm 1.8 lens and I think Canon has something similar.

Tim: What gear do you have now?

Katie: Have a schedule and stick to it. If there's a wedding planner, talk to her BEFORE the wedding and get a schedule from her, then work your shooting around it. (Don't hesitate to request changes to said schedule, most planners will help.)

Pack snacks and water in your camera bag. Anything that can be eaten quickly, with one hand. Can't tell you how many times I've shoved down a granola bar with my camera in the other hand.

If your bride is disorganized, be prepared to take it over and call ALL of the shots.

Have the couple send you a list of everyone important (parents, bridesmaids, groomsmen, grandparents, friends/family that need to stick around in between ceremony & reception).

Try to see the venue before the day of the wedding.

Golden Photography: It was already mentioned, but see if you can second shoot for someone! I've done a handful of weddings as a second shooter and I can't tell you how much I have learned.

Mollie: I recently shot a wedding where the bride didn't meet with us until the week before, didn't care much about the photos, and rushed us through everything - incredibly frustrating! Sit down with your bride (and planner if they have one) and go through very specifically why having time for portraits is so important! This bride gave us FIVE minutes for B/G portraits and kept talking about how we need to hurry for the guests sake (which, if there is alcohol, they will be FINE!). Very few photos turned out! Explain to the bride that unless she wants terrible photos, that she needs to follow your lead. If you feel confident, she'll feel confident in you. Act like you know what you're doing, even if you don't. =]

Mollie: Also - MONOPOD! It gives you steadiness and allows higher point-of-view. If the reception is going to be a party-like atmosphere, get a monopod ($16 on Amazon and I love it) and use it to stick your camera out over the crowd. You'll get those slightly crooked party-shots that people love.

Matina: Right now, i have no gear. I'm hoping to buy my camera very soon though. Hoping for maybe a canon t3i.

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