I have my very first wedding photo opportunity coming up, and this video is exactly what I needed. Several videos I have watched, are people well established and with a team behind them... I'm a single guy with limited len supply and 1 camera - so to watch this has made me much more comfortable about what to do and expect. Thank you.
Hi Benjamin, I hope you have a great time photographing your first wedding. However, if you are the main or only photographer, I strongly suggest that you have more than one camera with you on the day, preferably one of the same brand as your main camera. Modern tech is very good and reliable, but they do on occasion fail. Always have a back up. Enjoy and get some great photos.
Photographing only my 2nd wedding tomorrow and can relate to absolutely every situation you mentioned - loved the frankness of the interview and it really came across just how much care and pride you take in your work. Thx for the tips :)
Thanks for giving me opportunity to express what I learnt from my first steps into wedding photography. It's not that easy talking about it on camera, better to chat about it over a pint down the pub, but I think I put it over quite well. Let's do it again sometime.
You did really well. Considering you spend little time in front of the camera, you come across as very natural and relaxed. Both you and C are good at the am dram. I wouldn't mind a review of your flash if you're up for it. It looks like a good bit of kit for the money.
Really sincere and truthful view of your experience by the sounds of it. As an experienced Wildlife photographer, the human animal isn't my thing :-) but this week I am a mirror image of your story, I have successfully shot a wedding for a family member in the past and this week I will be shooting my second Wedding, so thank you for making this video.
Those teary eyes when you kept telling us million times that you miss the first kiss moment makes me feel i miss my opportunity to have a child. It feels and looks so regretful it hurts!
You did good you are going to miss shots. As a working professional you’re working live and things don’t go to plan. I’ve done many lists and discussed it with the bride n groom before hand come the day I didn’t get them. It’s like hurding cats
Wow! Wow! Wow! This is very educative. As a photographer that started just a year ago. I have learnt a lot. Thanks for this. God bless you. You are indeed phenomenal
Recently I've been asked to do a wedding and I am terrified because this will be my very first photography event. I am also a beginner and am constantly seeking ways to improve. Watching your video and listening to you made me cry just hearing the raw emotion in your voice about your experiences. I was having doubts before but after hearing you speak, although I'm still nervous, I feel as though I can do this. Mistakes will be made, I know that, but I'm willing to take those mistakes and learn from them. Listening to your video gave me strength. Pray for me as I embark on this new journey. Thank you so much.
Always do a site visit where you meet to make a time frame with the couple and venue wedding planner Look at the venue, the church and test shoot Have this info on index cards Have names of family, wedding party, special requests Go to church rehearsal if you can Prepare eqipment Have route prepared from place to place All of these things help you be at the right place at right time
As a street photographer and a corporate event photographer I can only say that your advice and experience is very touchable, plausible and meaningful. I would say that "street photography" is a great way to be so practiced that coping with problems is easy. And that planning is probably the thing that most people don't consider. Still I think wedding photography is very difficult as there are "landmark" or "milestone" moments that are expected, whereas with so many other "jobs" there is sufficient leeway. Great video, thanks. A.,
This is a fantastic video. The tips are very important and helpful. But the documentary style also makes for an incredible story. Excitement, anxiety, regret, self-belief. It's all there. Thank you.
Such a genuine video, so helpful for us who don't have lots of experience in weddings yet. Also, it's so easy to look at other photographers' finished and fabulous photos and to forget that they too were beginners once upon a time.
I now find myself in the same situation. I've avoided photographing weddings like the plague. But I need to get over my fears and just do the darn thing. lol. I'm told often by friends and family that my photos are great, I just need the confidence. So now I agreed to shoot an acquaintance's wedding. Wish me luck
Im doing my first wedding beginning of 2021 and im so deeply excited and grateful! This helps alot. Photography is a passion and hobby of mine but i recently dont get alot of time to do photos now that im new to being a mum, so heres to a year of figuring it out! 🍻 I did need to hear your mistakes and successes because theres so much more room for improvement for me. I have a long way to go and heaps to learn. Im nervous but hearing this helps so much. I have so much experimenting to do. Thanku. Ill definitely be back here to tell all about it.
I understand where your coming from when photographing groups, done a few weddings now, and trying to get the kiss can be hard especially when the person doing the ceremony is in the way. So I have learnt now to ask the person doing the ceremony if it will be OK to take this shot or that shot before the ceremony and they than move a side.
Shooting my first wedding here in a week. Really enjoyed this video compared to the others I’ve watched on this subject so far. I’m also really glad you added in the example of the missed shot. All in all this video really made me consider things that I need to prepare for that I didn’t quite get from other videos. Well done 👍🏻
Good day....i simply love the way this is introduced to photographers..i do not have a website...but im doing it for some time..My experiences that im sharing with others is the exact way you explaining it..I'm very exited to show this video to the person i'm showing the ropes coz its exactly the way im doing and preparing my weddings.. Thanx a mill its just confirmation the way im doing things......
Thank you for such a great video. I have my first wedding tomorrow and although not a beginner when it comes to photography, I’m much more at home shooting equine portraiture and horse and rider shoots! It’s refreshing to hear your solutions to the challenges you came across and your helpful hints and tips- too many times in the run up to this wedding I have reached out for advice from many established photographers/wedding photographers and made to feel like I have no right to be asking for advice - after all, why should they train the competition etc. We all have to start somewhere and your video really helped to boost my confidence again. I am doing it as a favour to my very good friend so at least I can be assured it’s because she likes my work.
on the group shots, one thing that I've always found works for me is this; invariably I will be elevated on a stepladder etc... I get everyone's attention by chatting and making jokes then I explain what I'm about to do and why I'm going to do it I get everyone to close their eyes and on the count of 3 to open them I do this about 3 times so I'm guaranteed to get a shot of everyone looking at the camera. you need to ask the B&G to ask people to stop using their mobiles untill after the official shots I usually get the bride to ask the ceremony officials to request this before the service
My second wedding tomorrow, and this was great info... I’d done most of what you’ve put a cross. I love the idea of the picture you’d drawn to remind you of the areas to take the shots! I’ll do that to! I feel honoured to take the pictures of such an important day ... Thank you for this so helpful, I just want to get going Hahaha
Rod. Thank you so much for sharing your hard-learned lessons. I, like many others will find themselves in your shoes and this is invaluable advice. Best wishes, Julian
Yes indeed Rod. I would love to shoot weddings and give couples photographic memories they can treasure. I’ve left it late in life but I’m learning as fast as I can and your advice will stay with me on that journey. Best wishes Julian
Thanks so much for this video and your candor. I have an upcoming wedding I'm going to photograph and I've been researching and watching all sorts of videos, but actually got a lot from your insight than a lot of the others.
Thank you sooo much for this video. I'm shooting my first wedding tomorrow and I am pretty nervous. They are friends of mine bus still pressure is there. Very helpful and great video but the last one "Enjoy yourself"....that's what I forget these days. So tomorrow I'm going to do exactly that. Take a great photos and ENJOY myself :) Thanks a lot!
loved your advices and your experiences that you shared with us today ! its just humble and beautiful. I just shot my first wedding ever and it was not great but it was for free so they are happy with it.
What a great video, I'm in this position at the moment where I want to get started with wedding photography and having got married myself back in May I saw how my photographer worked, so there was some brilliant advice and experiences included in this video that I'm sure will be helpful to me.
AMAZING! thank you soo Much for this I'm doing my first wedding shot in couple of months, and like you said preparation is a must. I'm looking into some tips and advices, and this video helped me alot.
Might be most helpful video I have watched. I have watched a ton This coming up is our 3rd wedding. This one now it's my first big wedding. Super nervous! It's at the Harris hotel in Laughlin.
Thank you so much for this video. I'm thinking about starting wedding photography in the future but I feel so out of my comfort zone, my element. This was raw, real and humble. Thank you for the advice. By the way would you happen to tell me the song at 9:00? Its a beautiful piano piece
I did a lot of wedding without a long and fast lens, and at the ceremonies I had to get up close, on the same side as the minister, but I got the shots.
I have my very first wedding photo opportunity coming up, and this video is exactly what I needed. Several videos I have watched, are people well established and with a team behind them... I'm a single guy with limited len supply and 1 camera - so to watch this has made me much more comfortable about what to do and expect. Thank you.
Hi Benjamin, I hope you have a great time photographing your first wedding. However, if you are the main or only photographer, I strongly suggest that you have more than one camera with you on the day, preferably one of the same brand as your main camera. Modern tech is very good and reliable, but they do on occasion fail. Always have a back up. Enjoy and get some great photos.
How did the wedding go?
Photographing only my 2nd wedding tomorrow and can relate to absolutely every situation you mentioned - loved the frankness of the interview and it really came across just how much care and pride you take in your work. Thx for the tips :)
Hi Sue, you're welcome, and thank you for the lovely comments. Enjoy the wedding tomorrow. I hope you get some great shots.
So 3 years later how many have you done :)
One of the lessons I learned about shooting weddings is this, whether you charge a lot or a little, the client expects the expert results.
This is such a good video. Learnt a lot. I am so stressed too do my first wedding photography.
Thanks for giving me opportunity to express what I learnt from my first steps into wedding photography. It's not that easy talking about it on camera, better to chat about it over a pint down the pub, but I think I put it over quite well.
Let's do it again sometime.
You did really well. Considering you spend little time in front of the camera, you come across as very natural and relaxed. Both you and C are good at the am dram. I wouldn't mind a review of your flash if you're up for it. It looks like a good bit of kit for the money.
aren't you undercutting youself regarding the prices on your packages !? at this era ! generally people go for 1000 the least and up !
Really sincere and truthful view of your experience by the sounds of it. As an experienced Wildlife photographer, the human animal isn't my thing :-) but this week I am a mirror image of your story, I have successfully shot a wedding for a family member in the past and this week I will be shooting my second Wedding, so thank you for making this video.
Those teary eyes when you kept telling us million times that you miss the first kiss moment makes me feel i miss my opportunity to have a child. It feels and looks so regretful it hurts!
You did good you are going to miss shots. As a working professional you’re working live and things don’t go to plan. I’ve done many lists and discussed it with the bride n groom before hand come the day I didn’t get them. It’s like hurding cats
Honestly is priceless. Many times is futile to discuss beforehand anything... Everyone is just to busy on wedding day.
Wow! Wow! Wow! This is very educative. As a photographer that started just a year ago. I have learnt a lot. Thanks for this. God bless you. You are indeed phenomenal
Recently I've been asked to do a wedding and I am terrified because this will be my very first photography event. I am also a beginner and am constantly seeking ways to improve. Watching your video and listening to you made me cry just hearing the raw emotion in your voice about your experiences. I was having doubts before but after hearing you speak, although I'm still nervous, I feel as though I can do this. Mistakes will be made, I know that, but I'm willing to take those mistakes and learn from them. Listening to your video gave me strength. Pray for me as I embark on this new journey. Thank you so much.
chargrove1127ify how did it go?
Always do a site visit where you meet to make a time frame
with the couple and venue wedding planner
Look at the venue, the church and test shoot
Have this info on index cards
Have names of family, wedding party, special requests
Go to church rehearsal if you can
Prepare eqipment
Have route prepared from place to place
All of these things help you be at the right place at right time
As a street photographer and a corporate event photographer I can only say that your advice and experience is very touchable, plausible and meaningful.
I would say that "street photography" is a great way to be so practiced that coping with problems is easy. And that planning is probably the thing that most people don't consider.
Still I think wedding photography is very difficult as there are "landmark" or "milestone" moments that are expected, whereas with so many other "jobs" there is sufficient leeway.
Great video, thanks.
A.,
With a total of three paid weddings behind me, I can appreciate all of your points. Thanks for posting.
I absolutely loved this. So honest! Great for someone like me with my first wedding booked for next year!
This is a fantastic video. The tips are very important and helpful. But the documentary style also makes for an incredible story. Excitement, anxiety, regret, self-belief. It's all there. Thank you.
Such a genuine video, so helpful for us who don't have lots of experience in weddings yet. Also, it's so easy to look at other photographers' finished and fabulous photos and to forget that they too were beginners once upon a time.
Thank you for the kind comment. I’ll make sure Rod sees this too.
I now find myself in the same situation. I've avoided photographing weddings like the plague. But I need to get over my fears and just do the darn thing. lol. I'm told often by friends and family that my photos are great, I just need the confidence. So now I agreed to shoot an acquaintance's wedding. Wish me luck
Im doing my first wedding beginning of 2021 and im so deeply excited and grateful! This helps alot. Photography is a passion and hobby of mine but i recently dont get alot of time to do photos now that im new to being a mum, so heres to a year of figuring it out! 🍻
I did need to hear your mistakes and successes because theres so much more room for improvement for me. I have a long way to go and heaps to learn. Im nervous but hearing this helps so much. I have so much experimenting to do. Thanku. Ill definitely be back here to tell all about it.
I understand where your coming from when photographing groups, done a few weddings now, and trying to get the kiss can be hard especially when the person doing the ceremony is in the way. So I have learnt now to ask the person doing the ceremony if it will be OK to take this shot or that shot before the ceremony and they than move a side.
Shooting my first wedding here in a week. Really enjoyed this video compared to the others I’ve watched on this subject so far. I’m also really glad you added in the example of the missed shot. All in all this video really made me consider things that I need to prepare for that I didn’t quite get from other videos. Well done 👍🏻
Hi Wes, I'm glad you enjoyed it and hope it helps you.
Good day....i simply love the way this is introduced to photographers..i do not have a website...but im doing it for some time..My experiences that im sharing with others is the exact way you explaining it..I'm very exited to show this video to the person i'm showing the ropes coz its exactly the way im doing and preparing my weddings..
Thanx a mill
its just confirmation the way im doing things......
Thank you for such a great video. I have my first wedding tomorrow and although not a beginner when it comes to photography, I’m much more at home shooting equine portraiture and horse and rider shoots! It’s refreshing to hear your solutions to the challenges you came across and your helpful hints and tips- too many times in the run up to this wedding I have reached out for advice from many established photographers/wedding photographers and made to feel like I have no right to be asking for advice - after all, why should they train the competition etc. We all have to start somewhere and your video really helped to boost my confidence again. I am doing it as a favour to my very good friend so at least I can be assured it’s because she likes my work.
on the group shots, one thing that I've always found works for me is this; invariably I will be elevated on a stepladder etc... I get everyone's attention by chatting and making jokes then I explain what I'm about to do and why I'm going to do it I get everyone to close their eyes and on the count of 3 to open them I do this about 3 times so I'm guaranteed to get a shot of everyone looking at the camera.
you need to ask the B&G to ask people to stop using their mobiles untill after the official shots I usually get the bride to ask the ceremony officials to request this before the service
My second wedding tomorrow, and this was great info... I’d done most of what you’ve put a cross. I love the idea of the picture you’d drawn to remind you of the areas to take the shots! I’ll do that to!
I feel honoured to take the pictures of such an important day ... Thank you for this so helpful, I just want to get going Hahaha
A really interesting and informative video, thanks for being honest and speaking about your sucesses and mistakes.
This is such a great help, Im doing my first wedding next week and im nervous but the advice helps a lot
Such professional advice is what all I needed for inspiration. Thanks for such great tips!
Excellent presentation
You hit every nail on the head
Rod. Thank you so much for sharing your hard-learned lessons. I, like many others will find themselves in your shoes and this is invaluable advice. Best wishes,
Julian
Hi Julian. I made sure Rod saw this message. Thanks for your feedback.
Hi Julian, thank you. Glad I could deliver the kind of advice that can hopefully help.
Yes indeed Rod. I would love to shoot weddings and give couples photographic memories they can treasure. I’ve left it late in life but I’m learning as fast as I can and your advice will stay with me on that journey.
Best wishes
Julian
Such a brilliant video mate, I’m doing my first 2 weddings this year and you’ve given me some top advise 👍🏻👍🏻
Very helpful, I have my first wedding in October for my friend. Trying to prepare myself for it, thank you for such an honest video.
Thanks so much for this video and your candor. I have an upcoming wedding I'm going to photograph and I've been researching and watching all sorts of videos, but actually got a lot from your insight than a lot of the others.
Thanks for sharing your experience, i have a wedding to shoot this Friday, feeling a bit more encourage, ,
Thank you,. You have no idea how much help you just provided me.
Thanks again.
Thank you sooo much for this video. I'm shooting my first wedding tomorrow and I am pretty nervous. They are friends of mine bus still pressure is there.
Very helpful and great video but the last one "Enjoy yourself"....that's what I forget these days.
So tomorrow I'm going to do exactly that. Take a great photos and ENJOY myself :)
Thanks a lot!
loved your advices and your experiences that you shared with us today ! its just humble and beautiful. I just shot my first wedding ever and it was not great but it was for free so they are happy with it.
Appreciate your feedback and I've also passed this message onto Rod (these are his experiences after all). Congrats on your first wedding!
This video was awesome - thank you
I’m doing my first wedding this weekend, I’m trying to not be a nervous wreck, liked your video
I hope it goes well. Enjoy!
Great!!! I have same problems...
This was great I feel more confident to go into my first wedding now!
Great video! I'm photographing/videoing a wedding in 4 hours, so I needed this.
Good luck! Hope it all goes well.
I needed to see this video...I’m doing my first wedding tomorrow. I appreciate these tips
I hope it went well.
Yes it went quite well
Thanks for this man, really...!
What a great video, I'm in this position at the moment where I want to get started with wedding photography and having got married myself back in May I saw how my photographer worked, so there was some brilliant advice and experiences included in this video that I'm sure will be helpful to me.
Hi Martin, I hope your journey into wedding photography is going nicely.
Very helpful and detailed originated
Great video, very interesting thanks .
Very good advice! All the best!
Great tips! Will be doing my first wedding in a month's time!
Good luck! Hope it goes well.
AMAZING! thank you soo Much for this I'm doing my first wedding shot in couple of months, and like you said preparation is a must. I'm looking into some tips and advices, and this video helped me alot.
Great tips given sincerely thank you..
Brilliant video. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you
Beautiful description...thank you for the advice.
Excellent and so helpful! Thank you.
A real photography lover
❤❤❤
And great video👍
Thank you for this!
Great video man, shooting my first two weddings this summer and this was helpful!
Super helpful, thanks for sharing your experiences so candidly.
Hi Jane, you're welcome. :-)
So much great information here!
Thanks!
Thanks Michelle. You've got some great work. You have a new follower on Instagram. :-)
Might be most helpful video I have watched. I have watched a ton
This coming up is our 3rd wedding. This one now it's my first big wedding. Super nervous! It's at the Harris hotel in Laughlin.
Thank you for the feedback. I'll pass it onto Rod. Good luck at the Harris Hotel.
Excellent video brother!!!! Thank you for sharing.
Hi Melvin, you're welcome. :-)
Great tips, thank you!
Thanks Tim.
Makes lots of Sense GREAT info my friend, I have a wedding at the end of May.
Interesting...
I enjoyed watching this. Great advice; Thank you for sharing.
Best advice ever!
very inspiring
Rod Allsopp - some great information. well done
Great video
Thank you so much for this video. I'm thinking about starting wedding photography in the future but I feel so out of my comfort zone, my element. This was raw, real and humble. Thank you for the advice.
By the way would you happen to tell me the song at 9:00? Its a beautiful piano piece
Brilliant, thank you
Great advice.
Thanks James.
great
I did a lot of wedding without a long and fast lens, and at the ceremonies I had to get up close, on the same side as the minister, but I got the shots.
I imagine that’s certainly the best way if the couple are happy for you to be there. Nice to get these shots if you can.
You were in the wrong place for the kiss
at 2:39 one hand in a pocket and kissing, bit too much arrogant for me, I would have shouted to hold her left arm instead
Fair point. It would have been nice to try both. I guess this is the kind of stuff you learn.
Wonderful advice! Thank you so very much!
Great advice; Thank you for sharing.
Great information. Thank you.
Great tips! Thank you!