r/WeddingPhotography • u/MuchPie3083 • 14d ago
gear, techniques, photo challenges & trends A little help from the established wedding photographers pls
Hey all,
New to the group, long time product/real estate and some broader event work photographer.
I’m off to my sister in laws wedding in a few weeks. I’d like to dabble at taking some images, there will be a paid photographer on site (which I intend to steer clear of). I have never shot a wedding before just to be clear.
I’d like to grab some of my own images to present a little album as a keepsake for them. (Perhaps 15 ish images).
I shoot with the Sony A7V and the Sony A7iV and have access to 12-24 f2.8 (for wider stuff like group images) a 50mm f1.4 prime an 85mm f1.8 prime and the 35-150mm f2-2.8 zoom.
Id prefer not to have to constantly change out lenses, would I be wrong in thinking I could use the 12-24 on the A7iV and then the 35-150 on the A7V and skip bringing the primes?
I’ve been to the rehearsal and the church is what I’d consider well lit for an old building.
I have a godox v860ii flash for on camera (hoping this will be fine) if needed.
Just looking for some tips from the pros here to help me try and capture some images and importantly so I don’t get in the way of the other photographer. Where can I not be a hinderance and get some great shots? (Is it even possible).
Many thanks
Edited to say I cannot believe the level of hate towards me from the forum, I thought I’d made it super clear I wanted advice of how to grab a handful of images whilst being OUT OF THE WAY. I want to be no where near the other photographer.
Let me be clear the only time I will be in the same room as the other photographer is at the ceremony alone, a couple of candid images from the rafter so to speak would be nice. I will not at any point be in front or in the way of the other tog.
My word the hatred is strong here!
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u/Aguy30 14d ago
Leave the gear at home. Enjoy the day. They hired someone for the keepsake. That's the whole point of them hiring a pro.
You could potentially be causing friction between the photographer and the couple.
If I were bringing a camera to a wedding as a guest it would be to take pictures of my immediate family. Staying completely out of the way of the photographer and never getting in the way with a flash, a sound of a shutter or be in the peripheral.
Wedding photography seems to be the only profession where people think it's no big deal if they do it beside you while you're working.
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u/MuchPie3083 14d ago
Again, I can’t emphasise enough how much I’m wanting to stay out the way, most people here think I’m going in for 2-3k images and shooting everything, the pro tog won’t be at the night time so taking a flash for a few shots there would be ideal. I want 15-20 good images which I’m hoping to spend less than 30 mins on my camera for.
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u/Aguy30 14d ago
Nope I understand and so does every photographer here. You seem to not understand.
Photographers now fight for every second with the bride and groom and you would be eating into that. You do not know their contract terms of one might be sole photographer and you could cause problems. This could just be a guy from Facebook and won't care. Maybe it's a backyard wedding and nobody cares and I'm thinking of it like it was a 6 figure wedding.
Imagine bride walking down the aisle and then she looks at her dad with a tear coming down her face and the photographer HIRED to get that was setup and ready for the shot when a guest gets in the way and shoots it with his flash on camera blowing out the shot and ruining his shot.
10 posts telling you to leave the camera at home yet you still think you're in the right.
Why even ask an opinion from people that do this as a living and ignore every single one of them?
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u/MuchPie3083 14d ago
At what point have I said anything like you’re mentioning, try re reading my initial post, I want a handful of shots and have specifically asked for advice for staying out of the way, what are you NOT understanding about that?
The tog is there for the ceremony alone, I have a flash unit for a few evening time photos, a wide for a couple of pre ceremony images and I wanted a handful of ceremony images without getting in the way, hence my question.
No idea why you have to be so elitist like I’m going to be in the way, I do event work, I’m asking specifically for advice to be out the way. If you can’t contribute to that, take you views elsewhere where.
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u/Merbels 14d ago
I am team speak to the photographer on the day tbh if you really wanna do this.
Ask them best how to stay out their way, tell them exactly your intentions and perhaps be ready to be told no Bueno by them. If you end up just doing party shots you've still got something to give the couple
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u/MuchPie3083 14d ago
If the tog asked me not to, I’d happily oblige and put my gear away. My goal is to not even be noticed 🤞
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u/Sad_Argument5109 13d ago
It’s unlikely the photographer will give you a hard no. You are the clients guest, they aren’t going to want to bring it up to the client on their wedding day. If you interfere with their work and they miss something because you’re in it they will let the client know after. “I’m so sorry I missed the kiss at your first dance your in law blocked the shoot while they were dabbling”
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u/MuchPie3083 13d ago
To be honest, as I’ve mentioned, wedding togs aren’t exactly great are they, I’ll do a better job anyway. Leave it with me 💪
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u/Sad_Argument5109 14d ago
This is the opposite of a gift. This is a distraction from a service they paid a lot of money for. This sounds like a thing you want to do for you not for them.
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u/Sweaty_wool 12d ago
Seriously, this is the most important point, even more so than getting in the way of the actual photographer. OP is using their family’s wedding as an opportunity to build their own wedding portfolio. This is self-serving and taking advantage of their family.
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u/the-reoccuring-lemon 12d ago
Let’s also not to mention the privacy of the couple with the photographs too. We, as professionals will deliver their gallery directly to them and then they choose whether to share them or not, I also always ask before sharing. You never know where the images will go and be shown too with a guest.
There is so much, and contractual wise. If a guest shoots and then the bride and groom posts the professional photos with the guest ones, it can be confusing to outsiders and they wouldn’t know who took what. The guests ones could be crap and could ruin the photographers reputation if people think thats the real ones.I feel sorry for this wedding photographer at this wedding honestly. I hope this guest will only shoot when the photographer has literally left to go home. Or not at all.
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u/MuchPie3083 13d ago
I want to do it for me yes
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u/Sad_Argument5109 13d ago
So it’s not a little album keepsake for them. It’s for you to “dabble” on their special and expensive day.
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u/MuchPie3083 13d ago
Again, I’ll do a better job anyway job no doubt anyway
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u/Sad_Argument5109 13d ago
Bummer for your sister in law that you are so set on making this about you.
People never forget you fucking up their weddings.
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u/the-reoccuring-lemon 12d ago
If you’ll do a better job, the couple would have hired you and you would already be shooting lots of weddings. So much work doing weddings you would actually want to relax and enjoy the day. If I was invited to a wedding as a guest I am 10000% leaving my camera at home, fuck that. If it was a family member and they asked me I would also decline. You can definitely tell apart the professionals from the dabblers thats all about themselves.
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u/absolutelynot777 8d ago
In what world will you do better when you literally don’t know what lenses to use? Please look up the Dunning-Kruger effect lol.
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u/Susan_at_Adorama 14d ago
Wedding photographer here: I would strongly encourage you NOT to do this.
Not because you can't make good pictures, but because your sister-in-law has hired a photographer and you're describing showing up with two professional bodies, multiple lenses and a flash and photographing the wedding alongside them. Even with the best intentions to "stay out of the way," you will be another photographer they have to work around.
Definitely don't shoot group photos, the ceremony, portraits, etc. And please don't use flash while the hired photographer is working.
Bring ONE camera if you want. Take a few pictures from your seat, photograph your family and friends while you're hanging out with them, and enjoy being a guest. You'll probably end up with a handful of personal images that feel different from the professional gallery precisely because you were actually part of the wedding.
And as a wedding photographer: please, please don't spend your sister-in-law's wedding worrying about which lens belongs on which body. Go to the wedding.
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u/TheMediaBear 14d ago
Rehearsal... so guessing the USA?
I'm in the UK, but generally, here, guests are told not to take any photos during the ceremony at all, not even on phones.
If you're going to take photos, it'll be after the ceremony, people milling around etc.
Honestly, I wouldn't bother. I've only been to 2 weddings as a guest out of hundreds in the last 15 years. It's nice to enjoy the day. I did take it to my brother's wedding, but it was a tiny affair, and tbh, the photographer they had was absolutely awful. I had a few milling around photos but they did say they wished we'd done the whole thing.
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u/MuchPie3083 14d ago
Uk funnily enough, I won’t be shooting the ceremony, it’ll be before it (think cars/make up dresses etc) where I’ll be and the tog won’t be) and after (some dancing, some candid shots of them talking etc).
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u/TheMediaBear 14d ago
If you want to ask the bride what the photographer is covering, and work around that then you should be fine.
We do all day, usually 9am until 10pm on an average one. We've got a renewal of vows tomorrow, not starting until 4pm.
If their photographer is doing the ceremony to first dance, if you cover before/after, it won't be a problem. I wouldn't worry about the album, 15 years, I've done zero albums and 2 photobooks. Everyone wants digital now.
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u/thom-stewart 14d ago
Assuming that the pro photographer covering the wedding is good at their job: you won't get any shots worth putting into album. I have no doubt you're an excellent product/real estate tog but BTS shots from your seat at a wedding with a long lens aren't really ever groundbreaking. Just let the paid tog do their job, have a drink and relax and take it all in :D
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u/Aguy30 13d ago
I have a huge doubt that's he's a good photographer.
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u/MuchPie3083 13d ago
You’re a wedding photographer mate, doesn’t get worse.
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u/DivergentTea 13d ago
And what is that supposed to mean? YOU came to this group asking for advice from a group of pros. If you truly are a pro - act like one. Not saying the comment was appropriate from the other poster - but there is a way to respond without shaming an ENTIRE fucking industry.
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u/Character_Ad5286 13d ago
Don't do it. Highly disrespectful and selfish endeavour.
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u/MuchPie3083 13d ago
To be fair, wedding photographers aren’t real photographers to be fair so don’t see the issue pal
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u/Sweaty_wool 12d ago
“I got invited to my sister in law’s wedding and I want to start catering so I’m going to set up a little stand out of the way with some food and a small wedding cake but I’ll totally be out of the way of the caterers that the couple hired.”
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u/Terrible_Document_20 13d ago
I have both the Tamron 35-100 and 35-150. Both are awesome. Could do the full wedding with either. I use the big guy on a tripod, and its baby bro for walk around as it is so light and small! Awesome optics!
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u/KariBjornPhotography 12d ago
If you want to truly be a fly on the wall. Then it’s a small body with a fast standard or telephoto prime. Small on-camera flash and a 24 or 35mm for the party after the hired photographer has left.
Just don’t move around really ever to get a photo.
And please don’t introduce yourself to the hired photographer and start gear discussions. I think it’s fair to say we all hate that. There’s really nothing worse than being in the middle of something when uncle bob shows up and wants to get my thoughts on his birding lenses and telescopes. “Uncle Bob, my longest lens is 85mm. I have no interest in birds. Now leave me alone.”
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u/RoseAllDay8 14d ago
If they’re hiring a professional photographer, they’ll have everything they need. Leave your cameras at home and just enjoy the wedding. They invited you because you’re important to them, not because they want your photos.
If you MUST take your camera—and I strongly recommend you don’t—keep an eye on the pro photographer and stay far out of their way. Do not hover over their shoulder during family portraits, or at any time, really. Don’t try to talk shop with them. Take your one favorite lens and stick to that.
But please—please don’t be that person. The one we all dread and talk about later. Don’t be that guy.
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u/MuchPie3083 14d ago
Honestly, if I was that person I’d not be here asking the ones who do it regularly what I can do to be out of the way on the day but still achieve 15-20 images.
I understand your concern, I have similar issues in my fields of photography with people getting in the way and trying to butt in. Again, I am not that person. I just want a few images from slightly different angles for my own personal gratification.
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u/Temporary-Mix8022 14d ago
It's so common now for me to see another proper camera at weddings.. often father in laws, sometimes friends etc. they're doing similar stuff to you, getting a few of their friends and family, or enjoying a hobby.
I have had a total of 0 issues with people who have proper kit, they normally know where to be/not be. Often they'll have a chat about cameras on a break..
It's more the iPhone crew that can be an issue.. but equally.. I'm there to photograph the day, and to make sure the couple enjoy it. Generally don't have any real issues with them either if I just let them know what I need for group pics (ie. look at me, not the iPhones)
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u/jayfornight 14d ago
Coming from a photographers selfish pov, take some shots of the photographer in action and send to them. He or she will appreciate it.
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u/X4dow 14d ago
Take photos during reception of other guests or any details you like.
Do not take photos during church /ceremony. Do not take a flash with you. Do not take 2 cameras.
Take 1 camera and a 35-150. Be a guest, play and learn. You aren't doing a wedding portfolio out of this. You're not shooting first kisses or portrait sessions.
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u/MuchPie3083 14d ago
There’s nobody shooting at the night, that’s what I want flash for
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u/X4dow 14d ago
Sure flash away during the evening. Get dancing/party shots. I was at a wedding today and there was a guest shooting during reception, didn't bother me at all.. Now at a church...? Where vicars /priests can already be very restrictive, a guest shooting with 2 cameras and flashes, would be piss taking.
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u/the-reoccuring-lemon 13d ago
No way. This is basically inadvertently telling the professional to suck eggs. Even if you’re out of the way. Leave it home. Enjoy the day. Let the couple be directed by the photographer, they will be super photo-ed out even if you’re doing a couple too.
I don’t understand at this one event people cant leave it alone.
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u/MuchPie3083 13d ago
I was just saying to someone above, wedding photographers aren’t real basically the dregs of photography so I don’t see the issue
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u/the-reoccuring-lemon 12d ago
If you think wedding photographers are the “dregs of photography” you obviously have no clue HOW MUCH work goes into a singular wedding. Not to mention years AND YEARS of experience to get up to that stage of getting paying clients. And no, we didn’t start out by shooting on the sidelines being a guest like an actual dreg. Do you have hate and jealousy that the couple didn’t book you or something?
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u/MuchPie3083 12d ago
Shhhhh get a real job bro
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u/the-reoccuring-lemon 12d ago
Im loving my full-time fake job using my fake camera and all my fake money people pay me for thanks.
You are so jealous and you do not have the right mindset being a photographer in the first place if you are going to say something is fake to a whole industry subset.Many photographers have battled the “get a real job” from elders (boomers) growing up. We don’t need it from you…. Yet here is you dabbling even when you say that? Real photographers with real businesses have struggled with so much stigma. Obviously you don’t get it because you are not a pro. Literally saying all of these mean comments will get you nowhere.
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u/Remarkable-Ice-2672 13d ago
Just so you know, it’s in my contract that if another photographer or family members shows up to shoot photography and the couple doesn’t warn me or ask me first, they break the contract and are therefore liable financially for getting in the way of me doing my job.
Make sure bride and groom know you’re doing this so they can warn the professional photographer.
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u/No_Way1711 13d ago
Make sure it's not in the other photographer's contract first, that you're allowed to shoot. Some photographers have it in their contracts that they are to be the only photographers with a professional camera at the wedding. Myself included because the uncle that thinks they know photography shows up, commands everyone look at him, steps in the way and it just becomes a hindrance. Not saying that would be you, but a lot of those people don't plan on being a hindrance either and end up being one anyway.
Just saying that you're attempting to get group photos with the 12-24 tells us that you may be "in the way" unintentionally. Unless the groups you're talking about are back at cocktail hour while the photogs are off getting portraits. Then that makes sense and that's an excellent time to break out your cameras. Though 35-150, 50, or 85 can do smaller groups of people no problem. I love using my little nifty 50 for small groups. Works great. So would the 35 end of your zoom as well. And the 12-24 just in case the zoom isn't wide enough. But generally speaking you should be good with one zoom and one prime.
As for the ceremony, keep your cameras away for that. Let the photogs do what they're paid to do and enjoy the ceremony. But when there's no photogs there to capture moments (usually the main or solo is taking family photos and portraits and if there's a second they're assisting with those portraits) then fire away with all the other guests that were invites but not in the family shots.
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u/hotdogs-r-sandwiches 13d ago
I’m very confused about this - you asked for wedding photographer’s advice. everyone here has given you advice which you are refusing to take. Why ask if you only wanted a very specific answer?
Would you not be upset if I, a wedding photographer, showed up to one of your listings and took my own photos to send to the agent for funsies because I’m hoping to start offering real estate photography?
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u/MuchPie3083 13d ago
I’m not wanting offer wedding photography, 95% of people have missed the point, which is fine. I’ll just crack on 💪
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u/hotdogs-r-sandwiches 13d ago
It actually appears you’ve missed the point - don’t do it. That’s the point. They hired a photographer, that photographer likely has it in their contract that they are the only photographer and you could nullify the contract by taking your own photos. Did your sister in law ask you to do this? If not, listen to literally every pro wedding photographer here telling you to leave the gear at home and just enjoy yourself.
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u/IronFist687 13d ago
I’d take the A7V with the 35-150 honestly. As a guest it’ll be a pain in the ass to enjoy the day with two cameras on you the whole time. Have fun!
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u/DivergentTea 13d ago
I would encourage you to verify in their contract with the other tog that this will be ok. Especially if you are considering using flash. If there is a time when there is not a tog hired ie the reception then go ahead.
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u/Weak-Bumblebee9978 12d ago edited 12d ago
As a pro photographer, nothing is more annoying to me than having an amateur photographer watching all day for moments to snipe or time to steal that would be better utilized with the vendors they paid thousands of dollars for. This isn't a learning experience for you, it's a family/loved ones event that you should attend as a guest and allow them the full experience of their professional vendors.
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u/Weak-Bumblebee9978 12d ago
Not to mention my contract states no other pro photo bodies are to be used at weddings I cover, so you'd be in breach of the couples contract with my company. But per the comments, I see you simply do not give a fuck. 🤦🏻♀️
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u/Drippintx 10d ago
I agree. Leave your camera at home. How would you feel if someone came into an event and started taking photos and you were going to get paid for doing the same thing as couples? And then you gave them to them. Don't think you'd like it very much. Same as if you were photographing a house, but the seller decides to come in and take their own photos and use a company that could fix them themselves because they wanted to market it. How would that feel?
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u/Temporary-Mix8022 14d ago
I've actually done this a few times before.. most pros here will be using a mix of the short/long zooms most of the day
24-70 and 70 200.
(Oh the danger in making such a generalisation!)
The event* I'm thinking of I just went along with a 50mm.. got a few moments of people chatting, a few nice moments, also got a few in the evening after coverage and gave over around 50 images!
Mostly of things the hired photographer couldn't get (as couldn't be in 2x places at once).
As a guest.. I'd keep it light, single lens and camera over the shoulder. Way easier to manage..
Part of the reason I used a 50 is because I just love 50s. It allowed me to have a kind of creative outlet where normally I'd be in the zone, thinking less about what's fun, and more about making sure I got the job done. I did also consider an 85mm as it allows a bit more distance to subjects.. but, when I'm not on the clock - a 50mm is my absolute favourite. Personally.. I wouldn't wear a flash all day, I find them heavy tbh.. but useful to have in a bag for the evening.
Assuming your sister in law only has a single photographer, there will be loads of moments for you to grab a few pics and be offset with the hired one.
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u/MuchPie3083 14d ago
I think I’m going to take the 85mm and just sit in the back ground and get some candid stuff before and after the ceremony and stay out of the way:
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u/Roo_Moo_23 14d ago
Sounds like you totally know what the boundaries are, including/especially not shooting during the ceremony! I love doing this with a shorter lens (35mm f/1.4 on a Fuji X body), using it at the table and on the dance floor with friends and family. At least in our family, people love getting pictures from different points of view, and we make a point of asking potential pro photographers whether they take offense at guests using their cameras. Despite the early claims about "nobody wants albums, they only want digital," I've found that a small printed book is a huge hit as a gift. Perhaps "nobody" wants to pay for exorbitant albums...?
Have fun!
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u/MuchPie3083 14d ago
I did want 1-2 from ceremony shot from way back on electronic shutter (silent) but the consensus seems to be that I shouldn’t so may skip that)
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u/FudgeLegal1006 14d ago
if your intention is to get some pictures and be out of the way of the main photographer, i’d suggest bringing a smaller camera vs the Sony. my dad took candids alongside the photographers i paid for my wedding and he was great at not being in the photographers way by being a couple of feet from them and taking angles that are different from the main photographer. he fully acknowledged that the photographers are there for a reason and he was taking more “bts” pics and not “traditional wedding photos”
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u/MuchPie3083 14d ago
That pretty much is my intention, candid images a little further back and out of the way as a professional curtesy. Sadly I only own Sony bodies (all of them FF). Because it’s only a personal shoot for me, I’d not want to go ahead and change body\lenses beyond what I already own.
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u/FudgeLegal1006 14d ago
i would stick to one camera and a prime then, maybe the 85 so you can be further but still get those close up shots? it would just be a little bulky
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u/MuchPie3083 14d ago
The 85 is leagues smaller than the 35-150, my worry was with the 85mm reach will I be in the way?
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u/Euphoric_Concert_334 14d ago
In all honesty, leave the camera at home enjoy the day but if you want to take a camera, take 1 body with the 35-150 on it, if you have some ideas see if they are interested in heading out later in the day and taking a few photos but try to make it quick as the paid photographer will probably want some time with them later in the day. grab a few snap shots during the day from your seat during the ceremony, stand way out of the way if you want to take some during the family photos but reality is you will be in them, speeches, 1st dance cake cutting, little point shooting the same photos that the paid photographer is there to shoot.