🇨🇮 [ram27bat] 🇨🇮

I was asked to videotape a cousin's wedding for very similar reasons. I set the camera up in the balcony of the small church to get a good shot of the alter and let it run just before the wedding started. I went back down to the main floor. As people showed up, some went up in the balcony to sit. After the ceremony, I went up to retrieve the camera, and noticed it had been moved. Someone took it upon themself to to move the camera and tripod because, apparently, it was in their way. 😣 (I was pi$$ed) IIR, most of the video of the wedding ceremony was non-existant. Oh well, at least I got the reception. 🤨

Hire a photographer for them as a present.

HA! I should have known someone would say that. I refuse to hire a photographer for them, everyone in this area is so damn expensive. I was thinking of getting together with them once the weather breaks and checking out some areas to take pictures, then using them as test subjects and see what they think of the picture quality.

Don't be afraid to do some zooming in and taking some tight photo's. Also, move freely around the room and get as many pictures as possible. If it is a digital, set the pixel setting at a high level so you get some deep saturated color which will allow you to blow the photo's up to larger size without pixielization.

Since you'll be using a higher pixel setting, ensure you have plenty of gigabytes available to take lots of pictures. A couple of 16 gb cards and a laptop should be good. If you fill one card, insert the new card quickly and continue shooting. Have your assistant (spouse or friend) download the photo's onto the laptop while you are still shooting. Make sure they "cut" the photo's onto the laptop vice "copying" them.

Take plenty of pictures of your family as practice. Practice zooming, doing full length shots, adjust the flash, etc. If the wedding is outside, go to that location days ahead of time and practice with the lighting. Do the same for the inside if possible. Also, scout out an area to take some semi-formal photo's. If outside, find a nice contrasting place (side of building if suitable, greenery, etc) to take the photo's. Do the same if it's inside. Sometime's it's best to take the formal pictures BEFORE the wedding because afterwards you have dances, presents, reception line, etc.

Also, make sure you have plenty of batteries for the camera and make sure they are charged and ready to go. If they are rechargable, they usually have to be fully drained prior to charging to get the best charge. It wouldn't hurt to have backup batteries to your backup batteries.

When taking the formal shots, don't be afraid to pose them. Fix the hair, move the hands, straighten the dress, move the veil, etc. Take extra shots just in case. For the dances, make sure you get ALL the shots, e.g. 1) new husband and wife, 2) father and daughter, 3) son and mother, 4) the in-laws, 5) etc. Lastly, don't forget the garter pictures and the tossing of the flowers to the maids.

Make sure you shoot plenty of pics of the first dance, opening presents, the guests yakking, etc. Have your assistant/spouse use another camera to walk around and get extra candids.

I'm sure I'm forgetting some.......

Which camera did you get, Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Sony, etc? A wide angle lens works well for group shots, but you might be surprised by how some candid shots come out when using a zoom lens. Not to mention there will probably be several situations where you can't get in close enough to use a wide angle at all. 99.9% of all of my shots are taken with a 70-200 f2.8L lens.

Yeah, this already reads like it is going to turn into some big ordeal. NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED.

Nikon D3100 and I love it so far.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. There is just one problem.....I am a HUGE a s s hole and pretty much wont give a chit what is said about the pictures. If she wants me to do them, fine. If not, fine.

TRY A TROOP DONATION!

BE PROUD FEEL GOOD!!!!!!

Will your wife care? How about your kids?

Wife knows I am not a professional, she offered my services to do the pictures just to be nice and save the kids some money. As for my kids, I dont have any

Make sure NOT to invite Murphy (Murphy's Law). Chiefburg gave some good advice just in case he does show up...the bass turd...Murphy, not Chief. 😰