It’s not every day your friends take a look at your shots on Facebook and ask you to do their wedding photography. But if you decide to rise to the challenge, what do you do? Virgin wedding photographer Katrina Pike tells all.
With slight trepidation I agreed to be ‘official’ wedding photographer for friends. But only after they assured me that they were chilled about the whole thing and had no high expectations as I felt I couldn’t guarantee the results.
I take a lot of photos, granted. And people seem to like them. But it’s always been more a case of noticing something beautiful or interesting and wanting to capture it.
Being the official wedding photographer however, is quite a different story, with the pressure to produce attractive images and ‘capture the moment’ on someone else’s behalf, several times over, on what may be one of the most important days of their life!
As I said, though, bride and groom were relaxed about it. So I’d say it was the ideal situation for this virgin wedding photographer.
Wedding morning
Battery charged. Check. Memory card empty, ready to be filled. Check. Camera strap attached. Check. Map to bride’s house printed. Check. Off I set with my bulging backpack, somewhat reducing glamour of my wedding outfit. Actually, that’s something else to consider. I discard tight trousers for fear of splitting while crouching to take those action shots. Instead I settle for stretchy leggings and comfy dress. Done.
Post Service
While browsing tips on the internet beforehand I’ve managed to miss the advice to befriend the head usher before the service. Oops.
It’s time for group shots but everyone is milling around in front of the church like lost sheep without a shepherd. It suddenly dawns… the shepherd has to be me.
So, bossy boots donned, I shout names and point people this way and that, trying to squeeze them all into the frame without including cars, lamp posts, and random strangers walking their dogs. I’m even sure who the parents are and I’m sure I’m offending some people in my blustering instructions. Oh dear.
Meanwhile, I begin to panic slightly (ok, quite majorly) as I realise the battery seems to be deteriorating a lot faster than usual. Three bars, two bars, one bar… (insert expletive – only in my head of course!) …Red flashing not-a-good-sign.
I’ve had my Panasonic
All I can say is thank God for friends with cameras and experience and a bride and groom who don’t mind extra people squeezing in with them as they drive off from the church in their wedding car!
The Reception
I quickly find a socket to charge the battery, feeling very unprofessional. But I guess we’ve all got to start somewhere and learn from our mistakes, don’t we?
The wedding is lovely and reflects the couple but I suppose their priorities weren’t on how pretty everything looked, so the high-ceilinged, fluorescently-lit, non-windowed, community sports hall with just blue and white helium balloons to decorate isn’t the most ideal setting for a photographer.
I feel a little out of my depth trying to make the best of the lighting while attempting to record candid moments without being too obvious.
In summary
I found the whole experience of the day quite challenging because of that paradox of preparing to get in the way of guests at certain moments while almost needing to disappear despite the big camera in front of my face.
I think underlying all that’s required or expected of a wedding photographer is confidence – confidence in yourself and in your skill. And if you’re not feeling it then you still have to pretend, so you can put everyone else at ease!
So I’m thankful for the opportunity to learn all of the above but I think before I agree to do another wedding I may want to have some more training for that self-assurance.
Katrina Pike
Thanks, Bob & Lou Hill, for your wedding photos. Congratulations!
Comments
Fun photos – evident joy and participation by all – sharing the love on a special day celebrating love! Congratulations to the happy couple, those who happily shared in the joy, and to the photographer, who caught it all ‘for posterity’!
Fun photos – evident joy and participation by all – sharing the love on a special day celebrating love! Congratulations to the happy couple, those who happily shared in the joy, and to the photographer, who caught it all 'for posterity'!
I feel your pain, my first wedding was for a friend of a friend, during which my CF card filled up and corrupted so I had to back up and recover while driving to the reception (thankfully it was a hour drive!)
I too have insulted guests accidentally, the term “couple” should have one meaning, I used it to mean 2 people, where as they (brother and sister) thought i meant romantic partners!
keep the confidence going, i find the best way to work is to make them smile, then you tend to become a guest rather than photographer and everyone relaxes!
Good luck in future, I’m sure you will have many more chances to shine!
I feel your pain, my first wedding was for a friend of a friend, during which my CF card filled up and corrupted so I had to back up and recover while driving to the reception (thankfully it was a hour drive!)
I too have insulted guests accidentally, the term “couple” should have one meaning, I used it to mean 2 people, where as they (brother and sister) thought i meant romantic partners!
keep the confidence going, i find the best way to work is to make them smile, then you tend to become a guest rather than photographer and everyone relaxes!
Good luck in future, I'm sure you will have many more chances to shine!
may this magazine show the little joys of life… such as a happy smile, a good wave, a tear from a bride, a country through cows….
may this magazine show the little joys of life… such as a happy smile, a good wave, a tear from a bride, a country through cows….