I photographed my first wedding yesterday and pretty much everything that could go wrong did.
Let me back up.
This winter, my friends Rob and Jenn asked me to photograph their wedding. I had done bridal shots before, but never a wedding. I was nervous, but it was a small wedding with just 50 people, so I accepted. I was equal parts thrilled and anxious, but I spent a lot of time in the past few months preparing for it.
I read everything I could get my hands on for first-time wedding photographers, emailed with several of my favorite photographer friends to get advice and support, and poured over wedding photography sites to get inspiration.
I practiced using my Speedlite flash, I bought a light diffuser, and I rented two very pretty lenses.
I pretended like my grandparents anniversary was a wedding and documented all the details – thinking it would be good practice for an indoor wedding with 50 people and lots of movement.
I also forced Gabe and Mike to dance around our apartment for me to practice. They are awesome.
I created an ambitious shoot list and a detailed timeline for the day of the wedding. I had a meeting with them and several emails to plan and determine what they wanted. I saved a dozen photos on my iPod to reference in case my brain froze during the couple portraits.
I tried to do everything I could to set myself up for success and give Jenn and Rob the photos that reminded them of their wedding day; the photos that captured their emotions and experience perfectly.
I was nervous, but confident. I had so many supportive friends cheering me on and a husband who is beyond perfect for me in the way he tirelessly encourages and reassures me.
Well, things started to go awry pretty quickly.
The morning of the wedding, I was awake and ready to drive the two hours to Columbus, when I received news the timeline changed, leaving me with a tight time for photos since the reception and ceremony were at the same place. Totally fine, I told myself, you can still do this. You’ve got this.
I drove to the reception hall to scout out spots to take the portraits outside, since the photo shoot at the bride’s mother’s house wasn’t happening. It was pretty much an asphalt parking lot. There wasn’t much natural light inside. I texted Mike, “Ah! The hall is pretty dark! Boo.” You’ve practiced using your flash. There is a tiny pocket of trees over there. It’s cool. (Oh, if I only knew what would happen…)
The heat was oppressive yesterday, and I cheerfully said to Jenn, “At least it’s not raining!” Twenty minutes later, the sky turned black, and opened as buckets of rain poured out. Tree debris swirled around in the air as hurricane-force winds pounded against the house. It was absolutely terrifying. I haven’t seen a storm like that in ages. Well, at least the ceremony and reception are inside.
I drove to the hall and Rob texted me that his power was out at the hotel. My stomach sank as I walked into the hall where the ceremony and reception would be and saw only candles. The power was out at the hall. It looked beautiful, but what about the photos? I stayed positive and spent some time testing out various lenses and flash setups. I could capture the candlelight beautifully, but people either looked blurry or washed out.
Have you ever tried taking photos in the dark? It’s nearly impossible unless you have a light source. I couldn’t focus on anything because I couldn’t see anything through the viewfinder to focus, I just had to shoot and hope some of the photos focused. It was…terrifying; I had a pit in my stomach.
Thankfully, the rain let up later in the evening and I had a bit of time to take their photos in the natural light coming through the doorway. Picture this: me standing in the parking lot on a chair as they canoodle in the doorway. There is a giant dumpster behind me. I am barefoot for some reason. Classy.
I am bummed that I wasn’t able to capture things as well as if there had been, you know, actual LIGHT, but I managed to get a few shots. In the end, they are married, everyone had fun, and the cake was the best cake I’ve ever had. Ever. And that’s what’s most important, right? (The married part, not the cake part. Obviously. But cake is a close second.)
Mike pointed out that even a seasoned photographer would have some trouble in this circumstance, but I can’t help but feel pretty letdown with my performance (it feels a lot like my half marathon experience, honestly).
It was an amazing, beautiful wedding as a guest, but a bit of a nightmare as a photographer. It was nothing if not baptism by freaking fire.
So, I know these weren’t ideal photography conditions but I’m seriously SO PROUD of you for doing it! And now you know if you can handle that you can handle “normal” conditions! And selfishly I’m glad you’re practicing wedding photography more now so that when I get married some day you’ll be an even more seasoned professional ;) And I know the couple will be so happy with what you photographed. It’s not about the amount of photos, but capturing the quality moments of love and celebration, and from the few you posted, they look amazing! :) yay you!
Wow, I can’t even imagine! I would have completely lost it. If you could handle that, you can handle anything! :)
Oh my goodness, that must have been so nerve-wracking! You’re right- even a seasoned photographer would have been extremely challenged in that situtation. Try not to be too hard on yourself. You prepared as best you could and you tried your very best to capture the spirit of that day. I have no doubt that the couple will look back on the photos years from now and laugh about the change of events, the downpour, and the lack of electricity. Your photos will help tell that story, and that’s what matters.
Your next wedding will go more smoothly. I promise :)
Awww…..that sounded like a really tough day. Mike’s right about a seasoned photographer having a hard time also–don’t be too hard on yourself. I understand your disappointment–you prepared sooo well for everything except there’s no way to get around Mother Nature’s nasty tricks! I’ll bet you got some great pics in spite of all the obstacles. They’ll be a reflection of the wedding the couple remembers and you handled it all with good grace and that’s important because it helped make their day run smoothly despite the twist in their plans. (luv you!)
Yikes! Baptism by fire indeed, but I bet your pictures were lovely – remember when wedding photographers only provided about thirty photos? If you have thirty decent photos, you’ve done your job and all the dark shots will be wonderful reminders for the bride and groom of just how eventful their day turned out to be – and how different and how special it was as a result. Well done on keeping calm and getting through it!
Good GRIEF! What a terrible, awful series of circumstances!! I am so sorry that was your first experience with wedding photography, but the two photos you shared here are just gorgeous. You certainly can’t be blamed for any of the issues that arose, and I’m sure they were very happy to have a photographer willing to roll with the punches and work extra hard to get the greatest shots possible!
Well from the 2 shots you posted it seems you did really well!!! Don’t forget all the couple reall want is a few shots to remember the day by. I’m sure you got at least a few that are absolutely magical.
We’d love to see more!
I shot my first wedding this year, and the results were so great that another couple asked to do theirs. The week of the wedding I was preparing all my bits and pieces (shot list, etc) when I realised the ceremony was going to be in full darkness, and the couple hadn’t realised (end of day light savings etc) either! Having NO experience with flash work I panicked, and then set about educating myself about night time photo
:) Mary
See the pics at http://thebeautywithinit.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/wedding-photos-annie-jim.html
Also see http://www.beautifullifebydesignau.com/Beautiful_Life_by_Design/Photography/Entries/2012/1/21_Lynda_%26_Jay_-_wedding.html
I doubt anybody could have done better this weekend. Whether the 100*F plus heatwave in Georgia or the storms in Ohio, nothing went according to plan this weekend. Consider this wedding your “first pancake”; the first pancake is always a bit funny, the test-pancake. The rest of the batch is wonderful!
The fact you didn’t get in your car and drive home speaks loads about you.. surely, the bride and groom’s expectations changed the minute they realized there was no power. You did the best you could. And my guess is that between now and your next wedding, you’re going to make Gabe and Mike dance around in the dark, for practice, of course. =)
You’re absolutely right. The fact that the author did not run away at the sight of all that trouble speaks volumes about what can they do with less obstacles and more tools.
you are amazing! please don’t let this discourage you from doing it again. xoxo
Great, now I am even more scared to shoot my first wedding in July! I rented a lens and I’m super excited about that though. What camera do you have?
And now I’m ready to sound like a stalker. Yesterday my aunt and her boyfriend (who are from Toronto) were talking about a wedding they went to in Columbus Ohio on Saturday for my aunt’s boyfriends niece! They said the ceremony had no power because of the storms and all I could think about was you because I had just read this blog post. What a small world it would be if they were at the same wedding you were shooting. They said it was a fairly small wedding.
That was baptism by flippin inferno! But now its out of the way so you dont have to havea first wedding again!!
You’re brave to take a wedding photography gig, so bravo! I think you did great with the circumstances you had and I’m sure your friend loved the photos.
Inspiring and seriously helpful tips. Yes, it’s true before having the photography session a little talk to the bride and groom can make them comfortable throughout the wedding.Loved the thought that you have mention regarding worship place about it’s parameter, location and flash. Great!
Sounds like the day really gave you some trouble, but like you said, the important thing is they got married. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Your introduction was pretty funny. It’s unfortunate so many things went wrong, though. At least you did your research. And you’ll probably be better prepared than you would otherwise be because of this day.
WOW! We always must be prepared for the worst. So sorry this happened, but I am glad it was still a great wedding! Thanks for sharing about this crazy day!
Wow, who knew there were so many factors you have to account for to avoid complications during a shoot. This is definitely helpful for any other photographers who are just starting out. Thanks for sharing your story!
Wow, such a fearless woman! You got some wedding photography skills like a pro. That’s pretty difficult for beginners. Here are some great wedding photos you can get ideas from https://sweetlightingphoto.com/moments/ Hope this helps!
I loved these photography tips. Thank you so much for sharing.