wet and rainy on the fifth...

Photographing weddings can be very tiring though the day goes very quickly. I did another one today at Wokefield Park, which housed a 17th century mansion as the wedding venue. The weather was quite promising though it looked cloudy. Towards the end of the day it did rain, but I'll get to that bit later.

I met up with Stuart at 12 and took some photos of the room where the wedding was being held. We also set up the tri-pod for the ceremony and then went to find the bride. She was in her hotel room and panicking over her make-up. She was such a character (from Liverpool and had travelled far) and it was surprising to find a bride who didn't like make up. The norm of the female world love it and to find someone who doesn't like it that much came as a surprised. I'm not a fan myself. A touch of eye-shadow,mascara and lip gloss is enough for me

We briefly took some pictures of Jenna in her A-line swishy dress before we went downstairs and waited for the bridesmaids to come. There were some really nice stairs that Stuart shot of the girls which looked really nice in the soft window light. The ceremony then began.

Of course I stood in my place (at the back) and snapped at the usual. I managed to take in what Stuart had said earlier about yesterday. Yes, he definitely noticed that I was off centre. That was fine as I was prepared for it. There was a red carpet to define the aisle so I managed to find the center of the that and shot from there. I managed to focus where I had to position the camera before I took any pictures. I was quite proud of my effort as I took a good sequence of the "I do kiss". I hope Stuart liked them, as I don't think he has seen them yet.

The guests then had their drinks and we good the newlyweds to their private photoshoot location. It was different and exciting today as we were to go on a golf-cart to the lake. The mansion has huge gardens and a golf course so the cart was the best way to get around. The weather was turning for the worst with wind blowing in all directions. We got few pictures of the couple but making sure the dress didn't blow about was a problem. Not long after we started it began to rain and we ran back to the golf cart. It was such a shame because the wedding yesterday was so sunny and Emma and Matthew had such a good photoshoot in the trees and grass.

Jenna and Kevin were of course unlucky which un-balanced the order of plan. We were to do the group photos next to finish off. The rain got heavier which caused a problem. After discussing with the venue organisers we managed to move the wedding breakfast forward so the group photos could be after. The sun came out and we managed to fit in the main group photo and the sides of the families. Jenna stood on a red carpet as she didn't want her dress to get any muddier.

It had just gone 4 and it was time for me to go. Stuart on the other hand had to go home and get some equipment before going back to the venue to finish of any other photos.

It was a good day and I was worried it would have been too much like yesterday. It wasn't which was good. The couples were different, so was the weather.

You think that just because it is someone's wedding, it should be sunny. It won't always be.

Want to visit my Flickr photostream with the featured photos in my blog and more then click the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brown_eyed_dreamer/

on the way 'four'ward....

Almost a month later and I have completed my fourth wedding. It took place at Silchester and was a pleasant day.

The weather this week has been all over the place, raining cats and dogs, and Stuart and I were wondering if the weekend would be nice and sunny. For most of the day it was, which was good.

I met Stuart at his house at noon, with only some biscuits I ate in the car for a lunch, though I took some sandwiches with me. I didn't take my camera today as there hadn't been much point as I had been using Stuarts. When he saw me without it, he agreed, which was good because I imagined him saying just to bring it incase.

We firstly drove to the church where the wedding was being held in Swallowfield not too far from the reception venue.

The church was beautiful; flint work on the outside and a warm cream, statue carved interior. Maybe it is not exactly as elaborate as that but if you ever go there your expectations will be raised. We arrived early so we could get some pictures of the groom, best men and ushers. Naturally this was done round the back of the church with the men leaning casually on the wall and looking like good pals. I took in to account how, though it was a wedding how casual and relaxed poses and help reduce nerves and create a calm atmosphere.

All the brides posse arrived on a Horseman coach and there were a lot. The brides maids came in a car and were dressed head to toe in baby pink. I observed Stuart as he took their picture and the bride as she arrived in her ribboned BMW. Meanwhile I was to set up the tri-pod at the front of the church. Some guests had already come in and I felt proud that I was part of the setting up and made me feel like I was doing a useful job. Cheesy?

The service was on it's way and as normal, I stood at the back to capture any key moments. I also had a go at taking some photos of the bride as she came into the church - she was in focus, her dad wasn't...ahhhh ooops. Maybe pulling a face and biting my lip wasn't a good idea for the odd guests who were generally watching.

I managed to take some better photos during the ceremony but looking back I could have stood to in the centre of the aisle rather than cutting out half the left side. I felt like a real amateur photographer then, I wondered what Stuart would have thought once he got home and uploading the pictures. I still felt a bit embarrassed but how can I improve if I don't make mistakes? There is a lot of pressure to be that gets piled on with wedding photography. I was thinking this morning if this is really what I thought it would be. It's hard word. I have probably mentioned this before, but every job is hard, but I still feel I wouldn't enjoy a job quite like this.

There is huge nerve build up before the service - there is the bride to capture as she arrives, the groom and best men, the guests, making sure you have everything you need, there is plan, you are on time and so much more. Fortunately, Stuart was giving a few tips about this and was agreeing how there is a lot to think about. With three Canon's there are different set ups and they can easily be disrupted and changed, so there is that too think about as well.

He was also mentioning in the car, on the way to Silchester that it is best to give couples a realistic expectation of what they have ordered for the day. When a wedding is fairly local to Stuart he is able to take the photos, go home and then edit and give the couple one of pictures as a sample of the finished albums. If he were to set a high bar, then there would be more pressure to keep that status.

The day has been similar to all the weddings I have been to of course and I never want to repeat myself in a way that totally bores the mind. On a short note, there was a private photo shoot for the newlyweds (as normal). Stuart likes to experiment and try unique things such as on the outskirts of the ground there was some long grass, which we asked the bride to stand in and looks as if she was blowing in the wind. It was very elegant.

To finish off the day there were group shots and my mind wondered over the day and what I had learned. It was more theory than practical. Any practical aspect was already mentioned but we had a long talk about settings, editing and just being organised. You don't want to feel like you are bullying or nagging away to guests or the bride and groom to make them do things. You still have to be firm and direct in a polite and reasonable manner otherwise people will never do anything. That is what you are being paid for.

I'm still not being paid but I don't think I'm good enough yet. On the other hand there is a festival in Wallingford that I have been asked to do over next weekend(still unpaid). Stuart told me he can't make it as he is going to a higher paid festival on the same days. This will hopefully give me a chance to relax a bit and go at my own speed, taking photos of interesting and exciting things.

I am to look out for happy people, interesting stalls, music acts and basically illuminate the a village festival feel. I also need to remember to change my camera settings too at least ISO 1000 to get enough light for the night time acts.

That is pretty much what I have to say today, as I will be going to my fifth wedding shoot tomorrow.

Want to visit my Flickr photostream with the featured photos in my blog and more then click the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brown_eyed_dreamer/

Wedding at number 3...

Yesterday I went to my third wedding shoot. As it is Summer and it's warm as it's ever going to be in England; it is a popular time for weddings.

The wedding took place in Ufton Court, where there were beautiful gardens and a decorated barn for the ceremony.

Stuart and I started at his house and drove down to see the bride prepare herself, and take some pictures of her dress and accessories. I always get a buzz because everyone in the house is always in a good mood and the bridesmaids look forward to wearing their dresses. For a moment you feel like you are apart of the family and it's special to feel like a witness to the bride and grooms special day.

Though I didn't take any pictures at this stage, I paid a close eye on Stuarts photography and he again helped with the tips.

At 12.15 we needed to get to Ufton Court so we could set ourselves up for the wedding. The barn was absolutely gorgeous with it's beams covered in ivory and fairy lights. The chairs were covered in the classic white sheeting and caressed with royal blue ribbon.

My first job was to set up the tri-pod that Stuart was going to need during the ceremony. Like the first wedding, I was to stand at the back and take a few shots, while Stuart would take the main ones. He informed me to not to take so many photos but to pick out the key moments, where they kiss and exchange the rings.

After the ceremony, the guests went to have their champagne, and Stuart and I went around the crowd taking candid shots. I thought of taking a really nice one of the band as Stuart hadn't taken one and he requested for me to do one, just before I told him I had already taken it.

The tips I was really given this time, was to be more swift, such as when the bride is having a photo taken, I should straight away arrange her dress and get the reflector prepared etc. This came in useful when he took the newlyweds to their white ribboned car and had a few photos at the front of the house.

Next we took them to the back of the house and gave them their mini photo-shoot, again I tried to incorporate the efficiency of each element I needed to do. I was getting used to knowing which equipment comes where during the day. There always seems to be a main tree where the bride and groom and asked to lean on and I know then that I have to hold the reflector up and use the silver side as that reflects more light than the gold.

Stuart used his panorama group photo again, where he had said that I could help arrange the people into the line, but by the time we got round to it he just wanted me to set up the tri-pod and unknot the string. I was slightly disappointed at that because I thought it would boost my confidence a bit talking to people I don't know. I think he must have felt I wasn't ready for that as I have quite a quiet voice at times. I just hope that I will be louder in the future.

We were due to finish at 4, so the guests have the wedding breakfast and that was how much the bride and groom had paid for.

It was a good day, though it was long and hot but I did enjoy myself.

Want to visit my Flickr photostream with the featured photos in my blog and more then click the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brown_eyed_dreamer/