[Charlotte]

Well, after I've said that wedding photogaphy is something that I have no interest in whatsoever, today I've landed myself my first gig

My brother's getting married in August, and we were chatting about the wedding today. I made the mistake of asking my future sister-in-law if they'd got a photographer organised yet ... well you can guess the rest

Be prepared for lots of questions in the coming months

Off to find some books on wedding photography

[VikingPhotography]

Charlotte

There are only really two books that you need IMHO

The Art of Digital Wedding Photography by Bambi Cantrell & Skip Cohen

and

Contemporary Wedding Photography by Julie Oswin & Steve Walton

They're my "bibles", so to speak - and I've found I've never needed any other guides.

As to the albums, well - for the ultimate finish, there's really only one supplier I can recommend

Graphistudio - Home

<edit>

You're going to need a second body for back-up purposes, a shedload of CF cards and I might suggest the 70-200VR lens to replace your 70-300VR... if you can't afford these, then rent them for the day from hireacamera.co.uk

[Willow5075]

Congrats Charlotte - I'm sure you'll do a great job

[Charlotte]

VP - Followed those links + they all look good, thanks Re: 2nd body, yep I guess this assignment is my cue to go get that D300 Re: the 70-200 VR, I had considered this lens before but couldn't justify it, but I can see it will be needed on this occasion, and a good investment I think. If I pull this job off, it will give me the confidence to do more If I make a hash ... well that doesn't even bear thinking about, so I'd just better not!

Willow - Thanks for your support, I'll certainly do my best! I think this will be good for me, as I need a challenge to push me forward with my photography, which I feel has been rather stagnant, from a lack of inspiration really - just not knowing what to shoot! But now I have a project to undertake, and much to prepare for ... at last, photography with a purpose

[Willow5075]

yes - purpose, I agree. Thats why I joined a Camera Club to help add some purpose with the various comp nights etc - also here with the challenges. But as you mentioned in the other thread - with full time work etc it's hard to get out and take pictures.

See here it is Sat morning and I'm inside chatting...but the MOTH (Man of The House) is currently casting the very pregnant belly of a young lady and so I'm hanging round in case he needs me ...and no its not to keep an eye on him......she has a girlfriend here chaperoning as well........

This is the third girl he has cast......

[Charlotte]

Casting?

[VikingPhotography]

I think Willow means making a plastercast of the woman's prenancy bump... the resulting sculpture is a sought-after 'keepsake' by many mothers-to-be these days - right up there with contemporary fine art style pregnancy portraits that emphasise femininity and the maternal glow.

(you can just tell that I'm branching out into fine art portraiture, eh? )

[Dave]

Originally Posted by VikingPhotography

Charlotte

There are only really two books that you need IMHO

The Art of Digital Wedding Photography by Bambi Cantrell & Skip Cohen

and

Contemporary Wedding Photography by Julie Oswin & Steve Walton

They're my "bibles", so to speak - and I've found I've never needed any other guides.

Now bought, thankyou

[Dave]

Good on ya Charlotte. .... gives you something to get your teeth in to

[Willow5075]

Originally Posted by VikingPhotography

I think Willow means making a plastercast of the woman's prenancy bump... the resulting sculpture is a sought-after 'keepsake' by many mothers-to-be these days - right up there with contemporary fine art style pregnancy portraits that emphasise femininity and the maternal glow.

(you can just tell that I'm branching out into fine art portraiture, eh? )

you're exactly right VP - unfortunately the heat from the plaster made the poor girl feel faint so the cast had to abandoned but they're going to have another go next week using alginate (dental casting material) which doesn't have the heat reaction and sets heaps quicker. (its also a lot dearer but not unreasonably so). Then he'll have to make a plaster version from that then ultimately it'll either be in ceramic or possibly bronze in which case he'll use wax instead of plaster.

[WOODY]

GOOD ON YOU CHARLOTTE, THERE HAVE BEEN PLENTY OF THREADS ON HERE, ABOUT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY THAT MAY BE OF HELP TO YOU,ALSO THE BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN MENTIONED.

ONE THING I AM CONFUSED ABOUT, YOU MENTION BUYING A 70 - 200 VR LENS, BUT HAVEN'T YOU GOT AN 18 - 200 VR LENS, I THOUGHT THIS WOULD DO THE SAME JOB, OR AM I MISSING SOMETHING

[Charlotte]

Thanks for clarifing "casting", never heard of this before! I would indeed think that a direct heat source onto her tummy would make a mum-to-be feel a bit funny, and not do much for the baby either ... her feeling qeasy was probably the baby wriggling around trying to get away from the heat! Has this pactice been medically approved? The 2nd method you mention Willow sounds much safer + more comfortable for Mum + baby

Originally Posted by Dave

Now bought, thankyou

Me too

Originally Posted by Dave

Good on ya Charlotte. .... gives you something to get your teeth in to

Cheers Dave, yes I think I needed something to be plonked in my lap to get me motivated, and I think this is the ideal project to do the trick!

I also think I needed motivation to drive all the way across country for the wedding, as they live in Yorkshire My daughter will also be a Flower Girl, so now I have double motivation

[Charlotte]

Cheers Woody

The 70-200 VR lens VP mentions is a fast 2.8 lens, whereas mine is a "lesser" lens @ f/3.5. The fast lens will be needed for indoor shots, to maintain a reasonably fast shutter speed to capture the day in nice sharp pic's

I also have the 17-55 2.8 lens, which will be fitted on the 2nd body, so that the full focal range is covered + readily to hand, so that I can capture (close-up) portraits or (wider) group shots on the spur of the moment.

It's all about quality, Woody, and you can't take chances at weddings, if you want a good set of images to present to the happy couple

Edit: I've just corrected the description in my camera gear: I'd inadvertently put "VR" next to the 17-55 2.8, and as VP will have picked out (but graciously not pointed out) this lens does not have VR

[simpbow]

Good luck Charlotte, its something that i don't know a lot about but knowing the knowledge that you have am sure you'll be fine.