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Does anybody have any recommendations for Photography Sites that give you some basic yet good instructions on shooting weddings?

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Is there a particular reason this should be limited to web sites? What about books, or, for that matter, good tips put right here as an answer? – mattdm Jan 10 '11 at 5:35
Short answer: Don't do it. See this similar question: photo.stackexchange.com/questions/3467/… – Reid Jan 10 '11 at 13:57
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The "don't do it" advice partly depends on expectations. We had a couple of friends shoot casual pictures of our (casual) wedding, and the results are exactly what my wife and I wanted. And I did the same for the recent low-key wedding of some friends, and that came out well too. But if you're into the big american as-seen-on-TV wedding, yeah, I agree with the advice. (Rule of thumb: if you're paying someone for the cake, pay someone for the photography too.) – mattdm Jan 10 '11 at 14:58
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Assumptions are normal. If somebody asks for "instructions to shoot weddings" I do assume that he is not a guest, inhibited naturally by the doings of another professional. I do not know what your understanding of a typical wedding is, in my experience (7) most non-high-profile-couple want at least decent pictures. Or their family do want decent pictures (2 weddings resulted in disappointed parents). Funnily, some couples do not want to pay for a professional to take them at least during the vows/reception (<=300 €). And afterwards it is a party, you won't have the couple for yourself. – Leonidas Jan 10 '11 at 23:31
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@Leonidas I regularly make assumptions when answering questions, however I try not to be disparaging to the questioner as the result of these. Secondly, there are no typical weddings (I have photographed many, and these have been in hotels, registry offices, churches, monasteries and museums). In my wider experience of life in general people are all different, some are very demanding, some aren't. Of the people I count as friends I know who are and who aren't. Maybe we have a difference in culture here, but I know people who can't afford a pro and would be happy with what they got regardless! – Matt Grum Jan 16 '11 at 20:43
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4 Answers

up vote 7 down vote

I have found the Digital Photography School site fairly decent for some tutorials and tips, here is a basic set of tips for wedding photography ... http://www.digital-photography-school.com/wedding-photography-tips-to-get-you-started

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up vote 11 down vote

Most important tip: if your friends did ask you to take photos of their wedding and you are entirely new to this kind of photography: DO NOT DO IT.

Really. Spare yourself and your friends (possibly they are not your friends anymore) the disappointment. Hire a professional (they are not this expensive) and take photos along with him (ask him beforehands, he'll tell you when not to distract the people/couple). Look at his style, learn from his style ... and then start looking at websites for the third or fourth wedding that you'll shoot on your own.

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Interesting related article: common ways to make a first wedding a disaster lensrentals.com/news/2010.07.25/… – che Jan 10 '11 at 13:54
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Disappointment depends entirely on expectations. If these are sufficiently low there's no reason to expect they'll be disappointed! – Matt Grum Jan 10 '11 at 19:28
up vote 1 down vote

Have a look at these ideas from photographer Moshe Zusman: http://www.bhinsights.com/content/5-tips-create-drama-your-wedding-portraits.html

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awesome article. thanks for posting the link. +1 – AJ Finch Jan 11 '11 at 13:08
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Thank You ALL for your replies. The wedding was 2 days ago and I applied alot of what I've read here and subsequent links and pictures turned out really good. Again I appreciate your quick replies :)

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I'm glad to hear it went well for you! – Matt Grum Jan 16 '11 at 20:45

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