Well fuck me /p/, my sister just asked me to photograph her wedding tomorrow.
Now before you tell me to not do it, hear me out. Tomorrow is what we call the "civil" marriage at the courthouse, and it's supposed to be small and quick. Only family and close friends, sign the papers before a judge, exchange some rings, read some stuff. No bridal gown or tuxes, but formal wear nonetheless. Should be done in 45 minutes or so. The big event will be the "religious wedding" at a church with a priest, and that's when the tuxes and gowns and lots of guests will be happening. That's in 6 months and my sister has hired a proper photographer for that.
Nonetheless I don't want to fuck it up, despite my sister telling me she's happy with only 10 pictures. I have no idea what the venue looks like. I've used off-camera flash in a studio environment but have very little experience with events.
Here's what I've got:
- Fujifilm X-T1
- Fujifilm X100S
- 18-55 f/2.8-4 lens kit with OIS
- 16-55 f/2.8
- The following primes: 14/2.8, 16/1.4, 23/1.4, 35/1.4, 56/1.2, 90/2 (X-T1 is crop sensor so the FF equivalents are 21, 24, 35, 50, 85, and 135mm)
- A couple of Yongnuo flashes + wireless transmitter
- A smalled Fujifilm flash
- Spare batteries and memory cards
I'm thinking of bringing both cameras, the 90mm, and the zooms. I tend to avoid shooting at less than 1/100th of a second since my hands aren't the steadiest, so if the venue is dark I'll go for the kit lens since it has pretty good OIS. I don't want to use flash but I'll bring a Yongnuo just in case.
>shooting poorly lit events with mirrorless
How badly did I fuck up? What else should I know before going in there blindly?
>>2724879
Always shoot from the brides side.
Include parents, ring stuff, family and friends.
Make a group shot at the end.
I'd bring the 16-55/2.8 with one body and the 56/1.2 with the other.
I have no idea what I'm talking about though.
>>2724879
I don't know if they'll let you use a flash inside the courtroom for photos so it'd be best to go with >>2724928 and bring fast glass. But yes, bring the Yongnuo just in case they do.
Move around as much as you can. Now, don't go up to the judges stand there and play with the damn gavel but maybe set specific boundries before the preceding and stick within them. However make sure you pre-frame the shots (if you can) so you have the best angles possible. I think your sister would apperciate it more if you can try and get her husband-to-be in in the pics too, just a thought.
>>2724879
Do you not own a tripod?
I'd probably try to bring the smallest amount of gear possible. X-T1 and the 50 and 85mm primes would be your best bet, since you're going to be taking mostly candid portraits.
>>2724938
>tripod
>smallest amount of gear
>candid portraits
Listen everyone, the clueless street creeper speaks!
You really shouldn't need a zoom. Just have a Ff equivalent 35mm for group and wide shots and either 85 or 135mm for portraits. Just make sure you got the batteries and maybe the flash. One camera is all you should need. Like you said, its only 45 minutes, you shouldn't need a lot of gear and the inside of a courthouse shouldnt be all that dark.
Sell your zooms, try to use primes only.
>>2724947
What would you do, oh wise one?
You're bang on though about being a street creeper though. I exclusively use wide angle lenses. I guess my lack of experience shows
>>2724953
>I guess my lack of experience shows
You guessed it right, pal
oh get there first and talk to the judge. The judge is in full command of the courtroom. Tell him/her this is your first time and ask where you can and cannot go during the event. This is important. The last person you want to fuck with is a fucking judge.
Don't even let social anxiety get the better of you on this. TALK TO THE JUDGE FIRST.
>>2724952
You don't know a single thing about the room he will have to shoot in, he probably would need the 16mm wide capability of his zoom. That's why I suggested the fast zoom and the fast portrait prime.
>>2724957
lel
The guy posting is probably a polack and made a mistake of writing 'judge' instead of civil servant who is there to receive the vows. Also, it doesn't happen in a courtroom
>>2724962
>sign the papers before a judge
Well when he said this, I started to make my reply. I didn't even read the rest of OP's post. If there isn't a judge, then aim your fucking stupid comments to the OP. Not me, you typical Anon asshole.
"Lel" is a stupid fucking term and you should go kill yourself for even typing that in. Go watch your tranny porn you freak ass fucking faggot.
>>2724957
Even if this was pissing off a judge, you'd get what, a fine of $20 and evicted from this session.
Never mind it's going to be a random civil services government counter somewhere, and you don't usually need to make a deal out of the counter location, it's usually a shitty place to shoot anyways. Maybe shoot in front of the office building instead.
>>2724879
OP, the main thing is this is a social and family event. Get the shots of the family first and foremost, together, celebrating the wedding.
Also bring a tripod and a remote so you can get a photo of your sister and family with yourself in the shots.
>>2724879
watch this op: (hope it helps)
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap7qnQHIuXI
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBInP0ogzUs
>>2724879
I wouldn't do it.
She's family and you're supposed to be a guest. You're there to experience the occasion with her not get sweaty and flustered which will happen if this is the first time you've done it.
That's my two cents.
Also, who leaves booking a wedding photographer until one day before the event?
Hey /p/als, OP here
>>2724928
The X100S is a fixed lens camera with a 23mm (35mm FF equivalent), I was thinking of bringing it as backup in case I need a wider shot and the XT-1 has the 90mm on it.
>>2724937
Of course I'll include the two of them. I'll also talk to the judge/public official about where it's OK for me to stand and if flash is acceptable.
>>2724938
I really don't want to bring a tripod and lug it around.
>>2724952
I use mostly primes, especially with planned studio shoots, but when I'm out and about I much prefer the versatility of zooms. Given that it's my first event, I'll be bringing the zoom with me, along with the 90mm for portraits and the X100S for wider shots if needed on a pinch.
>>2724957
Will do, thanks!
>>2724975
Of course, although again this is a smaller event and the bigger, "real" wedding will be taken care of by a proper wedding photographer.
>>2725110
I will, thanks!
>>2725127
It's a quick event, and I'll be hanging out with my family during the reception afterwards. I guess she decided she wanted some pictures of the event that were better than cell phone quality at the last minute.
Thanks for all the help, anons!
>>2724879
You have dramatically more kit than you could ever hope to need for this setting, and all of it is powerful enough for what's being asked of it (by far). The only limitation you will have is your ability to capture moments, compose, and tell a story, which we can't judge from a list of your equipment.
Just be sure to stick your sister by a window at some point and get a nice photo of her.
