Archive for June, 2005

Filming at the photo session after the Wedding Ceremony

Published at 6/25/2005 in Photo Session and Entire Wedding Day. 0 Comments

In many cases the newlywed couple along with the bridal party would go for more formal photos. That is the moment when both families and the bridal party can pose for the pictures.

Since you are going to follow the party, talk to the photographer to find out the location of the photo shoot. It is usually the photographer’s call, or at list a consideration. Make sure to stay informed in case the location to be changed at the last moment.

At the location do the mix of beauty and action shots. The bridal party dressed up, children, interaction within the party, and especially between bride and groom, all that is your material.

You don’t have to focus on the formal photos only, but don’t forget to shoot some. Take a good balance of both families. If you pay more attention to bride’s family, for example, the groom’s family may be disappointed, and vice versa. If you are hired to do the job, and you get paid by the parents of one side, first of all you don’t want to disappoint them.

And as it applies to any good video, mix a variety of shots: wide, medium, close, extra wide, extra close, static, movement, etc.

Shooting the newlyweds leaving after the wedding ceremony

Published at 6/12/2005 in Orthodox Christian, Catholic and Wedding Ceremony. 0 Comments

After everybody is done greeting the newly married couple and wishing them well, after the group photo is taken, the couple will leave for the photo shoot, for the reception, for the honeymoon, or just to take some rest and enjoy each other.

This moment is important as a closure for the ceremony segment of your video. If the couple is leaving in the limo, the chauffeur may offer them Champagne. Shoot the bottle, the cork being crack open, wine being poured into nice glasses, new husband and wife cheering up and giving each other a kiss. You may need to direct them as well.

Get a shot of the couple getting into the car. Shoot from the door side so you could see their faces rather than their backs. You might as well ask the driver to roll down the window just for that shot. If it is not too awkward to get inside of the limo without tearing wedding dress apart, try that. Get the shot of the happy couple and their friends inside the limo. Most people don’t ride limos very often, so it will be appropriate to show the significance of the moment.

Let the driver know that you are going to get a shot of the limo leaving the spot. If the limo has that “Just married” sign on the rear, you may start on the close up of that sign. Start zooming out after the car goes.

You may start on the front of the car, low angle. Let the limo drive by to discover the church and the crowd waving good bye to the couple.

What to shoot after everybody has left the church?

Published at 6/12/2005 in Orthodox Christian, Catholic and Wedding Ceremony. 0 Comments

Along with taking a big group photo on the front steps of the church or the hall or other place which accommodated the wedding ceremony, there is a lot of interaction happening right before, after and during taking the photo. And that is exactly what you want to capture - the interaction.

It may be the best man shaking groom’s hand, grandmother giving the bride a kiss, parents on both sides greeting each other in their new status. You won’t be able to catch everything, the couple will be very likely drawn apart by the guests, and that’s OK since you don’t need to shoot everything anyway.

Key moments to look for:

  • newlyweds looking at their brand new rings after leaving the church;
  • bridal party members greeting newly married couple;
  • parents on both sides (very important);
  • close family with the babies;
  • grandparents.

You may choose to shoot it wide, coming close to the action, shooting from your hands raised up when necessary. You may shoot it tight (zoomed in) from the steps down. Or mix a bit of both. Start from establishing the scene: show the couple’s faces first. Then you may shoot from behind, paying more attention to the guests’ faces. Combine wide shots with close ones.

Videotaping during a group photo shoot after the wedding ceremony

Published at 6/8/2005 in Orthodox Christian, Catholic and Wedding Ceremony. 0 Comments

Usually, if weather permits, the newly married couple has their photo taken with all the guests. Depending on the photographer it may be a small festival on its own, or a well organized event. For the first case see Guests Greetings, for the second, play along with the photographer.

While the photographer is putting the people in place, shoot the action: smiling faces, handshakes, babies, interacting family members, etc. You can walk along the front row with your camera rolling after everyone is in place. Approach the couple and ask them about their feelings after the ceremony.

It may as well be good time to take the wireless microphone away.

Step back so you can see all the guests in your wide shot, zoom in on couple. When more or less everybody is paying attention to the photographer, start rolling and slowly zoom out to complete the segment on wide shot.

You may need to adjust your plan if there is something special like releasing doves, tossing rose petals, blowing bubbles, etc., being planned. It’s good to be informed about such an event in advance.