Crystal Williams |
Do's and Don'ts of a Catholic Wedding? I am shooting my first Catholic wedding and I want to know what to expect. What are the do's and don'ts of a Catholic wedding?
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Doug Elliott |
Crystal, Check with the priest. He will give you the do's and don'ts. Some have personal restrictions, and others don’t. The last one I did I was allowed behind the priest and the couple, so I was shooting towards the people in the pews. I could not use a flash. I used a monopod to stabilize the camera and shoot. Most clergy will allow photographs of the ceremony from the back of the church or from the balcony without using a flash. I would like to suggest that you get your families to the church about 2 1/2 hours before the wedding. Shoot most of your alter formals with the groom and his family, and then do the bride. After the ceremony, you can do the combined families. Good Luck. Doug P.S.: Make sure you check and clean your equipment the day before, and make certain you have extra film and batteries. Always bring more than you think you will need.
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Crystal Williams |
Thank you so much for your advice. I will update on the results next month.
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x |
Everything Doug said is right on, but one last word of advice is do what needs to be done. Be respectful of the church, but be respectful of your client's dollars too. It's not fair to your client to follow some arbitrary rule. Make sure you get the shot without disrupting anything. But, don't not get the shot because you might break a "rule". Your job is to please your client, not the clergy. The church didn't hire you to shoot, the folks standing up there at the alter hired you. Just remember that. It's a delicate balance, but as long as you can figure out where that fine line is, you'll be OK. Even if you're not being paid, if they asked you to shoot, it's your duty to do so. Jerry
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Jan Van den Bergh |
Another important thing: know the key moments of the ceremony and make sure you have film left when they occur. The priest will not wait for you to change the film in your camera. Better yet: use two camera's. Jan.
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Gregg Vieregge |
I have shot hundreds of Catholic weddings. The clergy generally are alot more easy going then protestant clergy. Here are my thoughts: Do the altar shots first and then get out. The outside shots and others do second. The priest generally do a walk thru about 45 minutes before and if they see the altar area empty and in tack it eases everything. Good Luck
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GARY FESPERMAN |
HI Crystal I have been shooting weddings of all types for years. I'M currently located in the southwest in Yuma, AZ. Their are a lot of Catholic weddings here, and in nearby Mexico. Most of the advice I have read so far is good. Except I would remember this. It is traditionally the Brides Day. And for this reason I would do the photos of the Bride first. Having the Bride, Maid of Honor, Brides Maids, and Her Family at the church 2 hours or so before the wedding. Do these photos first. If you can have the Groom, his best man, Family ect. at the church an hour before the wedding. Explain to them you will get their photos after the Bride is finished. Should events not allow this you will do their photos after the ceromony. After the ceromony do any group photos you need to do. The Grooms side, if you haven't already done this.The bride and Groom with both families. The Bridal party. Bride & Groom w/ Best man, Maid of Honor ect. Last after everone in the Family, and wedding party have left, do the bride and groom - so you have them and their pictures all to your self. It is good idea to have an assistant to also shoot these photos for backup. I always do this. As for churches it's a good idea to respect any church. Since the Bride and Groom are usually closer to the Priest, Pastor, church, it's a good idea to get them, and their families involved in working out the rules for taking the photographs. I also recomend that you leave most of your equipment in the rear of the church until you need it. Extra lights tripods ect. for group photos. Another good reason for having an assistant, or second photographer. Every wedding is different, so their will be times you will not be able to acomplish everything in the church. Most Important. Get the photos of the Bride & Groom, and their families if possible in the church. Everone else can be done outside the church or at a different location. The Bride in some cases may also want photos of her getting her hair done, putting her Wedding Dress on at home, with mom's help. You may also do an engagement or wedding announcement photo months before the wedding for the newspaper.Also their is the photos at the Reception in most weddings. Just remember all weddings, and everone is different! Gary
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Crystal Williams |
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Crystal Williams |
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Crystal Williams |
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