Wedding photography workshop?

[Matt. K]

Just an idea at this stage for a future meet/workshop using volunteers dressed as a bridal couple in a workshop. Would be held partly indoors for flash lessons and then in one of Sydneys beautiful gardens to develop wedding photography skills. Anyone think this might be a good idea?

[birddog114]

It's tough! who will be the volunteers dressed as a bridal couple

It's not cheap to hire the dress and other setup same as makeup! second, we don't have many couple in our forum, e.g Geof & Bel, Huynhie & his wife so I called it tough!

[Mj]

I for one think that would be a great idea.. these kind of functions can be quite a challenge and ones that we can often be asked (and some paid) to do. However, I suggest that finding someone far more suitable in white garb than myself a good move !!!

Michael.

[birddog114]

It's a great ideas but there's financial involved and complicated!
Find the monies first then next one is models.

[mudder]

That's a fantastic idea... If you couldn't find a couple as volunteers, if the cost was divvied up between a few people it'd be worth every cent for the potential return, or even just for the experience if you took wedding photos just for friends etc...

Great idea... Wish I could join you for the experience...

Cheers,
Mudder

[birddog114]

I say at least $600.00 for the dress, and other bits (hiring), + hiring a hall, table drink etc... if you want to share the cost, then too crowd, it is also is not good.
If there's a limitation of 6 members/ session then at least $200.00/ head.

[phillipb]

After having done hundreds of weddings, I don't particularly want to do any more, but if this ever gets off the ground I'll be happy to play the part of the annoying amateur who keeps getting in the way or the hairdresser who can never finish the job on time, living you with only 5 minutes to do yours or the priest who absolutely hates photographers or the drunk guests who are always bugging you for more photos.
Just to add a little bit of realism....
... Or you could do it the easy way and put an ad in the paper with the offer of a free wedding shoot, no strings attached to a lucky couple.

[birddog114]

It's too complicated for this workshop as mentioned earlier, these are the whole long day works to do and get involved with many people same as set up. Just figure it out! BTW, I don't like shooting wedding!

[gleff]

I can see the downside of cost, but at the same time, I can't see any reason why we can't have a sort of training session without the hoo haa and clothes etc.

Why not just have practice at an actual church, but without someone dressed up.. Surely, you can get a similar sort of photograph with someone wearing normal clothes. But learning the best angles, flash settings etc, would be brilliant.

Or just a workshop on using the SB800 wouldn't go astray

I'm all for this.

Geoff

[birddog114]

Oh yeah! go to church and do those things I can't figure it out

[phillipb]

Geoff, there are many aspects to shooting a wedding, poses angles etc. all play a part in it, but don't under estimate the white dress and the black tux, they can be murder on exposure settings. Besides half the formal shots would not be possible without the wedding dress, you really need to learn how to set that up.

[gleff]

Geoff, there are many aspects to shooting a wedding, poses angles etc. all play a part in it, but don't under estimate the white dress and the black tux, they can be murder on exposure settings. Besides half the formal shots would not be possible without the wedding dress, you really need to learn how to set that up.

Fair enough, so perhaps a SB800 workshop soon instead

[birddog114]

Even with a simple dress, makeup etc... you guy can do the sum!

The most parts make wedding photogs worry and have more stresses are the white dress and black tux.

[BBJ]

 LOL I did all that once, you know the church scene hahaa and swore would never do it again.
But i think you could benifit with just a session on using flash in some testing sort of condititions without the cost maybe. Not that i have a flash or will be there, just a tought.

[Matt. K]

A male and female volunteer...maybe from a local drama class...or even forum members, dressed in secondhand bridal gown and tux is all that we would need. Shoot in a shed or warehouse and outside in one of Sydney's gardens. Maybe a dressmaker would loan us a gown in return for pics? Should be fairly simple to organize with the talent available amongst forum members. Meet participants could act as friends and family for the group shots. It's all about demonstrating techniques, tips and tricks.

Something to chew on.

[birddog114]

A male and female volunteer...maybe from a local drama class...or even forum members, dressed in secondhand bridal gown and tux is all that we would need. Shoot in a shed or warehouse and outside in one of Sydney's gardens. Maybe a dressmaker would loan us a gown in return for pics? Should be fairly simple to organize with the talent available amongst forum members. Meet participants could act as friends and family for the group shots. It's all about demonstrating techniques, tips and tricks.

Something to chew on.

Is this included all the bubbly, flower girl etc...?

[Matt. K]

It's a muslim wedding...no bubbly.

[birddog114]

It's a muslim wedding...no bubbly.

That will be more easier! no dressing and makeup needed

[plukaduck]

When I get married guys you can all come and practise at my wedding.

Maybe it will not be a formal occasion and perhaps a beach wedding, or water wedding. One critical ingredient missing, the suitable candidate for a wife.

Cheers,

Darryl.

[birddog114]

When I get married guys you can all come and practise at my wedding.

Maybe it will not be a formal occasion and perhaps a beach wedding, or water wedding. One critical ingredient missing, the suitable candidate for a wife.

Cheers,

Darryl.

And a date

[MCWB]

I'll discuss this with my other half, no guarantees though. Plus I'd want to be taking photos too.

[Onyx]

May I suggest a venue - Charlestown shopping mall.

[MCWB]

Kill two ducks with the one brick wall!

[Killakoala]

I'd love to do this as i've been asked to shoot a friend's wedding in March.

As i've never shot a wedding before, a workshop would be ideal preparation.

[huynhie]

I can loan you my wife for the wedding shot. Once she's remarried, there are no refunds

[huynhie]

In all honesty, it is quite an ask to organise this as Birddog has said. The grooms side is quite easy to take care of as I sure a few people have suits lying around. The problem I see is the bridal gown, as after wearing one for the day it can get very dirty. Getting the dress itself drycleaned cost us somewhere between $200 and $300. There are also locations that may require booking fees as well as props like flowers and the wedding car (hey you might as well make it as realistic as possible )


You might be better off organising a model shoot and hire a studio and model for the day

[Glen]

Does it have to be a bridal dress? Wouldn't a white dress suffice? Unless budding wedding photogs want to use the samples in their portfolio

[birddog114]

Glen,
Wedding gown, makeup artist, flower girl, vintage wedding convoy, church, priest etc... are parts of the wedding workshop!

[Glen]

Birddy, I'll wear the suit, you wear the dress, and the rest can stand around drinking just like a real wedding You're right Birddy, more to it than meets the eye. Maybe just suggest to Bel and Geoff do it for real to offset the cost

[birddog114]

Pls. tell Geoff & Bel, we won't charge them the wedding photography job same as many prints they want, all free of charge

[Glen]

That would be a great deal for all concerned