A Big Thank You to Alan Walters

[Christina Lauder]

A couple of weeks ago Alan volunteered to accompany me on my first wedding as I mentioned on this forum that I was worried about it.  Well yesterday was the wedding and Alan turned up and spent the better part of the day with me, giving me guidance when I needed it and floating around in the background getting the shots I wasn't getting when I didn't need his help. 

Alan, thank you so much for your help yesterday.  It meant a lot.  Just you being there meant I could relax enough to get on with the day. 

I always knew that weddings were hard work with very little of the luxuries that a portrait photographer has (in terms of time, environment and the lack of a huge audience) but yesterday I finally got to see first hand what shooting a wedding involves.  The average, basic shots were easier than I expected but taking the time necessary to get those extra special shots was much harder.  And dealing with families needing to feed their little ones in the middle of our group shots was a nightmare. 

All in all the jury is still out as to whether or not I would do another wedding.  Not sure the pressure and time involved is worth it.  But who knows, it could be a bit like child birth, in a few weeks (or maybe months) I might forget all about the pain and decide to give it another go. 

Anyway, here are a couple of my favourite shots from the day so far.  I've only just begun going through all the images though.  For my first wedding I am quite pleased with these.

Again, thanks Alan. My husband and I really appreciate all your help.

Regards,
Christina

[ernswin]

No pain no gain Christina well done who knows where you will go from here and it will help, in ways you don't know yet, with the area of photography you are already very competent in. I was told many years ago that we should do something that scares us every day. Well you have managed that, at least for one day, now you can't possibly not do another one, can you??? Alan you're a star.

     Ernie

 

[Christina Lauder]

Actually, I am well aware of many things I have learned from this wedding.  First, I have finally come to grips with my Metz flash, which I purchased over 2 years ago but was always too afraid to use and never took the time to learn.  Second, I started using the light meter again which I discovered actually works well, most of the time.  I'm still not 100% comfortable with it though.  And third, I really took the time lately to look out for available light situations that would work well.  And this came from looking at other wedding photographers such as John Baikie and Gerry Ghoinis in preperation for this day. 

So although I didn't love doing this wedding, I really did appreciate what I've taken from it.  And Ernie, it did scare the hell out of me.  That should do for at least a week. 

[HelenSH]

Thats nice to see someone helping you out Christina, I will be in a similar position to you in August, first solo wedding and its a registry office which I'm not looking forward to due to the dreadful light in those places. But coming from events it will be nice to have a little more creative input so we will see.

[ernswin]

Snap Christina I have had a Metz 76 MZ-5 for about 2 years and have just gotten a P50 power pack which has encouraged me to get to know it a little better. Great flash. You are right though in demonstrating that we can always learn something new, it doesn't matter how accomplished we may feel we are. Or put another way it is a big mistake to believe we know it all.
    Just seen your ending statement I think you can have 2 weeks for that. I saw a thread on DWF where an accomplished photographer said she wished she could do a wedding without getting this dreaded feeling in the pit of her stomach. The general opinion from that thread was that it happens to most photographers who have feelings, so you are not alone the question is do you want to continue feeling it in future

  Ernie

[Gareth Williams]

Well done Christina, and Alan your a true gent, it's great that people help each other out.  Looking back I do wish I had a more experienced tog with me on my first wedding. I managed ok though.

I'm sure you will cave in and possibly even thrive off the pressure  it can be addictive lol

Gareth

[Richard P Walton]

Alan is a true photographer, we need more humble photographers like him... 

[David Simm]

That's called raising the bar on professional courtesy.

Let's keep that spirit alive every day.

[Alan Walters]

No thanks required.  I also learned a couple of things.  It is possible to aim for an "A" type image from a real wedding, and  I need to replace my old 1.4 lenses that I sold



And Christina, if you can cope with a freezing cold sidewind, then hail,  then bright sunshine slanting across from the side, then have this repeat iteslef three times, you can cope with anything!

[Christina Lauder]

Helen,

Which registry office and what is the date?  I may be able to help you out.  I have 2 daughters with birthday's that month so not sure though. 

Alan,

I'm glad the day was at least a little useful to you as well.  Please let me know when your weddings in Hinckley are so that I can see if I am free so I can repay you for your help.  It will be nice for me to get some experience without having the pressure of being responsible for the whole day. 

Thanks again,
Christina

[philippe brevet]

Christina, I think that nervous sickly feeling in your stomach is a good sign, it means you feel the day is important. with the amount of resposibility on one to document such a day it would be wrong to become complacent and the nervousness keeps you on your toes as long as it's hidden from the client!
fantastic to see others offering to help out, I've managed only a handful so far and wished the forum had been around then, lets keep it up!

[David Simm]

I think that nervous sickly feeling in your stomach is a good sign

I still get that after forty seven years of shooting weddings, I go over my kit so many times, check the batteries and flash units, my son says I drive him nuts, but it is far too important to  be glib about.