For this years first project, I came in prepared with spare batteries, not just for the flash, but for the camera as well. I haven't fully checked how long the after market battery will last, but so far, the Nikon one still has enough to juice out 1000 shots.
I got to the chapel before everything started and had a chance to talk to a lot of people including the brides mom and the minister. This is very important I guess because the key people in the shoot will be more comfortable with your presence and it allows you to move around more freely as they would expect and not feel intruded by a stranger.
Prior to getting there though, I got a call from the bride. As usual, the husband to be and I had spoken, but quite briefly and direct to the point. He told me what he needs and when and asked me how much. That was pretty much it. But for the wife to be, the conversations included expectations and assurance. To them, it was more than just the pictures being taken, but also with quality and care in mind. After a few minutes on the phone with the bride, we had a comfortable rapport and I guess a deeper understanding of what is expected.
The ceremony was quick, the message was personal and direct. It was far from the last wedding I shot, a traditional Indian wedding in November. This was pretty formal but rather laid back. The usual shots were there including the customary, here's your new big family now!
We then proceeded to the location of the reception. It was nice to drive around that side of town again, makes me feel like 4 years ago, when I first moved to Vegas. The set up was a bit intimate, but nonetheless homey.
The food was being prepared locally, meaning nothing was catered from outside. The decor was done by a family member and most of the heavy lifting were done who was somewhat closely related to the family as well.
You will know that the reception will be a blast when there's at least 2 generations involved. In this case, there were 4. The kids were adorable and was pleasant to talk with. Everyone was receptive to the photographer at this party.
Tip* - if you want people to smile in your photo, as a photographer, you need to smile too.
The family was very warm, I guess this has also something to do with the fact that I warmed up to them quickly. My mom always told me that I had a knack with people... That I can warm up to most other new people especially when I wanted to to. My auntie and mom always, when I was a kid, find me talking to a grown up in many different occasions.
Tip* - If you're not a people person, you're gonna be a miserable photographer.
I did a quick bite to eat and proceeded to taking more pictures. The wedding, plus the reception totaled to 6 hours, so, if I average 150 shots per hour, it's understandable it would be close to a thousand.
I'm a bit still gray with this area. Must a digital event photographer, take advantage of the opportunity and take a lot of pictures, rather than employing the, take that right shot attitude? I wonder if in this line of work, it's better to be a sniper than a machine gunner?
There will be more work if you're a trigger happy photographer, but I guess it comes with the territory being new to the pro work. Im sure, as I mature as a photographer, I will eventually fine tune my work, make it more efficient and instinctively be able to shot more quality than quantity. I guess, with the quality of equipment, and if the machine works succinctly with the operator, then there will be less need to waste amo.
The wedding's high part for me was when Great grandpa surprised everyone with a song... Land, of the rising sun. A cowboy's song... and that's what he is. I admired the closed knitted-ness of the family and how everyone seems to fall into place. There's the uncle that everyone adores, the quite grandma, the moms and the aunts and the loving grandpa.
Well, Im up to my neck with work tomorrow. I've got another quick shoot along the strip tomorrow with another couple - quick cash and a reason to go out again. Sunday will be chill day, I hope to have processed most if not all of todays pictures by then, so I can just load them Monday at the office - my T1 there is faster and more stable.
Well, that's day one of this new year for this new decade. Life in Vegas photography is hitting the ground running... Expectations are higher this year, I might need to set a goal for every month and maybe even a dollar amount, but I before anything else, I need to do one thing... and that's to get a new camera.
Goodnight...
[David and Dianne Thompson of Las Vegas, NV ]
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