this just popped in my mind:

what would you do if you are shooting a wedding alone? no back up photogs and assistants and you can't back out anymore because the couple are important to you.
what would your strategy be? i know it is possible but what would be the best strategy in shooting wedding alone.

I think you'll do just fine going solo, there are some packages from photographers that have only 1 photographer, but you'll be limited since you can't bring lights and you can't use off-camera flash (actually, you can but it is difficult to position it by yourself), you also can't bring a lot of stuff because there will be no one to guard them.

hi there jojo.. hmm.. shooting a wedding alone would really be stressful in my opinion. remember, you're not just covering the wedding ceremony.. you would be covering the WHOLE event. you would be literally be running here and there. well, at least get an assistant to cover the reception. 'coz the bloody part :)

here is what i can suggest:
1.) familiar yourself to the location both where the wedding would be at and the reception
2.) prepare to be running like hell :) excuse for the word
3.) make sure you are ready for the event.
4.) prioritize what you need to shoot

well, that's all i can think about. i'm sure there would be more vital inputs from the experts :) good luck!

It would be best for you to contact Eddieboy Escudero. He has shot numerous weddings on his own without the presence of a back up photographer.

He would be the best person ask.

I've covered weddings on my own. No big deal actually. It's not that stressful. You can actually be laid back. I think that the biggest wedding that I ever shot on my own had about 500 guests.

It pays to be honest with your clients. I always tell my clients that I will miss some shots if I will be the only one shooting the event. If its a choice between a candid moment between the couple at the altar and a sponsor signing the wedding contract, I will opt to shoot the couple. Or, if its a choice between someone giving a toast and the couple doing the table hopping, I will photograph the person giving the toast.

My clients usually tell me that they don't care if I miss some shots just as long as the images I produce are good.

It's very possible. Just as long as you bring backup cameras, backup batteries, etc etc....going solo and going solo camera body is pushing it, hehe. Our DSLRs have become very reliable, but you'd be surprised how many suddenly dies on a photographer on very important moments. Weddings are once in a lifetime events for most people.... you wouldnt want to be the one responsible for ruining it. :)

hi there jojo.. hmm.. shooting a wedding alone would really be stressful in my opinion. remember, you're not just covering the wedding ceremony.. you would be covering the WHOLE event. you would be literally be running here and there. well, at least get an assistant to cover the reception. 'coz the bloody part :)

here is what i can suggest:
1.) familiar yourself to the location both where the wedding would be at and the reception
2.) prepare to be running like hell :) excuse for the word
3.) make sure you are ready for the event.
4.) prioritize what you need to shoot

well, that's all i can think about. i'm sure there would be more vital inputs from the experts :) good luck!

Cez, if I may add... I'm not a wedding photographer but if given this solo task, my logical course of action should contain the following:
1.) coordinate with the wedding planner as to the sequence of events that will transpire. The planner might have something special for the event and you should be ready for it.
2.) prepare a mental script on what to and where to shoot next.
3.) allocate a big portion of the shoot with the couple only. This will be your signature photo which the couple will enlarge or use as their permanent fixture at home to commemorate this event.

just my two cents...:BlackEye:

wow! great replies. thanks all! i haven't shot a wedding but if ever i was given that task i would keep on trailing the bride and groom and shoot what is around them.

Most wedding photographers here in the US shoot weddings alone. In part, I think because the labor here is not that cheap. So I think you'll do just fine.

Hi Jo
this is my first day here in DPP. anyway i've been covering video for more than 4 years now here in Bacolod. I've not seen much wedding there in manila except weddings of my brother & sisters the. Just like to share to you that My partner who does the photo most of the time covers the wedding alone maybe 95% of all the weddings we cover. But if possible he brings a helper just to take care of his things. It's not easy running around with your camera bag on your shoulder. As others mentioned that you'll be limited . short it can be done.

@ Alfonso

Even though I shoot weddings on my own I do have my driver with me who also acts as my assistant :D

Just because I shoot alone doesn't mean that I am :D

Welcome to DPP

i shoot alone most of the time. i think its crucial to know what you want/need to shoot during the wedding, from preps to reception. try to prepare a shot list with the couple...and take Jo's advice.

i also shoot using an off cam flash. knowing the flow of events during the ceremony & reception helps me to position my light ahead of time and do some test shots as well.

yes, it is possible.

Yup, I agree... Eddie Boy E. rocks in this department... Best contact him bro. for his insight. :)

There's no problem with solo photographer in a wedding. You will still be able to cover every part of the event. The only downside (if it is a downside), is that you can't have two angles at one time. But there are tricks like the bride's walk, you can shoot upon entering the church and then shoot a back shot and then go back in front to shoot the receiving. During veil and cord ceremony, you can do a back shot while putting the veil and do a side shot when removing the veil.

Even when working with additional one or two photographers is not a guarantee that everything will be covered.

thanks for the replies!

your insights are very helpful.

When I cover a wedding, it is usually just me and 1 back up. I can shoot a wedding just by myself.... however, since we are using digital cameras and unfortunately sometimes memory cards get corrupted, I feel more secure knowing that if (God forbid) anything happens to my card, the whole wedding is being covered by a back up. For this same reason, I use 6 memory cards throughout the whole wedding so that the images are spread across different cards.

In line with M'am Pilar's post, getting corrupted cards in the middle of the shoot is actually a very big reason why I sell the idea of having a backup to the couple. It happened to me once, and thankfully I was shooting with other guys so losing photos wasn't so detrimental. This hammered home my own rule of always shooting with a backup guy. Someone shooting the event in tandem with you can at least minimize the risk of losing it all. Always better to be safe than sorry. :)

If you really have no choice but to do it on your own, just make sure that the couple knows all the risks involved through your contract. It may or may not happen, but it's insurance on your end.