All, I have a wedding tomorrow and as I am talking to the groom (he is in charge of pictures) yesterday to finalize the timeline and details he mentions to me that although we have around 2 hrs to do photos of themselves, that they are not the affectionate and expressive type couple and that for the photo session after the ceremony they want to include the entire wedding party, for the whole time. I am a bit concerned about this because I thought I was going to focus more on them, but now it turns out that I am going to have to work with 12 people including the B&G throughout this 2 hours. I'd like to ask you guys for some ideas about what I can do with all these people for 2 hours. I am used to maybe 15 minutes of pix with the bridal party and then it's just the B&G. And the groom as specific that they want all of the bridal party in most of the shots. I appreciate your ideas.

Wow..... I'd try to talk them into at least 15-30 minutes of just them.

Here are some bridal party things I did at a recent wedding (all bridal party and split up).

I'd recommend going to Ed Pingol's site and checking out his awesome bridal party stuff as well!

















There is of course the jumping shot.

I saw some groomsmen of Melody's pretend to pee on trees...

Have some fun and maybe sneak some close-ups of them during the entire bridal party shoot

lace their drinks with valuum.

hmmm...

no matter what you do, ensure you do get some shots of just the two of htem, since the bride might have different ideas to the groom... and the mothers certainly will

But some ideas for involved the bridal party...

- shots of all the groomsmen with groom
- all bridesmaids with bride
- individual shots of everyone
- shots of each gm with groom, and bm with bride
- the more formal group shots
- the less formal group shot (mixing them up a bit)
- bridal party with B&G in foreground
- pair them up and get them to practise the waltz

But definately ensure you just take control and do the couple only shots (or at least with the bridal party in the background), because those are the ones they (or their relatives) will complain if they are absent.

Are you having an assistant along? Can they focus more on the B&G from a different angle whilst you do more group shots? And/or of course you can just zoom into them whilst doing the bigger shots

LOL

Hey Ramiro!

Wow, I would say that this is not your typical request. I agree that you should get some of the b&g, maybe a bunch really subtley. They or someone will appreciate them sometime, someday. And from my own personal experience(as a groom), grooms don't always know what they are talking about!!!LOL!

best wishes, I know you will knock it out:)

Thanx everyone for the super suggestions, keep them coming. I am getting some pretty cool ideas.

Hey Sticky, thanx, and yes, I am going to try to sneak in some shots of them only, because I know come album design time, I don't think they are going to want most spreads with a bunch of people in them.

I would definitely double check this with the bride, as the guys (generally) care less about that stuff than the girls, and make sure that is her desire as well. I would definitely carve out a minimum of 20 minutes somewhere along the line. And let them know that their kids and grand kids are not going to want to see a bunch of people they dont know in every picture.

I actually did, and the groom is the one that "cares" more about the pictures than the bride. He has a graphic designer background so he is big on artistic elements and composition and has asked me to include a lot of architecture in the shots. The bride has been more like "as long as the pictures are good, I am fine"

I would shoot what they want very heavily to avoid being told you weren't following direction. It is important to play well with others you know )

At the same time I would make time to get photos of them as a couple alone, but don't go the kissing etc route with the two of them. They may be pretty conservative in how they want other people to see their wedding day. Some people are more private and that is fine. Just be careful to make sure they are comfortable in any pose you place them. Watch the body language and eyes. If they look uncomfortable, make a change. You may be able to slowly warm them into being more open by starting very slowly and stepping forward a bit at a time to more romantic images.

Good luck

Good suggestions Mike, thanx for your inputs.

You can just do some shots of the bride alone...and then ask HER if she wants to have him in a few of those shots. Have her invite him into the shots. And they don't have to be all lovey-dubby-kissing-face...they can just be having some informal fun...or even talking to each other...chances are good they'll start smiling and laughing...especially if the bridal party eggs them on a bit.

I think that is a good ice breaker Dan, than a bunch for the tip.

sounds fun!
just b/c whole party is there doesn't mean they have to be in every shot...
engaging members of the wed party on YOUR side of the camera might help the couple be more playful...

or ask the women to help create "studly images" of the men, etc -- everyone collaborates, everyone has fun ~ even stopping as a group and getting a drink, or burgers somewhere or playing a game of pool....whatever --

seems like a fun block of time to help these folks make memories; love that stuff!

can't wait to see what you come up with!

have a great time!!!!

just have fun - don't make images that are not 'them'... it sounds like you are really doing your research - you'll do great.

have fun!

~'reservoir dogs' walk toward you
~sunglasses, cigars and drinks
~make the dudes look cool - very GQ - they'll love it
~keep the girls vogue

You can always pose the couple a good bit in front of the wedding party and then work the angles so that you have some of the images without the party in the background....helps if you put them in place and then have them interact so their eyes aren't on you. Pictures are usually better when they are looking at each other anyways.....

good luck!

All good ideas! Like Ginger, I also ask the group to "just stand" behind in the background while I get some shots of the couple with and without the group in the back...

Watch out for the drinks on the street...

Middle of the intersection by the median is always a good idea, with the group crossing the street behind them...

Goos luck!! I will be around there tomorrow afternoon!! Like 2-3 pm...

Awesome ideas everyone, thanx a bunch for your help and suggestions. Juan, hopefully I'll get to see you.

That's so funny...I've never seen this movie but I take this shot a LOT!

Just seems like all groomsmen know what I'm talking about when I mention the "reservoir dogs" shot... (cue the Napolean Dynamite new suit walking shot music...)







Guess I need to try something new w/ the doooooods... LOL

(For reasons unknown...I also do this shot a lot...)