My First Time Filming a Wedding

Earlier this month, I got to do something totally new and extra meaningful. I was blessed with taking the role of videographer at my cousin Kristen's wedding! As you probably know, I’m a photographer, but this is how it came to be:

I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed and saw my cousin’s post on Facebook, she was asking for recommendations for videographers because hers had to cancel. This was just a few weeks before the wedding, so I figured it might be hard for her to find a replacement. Normally, I wouldn’t have even considered videoing, since I didn’t think it was my skill set, but literally the day before my friend Hannah had asked if I could try to get in a few video clips at her wedding (much later in the year) while second shooting. Therefore, I had been doing a little studying on DSLR videography. I was really becoming inspired by it and wow- I realized this could be an instant opportunity to dive right into it and video something special. I decided to message Kristen and explain that she should first try and get a replacement with real video expertise, but I would give it my best shot with all of my wedding photography knowledge if she had trouble finding someone. I don’t know the details in between, but the week before the wedding I was asked if it was still an option. I gave her an excited, "yes!" and then started binge watching YouTube videos for all kinds of more tips and got to checking what extra equipment I needed to amazon prime asap!

You’ll see that there are obviously some parts that aren’t perfect on the technical side of things, but I put my heart into it, and I hope that out shines these things. I decided to focus more on getting the special moments and recording as smooth as possible, instead of sacrificing these things at times to get certain technical things right that I do get to put care into when photographing (white balance, etc.). Next time I’ll be able to do better in those areas now that I’ve had a bit of practice. (I’m hoping there is a next time, because this was so much fun!)

I want to mention that this was a special day for my mom as well. This wedding was on her birthday, but also on this day 19 years ago was her brother’s funeral (the father of the bride). Getting to witness his youngest daughter get married and beaming with happiness sure was a way to make her birthday brighter from now on.

And since the grandparents that we share weren’t able to travel that far, it was so special to get to take the video for them as well, so they still had a way of witnessing the day and the love Kristen & Devin have for each other. I hope you enjoy it!

This all also inspired me to jump back into a project I had started a while back- converting my grandparents slides into digital files and photobooks! They hold so many treasures of my mom and her siblings growing up, and it is especially neat to see my grandparents back then. Below is a photo of my mom and her brother Steve (the bride's dad) out fishing! It's one of my favorite finds!

Smoke Grenade Photography Trial & Tips

As promised, I used smoke grenades in my photography for the first time! I was already taking save-the-date photos for my sweet friends, Alec & Nicole, so I asked if they would be up for being my models for the smoke grenades at the end of the session! They were all for it!!

Things we learned:

Have an extra person or two to help!

We soon learned that it was better to have an extra person to wave the grenade around close behind the models, than it was to lay the smoke grenade on the ground or have one of the models hold it. We had the helper stay crouched down as they waved it around, and I would take a close up shot to keep the extra person out of it. I had them jump to the side from time to time.

Don’t put too much smoke in front of the models (if you can control it)

If much of the colored smoke is in front of them, it can start to completely hide your couple! Some may like this effect, but I much preferred mine with thick smoke behind.

Use high quality smoke bombs for best results

In my research beforehand, I had read that Enola Gaye smoke grenades were by far the best brand of smoke bombs. They are more expensive than the firework store brands near me, but I didn’t want to dull the excitement of my first try with low quality smoke. I will do that test later when it won’t kill my excitement. But I'll tell you I've already read from others it's not nearly the same experience.

Pay attention to how long each type of smoke bomb lasts.

Do pay attention to what kind of Enola Gaye grenades you get. My ebay purchase came with two types. The regular kind were perfect for photography, but the two yellows were ‘burst’ bombs. As awesome as it was to see them let more smoke out at once than the regular, they only lasted 25 seconds compared to the 90. For photography, this makes it extra hard to get the shots off!

Be ready! This goes for photographer,models, and the help!

Have your camera settings just how you want them, have your models in their first pose, and have the help instructed on exactly what you want them to do. It would be smart to show your couple and helpers a youtube video before you start. This way they know what to expect! Do plan to waste a little photo time on the first one.. everyone is in amazement, including you!

Always have more smoke grenades than you think you need!

It will most likely take a few tries to get the hang of things, so this is a way to save you some pressure. Luckily, I had figured out it was more economical to buy a bunch at a time other than just a couple, so we had 6 to try out this day. Four really, if you take out the 2 yellow that were burst bombs.

Don’t stop shooting when the smoke grenade quits letting smoke out.

Some of the smoke still lingers, and even though it may not look as cool as before, I came out with some precious candids of the laughter that had ensued from all of the hurrying.

Don’t use them when it’s windy!

It wasn’t a windy day when we were shooting, but there was just one moment right after we had lit an already tricky yellow burst bomb, when a small blast of wind came through and took the smoke up the hill so quick! I will say it was quite funny making Alec and Nicole chase after it! But it would be totally pointless to shoot with smoke bombs on a day with steady wind.

And lastly, don’t forget detail shots!

One of the very best tips I can give you, not only for smoke bomb photography, but for any kind of photography.. make sure you have detail shots to add to the flow of your pictures and tell the story. Here is a detail shot I took of Nicole’s engagement ring with the blue and gold bombs! (Go WVU!!)

Happy Shooting!