Wedding Photography Behind The Scenes using the Sony A7IV - Shepherds Run, Rhode Island

Come along POV style with me to a real wedding at Shepherds Run in South Kingston Rhode Island. Photographed in the fall of 2023.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:14 Arriving & flat lay
02:50 First look
05:02 Couples portraits
09:20 Wedding party portraits
10:14 Ceremony details
11:38 The Wedding Photographers Academy
12:35 Ceremony
16:30 Family formals
17:17 More portraits
18:12 Reception details
18:42 Reception
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More BTS is currently in the works (POV style and professionally filmed) that I can't wait to share with you all soon!
Join the Wedding Photographers Academy waitlist: bit.ly/wpawaitlist
Free posing Guide (also gets you on the WPA waitlist): bit.ly/12dynamicweddingposes
Steve is a wedding and portrait photographer, former wedding filmmaker, creator, and educator based out of Massachusetts.
Wedding, portrait session, and mentor inquiries: storiephoto.com/contact
Business Inquires/Direct email: [e-mail]
Instagram: / storiephotoco
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How I manage my business (HoneyBook): bit.ly/gethoneybookasap
MY GEAR
Main Video/KZbin Camera
Sony A7SIII: amzn.to/3HHfXGn
Main Photography Camera
Sony A74: amzn.to/3DO0Rh1
Cheaper, but still great camera for getting into wedding photography (built my portfolio on this camera)
Sony A7III: amzn.to/3Yagurp
Lighting for KZbin videos
Godox SL60W: amzn.to/3YbV5y1
Lantern Softbox: amzn.to/3I4zQbz
(I actually use Aputure products but they are discontinued and these are much cheaper and just as good)
Lenses that I own/have owned and love:
(Used for this Video) Sony 35mm 1.4: amzn.to/3vblBya
Sigma 85mm 1.4: amzn.to/3VkcMg3
Sony 24mm 1.4: amzn.to/4a7IHVd
Cheaper Sigma 35mm Alternative: amzn.to/3wSMmrB
Sony 50mm 1.4: amzn.to/4cbWPP8
Cheaper 50mm Alternative: amzn.to/3wWyyMY
Sony 70-200mm f2.8 GM II: amzn.to/3wSew6h
Tamron 28-75mm 2.8: amzn.to/3vgbYhy
Tamron 70-180mm: amzn.to/3wSMsiX
Lensbaby Edge 35: amzn.to/3wZFsAM
Tripods
Lightweight/travel tripod: amzn.to/4aaPeyj
More robust video tripod: amzn.to/49ONgUt
Action Cam's used for BTS
GoPro Hero 12 Black: amzn.to/4a9DvQO
GoPro Hero 9 Black: amzn.to/3TBF8kR
Camera Bags I use
Hex DSLR backpacks: bit.ly/3qIRmah​
Ona Bowery Messenger Bag: amzn.to/3TchFVX
Think Tank Airport Security: amzn.to/3wUcKBz
Other wedding photography gear
On Camera flash: amzn.to/3VhepLn
Off camera flash: amzn.to/48SNvg3
Triggers: amzn.to/3x1IioT
Ultra portable flash stands: amzn.to/48NAK6A
Dual Camera: holdfastgear.com​
Ear Protection (for wedding receptions): amzn.to/48MYyaE
Bose Bluetooth Speaker (use during portrait sessions): amzn.to/3wZHS2i
Magmod diffusion: amzn.to/48NE1mo
*Commissions may be earned from the links above.

[@TheCaptainWalter]

This is terrific. I really enjoyed how you let the different scenes breathe, without excessive commentary, and we can listen in on your different prompts for the couple. Thanks for sharing.

[@SteveMichalak]

Glad you found it helpful! I think it’s important to not just over-commentate so folks see what what’s actually playing out in real time.

[@DannStonee]

Lovely shots! Great edits too!

[@SteveMichalak]

Appreciate it Dann!

[@oxxxeee]

damn he is good

[@CrQualityPhotography]

Love the behind the scenes bro !

[@SteveMichalak]

Thanks man! More coming 👊🏼

[@CoryPtasProductions]

Excellent work man. Your directing is very easy to follow... Not to mention your colours!

[@SteveMichalak]

Appreciate you bro 👊🏼

[@sudZAYNsu]

You really did a great job.

[@SteveMichalak]

Thank you

[@tjvillacampa9884]

that belt set up is so good. i wish i had the same

[@SteveMichalak]

Honestly you can score the setup pretty cheap! Two of these: amzn.to/3RKNtBo is all you need and a sturdy belt. I use an Anson Invicbelt.

[@memoriveroll2146]

This is amazing! Maybe you should post the results immediately after every pose, I know maybe it’s more work while editing the video, but it makes it more engaging! Keep it up!

[@SteveMichalak]

I see what you mean! I’ll consider that for future videos 👊🏼

[@adamwestphoto]

Hi Steve! Great vid, I'm glad I stumbled across your channel! I also shoot 2x Sony A7IV for weddings. One thing I always worry about is the shutter noise in full mech mode on the A7IV, when shooting the ceremony. Do you ever use EFCS for the ceremony shots? I find it to be a little more quiet. Thanks mate!

[@SteveMichalak]

Appreciate that bro - glad to have you! That’s awesome - I really love these cameras they’re truly so close to perfect for wedding photography. I always use full mechanical shutter. Photographers at wedding have always inherently had shutter noises so I don’t think it’s a nuisance to anyone but I do agree I think the EFC is a nice quiet alternative. Especially if you don’t have to worry about flicker from ambient lights. I just don’t like that it changes the bokeh.

[@adamwestphoto]

@@SteveMichalak Yes, good point about the bokeh. I also got caught out with EFCS shooting high shutter speed bursts, on a beach in full sun. Lots of frames had a vignette along the long edge of the frame. Sony even mention this problem on the online manual. Fixable in post but a real pain. So full mech with high shutter speeds now.

[@photo2000]

those shots in the blue room would have needed quite a bit of work to even out contrast and exposure across frame! most people think cloudy day is bad for photos.... but photographers pray for it!! lol

[@SteveMichalak]

I’ll take it! But the sun doesn’t bother me either haha

[@user-oy9cs1rq1n]

I have been looking for someone that has courses and shoots Sony cameras. Loved watching your behind the scenes.

[@SteveMichalak]

You're in the right place! Happy to have you 🙌🏼

[@fudhita]

Great job Steve, I love 50mm F1,2 but I still use 55 mm f1,8

[@SteveMichalak]

The 50 1.2 is so good but that 55 1.8 is 80% as good and so much lighter smaller, so I don’t blame you.

[@johnnozzi-photovideo6543]

Steve, LOVE this. Thank you for sharing. Where do you mount your GoPro?! I also use Holdfasts but I'm not sure where to connect my GoPro for BTS.

[@SteveMichalak]

Awesome! Glad you’re finding it helpful/useful. I attach the GoPro to a hot shoe mount made for GoPro then put it right on the hot shoe of the camera.

[@photo2000]

wow!! i thought i was the only person who carried ear protection!! 👍👍

[@SteveMichalak]

A must have 👊🏼

[@TransparencyConcepts]

this was such an awesome commentary and breakdown! Maybe one day we will work together! I'm out in CT

[@SteveMichalak]

Thanks man! Hey, you never know!

[@bondjamesbond2371]

Wow you have mad skills….

[@SteveMichalak]

Thanks?...

[@momohmart]

Can I ask you what auto focus area you used for the multiple person shots? Zone, spot...? Thanks much. I really like the way you direct people too.

[@SteveMichalak]

I’m either in full or expand spot. Probably expand spot for those.

[@AnthonieErazo]

Great informative video! Where did you purchase your flatlay mats? I love how vertically long they seem to be. Some are too square and don't leave enough room for all the details.

[@SteveMichalak]

Hey Anthonie I use mats from Chasing Stone and Locust Collection. They're both great.

[@AnthonieErazo]

@@SteveMichalak Thanks so much!

[@SteveMichalak]

@@AnthonieErazo you got it bro

[@jjbphoto_]

I saw that you had a trigger. Did you use off camera flash for the ceremory?

[@gabrielortiz4494]

Hey, could you share the accessories you use for the belt.

[@SteveMichalak]

Hey bro, yes linked here: amzn.to/4bROTSC I use two of these

[@ratky1127]

Great video! Why did you decide on sony and not canon?

[@SteveMichalak]

I shot video when I started out shooting weddings and sony was crushing it at that time. They also turned out to be great hybrid cameras so it was an easy transition into photo, plus I was invested in sony glass so a switch would have been expensive.

[@georgebeshay7717]

I have a question; how did you get all your pictures in focus from accessories, bride, groom when you’re using aperture 1.8? And what focus mode you usually use?

[@SteveMichalak]

The A74 has very good autofocus. I make sure I have eye priority on for all portraits, shoot in continuous AF, in wide mode for most portraits. For some flay lay I will go up to f2.8-f4 if there are multiple layers of elements but even for those I tend to hover around f2. I only use wide and spot for autofocus. I’ve got a whole video dedicated to how I use autofocus for Sony. Find it here: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6Cyan56jNh9idk

[@jeanenricobabtiste]

Beautiful. What presets do you use?

[@SteveMichalak]

I use film emulation profiles by The Archetype Process: thearchetypeprocess.com

[@I0nut09]

Is it possible to buy this preset that you used at this event? Thank you.

[@SteveMichalak]

Yes indeed. thearchetypeprocess.com they are film emulation presets. Mostly I use Portra 400 Frontier.

[@user-oy9cs1rq1n]

I shoot with a9 and a7rV. I am not happy with low light noise on the a7rV. How is the A7IV low light?

[@SteveMichalak]

I believe the higher MP cameras suffer a bit more in low light but the A74 is very good. I'm very comfortable pushing it to 4,000 ISO. I have some usable frames at 6,400 even. The key is not underexposing for low light shots.

[@sarahganbat]

Do you only do 1 body throughout the day? What lens did you shoot the ceremony on?

[@SteveMichalak]

Hey Sarah - I'm on two bodies for majority of the day. I shot this particular ceremony on 35mm and 50mm primes. It was fitting for this ceremony but most of the time if it is more spacious/outdoors I go 35mm + 70-200mm.

[@stefanoskoronis5350]

Did you use any macro lens for details??

[@SteveMichalak]

For the rings, yes. 90mm f2.8 Loawa Macro.

[@pyroBlastM]

For the details, do you bring all the props?

[@SteveMichalak]

Nope they’re all wedding day elements and florals besides the small white dishes

[@mauricemoses2844]

This might be a silly question but were you shooting at 1.4 the whole time or did you go higher to have everybody in focus?

[@SteveMichalak]

1.4-1.8 even for group shots. As long as everybody is on the same plane, there’s no need to shoot at f4, etc. Occasionally I’ll go up to 2-2.2

[@chele_chele]

@@SteveMichalak On the walking shot with the full wedding party how is everyone in focus at such a wide aperture? This is also something I struggle with, missing focus in group shots even when shooting at f/2. Same with flat lay details, my camera wants to focus on one small thing and blows everything else out. Shooting with Canon btw.

[@Valuiskihh]

Is it ok, if i have only f4 lenses? 😅

[@SteveMichalak]

Of course! F4 can be pretty tough for dark receptions but just work with whatever you’ve got and upgrade as you go.