Through the Lens: Documenting a Mass Wedding with My Lumix G85

I have always aspired to gain experience in wedding photography, and when the opportunity arose, I was thrilled to photograph seven couples simultaneously during a mass wedding at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish Church on September 30, 2023. I used my Lumix G85 with a 12-60mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens to shoot the entire event. I was invited because one of the couples asked me to be their godparent for their confirmation. Since they knew I was a photographer, they requested the facilitator of the Mass Wedding, also known as Kasalang Bayan 2023, to have me cover the event. It was my first time as the official photographer for such an event, and I felt very honored.

Initially, I was reluctant to accept significant responsibilities due to concerns about my camera's capability to manage such events. The Lumix G85 is not typically regarded as a professional-grade camera; it is considered more suitable for enthusiasts. I was worried about potential equipment failure, such as my camera malfunctioning, and the possibility of my shots being over-exposed or under-exposed. Furthermore, my current lens has a slow aperture, and my camera is not equipped with a full-frame sensor. I believe that an ideal lens should have an aperture of at least 2.8 or faster. However, I assured myself that there was no need to worry. If I do not have the courage to attempt it, how can I gain experience from it?

The mass wedding rehearsal took place a week before the scheduled wedding event. I attended the practice to observe the setup, study the lighting conditions, and understand the environment at the chapel. This preparation would allow me to adjust my camera settings accordingly for the actual event. I want to prepare adequately to avoid any discomfort or anxiety. My goal is to ensure that I am well-prepared and will not fail during the actual event. I was the sole photographer during the rehearsal; however, this was not the case during the actual event. There are two other photographers with me during the actual event. As the official photographer, I felt awkward using my Lumix G85, as it's more suited for enthusiasts than professionals. The other two photographers are equipped with either APS-C or full-frame cameras, although I am uncertain which. They use longer focal length lenses and a variety of prime lenses. It is evident that their cameras and lenses are larger than mine. I felt somewhat intimidated as they confidently moved around the chapel during the event, while I, as the official photographer, was concerned about the quality of my photos. But, at the end of the event I was able to deliver the result.

Here are some photos I took during the mass wedding event on September 30, 2023, at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chapel:

Panasonic DMC-G85 14mm f/3.6 1/40 sec ISO 200 Exp 0.7 Flash, compulsory, red-eye

Seven couples got married during the event. An external flash, the Godox V350o, was used to provide adequate lighting due to poor natural light conditions.