Studio management software can also aid you in managing a workflow. Most tools feature a dashboard that gives you the ability to make a wedding photography timeline. Assign deadlines for each task, so you’ll know which ones you must prioritize. When it comes to photographing weddings, deadlines are extremely important!
Develop a well-curated list of no more than 25 “must-haves” – and memorize it. Making these photographs should be second-nature.
If you’re constantly referring to a piece of paper while photographing the wedding, you’ll be distracted and miss real moments. But if you have a gut-sense of what you want to capture – and what you should be capturing – you’ll be fully present and wholly invested in the creative process.
As a photographer, it’s your job to take photos you know are necessary for events while also accommodating some requests from the couple.
One of the common mistakes of a newer photographer is relying on instincts alone. While you may have superb memorizing skills, there’s still a chance you might forget to shoot something during the event, especially if it’s something you didn’t think of in the first place.
To help you prepare and practice, here are some wedding photography tips and ideas for images you can take throughout the big day:
When you arrive during the preparation, the couple, family, and wedding party might just be starting with hair and makeup. This is a great chance to take photos of details like:
While they look like simple items, there might be deeper sentimental value. These things serve as important reminders of the personal details of the wedding. Make sure to include these in your shot list because you’ll never know what emotions may stir from seeing the images.
Wedding photographer Northern IrelandThe bridal coverage highlights how the bride prepares for the wedding day. It’s also about spending time with the special friends in her life. Carve out at least an hour to capture the following:
Like the bridal shoot, coverage of the groom documents the guys preparing for the event. It’s also about having fun with the groom’s best friends. Allocate at least 30-45 minutes to shoot moments such as:
Keep in mind that what happens at the ceremony is out of your control. It’s your job to be attentive and shoot what goes on to the best of your ability. The ceremony is the most challenging and essential part of the day, so equip yourself with the right gear and information.
First things first— get a copy of the program from the clients or coordinators. While every religion’s wedding may have similarities, there might be parts of the ceremony that you’re not familiar with. Thus, you need the actual timeline of the event.
When photographing wedding ceremonies, it’s your job to know how the ceremony will unfold, so that you can move to the right spot at the right time. From the processional to exchanging vows and rings to the first kiss, it’s less likely that you’ll miss moments if you’re aware when they will happen.
As a photographer, you’ll encounter many religious and cultural traditions. You’ll need to know what to expect, especially if there are rules that you also need to follow.
Depending on regional or religious traditions, you may need to adjust your coverage so you’re inclusive of various guidelines.
A Hindu wedding, for example, may span multiple days. Meanwhile, Catholic weddings also include the Liturgy of the Eucharist or Communion during the ceremony. As you can imagine, a lot depends on the faith tradition, which is why you must be aware of key details beforehand so you’ll know how to act and shoot.
Take an extra minute to pause and examine your composition before snapping the photo. Make sure there aren’t any major distractions in the shot. If there are, look for different angles that you can shoot the scene from instead.
To give you a fresh perspective, look at existing frames at the venue. This means elements like a window or an archway that serve as the background. Architectural elements can balance the composition and add symmetry to photos.
Another great way to take creative shots of the couple is by using guests as a foreground framing device to give more context. In this way, you can also show how people react or pay attention to the ceremony.
For instance, look for the parents or siblings and capture the moment they wipe their tears during the couple’s exchange of vows. You can also anticipate the guests’ reactions when the couple is about to cut their cake!
During weddings, one of your goals is to move–fast! Even if you need to take close-up shots of guests, do it in a respectful manner that won’t disturb or annoy people. Also, turn on your camera’s silent shutter mode if you have that function to minimize noise when you take pictures.
Practice shooting before the big day, especially if you’ll be using a new camera or lens for the first time. Read articles or watch videos about wedding photography. If time permits, you can even go to the actual venue and take some photographs.
Do you have the gear you need to make the photographs you plan to make? Maybe you want to make macro photographs of the couple’s rings, but don’t own a macro lens. Plan ahead to purchase or rent one!
Have plenty of memory cards (or film), batteries, and backup equipment. Even the latest and greatest camera can fail when you least expect it. Be prepared with a second camera and lens(es). Make sure this backup gear is accessible while you’re shooting – not hidden away in the back of your car. That won’t do you any good if your camera zonks out midway through the ceremony!
Wedding photographer Northern IrelandOne of the worst things that can happen while photographing a wedding is running out of memory card space or having a battery die. This is something overlooked by beginners, which results in them scrambling during the event to charge a battery or delete photos.
You can’t ask for the officiant or coordinator to wait for you while you charge, so bring at least two fully charged batteries, as well as multiple memory cards. While it’s okay to charge a battery during an event, make sure that you still have another battery to use so you can continue with the wedding photography.
Use a wide angle lens for group shots and interiors and a different one with a longer focal length for candid and portrait shots. If you can’t bring two cameras with you, your best option is to take two lenses with varying focal lengths. Practice changing lenses fast because it can save you precious time.
As someone newer to wedding photography, you may not have the resources yet to buy everything you need, and that’s okay! One of the cost-effective ways to shoot quality photos at first is by renting gear. To try before you buy, consider these rental solutions:
Make sure each piece of equipment has a secure, designated space in a bag on the wedding day. Number your bags and pack them consistently to prevent misplacing items or leaving anything behind.
Your contract should detail where the ceremony and reception are taking place. Use this information to research photography policies and lighting conditions in these venues. Do an in-person walkthrough if possible, or preview the locations online if the venues are too far away for a pre-wedding visit.
If you need to cover weddings with multiple locations, mapping out venues and alloting travel time can work wonders. Consider traffic or unexpected delays when you move from one place to another.
Check with a GPS or Google Maps to see the estimated travel time from going to the venue for preparation, to church, and the reception venue. When being hired for photography for a wedding, the last thing you want to do is show up late because you miscalculated how long the travel time would take!
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