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Doing your first Wedding photography job can seem like a terrifying prospect. A couple are placing a substantial amount of trust on you to document one the most special days of their life. Here’s some tips and tricks that I would suggest to any new wedding photographer in the game.
Do’s:
Get to know your subjects:
A common mistake Wedding photographers often make is showing up to the Wedding, doing their job and going home. While this is understandable (shooting a full day wedding can be exhausting and it’s often tempting to keep yourself to yourself) however the importance of getting to know the couple and the guests is often overlooked. Sometimes a quick chat with the camera shy father of the bride can make the world of difference. Helping your subject to become more relaxed in your company and bringing out their personality can make for a far more natural and informal shot.
Know the venue:
There is nothing more daunting for a photographer then going to shoot a Wedding and not knowing what your lighting and location conditions will be like on the big day. The last thing you want is not bringing the relevant lighting/lenses and coming to the gut wrenching realisation that the first dance will be taking place in a small and poorly lit room. Easier said then done, but I like to visit every venue before the Wedding day to know the exact conditions i’m working with, and plan ahead potential shots.
Back yourself up:
Although this may be thought of as common knowledge, you would be surprised how many photographers have made the mistake of underestimating the amount of backup equipment required for a Wedding shoot. It’s a very long day and even the most advanced cameras/lights/batteries suffer due to overuse, you must keep in mind that you are placing your trust into technology after all. Don’t be afraid to pack that extra battery (no matter how bulky) on your next shoot. You may find it to be your saving grace when your most trusty battery decides to fail you just as the cake is cut.
Don’ts:
Don’t be shy:
Shooting a wedding can feel like you’re a stranger who has stumbled into a huge family and friends reunion, and you can often feel as though you’re getting in the way. It’s paramount to keep in mind you have been hired for a reason. To do your job. Although it is great to chat to the bride, groom and the guests when you can, you must always keep in mind your purpose for being there is to document a special day. You’ll find that people are far more receptive and respectful then you would think when you may need to politely ask someone to step out of a great shot of the bride and groom, that you know they would cherish.
Don’t go in blind:
As mentioned before, doing your research beforehand (for example visiting the venue) can be extremely beneficial and take a huge weight off your shoulders for the big day. The last thing you want to do is arrive at the venue, camera in hand and having no idea where to start. Something that I like to do is to discuss with the Bride and Groom in detail the kind of shots they are wanting and to set out a shot tick list (you can even write this down on a notebook and bring it with you on the day if your memory is as bad as mine). Knowing the exact shots you need to take that day and setting them out chronologically will guarantee less stress for you and the couple on the day.
Do not underestimate the amount of shots needed:
This may seem like an obvious “don’t” however this is the best piece of advice I received before I shot my first wedding. The piece of advice was this: for group shots, take at least 10-15 frames. Seems like a lot right? Won’t that take up room on my SD card? Although a large part of being a great photographer is being confident in what you are shooting and not taking a hundred frames per second, the main point is this: People blink. People talk. People sneeze. People get distracted. I can guarantee you, there will be at least 1 person in 99% of the group shots you take, stealing focus from the group due to looking off camera to the child that has just spilt Ribena over the brides dress. Just kidding, I can’t guarantee that, but I can promise that you will thank yourself later in editing when you sift through the 10-15 frames you have taken and find that perfect shot where everyone looks their best.