Top Ten Wedding Photography Tips…
Wedding photography is fun and exciting, an adrenalin rush and don’t forget the free hoer d’ovres but it is also terrifying. The happy couple are entrusting you to document and immortalise the biggest day of their lives and you only get one shot (ignore the pun)! Don’t over sell yourself and know your limitations. Practice at these events is one of the only ways to learn so you should have a dozen or so free shots under your belt to help your confidence, expertise and to avoid unexpected surprises.
Here are a few hints to help you get started:
1.) One of your greatest selling points as a wedding photographer is your own dynamic personality and confidence. Do not be afraid to be assertive, to polite interrupt conversations and to give orders. By all means, try to remain invisible and skulk around like a paparazzi but you’ll get rubbish quality photographs with half cut heads, turned backs and bad lighting and composition. Do take candid photographs as sometimes these can turn out wonderfully but NOT exclusively. In the end of the day the guests will forgive your intrusions where they see the result and the bride and groom will want professional, posed photographs that they can live with for all the years to come. Unfortunately he who shouts loudest sometimes laughs longest so show confidence and get the photos taken with minimal effort and time wastage. Also don’t miss those one-offs, for example ~ make an announcement (or often ask the mother of the bride to boss folk around for you – they like to feel useful) tell the guests not to throw confetti until you have the shot lined up, the bride and groom, not to cut the cask without you and often photographers ask guests not to take photographs during the signing of the registration or other key moments ~ simply say that you’d like to get the official photographs done first and would everyone mind please waiting and you will give them 5 minutes at the end to flash away to their heart’s content.
2.) Many photographers are now asking the bridal couple to meet with them before the wedding day to take some ‘engagement’ shots (or test shots so that you can work out the best filters, functions, light balance etc), these are nice to have and helps you firstly be more prepared and secondly build more of a relationship with the couple so that they feel more comfortable around you and less shy.
3.) If you are doing the photo shot in a location you haven’t visited call ahead to inquire about photographic rules (some churches or civil offices will allow photography during the service, for example, and some won’t) and visit, in person, the gardens or terraces etc to test out the best areas for backgrounds, the lighting and all those little things that can make or break a photo.
4.) Check the weather forecast so you’re prepared for light balance and conditions.
5.) Sometimes the addition of props works very well. For example, I shot a wedding in the snow at Christmas and brought along a clear, black rimmed umbrella that added the perfect touch to the scene. You may also want to bring horseshoes, flowers, ring cushion (though they will probably have all these) but depending on the location, style and even theme you can be creative, I’ve even seen professional wedding shots using a gimmicked ball and chain or holding a ‘Just Married’ sign.
6.) Make a list of poses and moments not to miss. You want a complete start to finish documentation, from (if they want) the early morning preparations ~ these shots can be great because everyone is exciting but more casual, to the wedding car, tank or horse, get detail of the dress including close-up shots and the back view, make sure you have all the important family members represented, exchanging of the rings, walking down the aisle, throwing of the bouquet, confetti, champagne etc
7.) Levels are good, they make things interesting. One way to get everyone looking at you is for you to be at a higher vantage point (though watch for sun position). Saying ‘cheese’ sounds ridiculous but at least shouting something like this tells everyone to be ready and minimised queer looks and shut eyes.
8.) White dresses make colour balance difficult, make sure you’re using the facial tones for focus and watch out for over exposing and bleaching out detail or the opposite and having a perfect dress but everyone looking like they’re wearing body paint!
9.) Watch your depth of field ~ you may need a smaller f-stop to take rows of crowds or even if the groom is standing behind the bride, take close-ups of happy faces, tiaras, hair detail but make sure you don’t chop off the dress in full length shots.
10.) Have fun with it, you don’t have to be conventional. Do a Google search for possible ideas and think about the characters and personalities your shooting; don’t think of them as objects. Try out different angles and heights and some comedy shots will keep the crowd entertained and interested.
