Wedding tips for new photographers

Photo credit: Arali Melendez

You’ve just booked your first wedding and if you’re like most amateur wedding photographers, once the initial thrill and excitement fade, anxiety settles in. How are you going to handle photographing a place you’ve never seen before? What if you forget to take a shot of the bride and her favorite grandma? Do you really need a second shooter and should you have gotten that second camera after all?

Take a breather and relax: we’ve got you covered.

Make it legal

Before anything exciting happens, you need to establish a clear business agreement with your client andprotect yourself from liability with a signed, written contract. Contracts clearly state the expectations for the photographer and their client and also establish grounds for recourse should either party not fulfill their end of the agreement. Contracts also have the advantage of setting one's clients at ease.

A clearly laid out contract actually helps reduce stress and will be one less thing to worry about on the big day!

Develop a shot list

As tempted as you might be, don’t wing your first wedding. Preparation is key and the difference between the amateur and the pro is the shot list. Develop a well-curated list of around 20-25 “must-haves” and memorize it. This could be particularly helpful when taking family shots and ensures no one will feel left out.

Try to commit the list to memory – walking around with a piece of paper while you photograph the wedding doesn’t necessarily speak volumes about your professionalism. Flick through a couple of wedding magazines to get inspiration but make sure you develop a unique shot list – this will be your signature.

Have your gear handy

It’s also a good idea to have a list of the gear you’ll need during the big day. If you plan on taking macro photos of the couple’s rings, for instance, make sure you have your macro lens. Store each piece of equipment in a separate space in your bag to save time during the wedding.

Make sure you have plenty of spare memory cards or film, backup batteries, and equipment as well, and that the backups are accessible while you’re shooting.

Know your location

Make sure to research the reception and ceremony locations beforehand (the info should be in your contract). Look into photography policies – some churches and places of worship have strict rules about when and from where you can take photos. If there are any restrictions, communicate them to your clients well ahead of the wedding day to avoid any disappointments.

Research the lighting conditions and, if possible, visit the location beforehand. If you’re up for it, you can even do an in-person visit with the couple and take a few test shots. These will help you make sure the big day goes as smoothly as possible and will make for fantastic engagement photos!

Be there for the small details

Photo credit: Arali Melendez

Your shot list probably includes classics such as photos of the couple with their friends and relatives, as well as intimate shots of the vows and rings exchange. However, photographing the small details such as the back of dresses, shoes, flowers, and table settings can add an extra dimension to the wedding album.

Make sure to be bold but not obtrusive when photographing the wedding. If you need to move around to change your perspective, try to coincide this with the change of songs, or the sermons and longer readings. And, we’re sure we don’t need to tell you this – make sure you turn off the sound of your camera during the ceremony.

Master diffused light

One of the key skills you’ll need as a pro wedding photographer is knowing how to use diffused light. In most churches, the lighting conditions will be poor at best so the ability to bounce a flash or to diffuse it is of the essence.

Keep in mind that many churches won’t allow you to use a flash (it’s best to check in well in advance) and in that case, you’ll need to either use a fast lens at a wide aperture or increase the ISO. If you can use a flash, consider whether bouncing it is the best option and steer clear of colored surfaces as they will add a colored cast to the picture. If you want to soften the light, get a flash diffuser.

RAW is your friend

The RAW usually leads to extra processing which might not make it the most time-efficient option. However, if there’s one occasion where you should definitely consider going RAW is a wedding. The RAW mode offers much more flexibility when it comes to manipulating the shots after you’ve taken them, which could be a life-saver if you’re dealing with tricky lighting conditions.

Continuous shooting mode

Lots of things happen during a wedding and most of them happen fast which is why the continuous shooting mode is your best friend.

Perspective is all

Photo credit: Arali Melendez

Don’t be afraid to experiment when it comes to angles and perspectives. Mix things up a little by kneeling down and taking a few shots from down low, or get up on a balcony to get an eagle eye’s POV. However, make sure the majority of the images in the album are formal poses – creativity is good but as with everything else, moderation is key.

Consider hiring an assistant

Even if this is not your first rodeo, hiring an assistant can help you a great deal. A photo assistant can carry and guard your gear so you can focus on following the couple around, and set up the equipment if you’re using lights or tripods. Additionally, a photography assistant can be invaluable in fixing the ‘little’ things – fluffing hair and smoothing trains – as well as making sure you stay hydrated.

Make sure to list the job requirements as clearly as possible – this includes the location and date of the wedding, as well as pay and how long do you anticipate the job will take.

An assistant can also help you with the emergency kit, and having one makes even the most hectic of weddings go smoothly. Pack up essentials like bobby pins, a small sewing kits, and baby wipes that will prove in handy when there’s a crisis, and consider larger items like makeup basics, first aid kit, lighters and a couple of rain ponchos.

Make your ego take a back seat

Remember that the day is not about you. Nothing will make a worse impression than showing your clients your stress or frustration. Your attitude will help set the tone and help your clients relax around the camera which makes for better pictures and better referrals!

And most of all deliver on your promises. Scott Evans ofscottevans.com, a 38 year wedding photographer veteran, offers this advice,

"There are no EXCUSES. You HAVE to be there on time or early EVERY TIME and you must deliver the product as necessary."

Finally, make sure you don’t overstress before the big day. Weddings can be chaotic, that’s true, but they are also an amazing opportunity to share the joy and happiness and hone your photography skills.

Don’t try to be someone else, either – your clients will love you for the outstanding service and personal touch you offer, and showing them the real you bumps up the chances of them hiring you again!

Last but not least, have fun.