WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BEGINNERS
A wedding is the happiest day of your life - unless you're the photographer. Find out how to photograph a wedding and keep your nerves in one piece.
Weddings are a once in a lifetime (hopefully!) occasion, and a day that the bride and groom will cherish forever. Wedding photos play a large part of this, but this can also put a huge amount of pressure on the photographer - missing a shot simply isn't an option.
While wedding photography is possibly the most stressful challenge a photographer can face, it can also be one of the most rewarding. If you're lucky, it might even lead to a lucrative and enjoyable career.
If you've been asked to photograph someone's big day, or if you're interested in gaining some experience with an eye to making it your profession, follow these tips to make sure everything goes as smoothly and stress-free as possible.
ARE YOU SURE?
Wedding photography can be very stressful and lots of hard work. The first thing to decide is whether you actually want the responsibility. If you've been asked to photograph a friend's wedding, remember that you can always say no.
It's a good idea to gain some experience before going it alone as a wedding photographer - see if there's a local photographer who will let you tag along and observe; just remember to stay well out of their way, and don't expect to get paid. You'll then be much better prepared when it comes to your first solo shoot.
BE PREPARED
Weddings are very busy and hectic, so preparing for your shoot in advance is essential. Start by getting an itinerary of the day so you know exactly where you have to be and when. Visit the venues (church, reception hall etc) before the big day so you know how to get there and how to get around.
This is also the time to start scoping out good photo opportunities. If possible, take a couple of friends to pose for some test photos, or even better take the wedding couple so you can discuss what they like and don't like.
MAKE A SHOT LIST
Sit down with the wedding couple and make a list of all the photos they are expecting in the final album - everything from the group family photo to the snapshots of Auntie Marj. Although it can be a tedious process, on the day this list will be your saviour, helping you to stay focused among the hustle and bustle.
LET THE GUESTS DO THE HARD WORK
A great idea is to put disposable cameras on all the tables at the wedding reception meal so that the guests can take their own snapshots of the day. This will provide you will a whole bunch of photos for no effort on your part, which you can use to compliment your more professional shots, or even use to make a separate album altogether. You might also find that the guests feel more comfortable being photographed by their own friends and family, particularly after a few glasses of wine!
TAKE TWO LENSES
You'll want to pack a couple of different lenses for the wedding day - a wide angle lens for interiors and group shots, and a longer lens for candid shots and portraits.
Even better than using two lenses is to use two cameras, saving your precious time changing lenses and reducing the chances of you dropping a lens.
BATTERIES AND MEMORY CARDS
The absolute worst thing that can happen when photographing a wedding is running out of power or memory card space (or film). Can you imagine asking the vicar if he wouldn't mind postponing the ceremony for half an hour while you recharge your batteries? No, neither can I!
Take at least two batteries (fully charged) and enough blank memory cards - you'll be taking lots of photos and you won't have time to delete unwanted shots on the day.
By stocking up on batteries and memory cards you'll also give yourself the peace of mind to concentrate on what really matters - taking photos.
IT'S ALL IN THE DETAIL
As well as the more obvious photos (bride and groom kissing, family group photo etc), be on the lookout for the small details that add character and depth to the album. Close-ups of the rings, bouquets of flowers, or hanging dresses are all important reminders of the day, and they also allow you exercise a little more creativity than some of the more common wedding photos.
INJECT SOME HUMOUR
At weddings, people often get caught up in the formal side of things. Unfortunately this can cause them to act in a "prim and proper" way that doesn't allow their personality to shine through. Watch for those brief moments where they let their hair down, such as the bride taking her shoes off to rub her weary feet, the best man pulling a funny face, or a baby chewing on a bridesmaid's bouquet. These can often be some of the most personal and memorable photos of the day.
SILENCE YOUR CAMERA
There's nothing more distracting during a wedding ceremony or speech than the sound of your camera bleeping away as it tries to focus. Be sure to turn off your camera's sound at the start of the day and leave it off.
A silent camera also makes it easier to shoot candid photos without alerting your subject, allowing you to get a much more natural photo.
HAVE FUN
Finally, remember that weddings are a time for celebration and fun. Although they can be stressful for the photographer, make sure that you take the time to let your hair down a bit, have a chat with the guests, and enjoy yourself.
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Some people desire their wedding photographer to be on the precise same journey, but others would choose that the pair go together. For instance, if a wedding celebration goes to a church, but your budget plan allows you to go to the beach, the beach may be the only location you have time for. So when picking places, consider what both you as well as your professional photographer have available and what you require to cover.
At the reception, the Couple sit in chairs encountering each other. The bridal event rests behind them. If you are photographing the bridal party, select a place in which you make sure they will certainly all be able to see. If your budget permits it, picture the wedding ceremony, the rehearsal supper, as well as the functions in one place.
Groom and bride rest together. Bridal party sitting behind. Place where everybody is close to the Couple. These photos are one of the most important in picking your wedding event professional photographer. A location that does not enable any type of adjustment ready will prevent you from obtaining the best shot.
Groom and bride seated with each other. Bridal party seated behind. This might look rather uncomfortable if you can not obtain their focus. The seating position must be close sufficient to the Bride and Groom. At the functions, it will offer you the possibility to obtain the very best photo. When you set up for a photograph, stand closer to the Groom and bride.
Wedding celebration party standing. Groom and bride sit with each other. I recommend that you set up the wedding for a stationary shot at the church.
The wedding Full Article event photographs can be on the wedding event church, on the beach, or the church grounds. This is so you can obtain the most effective point of view of the layout of the wedding event location. Wedding event Digital photography on the coastline. Even more individuals than expected to show up on the coastline throughout the wedding. Obtain a close up shot of the Bride and Groom as they are becoming their wedding event finery.
Wedding Photography at the church. A church can become somewhat chaotic at times during the wedding. As a result, it is a great suggestion to photo your wedding outdoors, with a large open room, so you can record the entire ceremony.
Blossoms can be used as a setup, but this will certainly offer you a various history to collaborate with. If blossoms are being utilized as a setup, usage white history lighting. A huge video camera will additionally make the blossom plan much more sensible. Make certain to keep an eye on the weather, and do not let your blossoms expand too much during the day.
Wedding celebration Images on the church and also at the beach. If you have taken several pictures on the church premises, obtain a close up shot of the Bride and Groom. Bring a tripod with you, click to find out more as well as go up to concerning 1/2 content the height of the Couple.
Couple standing. Bridal celebration seated behind. Area for wedding event photography at the church.
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