Wedding Photo Tips for Amateurs - One Shot
This is it! You get one chance and one chance alone at this, the couple have probably prepared for over a year for "The happiest day of their life" . Weddings cost money and your time and photography skills are no exception, they are paying for a professional wedding photographer and that is what they should get.
Now don't get me wrong, you don't have to produce award-winning wedding photography every step of the way, like you see in magazines or in the portfolios of some of the greatest wedding photographers! By professional I mean courteous, polite, ON TIME , efficient and happy. Remember, this is a happy day for everyone.
You should consider taking out indemnity insurance against any eventuality that may arise, the couple are quite within their rights to sue if things go wrong.
Wedding Photo Tips for Amateurs - Reliable or Liable?
wedding photography tips
When the wedding couple asked you to photograph their wedding (even if it is just friends) they put their trust in you 100% . They will have enough to think about on the day and trust me, the photographer is furthest from their mind. Your photos will hopefully adorn their coffee table for a long, long time as something for them (and you) to be proud of.
But it's not just the couple. I have on more than one occasion, had to put a wedding photography album, or DVD together for both sets of parents too, and even some guests. Of course, nowadays many people take cameras to weddings, but it is you that is ultimately responsible for recording the event, and you are getting paid for it usually.
Wedding Photo Tips for Amateurs - Are you ready?
How can I say this without sounding like an old school book? "Prior preparation prevents poor performance"! Oh well, I can't, but it does make sense, especially with wedding photography.
If you haven't bothered to meet most of the wedding party, done a practice run, visited the church and reception or found some nice, suitable areas for the "special" shots, then you are not ready. How embarrassing would it be to get the couples names wrong, or turn up late because you got lost? Your number one priority other than taking the photos, is to prepare for the day.
As I said before, the couple have probably prepared for a long time so the least you can do is the same. See the checklist at the middle of this page. You would do well to print it off for reference too.
Remember, the list is just a general guide for you to plan your day. Most weddings are shot "reportage" style these days and this list is now quite dated.
Wedding Photo Tips for Amateurs - You DO have a camera?
I read a lot of the photography forums on the web and one question about wedding photography that always crops up is "What equipment will I need?". If you are asking that question, you are still a way off from being ready to photograph a wedding. Many people reply by saying it's not the equipment but the photographer that makes the images! Whereas I agree with this to an extent, it doesn't mean you can turn up to a wedding with a digital compact camera and a step ladder.
The minimum quality I would use is a 35mm SLR film camera or an 8 mega pixel Digital SLR, both of these are capable of producing up to A1 prints.
A selection of lenses ranging from ultra wide angle to medium telephoto for a start, and if possible with a large aperture of F2.8. At least one decent speedlight, preferably dedicated to your camera so you have less to think about. Oh, and I was serious about the stepladder earlier, sometimes it is needed for the really big group shots.
I remember once having to climb up a 4 stepladder to get all 130 people in. Doesnt sound that bad, but when both hands are operating the camera it gets quite hairy. (Quick tip: A huge shout from me and a 5 shot burst later, I do believe we got everybody in the wedding party looking at the camera, including babies).
You must know your equipment inside out. You must understand how it works and how to make instant changes to cope with unforeseen circumstances. You must have a spare camera and batteries, and the batteries must be fully charged (it is easy to forget simple points like that, I have known, ermpeople who have had to stop at a garage on the way to the reception, to load up!)
Above all, once you are confident, have fun and enjoy the experience. Unfortunately, it comes with the territory of wedding photography, that you will at some point get in the way, and you may get some grief from the guests. As long as you are polite and as efficient as possible, the day should go smoothly.
This is it! You get one chance and one chance alone at this, the couple have probably prepared for over a year for "The happiest day of their life" . Weddings cost money and your time and photography skills are no exception, they are paying for a professional wedding photographer and that is what they should get.
Now don't get me wrong, you don't have to produce award-winning wedding photography every step of the way, like you see in magazines or in the portfolios of some of the greatest wedding photographers! By professional I mean courteous, polite, ON TIME , efficient and happy. Remember, this is a happy day for everyone.
You should consider taking out indemnity insurance against any eventuality that may arise, the couple are quite within their rights to sue if things go wrong.
Wedding Photo Tips for Amateurs - Reliable or Liable?
wedding photography tipsWedding Photo Tips for Amateurs - Are you ready?
How can I say this without sounding like an old school book? "Prior preparation prevents poor performance"! Oh well, I can't, but it does make sense, especially with wedding photography.
If you haven't bothered to meet most of the wedding party, done a practice run, visited the church and reception or found some nice, suitable areas for the "special" shots, then you are not ready. How embarrassing would it be to get the couples names wrong, or turn up late because you got lost? Your number one priority other than taking the photos, is to prepare for the day.
As I said before, the couple have probably prepared for a long time so the least you can do is the same. See the checklist at the middle of this page. You would do well to print it off for reference too.
Remember, the list is just a general guide for you to plan your day. Most weddings are shot "reportage" style these days and this list is now quite dated.
Wedding Photo Tips for Amateurs - You DO have a camera?
The minimum quality I would use is a 35mm SLR film camera or an 8 mega pixel Digital SLR, both of these are capable of producing up to A1 prints.
I remember once having to climb up a 4 stepladder to get all 130 people in. Doesnt sound that bad, but when both hands are operating the camera it gets quite hairy. (Quick tip: A huge shout from me and a 5 shot burst later, I do believe we got everybody in the wedding party looking at the camera, including babies).
Above all, once you are confident, have fun and enjoy the experience. Unfortunately, it comes with the territory of wedding photography, that you will at some point get in the way, and you may get some grief from the guests. As long as you are polite and as efficient as possible, the day should go smoothly.
wedding photography
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