Photography for the Beginner: Tips for the Aspiring Wedding Photographer
"I'm shooting my first wedding and I'm freaking out!! Do you have any pointers you can help me out with?" This quote has to be one of the most common that I have come across in my photography career.
Taking the dive into the Wedding Photography field can be very daunting and does come with a lot of stress.
Unhappy brides, hundreds of people and unforeseen weather can all add up to big problems on the day.
Below are some tips that I have learned along the way that I hope will help you on your first big day and ensure that it runs as smoothly as possible.
Wedding preparation is absolute key! Things can and will go wrong at every wedding! No two weddings that you attend will ever be alike or will ever happen in the same way.
The bride may be running exceptionally late, relatives could be arguing and friends might be in meltdown mode.
The one big thing that will save you here and at every wedding will be your preparation.
An earlier session with the couple at the venue to scope out nice locations close by and make sure that the lighting works well will save you time and time again.
Also asking the Bride and Groom for 3 key photos that they want from the wedding means that you can concentrate on these 6 favourite photos, and if worst comes to worst the couple to be will still have their most cherished photos.
The Swan Principle The Swan Principle is something that will serve you very well in years to come as you continue to grow and expand your knowledge in the Wedding Photography field.
Have you ever noticed how a Swan in water looks so elegant and calm, with not a worry in the world.
Under the water a swans legs are going a million miles an hour thrashing around to keep them in the one spot.
This is optimal for every photographer whilst shooting a wedding.
The Bride and Groom will already have enough stress on their mind and the last thing that should contribute to that is the photographer.
No matter how stressed you are on the day, your only job should be to look after the bride and make sure she is as happy and comfortable as possible.
Present your personality There are so many photographers out and about in the world these days.
With such a big choice, the couple to be doesn't want a stuffy, creepy photographer standing in the corner pushing the shutter button and stealing pieces of their souls.
A beginner photographer can fall into the trap of wanting to act too professional on their first shoot and getting all rigid behind the camera.
The bride and groom should already know that this is your first wedding and despite this should have high expectations for their Wedding Photography regardless.
Always remember to talk to people, be bubbly and outgoing and remember that you are offering a service.
Your service ensures that the bride and groom get amazing, heart felt images that truly reflect the memories of this wonderous day.
The only way that you are going to achieve this is by making your couple comfortable with the camera, so that when those emotions start pouring out they are thinking about the moment and that moment only.
Too obtrusive or not confident enough.
Creating the right balance There will be times when you are shooting a wedding where you will need to be bold and outgoing.
Taking control of the situation in order to get great photos and to reassure the couple that they are in good hands.
Then there is the opposite, where it will be best to stand back and let the emotions of the day flourish away while you get creative and capture some amazing memories.
Both of these style will have to be adapted during the day in order to get the full story.
The best advice I can give is to be confident and bold when it comes to all of your posed images, whilst just letting things go along at their own pace in the preparation stage, when all parties are getting ready and drinks are flowing.
The last thing that you want to do when the bride and her family are getting emotional about this momentous day is to get up in their face and ruin the moment.
When the bride looks back on these photos she wants to remember the memory of that exact moment, rather than what the photographer was doing at the time.
Your camera should always be at the ready and you should be trying to anticipate what is going to happen next.
Anticipating and then acting to get in a good position, getting the next great image.
As you gain more knowledge you will begin to have more understanding of the day and start to find patterns in each wedding.
With this your photos will become more refined and your consistency of getting amazing images will also increase.
I hope these tips have served you well and give you more confidence going into your first exciting, demanding wedding.
Taking the dive into the Wedding Photography field can be very daunting and does come with a lot of stress.
Unhappy brides, hundreds of people and unforeseen weather can all add up to big problems on the day.
Below are some tips that I have learned along the way that I hope will help you on your first big day and ensure that it runs as smoothly as possible.
Wedding preparation is absolute key! Things can and will go wrong at every wedding! No two weddings that you attend will ever be alike or will ever happen in the same way.
The bride may be running exceptionally late, relatives could be arguing and friends might be in meltdown mode.
The one big thing that will save you here and at every wedding will be your preparation.
An earlier session with the couple at the venue to scope out nice locations close by and make sure that the lighting works well will save you time and time again.
Also asking the Bride and Groom for 3 key photos that they want from the wedding means that you can concentrate on these 6 favourite photos, and if worst comes to worst the couple to be will still have their most cherished photos.
The Swan Principle The Swan Principle is something that will serve you very well in years to come as you continue to grow and expand your knowledge in the Wedding Photography field.
Have you ever noticed how a Swan in water looks so elegant and calm, with not a worry in the world.
Under the water a swans legs are going a million miles an hour thrashing around to keep them in the one spot.
This is optimal for every photographer whilst shooting a wedding.
The Bride and Groom will already have enough stress on their mind and the last thing that should contribute to that is the photographer.
No matter how stressed you are on the day, your only job should be to look after the bride and make sure she is as happy and comfortable as possible.
Present your personality There are so many photographers out and about in the world these days.
With such a big choice, the couple to be doesn't want a stuffy, creepy photographer standing in the corner pushing the shutter button and stealing pieces of their souls.
A beginner photographer can fall into the trap of wanting to act too professional on their first shoot and getting all rigid behind the camera.
The bride and groom should already know that this is your first wedding and despite this should have high expectations for their Wedding Photography regardless.
Always remember to talk to people, be bubbly and outgoing and remember that you are offering a service.
Your service ensures that the bride and groom get amazing, heart felt images that truly reflect the memories of this wonderous day.
The only way that you are going to achieve this is by making your couple comfortable with the camera, so that when those emotions start pouring out they are thinking about the moment and that moment only.
Too obtrusive or not confident enough.
Creating the right balance There will be times when you are shooting a wedding where you will need to be bold and outgoing.
Taking control of the situation in order to get great photos and to reassure the couple that they are in good hands.
Then there is the opposite, where it will be best to stand back and let the emotions of the day flourish away while you get creative and capture some amazing memories.
Both of these style will have to be adapted during the day in order to get the full story.
The best advice I can give is to be confident and bold when it comes to all of your posed images, whilst just letting things go along at their own pace in the preparation stage, when all parties are getting ready and drinks are flowing.
The last thing that you want to do when the bride and her family are getting emotional about this momentous day is to get up in their face and ruin the moment.
When the bride looks back on these photos she wants to remember the memory of that exact moment, rather than what the photographer was doing at the time.
Your camera should always be at the ready and you should be trying to anticipate what is going to happen next.
Anticipating and then acting to get in a good position, getting the next great image.
As you gain more knowledge you will begin to have more understanding of the day and start to find patterns in each wedding.
With this your photos will become more refined and your consistency of getting amazing images will also increase.
I hope these tips have served you well and give you more confidence going into your first exciting, demanding wedding.