Wedding Photography: Tips for Capturing the Best Wedding Moments

Weddings are a great source of clientele for your photography business. Some photographers have actually built their name and photography career on wedding photography. If you are just starting with the business, here are some things you can keep in mind to help you grow your business and your reputation:

Have a list of shots you need to take. It is useful to have a list of shots you and your clients want. Sit down with the couple to talk about the types of shots they want, as well as the family members they want to pose with. This way, you do not forget about getting key shots of the couple in certain locations and with certain people (i.e. the bride’s kindergarten teacher, the groom’s best buddies in high school, etc.). Some examples of shots you may want to take include detail shots (of the rings, bouquet, the couple’s shoes, etc.), shots of the bride and groom getting ready, shots of the entourage helping the bride and groom get dressed and romantic shots of the couple.

Wear comfortable but presentable attire. As a wedding photographer, you do not want to stick out like a sore thumb with your clothes. You also want to be comfortable since you will be walking around a lot and getting into challenging positions as you take photos.

Assign a photo coordinator. Talk with the couple so that they can assign someone to act as the wedding photo coordinator. This is the person who rides herd over all who are involved with the photo shoot – from the parents and relatives to members of the entourage. Wedding can be hectic, with people running around in different directions. You will need someone to cue everyone else about when it’s their turn to pose. A photo coordinator will help with the continuous flow of the photos. The photo coordinator can also serve to manage family members or friends who are aspiring photographers and have their own opinion as to how things should be done.

Prepare. Prepare. Prepare. It’s better to be over prepared than to be caught flat-footed and unable to adapt with unexpected situations. Weddings can be chaotic and will have a lot of twists and turns. This may come in the form of bad weather, traffic or an assistant’s sudden illness. You should think of these eventualities and how you will cope with each. For example, what do you do when your main camera conks out? You can prepare by renting out or borrowing a second unit, or at least a set of backup lenses. Always keep a set of fully charged batteries and extra memory cards in your person.

Visit the location beforehand. One major preparation you can make is to visit the wedding and reception venue before the wedding day. This can provide you with ideas on how you will angle the shots and where your subjects will make their poses.

Use props. Who says wedding photography needs to be all serious? You can add a whimsical touch to some of the shots by incorporating props. For instance, you can have the couple hold up an empty but gorgeous oval antique picture frame and have them kiss behind it. You can use these vintage picture frames as part of your wedding reception photo booth as well.

Be unobtrusive. This covers your behavior, attire and equipment. Remember, this is the couple’s day. They should be able to enjoy it without any distractions coming from you. Turn off the shutter sound on your camera. The sound may be off-putting during the ceremony’s romantic moments.

These are just some of the tips you can consider as you grow in your career as a wedding photographer.