Terri Ramsey Beavers For the couple and their guests, a wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event. It’s indisputable that as wonderful as it is full of love, Valentine’s Day can also be stressful. There will be a lot of emotions involved. It’s your responsibility as the wedding photographer to take away the stresses so that they don’t show up in the images, while still capturing the greatest and most candid moments of the day.
This suggests you’re carrying a lot of weight. It’s not only a matter of acquiring the proper photos. There are so many images to shoot, emotions to record, and details to notice, just to name a few of the things a photographer’s eyes should observe. With experience, you’ll find yourself loving wedding photography and producing the greatest images for the couple to remember.
Whether this event is going to be one of your first times trying out wedding photography or you’re a seasoned pro, there’s always room to learn. Top Seattle wedding photographers like Sound Originals share their expertise with us today, giving five of the best wedding shot tips.
- Recce The Venue
Before the wedding day itself, you should’ve already taken the time to recce or go around the wedding venue. The wedding day is going to be fast-paced and busy. You might not have enough time to find the best spots in the wedding venue, for all the photos that have to be taken.
When you arrive at the site the day before, you give yourself plenty of time to take notes and wander around. This is an additional step, but it makes all the difference in terms of capturing the greatest images.
The couple chose that wedding venue for a reason. It’s up to you as the photographer to be able to make the most out of what the wedding venue can offer.
- Get To Know Your Gear
Even though this isn’t your first time using your gear, the various shooting circumstances and new location make it necessary to refresh your knowledge of it. Bring your photographic gear with you as you travel through the wedding venue in the first advice above. You may then snap photos based on the weather, the peculiarities of the area, and the various settings of your camera.
For example:
- Fast shutter speed is good to use for the fun party movements during the reception;
- Long shutter speed, is best for the still, relaxed, pre-wedding photos;
- A wide-angle lens can be used for group shots;
- A prime lens with a fixed focal length is to be used for a high-resolution shot of the couple in the altar.
- Check Your Gear Twice Before Starting The Day
This third tip applies to the wedding day itself. As you get ready to leave for the venue, be sure to check your gear again. Do this not just once, but twice, if possible. There’s no room for mistakes here. You need to be sure you have everything you need for the big day.
When you check your gear, make sure too that all of them are working completely. Even if they were working well the day before, you never know if something may have suddenly happened to it overnight. It’s still best to be extra safe and cautious.
- Create A Shot List
During those first few meeting sessions with the bride and the groom, take that time to get to know more about them. What’s their personality like? What kind of photos do they prefer – are they up for more formal, elegant shots? Or are they an outgoing couple with a fun and funky beach wedding?
This time is also the perfect opportunity for you to ask the bride and the groom what kind of photos they’d like to have for their wedding. This gives you a chance to create a list of the shots they like. Going through this particular step is very helpful in ensuring no important photo will be missed.
- Bring An Assistant Photographer
Even if you’re only covering an intimate wedding, don’t think that you can cover the event all on your own. There are too many memories and emotions to capture, that you may not be able to take shots of all. This is the reason why it’s always a good move to bring an assistant photographer with you.
The bride and the groom are your responsibility, as a matter of priority. Everything and everyone else will then be in the hands of your assistant.
Conclusion
The suggestions above should give you more confidence in acquiring the greatest wedding photographs on your big day because they come from wedding photography specialists. Remember that the bride and groom’s wedding photographs are the finest keepsake of their special day. It’s a huge responsibility on your shoulders to get this correctly. Remember the most vital lesson as you implement the suggestions above: practice makes perfect. As a photographer, the more weddings you capture, the more assured you will get.
This is great, I have a good friend planning her wedding right now. I am going to share this with her. Great article!