Weddings can be stressful for everyone involved, including the photographer. After all, a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and it is up to the photographer to capture the memories. That's a lot of pressure on the photographer's shoulders!
If you have been tasked with shooting the wedding of a friend or family member – or if you are a budding professional wedding photographer – these tips can help you snag captivating and creative photos of the event.
Consult with the wedding couple to plan a shot list. The bride and groom will likely have some key shots that they won't want you to miss. Make a list with the couple so that you can plan to shoot all of their most-wanted photos.
Scout the location ahead of time. Take a look at the wedding location in order to take better wedding photos of the couple and wedding party. This will also help you in planning your wedding candids, as you will know the layout of the location.
If you have been tasked with shooting the wedding of a friend or family member – or if you are a budding professional wedding photographer – these tips can help you snag captivating and creative photos of the event.
Consult with the wedding couple to plan a shot list. The bride and groom will likely have some key shots that they won't want you to miss. Make a list with the couple so that you can plan to shoot all of their most-wanted photos.
Scout the location ahead of time. Take a look at the wedding location in order to take better wedding photos of the couple and wedding party. This will also help you in planning your wedding candids, as you will know the layout of the location.
Consider taking photos before the wedding day. Attend the wedding rehearsal to get informal shots of the event. Try asking the couple if they would be willing to don their wedding attire the day before the wedding to give plenty of time for posed shots.
Get a family helper. Ask the bride and groom to nominate a friend or family member to act as your photo coordinator for the day. This person can point out relatives and important people, and it is quite helpful to have someone you can turn to for questions instead of the wedding couple.
Be fully prepared. Make sure you have at least two fully-charged batteries and more memory cards than you think you will need. You'll need at least two lenses to take better wedding photos: a wide angle lens for group shots and interior photos and a longer lens for portraits and candids. Consider buying, renting, or borrowing a second camera body – you won't have to deal with changing lenses and you'll have a backup in case you have technical problems with your camera during the shoot.
Shoot the small details of the wedding. Don't just take the obvious photos, such as the bride walking down the aisle or the couple kissing. Capture details like the flower arrangements or the rings in order portray the entire event in photos. You'll also want to get shots of the unexpected, such as the groom dropping the ring or the ring bearer sitting on the stage.
Change your perspective. You'll get better wedding photos when you move around and shoot the action from different angles. Try crouching down or standing on a chair for different – and perhaps more interesting – views.
Think about where and how to use flash. Some churches do not allow flash photography, so you may need to plan on using a fast lens at a wide aperture to compensate for the lack of flash. For backlit or midday shooting, consider using fill flash. Forcing the camera to use the flash will supplement the existing light and eliminate shadows.
Try continuous shooting mode. Posed shots often look unnatural. Try continuous shooting – you'll get better posed wedding photos because your subjects will look more relaxed after several frames.
Be bold to take better wedding photos – but don't be invasive. Plant your self in the midst of the action to get great shots, but don't be in the way. Also, be perceptive – remember that some people will not want to be photographed.
Get a family helper. Ask the bride and groom to nominate a friend or family member to act as your photo coordinator for the day. This person can point out relatives and important people, and it is quite helpful to have someone you can turn to for questions instead of the wedding couple.
Be fully prepared. Make sure you have at least two fully-charged batteries and more memory cards than you think you will need. You'll need at least two lenses to take better wedding photos: a wide angle lens for group shots and interior photos and a longer lens for portraits and candids. Consider buying, renting, or borrowing a second camera body – you won't have to deal with changing lenses and you'll have a backup in case you have technical problems with your camera during the shoot.
Shoot the small details of the wedding. Don't just take the obvious photos, such as the bride walking down the aisle or the couple kissing. Capture details like the flower arrangements or the rings in order portray the entire event in photos. You'll also want to get shots of the unexpected, such as the groom dropping the ring or the ring bearer sitting on the stage.
Change your perspective. You'll get better wedding photos when you move around and shoot the action from different angles. Try crouching down or standing on a chair for different – and perhaps more interesting – views.
Think about where and how to use flash. Some churches do not allow flash photography, so you may need to plan on using a fast lens at a wide aperture to compensate for the lack of flash. For backlit or midday shooting, consider using fill flash. Forcing the camera to use the flash will supplement the existing light and eliminate shadows.
Try continuous shooting mode. Posed shots often look unnatural. Try continuous shooting – you'll get better posed wedding photos because your subjects will look more relaxed after several frames.
Be bold to take better wedding photos – but don't be invasive. Plant your self in the midst of the action to get great shots, but don't be in the way. Also, be perceptive – remember that some people will not want to be photographed.
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