So you are considering or preparing for your first wedding day coverage. It's a big event! It full of demands and pressure. Their memories depend on you to be prepared to do you to do your job. I have compiled these tips from 20 years and 600 weddings.
1. Dress appropriate
How you dress for a wedding is the first impression of you and your business to not only the bride and groom, but to all of their guests. As critical as they are, it also includes other vendors, which can really grow your photography business. Also part of attire, proper foot apparel is critical (see #7)
2. Be early, Be Prepared
Nothing set the tone for the day than you being late and the bride and groom waiting on you. This was a critical rule for my business, we arrive way early as I would rather wait on them, than them waiting on us!
3. Have a timeline, game plan, and shoot list, then be prepared for it to change at any moment.
This is the one of the biggest day in the couples lives. It's critical the day be on their timeline. We always met 30 days before the big day and set the timeline, based on their wishes. Working together is critical and having a timeline a bride and groom agrees upon helps them be willing participant in the photography of the day.
4. Know your gear... by muscle memory.
So many photographers have asked me how they will know when they are ready (technically) to shoot weddings. I can't tell you the numerous times I have walked with a bride and groom, talking about their day, while setting my camera for the next shot. Their day is ticking away by every minute you waste trying to set your gear... you need to be ready when the stop, pose, and smile your direction.
5. Have poses and group shots planned out in your head.
Having poses ready in your mind, not stumbling along trying to figure it out is critical to being a good wedding photographer. As I mentioned above, the couple only have so many minutes of their big day, they are not going to be happy if it's wasted waiting for you to figure out a pose. Bonus: Sometimes it quicker to show a pose than verbally instruct them how. (You should see pop my hip with attitude, HA HA)
6. Know the family structure...
Not creating uncomfortable moments is part of your job as a wedding photographer. Sometimes divorced parents don't want to be in same picture. Also avoiding putting your foot in your mouth by "Calling for dad" and then finding out he is deceased. During
30 day pre-wedding meeting, I normally have a "who's who" wedding packet, where we discuss the dynamics of the family and dear friends.
7. Be prepared not to eat or sit all day.
Wedding days are long, exhausting, and demanding. Having that little cooler of drinks and snacks in the car can be a life saver if they wedding party does not plan for you to dine with their guests. Also, thee are many wedding days sitting is not even an option, when your not photographing, you are tending to your gear.
8. Its a social event, just not yours
Wedding days are a wonderful social event, but it's not your party. Remember you are a hired professional service provider. This means knowing your place, acting professional (not drinking or disappearing) and keeping in mind your role for the big day. Their memories are depending on you!
9. Build in extra time in the schedule
We typically built in an extra 30 minutes in the before the wedding sessions, so that if there is a mishap or someone running late, we would have plenty of time to get things done in a respectable pace. Many times a nervous bride would look at me stressed over time, and I could reassure her that we had plenty of time.
10. Backup gear and clothing.
Clothing has failed me more than gear. In 20 years, I have had one camera failure and 2 pants failures. The camera failure and the second pants failure, I was prepared for with a backups.
11. Be a boy scout, have scissors, cork screw, and sewing kit packed
Being prepared has been a positive for the business multiple times. Extra safety pins closed my pants, the cork screw on a Swiss Army Knife has opened a few wine bottles, and the sewing kit has reattached many a button.
12. Focus on the wedding party, but don't forget guests and details
The guest at the wedding are loved ones of the couple. Take the time to capture them as well as the event and activities. We would offer to mirror the bride and groom as they visited the tables to photograph the guests with them.
13. Know indoor flash if you are going to be inside.
If your event is going to be indoors, be prepared to use an external flash. Know how to adjust and bounce the speedlight to produce the best light possible. Make sure you also bring extra batteries and modifiers.
14. Guide them, never command or force them.. its their day
Keep in mind, this is the couples day, not yours. Your role is to capture the story, create artistic images, but do it on their timeline and priorities. I always reminded them they had the option to say "No Thanks" to any suggested location or images.
15. Always say good night at the end and ask if there's anything else you can do for them.
At the end of your evening, always touch base with the parents and the bride and groom before leaving. This gives you the opportunity to ask if there are any other images they would like for the evening (if it's missed, at least you asked) and then to thank them for the honor of capturing their wedding day story.
16. Do an ending photo, gives a good ending to the story.
During the reception, look for unique locations and lighting that would make for a romantic ending image. Some weddings are doing exits and sparklers and popular as well. But an ending image give the story a proper ending and sets the tone for romantic memories. This also gives you the opportunity to thank them and properly end the evening with them. Make sure to communicate the next steps, when it will be delivered. Wish them well and head home.
We hope these tips help you prepare for your adventure into your first wedding day.
Happy Clicking!
Warren @ Exploretography.com
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