| Wedding Photography |
Have you ever been asked to take photos for a wedding? Wedding photography is seldom just a casual affair. Weddings picture taking is a full day's activity. Wedding photos are a challenge to take, simply because of the flurry of activities that go on and the wide variety of lighting conditions that may occur.
One of the most critical elements is preparation. Some good questions to ask are:
* How many photographers will there be at the church, reception?
* What type of photos would they like? Mostly formal group portraits? Or mostly candid shots of the couple?
* How many pictures will they need and are they going to provide you with funds for taking the pictures or is this a being done as a favor or wedding gift to the couple?
* How many guests will there be at the wedding? Are they mostly family members or friends?
* Will you need to take photos of just the bridal couple, the bridal group or are you going to have to take a picture of everyone at the wedding?
* Which locations will be used at the wedding? A church?
* Will there be a reception or a dinner? * Where and when, what times will things be taking place as this affects the natural lighting
Asking pertinent questions like these will help you understand the exact requirements for the wedding photos and thereby you will inevitably take better shots.
Once you've understood what the wedding locations, events and times are, find some time to go scout around those places, so that you have a clear idea of the lighting and space limitations. The church will often only allow you to take shots from a spot that they feel is not going to clash with the service and they will also tell you that you can only take at moments when the delivery of the message is completed. You can't have a camera flashing away during the message as it distracts the congregation as well as the bridal couple and not least the priest.
For a church wedding, I usually like to go inside the church to check out the lighting, décor and environment. I also like to get familiar with the reception venue. I try to find the correct places in church to position myself so I don't mess up during the wedding day. As already mentioned, take note that some churches do not allow flash photography during the wedding ceremony, so you may need to get a fast lens.
It's also important to check out places like the reception area, or the podium where the speech will be made. If there is to be a wedding dance, then check out the dance floor and the seating arrangement if possible.
This is a critical step. I usually prepare 1 week ahead of the wedding date just to be sure I have time to get any equipment I've missed out. Here's a list of critical equipment to bring for the wedding day shoot:
· Digital Camera.
· Camera Lenses and Filters
· Tripod
· Memory Cards
· Portable Drive
At the House
If you're taking shots of the bride getting ready arrive early.
At the Church
Once you're at the church, position yourself in an appropriate position, and stay put. Some critical locations where wedding photos must be taken include the entrance to church, the aisle and the place where the couple will stand. It's important not to get too excited about your shots too early on the wedding day. Remember, you have a long day for taking photos. Don't take too many shots of just one situation. If there happens to be a church reception, make sure you're out in the reception area faster than the rest of the guests, and perch yourself in the correct position. Receptions are a good time to capture candid and fun shots, so get in there and knock yourself out.
Formal Group Shots
If there are any formal group shots to be taken, try to start with the big groups, then slowly remove family members so that you can get the various combinations of family and friends required. Let the groups go into the reception. You will want to take some intimate shots of the bridal couple.
The portfolio or presentation....Once you have taken all the photos you will need to present the work to the couple. Take a long look through all the shots and make sure you eliminate all the rubbish. Next, you need to cover the number of pictures requested by the couple. You now will decide on the sizes that you are going to print, on good quality photo paper with a high resolution. Decide on a good quality file or wedding album to present the best pictures in.
Make sure that the album or book has a good storage capacity and that the pictures will have a chance of survival into the future. Many things like moisture ruin sets of photos. You can also set the work onto a CD and provide the couple with a set of CDs for some of the guests as well. Make sure to tell them to store the pictures and CD in a dry storage area. Go through all the pictures together with the couple at a joint meeting and explain as you go along what you were trying to achieve with the pictures. Make sure that you have ample time to talk to the pair and make sure they love what you have done for them. This confidence will lead to future bookings from friends who are impressed by what they see and hear and good dedicated service sells. Weddings are big business and if you get known as a wedding photographer you will never be without cash.
Draw backs...Weddings are a repetitive flurry of people who are all overexcited and panic about this or that or someone has lost the rings etc. Long hours will be spent sitting with not much to do and often you aren't even on the guest list and will have nothing to eat or drink. A wedding typically will begin early, around eight in the morning, at the bridal house, with the bride before the wedding pictures ...before she leaves for the hair appointment with her entourage...and will only end when at the reception when the garter finally gets thrown and the bride and groom set off on honeymoon...which in some cases is way after midnight.