I just booked my 1st wedding shoot. Any tips or advice you would like to share? It is a small wedding, just family and I have 4 hours to shoot. No reception following. Thanks much!!
@heatherwilsonaz - My best advice is prepare, prepare, prepare! In terms of camera equipment, definitely bring (at very least) a spare camera body and critical lenses- even if you have to borrow them. Wedding photography is very different from other client work in the way that you have ONE chance to get it right! If something malfunctions, it is critical to have a backup at your fingertips. Test and re-test your equipment.
Prepare yourself with what to expect. Walk the location with the client discussing their expectations and timeline on site. Discuss any relationships that may create an awkward moment for the family… ask what shots (other than the obvious ones) are a non-miss - don’t be afraid to take notes. Have a standard checklilst available with shots you absolutely must get. A fun exercise is to have the bride pin (via Pinterest) wedding photographs from other places on the web that appeal to her. This will give you a great jumping off point for what she is hoping for. Weddings are nerve-wracking, especially if you have never shot one before…. Overprepared is far better than under! Set up a time to visit the location at the time of day you are to shoot the event. Take a companion or two with you to test the light, poses, etc you are thinking of using. Learn how the light behaves, where the best open shade is located, what time the most beautiful light decends on the grounds. Know your camera and how it behaves is certain situations. Review your shots as you take them to ensure all is working the way you expect them to. Never, never (never!!) clear your cards until the client has the finished images in their hands…. And to that point back up in at least three places (in computer, on an external hard drive, and online). I like to shoot Eye-Fi so the images are backing up immediately. I’m paranoid like that ;o)
If possible, arrange an engagement session with your clients well before the big day. This will improve your comfort level and rapport with one another greatly and will give you a great view in their comfort level with the camera. You will be able to distinguish beforehand who is a ‘blinker’ and who is not, how creative they are willing to get, how patient they are with pose changes, how the light behaves on their skin tones, etc. A pre-session of any kind is priceless to the photographer’s knowledge base. It will also provide comfort to the client that your style of photgraphy meshes with her vision.
Above all, KEEP SHOOTING! Catching the magical, non-posed moments are the most amazing thing about wedding photography for me…. And there is no better place to capture emotion that at an event such as this. I hope I didn’t scare you… it’s a wonderful experience so long as you prepare! Take a deep breath and have fun! If you are familiar with client work, the instincts do eventually replace the nerves and you will find yourself in the mode before you know it. Ride the wave and do what you know how to do! Best of luck to you! :o)
@albqshutterbug@kiwichick Thank you so much for the advise. Surprisingly I have done some of your suggestions already which makes me feel better. One week to go until the big day. I will post my fav pic that day.
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Prepare yourself with what to expect. Walk the location with the client discussing their expectations and timeline on site. Discuss any relationships that may create an awkward moment for the family… ask what shots (other than the obvious ones) are a non-miss - don’t be afraid to take notes. Have a standard checklilst available with shots you absolutely must get. A fun exercise is to have the bride pin (via Pinterest) wedding photographs from other places on the web that appeal to her. This will give you a great jumping off point for what she is hoping for. Weddings are nerve-wracking, especially if you have never shot one before…. Overprepared is far better than under! Set up a time to visit the location at the time of day you are to shoot the event. Take a companion or two with you to test the light, poses, etc you are thinking of using. Learn how the light behaves, where the best open shade is located, what time the most beautiful light decends on the grounds. Know your camera and how it behaves is certain situations. Review your shots as you take them to ensure all is working the way you expect them to. Never, never (never!!) clear your cards until the client has the finished images in their hands…. And to that point back up in at least three places (in computer, on an external hard drive, and online). I like to shoot Eye-Fi so the images are backing up immediately. I’m paranoid like that ;o)
If possible, arrange an engagement session with your clients well before the big day. This will improve your comfort level and rapport with one another greatly and will give you a great view in their comfort level with the camera. You will be able to distinguish beforehand who is a ‘blinker’ and who is not, how creative they are willing to get, how patient they are with pose changes, how the light behaves on their skin tones, etc. A pre-session of any kind is priceless to the photographer’s knowledge base. It will also provide comfort to the client that your style of photgraphy meshes with her vision.
Above all, KEEP SHOOTING! Catching the magical, non-posed moments are the most amazing thing about wedding photography for me…. And there is no better place to capture emotion that at an event such as this. I hope I didn’t scare you… it’s a wonderful experience so long as you prepare! Take a deep breath and have fun! If you are familiar with client work, the instincts do eventually replace the nerves and you will find yourself in the mode before you know it. Ride the wave and do what you know how to do! Best of luck to you! :o)