Wedding Photography Tips

Just Starting Out

The most important wedding photography tips is to try to capture the emotions on the wedding day and to tell a story of two peoples love for each other. That should show in your images.

"If you have been asked to photograph a friends wedding you have to be well prepared and you have to have the right equipment to document such an important event. Here you will find some wedding photography tips on how to best handle it.

It's natural to be a little nervous, hopefully that will help you concentrate on what your doing instead of getting distracted. Follow your plan as closely as possible but be prepared for sudden changes to the schedule and remember that you are going to tell the story of perhaps the most important day in two peoples life.

Arrive to take the pre-ceremony photographs early so you have time to setup your studio strobes if you need to.

A classic getting ready image is the mirror shot.

Take as many shots as you can before the wedding and have your wedding checklist with all the pictures that you need to take and check them off as you go. The Maid of Honor and/or the Best Man can help you to gather the right people for the diffferent photographs.

Before the Wedding Photography Tips:

Bride

* Bride
* Bride with mother
* Bride with parents
* Bride with brides maid of honor
* Bride with brides maids
* Bride with family
* Flower Girl

Groom

* Groom
* Groom with parents
* Groom with best man
* Groom with groomsmen
* Groom with family
* Ringbearer

Location and Ceremony

You should check out the location in good time before the wedding day and look for good spots for pictures of the couple and friends and family members. If there is a rehersal you should attend it if you can.
If it is a church wedding you have to check if you are allowed to photograph inside and if you are, ask if you can use flash and if you can get behind or to the side of the altar.

You might have to take your pictures from the back of the church or from the balcony like in the image to the left.

If photography is not allowed at all during the ceremony check if the most important moments can be done after the ceremony.

The Bride

When photographing the bride take full length, medium distance and close-ups. Photograph her both without and with the bouquet. When you make images with the bouquet let her hold it a little over waste level in a relaxed way. If she is looking at the bouquet let it be in sharp focus.

Keep the lighting soft, with todays digital slr:s low noise at high ISO settings you can in many photographs use available light. If you use flash bounce it or use a diffuser. Watch out so you don't overexpose the gown.

The Groom

Capture the groom in a relaxed way. He probably feel nervous and stiff so make the images of him in a casual way, as much as is possible. Take pictures of him also after the ceremony when he is less nervous.
You can use stronger light when you photograph the groom but it nothing wrong with using available light if you think a softer look will suit his personality. With stronger light you get a more contrasty and masculine picture.

Groom before ceremony

Reception

The reception gives you a lot of chances to make candids. An important wedding photography tips is to have your camera ready all the time so you don't miss a magic moment. The first important image is when the newlyweds are introduced.

Then there's of course the first dance, cake cutting, the toast, tossing of the boquet and of course the garter picture.

First Dance

More Wedding Photography Tips

Don't forget to get a picture of the wedding cake.

The Wedding Cake