Preparing Before the Wedding
1
Contact the bride and groom at least two months before the wedding to set up an appointment with them. This appointment should be set for two to three weeks before the wedding. The closer the wedding date gets, the more hectic and distracted the couple will become. At the meeting, ask them what their expectations are for the photographs. Some questions to ask include: Do they want outdoor or indoor photos? Would they like any fun pictures? When will the pictures be taken and how much time is set aside for this? Do they want any pictures of the ceremony? Do they want photos of the rss? Which family members in particular? Do they want pictures of the cake or decorations? Do they want you to photograph the bride getting ready? Ask them to provide you with a wedding day schedule. Ask them when you should arrive and where you should meet them. By the time the meeting is over, you should have a clear understanding of what kind of pictures they want and how you fit into the overall wedding event.
2
Enlist an assistant three to four weeks before the wedding. On the wedding day, she will help you stay on schedule, ensure that photo opportunities are not missed and keep the wedding party together as necessary. As much as possible, she should be involved in the preparation before the wedding.
3
Visit the location where pictures will be taken. Identify spots that would make nice backgrounds for pictures. Also be aware of potential difficulties that could arise. For example, you might notice that there is poor lighting or cramped space. If the photos are supposed to be taken outside, explore indoor locations as a backup plan for bad weather.
4
Create a "shot list." This should roughly outline what sorts of pictures you will be taking and where. Keep in mind that most wedding albums feature certain kinds of pictures. Although it will vary depending on the preferences of the couple, a general checklist of common shots includes pictures of only the bride, pictures of the bride getting ready, pictures of the location, pictures of the cake, pictures of the bouquet, pictures of the ceremony, pictures of the wedding rings, pictures of the bride and groom together, pictures of the bride with her parents and family, pictures of the groom with his parents and family, pictures of the bride and groom with both their parents and rss, pictures of the bridesmaids, pictures of the groomsmen, pictures of the bride with the bridesmaids, pictures of the groom with the groomsmen, pictures of the entire wedding party together and pictures of the reception.
5
Examine your shot list and brainstorm props that could be used to enhance the photos. For example, if you are taking photos for a couple getting married at a ranch, it might be fun to bring cowboy boots for the bride to wear in a shot where her dress is raised to reveal them. Other props might include candles, flower baskets or tulle. Incorporate props into photos as you see fit, but remember that you will probably not have time for elaborate set-ups.
6
Gather all the equipment you will need a day or two before the wedding. Make sure you have backup cameras, fully charged batteries, more than enough film (if you are not using a digital camera) and any props that you want to include. Know all of your equipment inside and out. Technology problems are not acceptable on the wedding day.
On the Wedding Day
1
Arrive early. Introduce yourself to family and friends who you will be photographing and then get to work. While the photos that you take before the ceremony will depend greatly on what you discussed with the bride and groom, there are a few pictures that should be completed at this time. For example, this is the right time to take pictures of the cake, bouquet and decorations. If you are photographing the bride getting ready, get a picture of her mother, sister or friend helping her into her dress. One beautiful way to capture this is to have the bride look over her shoulder at the person lacing or zipping her gown.
2
Turn off the flash and sound on your camera during the ceremony. While you want to get good pictures, it is also important to be as discreet a possible.
3
Wait patiently for the guests to move through the greeting line and do not lose sight of the couple after the ceremony. When most of the guests are gone, politely ask the bride and groom if they are ready to take the pictures. Ask your assistant to gather the wedding party and any other people who will be in the pictures. Establish a meeting point.
4
Consider how you could use angles, lighting and composition to your benefit during the photo shoot. In general, you should try to maintain symmetry when arranging people in photographs. For example, don't put the tallest groomsman and shortest bridesmaid at the outer edges of the photo. Instead, put the tallest bridesmaid at the outer edge to counter the height of the groomsman on the other side. Also, remember that the bride and groom are the focus of the day and that this should be reflected in the photos. In group photographs, always place the couple at the front and center. You might even consider having everyone form a shallow semi-circle around them.
1
Contact the bride and groom at least two months before the wedding to set up an appointment with them. This appointment should be set for two to three weeks before the wedding. The closer the wedding date gets, the more hectic and distracted the couple will become. At the meeting, ask them what their expectations are for the photographs. Some questions to ask include: Do they want outdoor or indoor photos? Would they like any fun pictures? When will the pictures be taken and how much time is set aside for this? Do they want any pictures of the ceremony? Do they want photos of the rss? Which family members in particular? Do they want pictures of the cake or decorations? Do they want you to photograph the bride getting ready? Ask them to provide you with a wedding day schedule. Ask them when you should arrive and where you should meet them. By the time the meeting is over, you should have a clear understanding of what kind of pictures they want and how you fit into the overall wedding event.
2
Enlist an assistant three to four weeks before the wedding. On the wedding day, she will help you stay on schedule, ensure that photo opportunities are not missed and keep the wedding party together as necessary. As much as possible, she should be involved in the preparation before the wedding.
3
Visit the location where pictures will be taken. Identify spots that would make nice backgrounds for pictures. Also be aware of potential difficulties that could arise. For example, you might notice that there is poor lighting or cramped space. If the photos are supposed to be taken outside, explore indoor locations as a backup plan for bad weather.
4
Create a "shot list." This should roughly outline what sorts of pictures you will be taking and where. Keep in mind that most wedding albums feature certain kinds of pictures. Although it will vary depending on the preferences of the couple, a general checklist of common shots includes pictures of only the bride, pictures of the bride getting ready, pictures of the location, pictures of the cake, pictures of the bouquet, pictures of the ceremony, pictures of the wedding rings, pictures of the bride and groom together, pictures of the bride with her parents and family, pictures of the groom with his parents and family, pictures of the bride and groom with both their parents and rss, pictures of the bridesmaids, pictures of the groomsmen, pictures of the bride with the bridesmaids, pictures of the groom with the groomsmen, pictures of the entire wedding party together and pictures of the reception.
5
Examine your shot list and brainstorm props that could be used to enhance the photos. For example, if you are taking photos for a couple getting married at a ranch, it might be fun to bring cowboy boots for the bride to wear in a shot where her dress is raised to reveal them. Other props might include candles, flower baskets or tulle. Incorporate props into photos as you see fit, but remember that you will probably not have time for elaborate set-ups.
6
Gather all the equipment you will need a day or two before the wedding. Make sure you have backup cameras, fully charged batteries, more than enough film (if you are not using a digital camera) and any props that you want to include. Know all of your equipment inside and out. Technology problems are not acceptable on the wedding day.
On the Wedding Day
1
Arrive early. Introduce yourself to family and friends who you will be photographing and then get to work. While the photos that you take before the ceremony will depend greatly on what you discussed with the bride and groom, there are a few pictures that should be completed at this time. For example, this is the right time to take pictures of the cake, bouquet and decorations. If you are photographing the bride getting ready, get a picture of her mother, sister or friend helping her into her dress. One beautiful way to capture this is to have the bride look over her shoulder at the person lacing or zipping her gown.
2
Turn off the flash and sound on your camera during the ceremony. While you want to get good pictures, it is also important to be as discreet a possible.
3
Wait patiently for the guests to move through the greeting line and do not lose sight of the couple after the ceremony. When most of the guests are gone, politely ask the bride and groom if they are ready to take the pictures. Ask your assistant to gather the wedding party and any other people who will be in the pictures. Establish a meeting point.
4
Consider how you could use angles, lighting and composition to your benefit during the photo shoot. In general, you should try to maintain symmetry when arranging people in photographs. For example, don't put the tallest groomsman and shortest bridesmaid at the outer edges of the photo. Instead, put the tallest bridesmaid at the outer edge to counter the height of the groomsman on the other side. Also, remember that the bride and groom are the focus of the day and that this should be reflected in the photos. In group photographs, always place the couple at the front and center. You might even consider having everyone form a shallow semi-circle around them.
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