Capturing a wedding is one of the best things that can happen to a photographer, but it can also be one of the most stressful. There is only one chance to take these pictures and any mistakes will reflect poorly on the photographer. Thankfully there are a few things that can be done that will ensure that the event goes off without a hitch and that both the bride and groom are happy with their pictures.
Make sure to take multiples of each and every shot. This may seem really simple, but there are a large number of photographers who assume that their first shot is going to be perfect. Take a lot of memory cards and change the out, you can always delete photos that aren’t needed later. Sometimes the 10th shot of something is the one that captures the mood perfectly.
Look for the best lighting. Many wedding halls do not have good lighting, but knowing where to stand to get the best pictures will make them turn out better. Try and go to the venue ahead of time and take pictures to ensure you know where to stand and how to get everything to look perfect.
Take pictures of every little thing. You never know what is going to be important at the end of the day. Every decoration, the brides dress before she puts it on, even the sign announcing their marriage may end up being one of their favorite pictures. Try and get everything at least once and capture the area before everyone has arrived.
Take the happy couple aside and shoot pictures of their hands and rings together for a truly unforgettable picture. This also encourages them to interact in ways that makes snapping adorable candid shots incredibly easy. The way that they look at each other during this shot will likely be some of the best pictures that you take.
Don’t be afraid to have them play and joke around. Many times wedding pictures are far too formal and don’t actually capture the magic that is going on. Make jokes, ask them to talk about each other, ask then questions, and generally get them to have fun. Pick a few props that they like and have them make a fun shot that shows them just being in love. This will make them seem much less stiff and is one of the better pictures for people who are worried about how they will look.
Take pictures of the food, but not of the buffet. The buffet is not going to look the best, but the individual dishes will. This also allows any handmade notes to be looked at and shown off. This can make it easier for the bride to remember what was there when recreating the meal for an anniversary as well.
Take pictures of the program and anything that is passed out. You never know when it will be lost and may brides want a copy they can keep forever.
