Wedding Photography: Meeting with the Bride & Groom

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Photographers have to be good at what they do in order to get the jobs – that goes without saying. However, they also have to be good with people and when it comes to wedding photography this is even more important. This couple is entrusting YOU to preserve the day in pictures forever. Anyone with a camera can capture images. You want to capture memories.

Be sure to sit down with the bride and groom a month to two weeks before the wedding. Put together a list of photos in order of what is scheduled for the day – this lets them verbalize what they want and it lets you know what to expect, what equipment to bring and details about people within the wedding day.

Listen to the bride and groom and know what questions to ask. As you gain experience these questions may come to be more specific. What shots for sure to they want? The day of the wedding who will be your ‘go to’ person? This is the person who points out the parents, they key people on your list of names to be sure to get in photos. What people should NOT be in the same photo – if there are awkward relationships, divorces or other issues within a family it’s wise to have advance warning and have someone point such things out. Having this person assures you get everyone you need to get while at the same time leaves the couple of the day free to enjoy the day.

One professional advises “Give them what they said they needed. Also give them what you know they should have asked for.” Often couples will be a little tense and have had some long days leading up to the wedding and reception. They may not remember something and by hiring a professional, it’s your job to somewhat anticipate and know what delivers a great package.

Be sure to negotiate things you must have that day and who supplies it. Communicate clearly on time frame for delivery on the wedding images. Kathie Jones of ArtBeatPhotography notes “a wedding where you have 300-1,000 images takes quite a while to transfer, archive, sort cull, edit, tweak, print…wait for the lab, review and deliver to a client.” Don’t pass along the less than perfect shots as it will get printed somewhere and you’ll get the ‘credit’ for it. Professionals will give the best photos possible. Even good photographers may have to crop something out, correct some color or minor lighting issue. This is where being a professional really makes a difference.

Have the entire album put on CD. As an extra service if you have a cd/file cabinet is keeping an extra copy – things happen. If their wedding photos are destroyed by fire, flood or other disaster knowing they can at least replace those can make a bad time better. CDs are cheap and whether you have an extra fee for replacement or include this in your original fee is up to you.

An advance meeting with the bride and groom is also the time to get deposits and other things squared away if not already done. Make SURE you verify where the wedding will be along with exact directions and how early you can get there. Where will the bride and groom be getting ready and at what time? This is often a great time to get candid photos that are special because the spouse won’t see it otherwise.

Although this is business it need not be uncomfortable and formal. Above all leave them with the unspoken message you are a professional and have their needs in mind. As a professional, know the information you need to have to do your job and get it at this meeting with the bride and groom. The best results depend on it.

Tags: Photography Business, wedding photography, Wedding Photography Business

Wedding Photography: The Engagement Pictures

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This can be a fun place to stretch creative boundaries. While it’s serious stuff from a photography standpoint it’s also a chance to capture the couple in a relaxed way. Don’t confine yourself to just staged pictures.

This is the place to highlight romance. It documents the togetherness. It’s a chance to show the playful side of the couple as well as the serious side. While staged traditional photos are good it’s also a great place to bring out the fun.

Get a feel for the couple – what are their interests and personalities? Are they ultra-urban or conservative country? How did they meet? What kind of things do they like to do? What are their hobbies? Where do they like to go for dinner – or on vacation? Ask some questions to get a feel for the couple. Are they serious professionals or more casual?

Think outside the box for some great photos. Depending on their answers you might get some photos of them on a (clean!) four-wheeler or sharing dessert at a favorite restaurant. If they’re sporting types photograph them on bikes, or in hiking gear. Focus on the togetherness – get the intimacy in those every day situations with their personal interests reflected.

Get photos outside if they’re the outdoor type around flowering shrubs or colorful backgrounds. Consider water elements – ponds, creeks or fountains. Get some close up with the intimate setting and some full length. Get silhouette photos with a beautiful sunset as a backdrop.

Remember this is a chance to get the couple in a less rushed time. Re-enact the proposal, if possible. Get some photos with the couple looking at the camera and some looking at each other. Capture the playful moments that are natural.

Look for creative ways to highlight the things the couple have in common as well as the differences. Perhaps a love of pets or previous children is part of the picture. After a session with the couple consider bringing in the pet or children and taking some shots. Be ready the first few minutes and it might capture unforgettable images.

Use architecture as a background and textures. Capture the romantic touches and her leaning on him, or with her hand on his shoulder. The wedding photos can focus on the beginning of a life together while the engagement photos celebrate that window of time during the engagement, with a hint of what brought them together.

Capturing the beginning of the engagement can often be seasonal as well. For example if the proposal was during the Christmas holidays it would be good to tie that in to the photos.

Getting a variety of pictures is also advised due to the variety of things the engagement photos can be used for. Capturing that magical time can be used for announcements, scrapbooks and a wide range of other ideas. Think romance and fun and capture that in the photos for shots that are sure to please. While it’s good to not overlook the details don’t be so detail orientated that you miss the spark of love – after all as a photographer it’s good to capture details but also the spontaneous moments too. Those will be remembered.

Tags: Engagement Pictures, Photography Business, Wedding Engagement Pictures, Wedding Engagements, wedding photography, Wedding Photography Business

Wedding Photography: The 10 Most Important Traditional Photos

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These are the photos that can define the day. If there’s a 10 hole collage frame you don’t want to leave the couple with empty spaces! Traditionally these are the “big 10” to capture.

1. Bridal portrait prior to the ceremony. Be sure to set this up ahead of time time-wise and have everything you need to complete it quickly. As a professional, be able to get in and get out so to speak – get the shot quickly and effectively than let the bride get on with preparations. If this is going to be at the church before the ceremony be sure to allow enough time to not have to rush through this. As much as possible keep things as relaxed as possible given the hectic day.

2. Bride coming in with escort. Arriving at the church or ceremony spot ahead of time means being able to scout out the layout not just for where they will come in but also allowing to get the shots you need and being as discreet as possible so as to not draw excess attention. Lighting is another concern and attention to shadows, light beams and other issues that could make a challenge insures getting a great shot.

3. The ring exchange. This is a chance to get the couple with the rings as well as unique shots – close-ups of their hands for example. With good planning and positioning it increases the chance of multiple shots and sometimes having extra shots means having one good one.

4. The kiss. This is the shot of the wedding itself. Position, lighting and planning helps to insure you get the best reflection of the moment possible.

5. Bouquet toss/garter toss/glass crush (Jewish ceremony). These are often somewhat more candid than the ceremony shots but the preparation and toss is a traditional part of the day.

6. Posed images of bride and groom after ceremony. This should be set up before the ceremony. If everyone is collected at the same place it can be done quickly and allow everyone to get to the reception quickly.

7. Family or close friend’s formals. Getting the bride with her parents, the couple with parents, attendants and other important people for formal portraits after the ceremony means getting everyone in one place at one time. Be sure to ask if there are any family ‘issues’ that you should know about – nicely and tactfully but knowing this can prevent making a stressful situation worse. For example, if there are two people who don’t get along, keeping it moving along can get through faster and more efficiently and you can arrange it so those members who don’t get along aren’t forced into a situation things get nasty.

8. Cake cutting/feeding. Wide range photos of the couple cutting the cake as well as a closer shot of both holding the knife is a traditional photo that holds significance. Notify the couple in advance to cut slowly which allows you time for those extra shots. Again – multiple choices are nice and extra insurance!

9. Kiss and toast. While this may be separate shots they’re related and it pays to have plenty of good light and advance positioning. At all times be aware to be a minimal distraction but at the same time you are hired and they’re paying you to get those photos. Your primary obligation is to them and as things can be fast paced this isn’t a shot to miss.

10. Bride and groom leaving. Shots of the “getaway vehicle”, the couple getting in and other “getaway” photos can wind down the day. Attention to details makes for traditional photos with updated presentation.

There are many photos to take during the day and along with these “don’t miss” photos be sure to ask in advance planning meetings about individual shots the couple want included with these. It gives tradition and a personal look to a special day.

Tags: Photography Business, wedding photography, Wedding Photography Business