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By:Rachel Posner
Being asked to take photographs at an event can be a daunting prospect. Especially if the “event” just happens to be a friend’s wedding. This is perhaps why many amateur photographers tend to shy away when this question is asked; favoring to take a few select shots rather than hold responsibility for the whole gig.
Having said all that, if you are an amateur you shouldn’t automatically let the opportunity pass you by. A degree of planning and preparation should give you the chance to capture those all-important memorable images.
So, if you fancy dusting the camera off and finding exactly where you put that tripod then this blog post is definitely for you. Here we will be taking a closer look at 4 rock solid steps that could easily see you taking some near pro-quality wedding snaps. Additionally we will cover some of the more common wedding photography issues and just how you can combat them.
The Early Bird
Successful wedding photography is far more than just turning up at the church and snapping a few choice shots. Remember, your task in the whole proceedings is to deliver the day’s story as it unfolded.
So with the above in mind you will want to turn up at the bride’s house nice and early. This way you can assess just how things are going. A great tip which normally makes for a fantastic picture is when she is in the final stages of having her make up applied. If you can capture this from a reflection in the mirror then better still.
Shots that make use of natural light are highly recommended as you focus on some of the finer details such as the embroidery on the fabric of her wedding dress. Another great shot often comes from when she is in conversation with her bridesmaids.
Sometimes you might find that the bride is getting prepared in a smaller room. If she is near the window area then this can cause issues; however, try overexposing the image by either +1 or +2 which should help to blow out the window area. This should leave you with a brighter background without any of the detail.
Arrival at the Church
Ideally you should be looking to arrive at the church well in advance of the wedding party. Clearly this will give you an opportunity to find the lay of the land, especially useful if you are a first time visitor here.
Keep an eye out for the groom and his ushers. This can be an excellent time to take some shots as they start to arrive at the church. Capture increasing levels of detail as they get closer, some areas to focus on will be things like cuff-links, flowers and even shoes.
Other images that help to portray the story of the day are when guests start to arrive. Taking an opportunity to capture the bridesmaids in full dress as well as other details like the order of service are real must do’s.
A cautionary tip here is to keep a watchful eye on the arrival of the bride. With everything else that is going on there is perhaps a danger that you could actually miss this, or at least not be set right for when she arrives. The whole process of the bride arriving can happen in what seems like a flash, so be prepared and have some kind of plan in your head.
Inside the Church
This can be one of the most daunting elements of your whole day; however, if done well it can easily be the most rewarding.
There is a very real chance that you won’t be able to shoot any shots with the aid of your flash. If this is the case then a few adjustments will need to be made, or you will run the risk of some pretty poor photos.
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The first step is to come away from any semi or fully-automatic modes on your camera. Here you will definitely want to go manual, so that you have full control. Pump the sensitivity right up to either ISO 800 or ISO 1600, whilst at the same time set your white balance to auto.
If you are able to sit at the very front of the church near the choir then opt for this location. From here you should choose to be on the groom’s side which will then allow some really great shots of the bride. Of course, it is fair to say that you cannot always dictate your location. If this is the case then you will need to think about how you can get creative, from the back of the church.
Leaving the Church
Fitting a wide lens will be a good idea as you prepare for the bride and groom coming back down the aisle to leave the church.
Adding some direction at their point to encourage the couple to pause and kiss just as they leave the church will provide the opportunity an excellent series of shots. A tip here is to get down to a lower vantage point. Doing so will help to avoid other people being caught up in the background.
Once out of the church encouraging the guests to congratulate the newlyweds will again provide some valuable material. Take the opportunity to guide the couple down to the gate area for the much recognized “confetti” shots, before wrapping things up and heading off to the reception.
Looking to find local photographers? Post your project in BidsByPros.com and connect today.
Rachel Posner has been organizing events and celebrations for over 10 years and is the Managing Director of Photo Booth Specialist Megabooth. Rachel is keen on balancing modern technology with vintage styling at events across the UK.
