Posts Tagged ‘wedding shots’
The amount of stress in wedding photography rivals bull-fighting and sword juggling. You can meet and survive the perils of wedding photography by understanding and using some elementary rules.
The List of Shots
Prior to your worrying about your equipment, you ought to find out precisely what photos are wanted and needed. Some brides will already have this worked out. Some brides may have vague ideas of capturing the mood and so on. If your client says anything like this be afraid, be very afraid. Request a list of photos.
A shooting list is best broken down into three general categories:
1. Before the Service
2. The Ceremony
3. After the Service
Prior to the Ceremony
These shots can consist of the following:
* The bride getting ready
* The bride together with her friends
* The bride and parents
* The groom with his friends
* The groom and parents
* The wedding dress
* Getting into the limo
* Sitting in the limo
* Arriving at the church
Several of these can be candid photos. Some work better if you pose them.
The Service
These shots depend on the venue and if you are permitted to shoot the actual exchange of vows, etc. Some celebrants don’t permit photography during the service – ask if this is okay. If so, make sure you position yourself unobtrusively on the groom’s side so you can shoot the bride. Shoot more of the bride as these will be more popular shots.
These photos should include:
* shots of the bride and groom showing their outfits and celebrant.
* Take medium distance photos of the bride and groom.
* Three quarter length to full length of the entire bridal party including the maids and groomsmen.
* Photograph the bride and groom together, usually a medium length framing.
* The ring (close-up on the hands if you can zoom in fast otherwise go for the semi-close-up)
* The kiss (semi close-up)
Lighting plays a big part in the service shots. Flash is a no-no, so make sure you have worked out how to use the available light. If there is a rehearsal, ask if you can come along and get an idea of how well or poorly lit the scene will be on the big day. Make sure you use a tripod.
Your digital camera should have an option to turn the shutter sound off. Do that so you can shoot many frames without disturbing the event. The more the better. Set the camera to multiple frames and hold the shutter down at the important moments. An eye caught mid-blink has ruined more otherwise great pictures than anything else known to man. Taking a lot of photos at the critical moments solves this.
Be ready to move fast so you can take the new couple as they leave the altar. Now this is an important wedding photography tip: Plan your return route to the front door at the rehearsal. When the new couple turn and move down the aisle, use your flash. See more on this under ‘Equipment’.
After the Service
Yet again some of these may be candid and some should be posed. These should comprise:
* The bride and groom outside the church/venue with well-wishers
* The confetti moment (just hold the shutter down!)
* The bouquet
* Groups of bride and groom and all parents
* Getting into the limo
* Sitting in the limo
* The limo itself if it has been tricked up with cans and graffiti etc.
After-After the Ceremony
These usually need to be planned ahead. You should have scouted out and agreed on a location like a park or a garden or nearby beach. The bride will definitely want some full length photos that show the dress to good effect, you should pose these. Now this is the time when you just let them be natural and carefree. Candid, relaxed photos work well, also shoot some photos that are posed.
This includes the reception. Some guests may want photos with the happy couple but you may also find these are rarely ordered.
Definitely shoot the cutting of the cake. You should also cover the bridal table, early on before it becomes messy. Plan to devote most attention and care to pictures of the ceremony.
You will probably need help at the reception to make sure you don’t miss any important groupings – ask the matron or maid of honor.
The Final Product
It is best to supply a Compact disk or DVD with the bad shots edited out. No one wants to see the duds, and they just make you look like an amateur. For added effect you can use video editing software to quickly make a slide show of the event in sequence. An image that can’t be printed out at A4 size and be clear and sharp is also a dud. If you don’t have to worry about orders, just provide a CD of the best selection as part of your fee.