1. Check out your location
If you don't plan to do this before the big day then you have lost the battle already. A good photographer will scout the wedding location before the actual day to get a feel for the wedding setting. You'll need to get an idea where to position yourself for all the shots of the ceremony and reception as well as the formal shots. Sometimes you may even get the couple to come with and try out some test shots. Visit the location at the same time of day as the wedding as this knowledge of your location will help with planning shots in terms of the lighting conditions.
2. Create a list of shots
Knowing where and how the shots will be taken from the couple's perspective is essential to a successful shoot. So write down from beginning to end where each set of shots will be taken. Part of the job you are being paid for is to offer ideas for great photos. Don't be afraid to make suggestions or tell the couple which of their ideas might not work. Key here is to be confident in your photographic knowledge. After all a wedding uses the same techniques and principles for any good photography shoot.
3. Planning is essential
Good preparation is paramount to a successful wedding shoot. Go through every item of kit you will be needing advance. Make sure batteries are full and memory cards have been formatted and are working. Run a few test shots on each card. In case of bad weather or lighting have an alternative location ready to offer the couple. Even better, discuss this beforehand with them. Make sure you have a wedding programme/itinerary and add your notes to it. Ask if you can attend the rehearsal and take some shots for the final album. This gives the opportunity to find the best positions to shoot from, especially inside the church or venue. Knowledge is power in situations like this.
4. Get creative
A unique style will always get you good business and there is no better place to showcase your ability than at a wedding location. Show your confidence and be bold and decisive while at the same time allowing suggestions from your couple. If you are concerned about your creativity then go and buy wedding books and magazines and look for ideas you can use or improve on. Don't be afraid to experiment with angles, viewpoints and positions. With digital photography you are able to display your creativity immediately so if you have a laptop, display a selection of your best images at the reception. This is great for new business and above all allows you to showcase your work.
5. Use an assistant where possible
This person can be a back up photographer or just someone who knows about photography and who can pass you lenses and equipment and help change memory cards and batteries. You will find an assistant invaluable on the day. When the pressure is on you need that extra pair of hands. Be prepared to pay a reasonable price for their help.
6. Use a second camera
If you are going to be at all successful you need to buy, hire, beg or borrow a second camera. You must have it with a second lens. One camera with a wide angle and the other with a zoom of say 70-200, which is the one I use. It's good quality and takes sharp images. Don't use something cheap. Rather hire your second lens of quality.
7. Shoot in RAW
All DSLRs have a RAW shooting setting. The reason you shoot in RAW is because it covers a multitude of sins. It is more time consuming with post production but it can save your life. There are tricky settings you need to be constantly aware of at weddings especially shooting indoors and outdoors with often a lot of white. In you post-production you'll be able to manipulate your exposure, ISO and other settings with more latitude if you shoot in RAW.
These are my top seven tips. But don't stop here. Try to learn as much as you can about wedding photography. It's a photographic journey in a niche market with so much to learn about. The key of course is to experiment and practise till it comes naturally.
Do you want to learn more about photography in a digital world? I've just completed a brand new e-course delivered by e-mail. Download it here for free: http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/ To learn how you can take your photography from ordinary to outstanding visit http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/21steps.htm
Wayne Turner has been teaching photography for 25 years and has written three books on photography.
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