Make sure you Get Help
Taking the photos of the family can be quite stressful. The guests are running about everywhere and people are in a 'festive mood' which means the drink will be flowing to the point where it can be very chaotic. Either you or the Groom should select a family member who can be the 'coordinator' of the photograph. The family member can round everyone up, help get them in the shot and keep things moving so that the couple can get back to the party.
Pre-visit the Location It is vital that you visit the place where the ceremony will take place and the venue for the reception before the day so that you can find all the best vantage points for the photos. Although professional photographers do not do this - as a novice you will find it helpful to know about the location so you have an idea of a few positions for photos and to know how the light might affect you on the day. I think it is an even bigger advantage if you can visit the location with the couple so you can a few test shots (these made nice 'pre-wedding photos').
List the Photos you want
It is very important to get the bride & groom to think about the photographs that they would love you to take on the wedding day. Get them to put together a list so that you can check them off. This is very important when it comes to family pictures. There's nothing worse than looking through the finished photographs and realizing you didn't photograph the bride and groom with uncle Bob!
Preparation is so important in wedding photography
On the big day many things can go wrong - so you need to be well prepared. If the dreaded rain starts to fall you will need an alternative plan, make sure your camera batteries are fully charged and your memory cards are completely formatted, consider routes and allow plenty of time to get to where you need to go and get an itinerary of the day so you know what's happening next. If possible, get to the rehearsal of the ceremony. The information you gather from this extra preparation will guarantee you and your couple perfect photographs as you will be able to rehearse where you will be standing and get to know how the light affects the shots you will be taking.
Pre-visit the Location It is vital that you visit the place where the ceremony will take place and the venue for the reception before the day so that you can find all the best vantage points for the photos. Although professional photographers do not do this - as a novice you will find it helpful to know about the location so you have an idea of a few positions for photos and to know how the light might affect you on the day. I think it is an even bigger advantage if you can visit the location with the couple so you can a few test shots (these made nice 'pre-wedding photos').
Take pictures of the small things The small things are very important; most couples love to look back at their wedding cake, also pictures of the rings, backs of dresses, flowers, table settings, shoes etc.
Discuss and agree the couple's expectations
Show them as many photos as you can so they can see your typical style of work. Ask them what they want to achieve, how many photographs they would like, what shots are important to them. Find out what they will be doing with the photographs, will they be put into an album or just kept on a disk for example.
Two Cameras are better than one
If possible use more than one camera, this way you can set it up with different lenses and settings. Using a wide angled lens on one camera while using a longer lens on the other can give you a totally different effect. You will also have a spare just in case one stops working.
Taking the photos of the family can be quite stressful. The guests are running about everywhere and people are in a 'festive mood' which means the drink will be flowing to the point where it can be very chaotic. Either you or the Groom should select a family member who can be the 'coordinator' of the photograph. The family member can round everyone up, help get them in the shot and keep things moving so that the couple can get back to the party.
Pre-visit the Location It is vital that you visit the place where the ceremony will take place and the venue for the reception before the day so that you can find all the best vantage points for the photos. Although professional photographers do not do this - as a novice you will find it helpful to know about the location so you have an idea of a few positions for photos and to know how the light might affect you on the day. I think it is an even bigger advantage if you can visit the location with the couple so you can a few test shots (these made nice 'pre-wedding photos').
List the Photos you want
It is very important to get the bride & groom to think about the photographs that they would love you to take on the wedding day. Get them to put together a list so that you can check them off. This is very important when it comes to family pictures. There's nothing worse than looking through the finished photographs and realizing you didn't photograph the bride and groom with uncle Bob!
Preparation is so important in wedding photography
On the big day many things can go wrong - so you need to be well prepared. If the dreaded rain starts to fall you will need an alternative plan, make sure your camera batteries are fully charged and your memory cards are completely formatted, consider routes and allow plenty of time to get to where you need to go and get an itinerary of the day so you know what's happening next. If possible, get to the rehearsal of the ceremony. The information you gather from this extra preparation will guarantee you and your couple perfect photographs as you will be able to rehearse where you will be standing and get to know how the light affects the shots you will be taking.
Pre-visit the Location It is vital that you visit the place where the ceremony will take place and the venue for the reception before the day so that you can find all the best vantage points for the photos. Although professional photographers do not do this - as a novice you will find it helpful to know about the location so you have an idea of a few positions for photos and to know how the light might affect you on the day. I think it is an even bigger advantage if you can visit the location with the couple so you can a few test shots (these made nice 'pre-wedding photos').
Take pictures of the small things The small things are very important; most couples love to look back at their wedding cake, also pictures of the rings, backs of dresses, flowers, table settings, shoes etc.
Discuss and agree the couple's expectations
Show them as many photos as you can so they can see your typical style of work. Ask them what they want to achieve, how many photographs they would like, what shots are important to them. Find out what they will be doing with the photographs, will they be put into an album or just kept on a disk for example.
Two Cameras are better than one
If possible use more than one camera, this way you can set it up with different lenses and settings. Using a wide angled lens on one camera while using a longer lens on the other can give you a totally different effect. You will also have a spare just in case one stops working.