Hands down, booking a wedding is one of the best feelings in the world. Especially when you’re first starting out and you can’t wait to show the world — or your clients — what you’re made of. “I booked a wedding!” happy dances are highly encouraged.
Consequently, one of the worst feelings in the world is walking away from a wedding knowing you did a subpar job. Ugh. Talk about anxiety and worry mode. We all make mistakes, sure, but there are steps you can take to make sure the wedding you shoot goes off without a hitch. BP4U’s “How to Shoot a Wedding: The Ins, Outs and Epic Mistakes” guide walks you through all those steps. I’ve pulled some of that valuable information from the guide for you below.
Details Matter
One thing that sets experienced and thoughtful wedding photographers apart from the crowd is getting pictures of details. Of course, you need to get pictures of people and the venue and all those heart-warming moments, but don’t ever forget about the details. After all, the bride, groom and their respective families spend a lot of money and time planning all those little wedding details.
From the groom’s cuff links to the cake topper to the centerpieces to wedding programs to that little flower in the bride’s hair — everything is strategically placed and there for a reason. Take pictures of it all. Even if it doesn’t seem like an important detail to you, take the photo.
7 Ideas for Gorgeous Detail Shots:
- The lacing of the bride’s wedding gown
- The men’s boutonnieres
- Creatively arranged wedding bands/engagement ring
- Place cards and/or favors on wedding reception tables
- The bride’s dress hanging in a window, on a tree branch, on the door before she puts it on, etc.
- A close up of the wedding cake piping
- The bride’s perfume/makeup
- The groom’s bowtie
Like these tips? We’ve got lots more awesome advice in our “How to Shoot a Wedding: The Ins, Outs and Epic Mistakes” Guide. Click here for more information.
Includes:
- What to know prior to the wedding to get you prepared
- What to take/How to pack it up so you don’t freak out
- What shots to take so you don’t get sued
- How to do handle church/venue coordinators
- Where to stand? What to say?
- How to look like you know what you’re doing, even if you don’t (quality right there)
- What do you do during the ceremony/reception
- Religious ceremonies – what’s ok and what’s not
- What to wear
- How to deal with schedule changes
Also included are tons of BP4U’s Brooke Bustillos’ wedding panic and horror stories (for your reading pleasure and learning purposes).
