How to be a Good Wedding Photographer

If you're looking to make a living by being a wedding photographer then you've chosen a great line of work.  It can be very lucrative if you get enough jobs and is also an interesting way of making a living.  You meet new people and have a way to express your creativity with every "gig" you get.  You're also not stuck in an office all day hunched over a computer in your cubicle.  Yes, being a wedding photographer is an interesting way of life and something that can be fun and enjoyable for those who do it right!

Anyone that can point and click a camera can call themselves a wedding photographer but of course that doesn't mean that they can take good pictures that will make the customers happy.  Photography is part science and part skill but also a lot of artistic ability as well.  A person needs to have a good eye so that they can imagine how certain shots will turn out and can make adjustments to their angles or focus when necessary.  Being a wedding photographer is very different than any other type of photography - you'll need to get portraits and posed shots as well as a lot of action shots as well.  Every wedding is different and will have a different "theme" or tone.  Some brides and grooms are very casual and fun while others are very serious and want an elegant wedding.  A good wedding photographer will understand this and will do everything he or she can to capture the right mood or feeling with each wedding and will make sure the photographs really reflect the personality of the bride or groom.  If it's an elegant event then the landmarks and location will probably provide some good backdrops.  For couples that are more fun and whimsical you'll probably want to concentrate on your poses as well - running along the beach barefoot or jumping in the air together, for example.  A good wedding photographer will be aware of these differences in couples and weddings and will respond accordingly.

And a good wedding photographer will be one to take the initiative when it comes to photographs and poses.  A bride will not follow him or her around during the wedding and reception and point out all the pictures that need to be taken.  It will be up to the photographer to remember the poses and shots that have been asked for and to be ready with the camera for spontaneous or candid shots.  A good wedding photographer will need to think on his or her feet and be self-directed.  

You can always study the work or another really good wedding photographer and see what poses and shots they managed to capture and how they did it.  There's nothing wrong with looking at other people's work this way as most artists do it for painting, sculpting, and so on.  You can use this work as inspiration and guidance for your own.

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Tips for Posing a Wedding Photo

How many times have you looked at a wedding photo and thought it was absolutely amazing?  The real personality of the bride seems to just shine through or the couple are posed in such an interesting and unique way that you can't help but wonder how the photographer did it.  Or have you ever looked at a wedding photo and thought it was very amateurish and rather boring?  What makes one so good and eye catching and appealing while the other one is so boring and dry?  And how can you be the photographer that takes a breathtaking wedding photo rather than the one that takes the boring pictures?

First you may want to really study any wedding photo that catches your eye.  What is it about this picture that appeals to you?  Is it the pose, the setting, or the use of a decorative element in the picture?  Compare those things to the picture that is less than appealing.  What is that one lacking that the first photo has?  How would any of these different elements help that dry and boring picture?

Very often the key to a successful wedding photo is how it is posed.  Today's brides typically want poses that are interesting and unique.  Decades ago portraits were posed by having the subjects look directly at the camera and it was often thought to be bad manners to smile, so the expression on the faces of the subjects is somewhat dour and unhappy.  But today's wedding photography typically includes poses with the bride and groom staring at each lovingly or while sharing a laugh.  They may both be looking off to one side of the wedding photo or out a window next to them.  It's also not unusual to even shoot a picture of them walking away from the camera, off to that new life together!

Posing for a wedding photo might also include a different angle than just head-on.  Many are taken from above, looking down on the bride or the couple.  These types of shots thin the face and the body.  Close-ups are also very common even if they don't get the entire wedding dress in the frame.  A close-up of the bride's face while she holds her bouquet to her face and looks down or to one side is a favorite wedding photo for many.  Never think that you need to get every detail of every element of the wedding in every picture; this is a common mistake for many and so wedding pictures often look crowded or busy.  Back up a bit or zoom out, or zoom in on one particular feature or detail.

And the last thing to remember for a great wedding photo is for everyone to relax.  Tensions and emotions usually run high at weddings but those tensions can show up on pictures very easily.  Tell a few jokes or even use a hand puppet if you must; whatever you need to do to get everyone to relax!

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How to Capture those Perfect Wedding Moments

A wedding is undoubtedly one of the most precious moments in a person's life. Capturing it on film to be stored forever is even more important. Today, brides and grooms have so any options to choose from when it comes to choosing the kind of photography that they want for the most important day of their lives.

Here is a guide in achieving the wedding photography of a couple's dreams:

1. Choosing the right photographer

• In order to select a wedding photographer, a couple must first decide on the picture style that they want.
• Portrait photographers are perfectly capable to take both formal and casual pictures, but he will most likely concentrate on the formal ones.
• Photojournalists take shots that are candid and not planned. This kind of photographer usually has experience in journalism photography.
• Hobbyist photographers are those who are often a friend or a relative of the couple, and would likely offer his services for free or a very low price. It is hard to tell the kind of pictures that they will produce, and there is a risk that the pictures may not be as good as a professional's.

2. Getting the perfect camera

• Wedding photographers usually use two basic camera types: the 35mm and the medium format. The 35mm has the tendency to produce pictures that are a little grainy, but the only person who may notice the difference are the photographers themselves.

3. Color or black and white?

• Color is usually used in wedding photos, but those who want a more artistic feel may go for the black and white film. Black and white photos lasts longer than color ones, though color films capture the details of the event more appropriately. One option would be to take the pictures in color first, then have copies made in black and white.

4. Personality of the photographer

• Most couples want a photographer who can take great pictures but who is also friendly and sociable. Set an interview with the prospective photographer, and make sure to ask effective questions. Also, make sure to ask for references, and take a look at his previous work.

All these tips can help couples in getting those perfect pictures on their special day. Make sure that these pictures can be shown proudly to families and friends, and can be passed down to future generations.

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Sneaking Up on the Wedding

Every wedding has a professional photographer who has been doing this for years.  What they are going to produce is pretty much a known entity before the wedding even gets started.  You know he is going to hold the wedding party over after the ceremony and do a bunch of staged shots.  You know he will “stage” the feeding of the cake between bride and groom, the throwing of the bouquet, the dance of father and bride, all that standard stuff.

But you may have the assignment as an amateur photographer to also take pictures of the wedding.  This is not unusual.  If the bride’s brother is good with a camera or the groom’s uncle knows a thing or two about photography, why not let them take pictures too.  So if that assignment has fallen to you, there may be a few tips for you to keep in mind as the big day approaches.
 

• You are the back up guy.  So let the professional do his stuff.  Remember, just because your sister or best friend has utmost confidence in what you can do to make the wedding album more interesting and fun, those traditional shots are important to the family and to the bride and groom.  They may be old fashioned and a bit boring but that paid photographer was hired to do a job.  So don’t get in the way of the professional and if you do interact with him, do so respectfully.  You don’t want that guy in a bad mood.  So give his space.
   
• Be ready.  You can bet that paid photographer came here having checked out his equipment and he knows what he needs and he knows it all works.  So you be just as “professional” as the next guy and do your prep work the night before.  That way when you step up to get that shot you know will make the wedding album sizzle, your equipment works perfectly too.  This also includes arriving ready to go with backup batteries, tape, light bulbs and anything else you will need for a full day of shooting.
   
• Use what he does.  That professional is going to stage the people to get those shots that are on his list of standard shots all wedding albums get.  But during that time when the wedding party is trying to be good but giddy with nervous excitement, there will be dozens of little moments that will make great photographs.  Maybe get that shot of sister fixing the flower girls dress.  Or that silly tickle session between bride and groom as they play with each other to get through the tension of the day.  Use what that photographer is giving to himself.  As long as you don’t get in the way, you can grab some great pictures that way.
   
• Those action shots during the ceremony.  You have come with a more mobile equipment set than the professional has because your goal is to get the informal shots.  So you have what you need pretty much on your back.  You can move around the hall and get those little photographs during the ceremony of things going on up on that stage that everybody else will miss.  The wedding party will love you for capturing moments that would have been lost to time if you had not come ready to work on your feet and get those little throw away pictures that are worth gold in the wedding album.
   
• The kids are “down there”.  Don’t overlook the children during the wedding or the reception.  They add a lot of fun and joy.  But remember, they are down there closer to the ground than you are.  To get their shots, you have to go down there with them.

Remember, this event is not about you.  You are the proverbial fly on the wall to get those shots that the pro doesn’t have on his checklist.  But at the same time, don’t forget that you are important to this wedding to.  So put down that camera every so often and have that glass of wine and do the funky chicken during the reception with everyone else.  Let someone else get that picture.

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Wedding Photography - How To Choose Your Wedding Photographer

Hiring a wedding photographer may seem like a simple task, but choosing someone to capture all the moments and details of that special day can be much more difficult than most couples realize. The professional you select will create a photographic record that will be treasured by your family for generations, and making this decision is a critical step in the wedding-planning process. In some instances, hiring the wrong person might not only result in poor wedding photos, but could also have a negative effect on your entire wedding day (for example, imagine a sloppy-looking photographer running around, blocking the guests' view and constantly distracting you from enjoying your day).

One of the most common and unfortunate mistakes couples make is hiring a family friend or an enthusiastic relative to photograph the day. Some may even ask guests to take as many photos as possible with the hope of piecing together an album composed of candid shots, most of which are unusable. Keep in mind that even with the proper equipment, photographing a wedding properly is a daunting task requiring significant experience, the finesse' to be virtually invisible, and most importantly the talent and artistic vision to capture the memorable details and emotions of your wedding day. It is certainly not a job for the faint of heart.

How, then, does one choose an accomplished, professional wedding photographer? The key items to consider are your personal preferences in photography, your budget for the event, and the professional relationship and chemistry you have (or don't have) with the photographer.

Wedding photography is usually classified as traditional, photojournalistic (candid), and artistic. There is a wealth of information online regarding these categories, if you would like more explanation of each. Although some photographers may declare that they are "hardcore photojournalists" (the current buzz-word in the wedding photo industry), I believe that a good wedding photographer must be able to do all the styles equally well. It is important to review a good selection of the photographer's work, and you should love most (if not everything) you see. You should insist on viewing complete wedding albums to see how your final album could look. If you don't feel an emotional connection with the photos, you need to iHiring a wedding photographer may seem like a simple task, but choosing someone to capture all the moments and details of that special day can be much more difficult than most couples realize. The professional you select will create a photographic record that will be treasured by your family for generations, and making this decision is a critical step in the wedding-planning process. In some instances, hiring the wrong person might not only result in poor wedding photos, but could also have a negative effect on your entire wedding day (for example, imagine a sloppy-looking photographer running around, blocking the guests' view and constantly distracting you from enjoying your day).

One of the most common and unfortunate mistakes couples make is hiring a family friend or an enthusiastic relative to photograph the day. Some may even ask guests to take as many photos as possible with the hope of piecing together an album composed of candid shots, most of which are unusable. Keep in mind that even with the proper equipment, photographing a wedding properly is a daunting task requiring significant experience, the finesse' to be virtually invisible, and most importantly the talent and artistic vision to capture the memorable details and emotions of your wedding day. It is certainly not a job for the faint of heart.

How, then, does one choose an accomplished, professional wedding photographer? The key items to consider are your personal preferences in photography, your budget for the event, and the professional relationship and chemistry you have (or don't have) with the photographer.

Wedding photography is usually classified as traditional, photojournalistic (candid), and artistic. There is a wealth of information online regarding these categories, if you would like more explanation of each. Although some photographers may declare that they are "hardcore photojournalists" (the current buzz-word in the wedding photo industry), I believe that a good wedding photographer must be able to do all the styles equally well. It is important to review a good selection of the photographer's work, and you should love most (if not everything) you see. You should insist on viewing complete wedding albums to see how your final album could look. If you don't feel an emotional connection with the photos, you need to interview another photographer.

Couples also either under-budget for their wedding photography, or they try to shop around for the cheapest package, forsaking quality. As with any creative service, with most photographers you normally "get what you pay for." If you see an all-inclusive package with albums under $2000.00, the quality of all the products and services is usually poor. If the package is above $5000.00, you should expect 2 photographers present, at least 8 hours of coverage, and high-end wedding albums (along with some extra items, such as proofs or parent copies). Make sure you compare apples to apples when reviewing various wedding packages, since they can be confusing. In most cases a typical wedding photography budget would be in the $3000.00 - $6000.00 range. Don't treat your wedding photography as an afterthought - photographs are the most enduring and viewed remembrance of your wedding day (more so, even, than a video recording).

Make sure you feel a personal connection with your photographer. Some of the best photos of the day are usually taken "behind the scenes" as the wedding party prepares for the day, when you will be interacting with your family and friends. You should feel comfortable inviting the photographer "backstage." As a wedding photographer, I regularly get invited to see the most intimate parts of the wedding day that are normally not visible to most guests or even family. Your photographer should be calm and assertive and have a positive energy about them. Make sure he or she shows a genuine interest in you and your family. Do not hire a photographer that makes you feel that your wedding day is just another job for them. Your photos would certainly reflect that.

Michael Graham Photography - About the Author:

Michael Graham is a Los Angeles and Palm Springs based wedding photographer known for his ability to capture moments and details of the wedding day. You may visit his website at: www.mgpweddings.com and www.michaelgrahamphoto.com

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