Top Photography Tips for the Amateur Wedding Photographer

Wedding photography is not for the faint of heart. Weddings happen only once it is unforgivable if you miss a shot. Moreover it is a fast growing industry so you better be a pro quick before some other newbie takes over your place. With patience, practice and these simple but proven tips, you can be another Dennis Reggie in no time. Here’s how:

Skip the mundane. Seeing to it that everybody smiles when you take their picture can be so boring. Therefore, don’t orchestrate things too much and come up with stiff and cliché wedding pictures. Look for something like a flower girl wiping off her red lipstick or a ring bearer who yawns or looks bored. Look for teary-eyed mums, mischievous groomsmen or anything out of the blue. Taking formal pictures is a must of course. However, learnhow to take candid shots as they are the ones to be remembered forever.

Details, details. Get them and the bride will thank you later. Brides spend too much time just to make their dream weddings come true. So if you can immortalize the DIY-favors she had planned for a year, you can send her back smiling at it years later. Be sure to have a good picture of her gown, the bouquets, cakes, and of course –the rings!

Love the attendees. The bride and groom should really be the center of attraction for the fact that it is their big day. However, pay equal notice to the people around them. Get good shots of their siblings, friends, and relatives, especially if there’s an aunt who came all the way from Bulgaria. Knowing the number of expected guests and familiarizing yourself with the family members can ensure you’ll never miss a thing.

Don’t immerse too much on technology tweaks. Who hasn’t heard of Photoshop? Yes, you can get model-like complexion with simple tweaks and turn ordinary images to fine works of art, but go easy with it. As Mr. Reggie said “Photoshop is salt and pepper; not the steak”.

Come prepared. Remember that you are an amateur who wants to prove himself, so give it all your best. Even the pros spend hours and hours visiting venues and talking couples just to make everything in place for the big day. You should also have a list of a wedding’s must-have shots and be sure to memorize them by heart. Weddings happen so fast, you don’t want to fumble for your list and miss important shots. Be sure to have your backup equipment on the ready like lighting, back up batteries, memory cards and whatnot.

But most importantly- relax. Have faith in yourself and enjoy the thing you love doing. Again, photography is not for the faint of heart. However, if you are confident enough with your talents, it can greatly affect the way you take pictures. Respect the couple’s wishes. But in the end, you will still be the one to take the shots. Good luck.