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Why Should I Hire a Professional Wedding Photographer?

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life. Make sure that you capture all of the memories and make them all your own. You could choose to have someone in your family or friends’ group do the pictures to save some money, but often they don’t know which shots to get and won’t have the right tools to get the perfect shot each time.

There are many reasons to consider hiring a professional wedding photographer to get all those great pictures on your important day. Some of the reasons to consider it include:

  • They have the experience: A wedding photographer has photographed a ton of weddings and they know which moments you want captured, how to handle the logistics, and how to get everyone to smile. They will make sure that your dream pictures are taken each time.
  • They offer variety: Between film and digital photography, your wedding photographer can mix and match to offer the variety that you would like. When you hire a professional, you get access to their knowledge and equipment so you can get the perfect picture each time.
  • You get quality images: Your photographer will also go back and make sure that all of the edits are done to get the picture perfect. Your photographer will be there to make sure all of the details are perfect and that not a hair out of place, or a smile, is going to ruin the big day.
  • It’s an investment: You will not be able to go back and redo that big day. That is why it is a good investment to hire a professional to get the pictures done. Sure, you could hire Aunt Sally to do it with her phone, but you will certainly feel disappointed a few weeks down the line and all the pictures are blurred and look horrible.
  • They know what to expect on the wedding day: Even though your wedding day can be unique, there are a few things that stand true between wedding. Your photographer will help take care of the schedule so that you can get the best experience from the day and not a picture is missed in the process.
  • They can help you have less stress: When you hand off the pictures to the wedding photographer, you can cut down on the amount of stress you feel. You can instead choose to sit back and relax on the big day, rather than worry about one more thing.
  • Feel confident in front of the camera: You will be amazed at how much confidence a wedding photographer can give you on your big day. This can help you radiate and shine out in every picture, looking beautiful and loving how the pictures turned out years down the road.

Don’t miss out on the images that will be with you for the rest of your life. Choose to work with the right wedding photographer and see how much easier they can make the whole day.…

Be a Confident Wedding Photographer

If this is your first wedding shoot, it is normal to lack a little confidence. But remember that the bride and groom hired you to capture all the magical moments of their day, and it is your job to get in there and capture them. Does this mean that you may have to step in front of a relative to get the great pictures? Sometimes, yes it does.

As you gain more experience in wedding photography, you will learn how to anticipate some of the moments that will occur. This will help you be in the right spot at the right time, without getting in the way of too many guests. You want to mind your manners and not be rude, but also remember that you need to do your job and be there for the big moments. 

Get the Great Group Shots

While you will take a lot of pictures of the bride and groom, both individually and together, weddings are also a time for lots of group photos as well. You need to get the wedding party, the friends, the family, and all those extended relatives so that the memories will be there for years to come. Getting the picture shot of a group, especially a large one, can be daunting the first time, but you will gain more experience and get better at it.

To make this easier, some of the tips you can follow include:

  • Choose a safe aperture: You do not want to do a group shot in wide open. Depending on the lens, the distance of the group, and the arrangement of the group, you should go with an aperture of f/4 or more to help get all the faces in focus.
  • Remove the sunglasses: Either have everyone wearing them, or no one. The picture will come out strange if a few are wearing and the rest aren’t.
  • Watch for huggers: If men start to hug each other in a line, their jackets will start to ride up and this does not look good. Either ask them to take off the jackets for this or hug lightly around the waist if they are going to do this.
  • Get close family to connect: You can have hands holding together, around the waist, on the shoulders, or some other method, as long as they are connecting in some manner.
  • Take lots of pictures: The larger the group you try to capture, the more likely it is that someone is yawning, blinking, looking away, or doing something else. Take a ton of pictures so you are more likely to get the best one of everyone.

Setting Up Your Wedding Photography Business

As a wedding photographer, you need to be organized and ready to go, no matter what happens on that special day. Having a good sense of humor, the right equipment, and a great understanding of the couple can make all the difference. The best wedding photographers are able to master the basics of wedding photography to give their clients the very best.

Spend Time with the Couple Ahead of Time

Weddings are very personal and you want to make sure that all the love, laughter, and fun shows through your pictures. One of the best ways to do this is to take time to get to know the couple. The better you know the couple and the more comfortable they feel around you, the better your pictures will turn out.

Most couples begin planning their wedding a good deal in advance of the big day. Try to set up a time where you can sit down and discuss the wedding day with them. Learn about their likes and dislikes, their personalities, and the exact shots they want you to get. If you do their engagement pictures, you can use this time to know them better too. If the couple is on a tight deadline before the wedding, then send out a questionnaire that will help you learn more about them.

Learn the Bounce Flash Technique

Ever wonder how wedding photographers can get amazing pictures, even when the reception area is dark at night? They are able to use a technique known as bounce flash. The trick to this technique is that you will point the flash head at an angle to the subject, bouncing it off something else, like he wall or the ceiling.

It is also possible for the photographer to bounce the flash from a distance, such as during speeches or to get the whole wedding party. If the party is held outdoors and there is nowhere for the flash to bounce off, try feathering the light. This includes lifting the flash head just a bit. Experiment with the power and zoom settings and you are ready to go.

Have Everyone Know Their Responsibilities Ahead of Time

Before the wedding, try to sit down with the couple and go over expectations. Let the couple know your responsibilities and what you plan to take n the day of the wedding. This can include how many pictures you provide, how many hours you will be at the event, and any payment requirements before the day.

Setting these expectations out right from the start can avoid many confusions. The couple may not realize they are getting a limited number of hours or that you will not be able to show up early the day of the wedding. It is fine to negotiate with them if they have some special requests, but before the meeting is over, make sure all parties know what to expect of the day.

The Basics of Wedding Photography

It is a dream come true! You have booked your first client and are ready to make your name as a photographer in the area. While you may have done a few small senior pictures and family portraits in the past, you are ready to branch out and become a wedding photographer.

Knowing the basics of wedding photography can make the day go much smoother for you and for the couple. They are expecting fantastic pictures that will last them a lifetime and it is likely they will take a look at these each year to help them remember things fondly. Your job is to find all those happy moments and make sure that they are captured on film.

Taking the leap to wedding photography takes some time and skill, but once you have a client who is confident in your skills, you want to jump in and showcase how prepared you are. Let’s take a closer look at some of the basics of wedding photography to help you get started.

Get the Best Gear You Can Afford

This is not the time to go cheap. A wedding is a once in a lifetime event and the couple is paying you to make sure nothing is missed. If they get a whole book back full of blurry pictures, they will not be happy. Things can happen quickly at a wedding and you want to capture all of the moments. Purchasing the best gear will help make that happen.

Think about all that can happen during the wedding. You spend all day with the couple, capturing their anticipation, their excitement, and their love. You will often take pictures in a hotel room or another place where the couple gets ready, at the church, in a dark reception hall, and even outside. You need equipment that can keep up with all of it and still provide stunning pictures. 

Think about the camera, the lenses, and the flash that you will need to use to get the right pictures. And choose the highest quality you can afford. If you plan to do this as a full-time career, then it can be a good return on investment to pay more for good equipment now.

Choose the Right Software

While the right camera and lens will help you get perfect pictures each time, you also need to look for state of the art software for when it is time to edit those pictures at home. There are several types of software you need for your business including:

  • Studio management: This will help you manage your clients and make sure that you never forget an appointment. Options like Studio Ninja are a good place to start.
  • Editing: You will need to do some edits to your pictures after the wedding to make sure they are perfect for the couple. A high-quality editing software can make this easier.
  • Client Galleries: You need a way to share the images you take once you are done. Most photographers share these online with the clients, who can then choose how and where to print them off. Options like ShootProof are good for this.
  • Website: Wedding photographers should consider their own website to help attract new clients. You can post your rates, your hours, the type of photography you do, and even images so the client can look them over before making their decision.