How to photograph a wedding ceremony
My top 6 tips for up and coming wedding photographers
Just got booked to shoot a wedding and have little or no experience shooting someone’s best day ever? Here are my top 6 tips to get you started.
If you’re in Rhode Island or nearby in New England, I am always looking for enthusiastic folks who are looking to get their start in the wedding industry as assistants and 2nd shooters.
Second shoot or assist to get practice
Try to be a second photographer before you become the lead photographer. Even if you’ve been a photographer for a while, weddings are a different sport.
I made a few mistakes when I first started out in 2014 and I learned from that experience. I wish I had taken this advice and second shot a few weddings before getting my feet fully wet.
Even if it’s just assisting and holding bags, it’s vital to be a second photographer first so you know exactly what to expect when you’re on your own.
2. Talk to the planner or coordinator
When you arrive to the venue, the first thing you should do is find the coordinator. When you find them, ask them about restrictions concerning photography. Are there any places you should not go, for example. Make sure to introduce yourself and make a connection with them, you will be working with them all day and being on their good side will just make your day easier.
3. Have the right gear
When it comes to photography gear, there are endless options, most of them are not really necessary. But after photographing for 10 years, I’ve realized what is truly essential.
Dual Card Slot Camera: You’ll want a camera with 2 slots to put the memory cards into. Additionally, you’ll want to set the cards as identical backups. That means that if you lose one card, you still have the other with the images.
Versatile Camera/Lens Combo: If I could only choose one camera and one lens for a wedding day, I’d pick the Canon R6 Mark II with the 24-70mm f2.8 lens. The R6 is great with low light, has a full frame sensor and delivers amazing quality. The Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 zoom lens is ideal for almost all wedding situations. The wide 2.8 aperture paired with a body that handles low light well is an amazing combo during indoor ceremonies. Particularly the catholic weddings we have here in Rhode Island.
Speed lights: This is something you’re rarely going to use for a ceremony but I always switch them on for the photos we take after the couple kisses. It can also come in handy if you get booked to shoot an evening ceremony.
4. Dress accordingly
It’s super important to know the expectations for attire ahead of time. Is this ceremony formal? Black tie only? Dress appropriately for each specific ceremony. Showing up under-dressed for a wedding ceremony is not only mildly disrespectful to your clients but also shows a lack of professionalism when there are a lot of potential clients on the guestlist.
5. Coordinate with the videographer
If the couple hired a videographer, make sure to chat with them ahead of time and ask them where they like to be positioned during the ceremony. What are their go-to shots and what their expectations are of you. Documentary-style videographers are easiest to work with as they tend to hang in the back.
6. Plan your shots and angles
You will want to get a great variety of shots and angles during the wedding ceremony. Nothing is more boring than scrolling through 100 images all taken from the same spot!
If you’re you’re nervous you might miss a moment, make sure to get all the angles and variety shots immediately after the ceremony begins and spend the rest of time capturing from the middle of the aisle, so you don’t miss the iconic kiss shot.
A good idea is to also ask the officiant ahead of time, how long the ceremony will be. In my experience, they always say it will be longer than it ends up being, so account for that!
Sleepy Fox Photography is a film and digital wedding photography studio in Rhode Island.