Trauma Management for Wedding Photographers

Posted on | September 2, 2009 | No Comments

Digital photography is mostly stress-free until it comes to wedding photography. This most challenging of assignments can be survived by following some simple rules.

The Shot List

Prior to your worrying about your gear, you should find out exactly what photos are required. Some brides will already have this worked out. Other brides may just expect you to know instinctively what is needed. If so, be afraid, be very afraid. You’ll be much better off if you ask for and receive a list of the needed shots.

A shot list is best separated into three general groupings:

1. Prior to the Service
2. The Ceremony
3. Subsequent to the Ceremony

Prior to the Ceremony

These shots can include the following:

* The bride getting ready
* The bride and friends
* The bride and her parents
* The groom with his friends
* The groom and his parents
* The Dress
* Getting into the limo
* Sitting in the limo
* Arriving at the church

A number of of these can be candid shots. Some work better if you pose them.

The Service

These shots depend on the location and if you are permitted to shoot the actual exchange of vows, etc. Some celebrants don’t permit photography during the ceremony – ask if this is okay. You should try to get on the groom’s side with a clear view of the bride. Brides are usually the most important subjects during the ceremony].

These photos should include:

* Take medium distance shots of the bride and groom and celebrant.
* Take medium distance photos of the bride and groom.
* Three quarter length to full length of the entire bridal party including the maids and groomsmen.
* Frame the bride and groom medium or three-quarter length.
* The ring (close-up on the hands if you can zoom in fast otherwise go for the semi-close-up)
* The kiss (semi close-up)

Lighting plays a big part in the ceremony shots. Flash is too harsh and intrusive so do your best with the available lighting – it’s probably adequate. Don’t leave the lighting to chance on the big day – this is what rehearsals are for. Make sure you use a tripod.

Turn your camera’s shutter sound off. Do that so you can shoot many frames without disturbing the event. The more the better. Set the camera to multiple frames and hold the shutter down at the important moments. Many great pictures have been spoiled by the subject blinking. The remedy is to shoot lots at the critical moments.

Move fast to capture the newly weds walking back down the aisle. Now this is an important wedding photography tip: Plan your return route to the front door at the rehearsal.  Flash can be used when the couple face the congregation and leave the alter. For more information look under ‘Equipment’.

Following the Ceremony

Again some of these could be candid and some ought to be posed. These should comprise:

* The bride and groom outside the church/venue with well-wishers
* The confetti moment (just hold the shutter down!)
* The bouquet
* Groups of bride and groom and all parents
* Getting into the limo
* Sitting in the limo
* The limo itself if it has been tricked up with cans and graffiti etc.

Following on-After the Service

These usually need to be planned ahead. Now go ‘on location’ to a nearby park or garden. Now is a good time for some posed full-length shots of the dress before the reception. The subjects can relax here and figuratively let their hair down. Posed shots should be done first, then move off for shots with the zoom so they can be more spontaneous.

The Reception is included in this segment. Expect to be plagued by guests wanting their own photos, but keep an eye on your shot list and don’t stray too far.

Don’t miss the cake cutting. You may have the bridal table on your list – if not just do a general coverage of the toasts. The newly weds are your client and their big moment will be the ceremony so concentrate on that first.

You will probably need help at the reception to make sure you don’t miss any important groupings – ask the matron or maid of honor.

The Finished Product

It is best to supply a Compact disk or DVD with the bad shots edited out. Duds make photographers look incompetent. For added effect you can use video editing software to quickly make a slide show of the event in sequence. Don’t submit any image that wont zoom up to A4 and still be sharp. It is simpler to provide a CD of all the best photos and let the ‘clients’ print whatever they like.

Tags

photography

Comments