Wedding Photography Tips

Wedding photography can be very stressful for the amateur photographer! Making sure to achieve the best possible results on the big day requires a fair amount of effort and planning. Here's a few ideas to get you started...

1. Plan Ahead! It's vital that you have a plan and time scale in place. Chat with the couple and make sure you are agreed on the style they are looking for. You position on the day is not to simply take photographs of the day, but to tailor them to the style of the bride and groom. If possible visit the locations you will be shooting at before the wedding. If you can, attend the wedding rehearsal to get an idea of how the ceremony will go. If the distance is too great to visit before the day, arrive early and familiarise yourself with the venue or venues. You timing will be short and it's not always easy to keep a festive, and possible slightly inebriated group of people to stand still and look in the same direction at the same time. By having previously assessed both the couple's wishes and the venue you should save yourself a lot of time.

2. Have a prepared shot list. If you have already decided with the couple various locations, poses and sets of guests for various photos you will save time and be sure to get the photos the bride and groom want for their collection.

3. Have a designated relative or family friend to assist in 'herding' the crowd. Often the noise and bustle of a wedding means your voice and instruction can get lost resulting in time wasting and a degree of frustration. Find a headstrong member of the party to assist you in rounding people up and making sure they follow instruction. This should save you time, but also help keep your stress levels to a minimum.

4. Turn the sound off of your camera and leave it off! After the ceremony this is not such an issue but in and around the service the clicking, beeping and buzzing of a camera is a definite no no!

5. Don't forget the little things. Photographs of the bride getting ready, dresses from the back, floral arrangements, the rings, order of service, the signing of the contract, are all part of the big day too.

6. Be brave, but don't get in the way. You may need to be assertive during the formal shots but after that try to glide into the background. The best shots are the natural ones which can only truly be taken if the subject is unaware of your presence.

7. Change your angles. Particularly with group shots it can be difficult to get everyone in. By standing on a ladder or on a balcony you can get a more interesting shot of large groups and have more chance of seeing guests at the back that from ground level. Mix up the angles you use to create a variety of shots and a more interesting album for the happy couple.

8. Smile! Enjoy yourself! This way you'll get the best out of everyone you photograph. Weddings are a big event, a celebration. Remember this and your job will be much easier!

We hope these tips help you make the most of your shoot. Weddings can be intimidating, but apply these points, stay confident, and you'll get some great album photographs!