5 Wedding Photography Tips You Must Know About

One of the easiest ways to learn anything is to just do it. When you make mistakes you learn from them. When it comes to wedding photography you really don't want to make many mistakes. Hopefully by the end of this article I will have provided you enough quality information for you to take better photos at your next wedding.

Wedding photography is unlike most types of photography in that you only have one chance to capture a shot, there's no retakes once a shot is gone you will never be able to recapture that moment. So if you want a happy bride and groom, less stress and more money in your bank account then keep on reading because these handy tips will save your butt when it comes to shooting weddings.

1. Create a shot list

If you're just starting out then a shot list is vital. Having a shot list will allow you to make sure that no shots have been missed. If you start shooting weddings on a regular basis then chances are that you won't need a shot list after a while but I believe it's always handy to have one as backup. Some of the shots I recommend taking include:

The wedding dress hanging up/leaning over a chairThe brides dress getting done upBrides garterBride getting hair done/looking in the mirrorBride/bridesmaids having makeup put onGroom tying his tieGroom hugging parentsParents/best man straitening grooms tieBride and father arriving at ceremonyFamily members being seatedBridesmaids walking down the aisleGroom waiting/checking his watchGroom seeing bride for the first timeBride before making her entranceFather and bride walking down the aisleThe back of the father and bride walking down the aisle (if you have a second photographer)Close up of bride and groom exchanging vowsClose up of the rings going onto handsThe first kiss as married coupleWalking up the aisle as a married coupleBride and groom outside the locationFamily throwing confetti at bride and groom

After the ceremony you will usually get a chance to get the bride and groom along with the bridesmaids and groomsmen to pose for some photos. I said usually because I have shot wedding where couples didn't want these types of shots. You will find the majority of couples expect these photos however and personally these types of photos I enjoy taking. Here is a shot list of some of the posed photos you should take.

Full length bride shotBride and maid of honour (3/4 and full length shots)The bride with all of the bridesmaidsThe bride and her parentsGroom with parentsBride and groomBride and groom with each set of parentsGroom with his best manGroom with bridesmaidsBride with groomsmenBride and groom with bridesmaidsBride and groom with groomsmenBride, groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen

One tip I would give you when shooting big groups is that you have to take control. One of the first weddings I ever shot I had people not paying any attention to me and looking in different directions. When I realised this I quickly took control and specifically asked everyone behind me with their digital cameras to stop taking photographs until I had taken mine and then I would hold the group together for a few seconds so everyone with their digital cameras could come in and take their photos. It worked and I had no problem with people looking in the wrong direction.

Another tip I would give you is to ask everyone to first look at your camera and then close their eyes. Then ask them to open their eyes on the count of 3. When they open their eyes ask them to find your camera lens with their eyes as quickly as possible. I would then recommend taking a burst of shots. This will help minimise the chance of anyone having their eyes closed.

One final tip when dealing with group shots is to say "can everyone see the camera", then follow that line with "if you can't see the camera it can't see you". This will make sure no one's head is being covered by another guests.

Once you have moved past taking the group shots you will want to start taking photos at the wedding reception. The following is a shot list I would recommend capturing:

The outside of the reception siteCandid photos of guests outside the receptionThe bride and groom arriving at the receptionThe bride and groom laughing and joking with guestsInside of the reception before guests arriveLittle details on the table such as patterns or decorationsGuests names on cards at tableThe wedding cake (multiple shots and angles)The first danceParents dancingCutting of the cakeToasts/speechesThe throwing of the bouquetBride and groom leaving

Having a set list will help you make sure that you don't miss a thing, however don't rely on them too much as you may miss some spontaneous shots. I would also recommend sending the set list to the bride and groom before hand to see if there are any additional shots they would like.

2. Having the right equipment

Now I'm sure the best photographers in the world could produce stunning images with point and shoot digital cameras, however unfortunately I'm not the best photographer in the world and have no shame in admitting it. I do however book more than enough weddings every year to earn a living from it. Having the right equipment will make your job as a wedding photographer much easier.

Wedding photography can be expensive to get into, however you can pay off your initial investment and turn a profit by just shooting one or two weddings.

I recommend at least two camera bodies and at least two lenses at a minimum. The reason for this is that in a wedding setting you don't have any time to change lenses. So for this reason I recommend using camera lenses that cover a wide range of focal lengths. If you're a Canon photographer I recommend the following two lenses as must haves:

Canon 24-70mm f2.8 Luxury Lens (Medium Range Lens)

Canon 70-200mm f2.8 II IS Lens (Telephoto Lens)

You may also want a lens such as the Canon 17-40mm F4 L lens for wide angled group shots.

If you're a Nikon or Sony photographer then look out for similar lenses.

3. Use Flash

Now when your outdoors there may be a temptation just to use natural lighting and there's nothing wrong with this at all. However simply adding a little flash will do wonders for your images. Having a flash to give a little fill light will give you nice catch lights in the eyes and will get rid of any nasty shadows cast on the face from sunlight.

Once again if you're a canon shooter I would recommend owning at least 2-3 flashes with wireless triggers. The following flashes are what I use at weddings:

Canon 430 EX II Speedlite

Canon 580 EX II Speedlite

I also wouldn't leave my home without a Gary Fong diffuser. This little accessory attaches to the top of your flash gun and makes the light less harsh, giving your images a much softer and natural feel.

4. Stick to the bride like glue

OK perhaps not like glue but you get the idea. Where ever the bride goes you must follow her and keep eyes on her at all times. Now you may be thinking what about the groom, the truth is you want to include the groom as much as possible but in reality all eyes are on the Bride. People want to see her hair, her flowers, her makeup and anything else you can imagine. The bride is the centre of the attention on her wedding day so make sure your photos reflect it.

5. Make sure you have backups

Thankfully I have never had any of my equipment fail on me, however if it did I have equipment ready to back it up. For this reason I carry two camera bodies, 3-4 lenses, multiple batteries, multiple memory cards and 3 Speedlites.

If something did go wrong you wouldn't want to be in a position where you couldn't shoot the wedding. Be prepared and you will do fine.

Conclusion

I believe it takes a special type of person to become a wedding photographer as wedding photography isn't for the faint of heart. Wedding photography can be stressful but I believe if you're prepared then you can take a lot of the stress out of the situation.

Things will go wrong when you're shooting a wedding. If you stay calm and composed however there is no reason as to why you can't handle any situation thrown at you.

Most importantly enjoy the experience. Quite often guests and family members will take care of a photographer who has been respectful and courteous. I personally love the pressure put on me to get good shots in a wedding and I think because of this my wedding photography work improves each and every time I photograph different weddings.

View the original article here

The Love of Wedding Photography and How to Choose Your Photographer Wisely

I've been a photographer for quite some time now and I strongly believe there is something about wedding photography that just captures its audience, no matter how old or young, how in or out of love they are at the time or how biased they are to the subjects in the actual photo.

I can look at wedding photography for hours - just admiring the magic of it all. The look in their eyes, the stolen glances across the church aisle caught just at the right moment, the love it brings into a room full of otherwise acquaintances or strangers alike. Yes, it's a beautiful time. But, how do you know which photographer is going to capture your moments just perfectly for you?

The style of photography is something one should consider carefully before choosing who they wish to hire. Don't be scared to have a meeting with the photographer and ask to see numerous photos they have taken to get an idea of what they can offer you and what you are more than likely going to end up with. It's one thing to have a handful of brilliant photos to email out to potential clients, but you should ask to see a range of photos - black and white, colour, sepia, panoramic and not just wedding shots (if they have them)... all these things will give you an idea of their "eye". An eye for detail is something not everyone is born with, and unfortunately, some photographers get out there with their list of what they need to capture on the day, without a sideways glance of what else is going on around them. Some of the most stunning photos are the ones of flowergirls hiking up their skirts to stamp in some mud or grandma's wiping away a tear at the sight of their beloved grandson or daughter getting married. These images can go uncaptured if your photographer doesn't think outside the box.

Also, make sure you decide on your budget but be reasonably flexible - you often get what you pay for. Don't think you can hire someone on the day for $400 off Gumtree and expect them to produce the same amazing images that a professional photographer will give you. There is a reason why wedding photography can be so expensive. It takes hours of work on the day and then triple the hours work editing and making sure each individual image is absolutely perfect. It's your one day that you can never redo again if your photographer isn't experienced enough to know what to expect and how to conduct themselves. Not any photographer can be a wedding photographer!

Make sure you get along with the person who will actually be taking your photos! Don't book through a large photographic company only to have someone rock up on the day that you've never met and clash with. It will ruin your day if you're fuming over them bossing you around like Hitler holding a camera.

If you can, see if you can get your images on CD in high resolution - it's something most photographers don't offer - but it's well worth it to get it and it will save you a LOT of money in the long run. All family members will be able to get prints, you can use the images on Facebook or on your thank-you cards, you can print your own images on a canvas for your lounge room or have a coffee table book made up to thank the bridal party for their efforts... but if you don't have the rights to your own photos, this will all be VERY costly.

Lastly, be relaxed enough to go with the flow - if you're uptight on your day, it will show in your photos. :)

Good luck choosing and all the best for your big day!

I run my own wedding photography business in Perth, Western Australia. I have been a photographer for quite a few years and love capturing weddings, family portraits and newborn babies. As a portraits and wedding photographer I have come to love interacting with families and capturing their ways together - it's a special job that I still am very passionate about.

Check out my website and gallery at http://www.firstmemoriesportraits.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Moira_Nell

View the original article here

Wedding Photographers in Bournemouth - Top 5 Backdrops

Howdy aspiring wedding photographers in Bournemouth and the surrounding areas. In last month's article I offered some of the best spots in Bournemouth for your Locations repertoire. This month I will be zooming in even closer and focusing on five specific backdrops in Bournemouth that you can use in your wedding photography.

Before I give you the lowdown on the best textures in Bournemouth, let's take a moment to consider what makes an effective background for wedding photography. In general terms, a good background is one that is not so bland as too detract from the subject, nor is it so busy that it distracts from it. If the background has a romantic connotation or it gives a nod towards the personalities of your bride and groom or the locality, this will further enhance your wedding photography.

With this in mind, let's examine some of the best backgrounds for wedding photographers in Bournemouth.

1. Geometry and Colour: Coloured beach-huts between Bournemouth & Boscombe piers. These form a rainbow which adds colour and warmth. Their geometry gives rhythm and great lead-in lines. Stand on the sand and ask the wedding couple to walk along the promenade, shooting back towards them at an angle.

2. Flora: Wedding photographers in Bournemouth are spoilt for choice as there are plenty of parks and gardens. Take care that the backgrounds are gently out of focus so as not to distract the eye and there are no branches appearing to poke out of the wedding couple's heads. A nice touch is to select an area where flowers in the background match the colours in the bridal bouquet. The Upper Gardens in Bournemouth have a particularly fine array of rare plant species and is often a little less busy.

3. Sea & Sky: We are blessed in this area to have sweeping blue sea and sky which make an evocative backdrop. If a reportage style makes shooting with filters prohibitive, shoot in RAW, underexposing by 1.5stops. This will ensure colour can be brought out in the sky and highlights can be brightened in post-production. If wedding couples want the wedding car included in the shots, Bournemouth Council sometimes allow vehicles onto the promenade. Contact them in advance to check when the gates will be open.

4. Urban: Wedding photographers in Bournemouth can make use of the many styles of architecture in the town. For wedding couples looking for a funkier, grittier edge, try the graffiti wall outside '60 million postcards.' For 1930s glamour choose 'Bliss' on St Peter's Road.

5. 'Saying Bournemouth': If you really want to contextualise your wedding photography in Bournemouth, nothing signifies the town better than the pier. This offers great lead-in lines and a lovely seascape to boot. Also consider using the land train for group shots & the 'Bournemouth Eye' balloon.

To sum up, wedding photographers in Bournemouth have some great backdrops at their disposal. Remember to ask yourself 'Does this backdrop distract from or enhance the subject?'

View the original article here

How To Frame Your Wedding Photos

Your wedding photos are the most expensive and the most special photos you will ever own. There is a lot of money and effort put into getting wedding photos that truly capture the special moments of your big day. The photos are likely to include those people in your life who you love the most and are closest to you. This means you will want to take your time when choosing which photos to display and how to display them. You will want them to be a part of your home decor and add a personal look to your space. It is also important to make sure the photos are noticed. If you are going to the effort of spending the money on professional photos and then having them framed, it is important to make sure they are protected and look great. You also want to highlight them once they are on the walls with an LED picture light or art light. This will draw attention to the photo and add a museum-quality to the display in your home.

To create an interesting display of photos, choose bold frames in a variety of sizes. The photos will stand out if you create a collection or collage and display the photos in different sizes. You can have different sized prints or have the photos matted if they are all the same size. Even a smaller photo like a 4X6 or 5X7 is striking and eye-catching if matted and framed in a bold manner. A collection of photos is a great way to draw attention to the event, so while you can scatter wedding photos throughout your home; choose a single spot to hang a collage of several wedding photos.

When choosing your frames, pick colors that not only complement your home decor, but also the photos themselves. When you snap pictures, there will likely be a mix of colors and most frames will look fine with most photos taken by a novice. However, when you have professional wedding photos taken, color is going to be an important part of the photo. You will have spent months planning your wedding color scheme and your photographer will spend a great deal of time making sure your surroundings go well with the photos. When framing, do your best to maintain the integrity of the work.

Your wedding photos were likely expensive and it is important to keep them protected. Choose well-made frames that will keep the photos protected from scratches and fading. Professional framing will ensure you get a high-quality framing job, another important part of protecting your photos.

Finally, make sure the scale of your photos and frames matches that of your room. If you have a large room with oversized furniture, miniature photo frames will be lost. For small, intimate spaces, a huge photo and frame will overwhelm the space. Though it is perfectly fine to choose a variety of sizes, choose all of the in relation to the scale of your space.

View the original article here

Wedding Photographers: The Best Way to Go

Wedding photographers association has some respected names in the photography industry. Acquiring the services of these top photographers who are among the cream of the crop can be very expensive yet very rewarding.

Most wedding photographers have a studio which doubles as the marketing site and also a studio for retail photography. If you are looking for the best photographer for your wedding, this is the best way to go. Visit a photographer's studio so you can see samples of their work and you can also have some test shots which most photographers are willing to offer. You can also find an office or studio that are dedicated in providing services solely for weddings.

Shooting and taking pictures at a wedding is exciting and exhausting at the same time. A good photographer is constantly on his toes and looking out for opportunities to capture candid shots and good angles and poses. It is highly recommended that you sit down with your chosen photographer and talk about how you would want your wedding pictures to come out. This will also save you money since you can direct your commissioned photographer not to take many shots that you think wouldn't be too important to capture and those that you do not have the intention of keeping. What is important are the details of the preparations, the decorations, the reception, pictures of you and your spouse, the entourage as well as pictures of your family and friends.

Planning and proper communication before the big day will give you and your photographer a stress-free day on the date of your momentous affair. It will also be very useful if you can come up with a list of your expected shots especially when taking group photographs. It is possible to take charge of how you would want everything to come out by planning and talking to your wedding photographer in advance.

An up to date wedding photographer usually provide has the following services to offer:

Indoor or outdoor photography at a church, temple, or other venue on the date of the wedding and the reception as wellPhotojournalistic style for posed and candid shots for both pre-wedding and during the wedding ceremonyFormal portraiture in the studioDigital prints or slides showsTraditional or contemporary flush mount style of album

The range of products and services a wedding photographer presents are varied. You can even mix and match different packages if you want to come up with unique pre-wedding and wedding photographs to document that very special day in your life.

You can choose from a wide variety of albums from the traditional matted albums, digitally designed albums, modern flush mount albums, scrapbook style albums, hardbound book style albums. However, the price of your chosen album is not included in the package.

A few days after the wedding, you will be presented by sets of hard copy proofs so you can choose the photos that you want printed and arranged in an album and the photos that you want enlarged and framed. Most wedding photographers allow the clients to keep copies of the proofs. This will also allow customers to order additional prints for friends and families.

View the original article here

Wedding Photography: A Lucrative Way to Earn

Modern wedding photography has shunned the traditional wedding photography style. Most photographers of weddings today concentrate on presenting a more artistic way of documenting important and memorable moments of a wedding.

Wedding photography has always been one of the most important parts in a wedding preparation. People acquire the services of a photographer depending on his reputation and photograph taking techniques. More and more people especially those from the younger generation see traditional photography as very monotonous, boring and tiresome. Nowadays, you can find many photography studious who are well equipped to provide world class service to their customers be it for weddings, baptismal, birthdays and any other momentous occasions.

Making photography a career is very lucrative. It is one of the best options for someone who is looking to find ways to earn an income be it part-time or full time. Some do it for free as a hobby. I have seen a lot of people who are very much interested in pursuing a career in photography not only because they want to indulge in activities that are interesting, but because they have an eye for beauty. Indeed, one's innate skill is also very important when it concerns taking stunning photographs. A talented photographer can capture special moments and the best scenarios instantly.

One can enroll in training courses of wedding photography, fashion photography, commercial photography as well as creative photography. Institutions offering courses in photography have been mushrooming nowadays. When you search the web, you will find that there are numerous online institutions offering these courses where an aspirant photographer can have himself enlisted. Before you proceed, ensure that you are joining a legal and authorized institution in order to save money and be assured that you get the best training you deserve.

The internet is the best place to find a good and reputable institution to learn photography. Online learning is also a great alternative to learn this craft since you can do it from the comforts of your home. Since there are thousands of online institutions offering a myriad of courses, you definitely need to make some research properly over the web and take time to check the different styles and techniques that an institution is offering. For beginners, the course should contain informative contents that help learners and aspirants to fully understand all the features, phases and characteristics of photography.

Wedding photography is one of the most interesting as well as very challenging tasks especially for weddings. The photographer who delivered and produced excellent photos from a wedding becomes a part of every couple's memories. Just by looking at their photographs, it instantly reminds them the name of the photographer or the name of the studio that they commissioned to take photos at their wedding. Most experienced photographers carry a complete set of equipments. They often use two professional standard cameras as well as back up cameras, different types of lenses and lighting equipments plus a laptop with the required software that are continually updated according to technological advances and industry trends.

View the original article here

Hiring a Photographer for Your Wedding Day

If you are planning a wedding in an island in the Caribbean region, it will be best for you to also look for a great photographer that will capture your every moment in this special island paradise. A lot of people dreamed to prepare their own wedding but now that you are blessed with a partner that will marry you in this beautiful island, it will be best for you to know that there are lots of professional photographers that can help you with your concern. St. Croix Island is a part of the beautiful Islands of Caribbean. This place will give you a tropical adventure you have never experience in your entire life.

It has world class recreational activities that everyone will enjoy. Planning a wedding celebration in this kind of Island is possible, but you need to find someone that will organize everything for you. One of the most important parts of every vacation experience in Caribbean island is a good photo that will capture all your memories of the Island. Even if you are planning a wedding celebration or a simple vacation in this Island, you need to have pictures to remember this beautiful island. This island is a perfect getaway for your next adventure together with your friends or your family.

When you hire a photographer, you need to look for professional ones you can choose a portrait photographer if you would like to have your photos taken by someone who is well verse in portraits for weddings. You can also hire a professional photographer who is well verse in contemporary photography. He will be the one to arrange your photos and make it look artistic in the end. It is truly essential to find the right photographer that is taken from the right company. They will be the one to make your wedding extra special. You don't have to worry about rates because there are lots of online sites that are into this type of business so you will not worry much about it in the long run.

A lot of people don't know that they can still compare prices if they would like to hire a wedding photographer. Because of vast choices, it will be easier to find the right one now than it was before. They will take good care of your good memories in the Island. You can hire professional photographers to take pictures of you and your family or friends as you roam around the Island. If you are on a limited budget and hiring a photographer is not included in your budget, there is nothing to worry about because hiring them will not cost you much.

If you can afford it, you can also hire a photographer that is well verse in wildlife photography simply because they are an expert in taking photos in the wild. Since you will be getting married in an island, it will be best for you to also take photos within the area. You can also go diving and take the photographer with you for an underwater photo. This is a once in a lifetime occasion that should be dealt with. This event will be truly memorable and worth spending for because you not just enjoyed the entire event but you also get to gather photos that will remind you of this very memorable day. There are lots of activities that you do within the island and there is a need for you to capture all of this first time activities. You can be rest assured that the photographer from will always here to capture the most memorable moment of your stay.

View the original article here