When the bride and groom first reach out to you, you have the opportunity to get to know them and form a meaningful relationship. One of the first times you will work with your couple is during their pre wedding photoshoot. This is an important shoot to master because it will set the tone for the rest of the wedding process. A Customer of ShootDotEdit, a photographer editor company, and a Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer, Leeann Marie has a plan in place to educate her clients about the process before, during, and after the pre wedding picture session.
During the wedding day shoot, there are various moments which require you to capture specific details from each part of the day. These details range from the bride’s dress and the groom’s tux, to the bridesmaids’flowers, and the wedding cake and the table decor. Capturing details during the wedding day enhances your storytelling ability, creating a picture for your couple when they receive their images from you.
Here at ShootDotEdit, we’ve discussed how to shoot details such as the wedding rings andother getting ready items. Today, we’re excited to feature photography duo, Amy and Jordan Demos, who are going to share with you how you can document the important details of the wedding ceremony. Here are Amy and Jordan’s 4 tips to capturing killer ceremony details every time.
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Our brides, their planners, and their floral designers spend months dreaming up the perfect ceremony decor, which is why we are committed to capturing killer images to show off all their hard work! These photos always make it into our couple’s album, and frequently end up being featured on the websites of the creative team AND on national inspiration blogs, so we have lots of reasons to make sure we are proud of them!
As a wedding photographer, your photography gear is part of the reason you have the ability to take gorgeous photos. Regardless of how expensive or new your equipment is, keeping your gear safe is crucial. When you shoot the engagement session or wedding day, there is always a chance you may be working in conditions which are not ideal, especially for the safety of your gear. Purchasing gear can become quite the expense for your business, so replacing it every time you shoot in unpleasant weather may not necessarily be feasible for your bottom line.
When you shoot the wedding day for your couple, it is not always easy to know exactly what the weather will be like. Depending on where your target market is, you could shoot one wedding in the sun and the next in the rain or snow. Knowing how to shoot in any weather condition is key to growing as a photographer and booking clients who are perfect for you.
Shooting in the snow can be an opportunity for you to capture unique and gorgeous photos. But, what happens when a shoot in the snow does not turn out as planned? Learning the best ways to handle this type of shoot can help you document every important moment, regardless of the weather conditions. So you can get started shooting in the snow today, here are 8 secrets to shooting stellar portraits in the snow.
1. Arrive with a Plan
Even if you are a photographer who is a comfortable shooting in colder weather, arriving at the shoot with a cohesive plan can help make your time move quickly. The same can be said for your couple; they may be used to the winter weather and snow, but probably never had to stand still, smile, and pose for the camera during those type of conditions. If it is an engagement session, the bride and groom can be more bundled than usual, but their faces will still be exposed to the cold for a period of time. On the wedding day, the bride is wearing her dress which is light and not proper attire for the cold. She will probably not have too much to cover her since a jacket will take away from the details of her dress. Avoid any discomfort for you and your couple by planning out the engagement session or wedding shoot.
After the bride and groom say their vows, and you capture the couple and family portraits, it is time to head to the reception. When the couple is introduced at the reception, one of the first things they will do is transition into their first dance. The first dance signifies the beginning of the celebration they will have with their family and friends.
The wedding day can be hectic for your couple. As their wedding photographer, what can you do to capture this meaningful time during the reception? Switching your angles while you are shooting can make a large difference in the result of your photos. Use the same process for the first dance as you do when you are trying to diversify how you shoot the images at any other point of the wedding day. We’ve put together the 6 most important angles for you to capture during the first dance that will help you document every important moment.
1. Shoot Through the Perspective of Guests
During the wedding day, your couple has a limited opportunity to observe the reactions their guests have. Since they are busy with one another, and sharing the special first dance, this means it is your job to document the happenings. Show the bride and groom what their guests experienced as they watched the first dance by standing in the location where most people are. As you stand with them, take shots of the couple from this angle. For an artistic approach, stand behind a few guests and shoot through them. This gives your image a creative look by incorporating the guests, and shows your couple what everyone else experienced at that time.
You can also try adding the guests into the background of a few shots. Position yourself of the opposite side of the room so you can see your couple and the guests behind them. Not only will this be a creative angle to capture, it will make your couple happy to see the excitement on their guests’ faces.
During the wedding day shoot, one of your goals is to take gorgeous photos of the bride and groom throughout the day. While it is important (and your job) to make them look their best, there are also some additional elements you must remember to photograph. This includes the dress, the bride’s shoes, details of the reception, and of course, the wedding ring photography. Did you know wedding rings represent eternity and infinity for your couple?
Capturing the best images to tell the wedding day story for the bride and groom is one of the most important parts of being a photographer. There are many aspects to consider when shooting so you can create stunning images. Understanding how to pose your clients and learning the most advanced shooting techniques can help you develop images your clients will love. Another crucial part of creating beautiful images is having the ability to shoot in any lighting.
During some of your wedding shoots, you may not always know exactly what type of lighting you will be working with. When this happens, it is important for you to know which tools to access to make lighting your shoots easy and effective. Speedlights are lightweight, portable light sources you can use to enhance your wedding day shoot. Here are some tips to help you take advantage of the power of speedlights for your upcoming shoots.
Create Light in Any Shooting Situation
Since speedlights are transportable, you can carry them along with you during any shoot. Additionally, speedlights are flexible, which means you can choose where you want to aim your flash. Speedlights require minimal set up, and you can quickly get started shooting. Regardless of the weather and lighting conditions, speedlights give you more options for your shoot. You can use them in conjunction with the sun to even out the shadows and highlights in the image, or a speedlight can be your primary source of light.
With the 2.3 million couples who get married every year, there are many weddings available for you to book and shoot. When the wedding day arrives, there are suggested images you can use to photograph the traditional moments. What about the moments not listed on a checklist, but happen when no one is looking? How do you capture those moments and provide unique images to your clients? The key is to capture the pure emotion that exudes from your couple on this day. Here are four secrets to capturing emotion from the bride and groom.
1. Anticipate the Moments
During the wedding day, there are many sentimental and emotional moments you can capture. The best way for you to take the photos that feature these moments is to anticipate when they will happen. As the bride walks down the aisle, you know the groom will have an anxious and excited expression on his face. There is also a chance that some family members and friends in the audience will be emotional, as well.
Try to capture as many special moments you can, so the bride and groom can remember how everyone felt on this day. During the father-daughter and mother-son dances, make sure to keep your camera on each pair as they enjoy their time together. It is a meaningful tradition for the bride and groom to fulfill on their wedding day, and a great opportunity to capture their candid emotions.
During the wedding day, it can be challenging to always know if the schedule will stay on track, or what type of lighting will be available when it is time for the portraits. In addition to knowing how to shoot through harsh light and natural light, it can be helpful to know how to shoot night portraits.
Before the wedding day, the bride and groom spend months picking out the perfect location for their ceremony, reception, and couple portraits. In some situations, they decide to take their portraits in an outdoor setting. Whether it is in the middle of a busy East Coast city street, a scenic park in Southern California, or outside of a historical landmark in a southern town, there are many chances for you to capture stunning wedding images for your couple. Since an outdoor setting can be unpredictable, and there are many ways you can shoot your couple, we’ve put together five simple tips for shooting stunning urban photography.
1. Include Different Architectural Styles and Locations
One of the benefits of shooting in an outdoor location is you can incorporate gorgeous scenery, landmarks, and skylines. Take advantage of the various materials and colors of the structures when shooting your couple.
