Photography Tips For Brides

Whether you are in the midst of wedding planning now, or were happily wedded years ago, what tips, ideas or advice can you share with other brides? What do you wish you had done differently, or what are you glad you did? What unique, personal touches did you include in your own wedding? Do you have any cool ideas on: party favors, wedding party gifts, bridesmaids attire, invitations/programs, child attendants, showers/bachelor(ette) parties, the ceremony/vows/etc, wedding cake, photography/videography, the honeymoon? (These are just 'prompts' to spark your memory - you don't have to answer them all!!) I am finishing my wedding planner/workbook and would like to include tips from real-life brides. Your input and ideas would be a huge help!!

First off, congratulations on your upcoming marriage! May you have a healthy, happy union.

After being very happily married for 18+ years, my advise is this: You don't want the wedding to overshadow the marriage. A wedding is just for 1 day, but your marriage should last your lifetime. Rule number 1: Don't sweat the small stuff. Rule number 2: It's all small stuff. Don't get so wrapped up in the knitty gritty of wedding planning that you forget the most important reason which is why you're there in the first place. Good luck and best wishes to you both!

2006-07-01 08:28:22 by Michele @ Bridal University

These are the insider secrets that make you say, "If I'd only known THEN what I know NOW." Really, you can uses these tips to make ...

hi

im 19 and have this crazy idea that i want to be a wedding photographer :D i did a full time fashion course at college and also a part time photography course...went to do fashion at uni, then decided i wanted to be a photographer! lol so i know a fair lil bit about taking pictures and posing models. i know its best to become a pros assistant first before starting anything so ive mailed loads of photographers in my area but not one has got back to me :( i have also checked out wedding photography courses where you pay hundreds for a few days in a small group photographing pro models. but are these courses a good idea? i mean, they know how to pose ect. a real bride doesnt. i have thought about setting up a website and building up my own portfolio online. but im not really sure!! have my own nikon d40 camera and 18-55mm lens. have thought about hiring out the rest of the equipment i need for the moment. do not know anyone who is getting married yet. so would like some help!! xx

First, your camera and lens are just fine ... you WILL need a SB600 or SB800 flash and a few 2GB memory cards ... that is the good news.

The maybe bad is that before you get going on your own ... work for a successful pro wedding photographer (best if they are also a portrait photographer with a studio) for a couple of years. You will learn how to work with irate mothers of the bride, what traditional wedding shots are supposed to look like when you are finished shooting and learn the business of selling prints. As you may know the shooting fee ($3000 and up) only covers the photographer showing up and taking the photos. The families then get a CD of "proofs" in which to choose the photos they want to buy. Selling those prints is the other half the job of being a wedding photographer.

By the time you have a few years working with and for a pro, you will be ready to go out on your own ... and by then there will be better cameras for you to use ... BTW, some clients may want their photos taken with real film, so you will have to be ready for that as well.

2008-03-15 19:52:29 by Tanya J

Shows capturing dynamic images through a super wide angle lens, off camera lighting, mixed ambient and flash lighting and lighting an entire reception hall to create powerful 3-D candid portraits
You will learn many technical and practical wedding day tips.

my friend's mum has volunteered me (without asking me) to be the photographer at my friend's wedding in 2 months. The basis of her decision was that i am the only one she knows with a "fancy camera" (Nikon D40) and assumed i know what i am doing.
WRONG! I am still taking photography classes and only been doing so for about 7months. I understand about ISO, Apertures lenses etc but i have never photographed a wedding before.
Despite my best efforts i can't get out of this obligation bestowed upon me so my only choice is to learn how to photograph weddings (or do enough to wing it) in 2months. I don't think i'll need to do the formal shots, just ones where the bride is preparing, getting to the church, some ones of people eating cake etc and possibly a few group photos outside the church.
Anyone PLEASE have links to websites, tips or a prayer to help me out?
Thanks!

First of all, sit down wioth your friend in front of some great (or even average) wedding photographer's websites. Show them to her. Then tell her, "See this? It''s what you WON'T be getting from a first time novice wedding shooter!" If she is OK with that, then tell her that you have real limitations with equipment and experience, and you won't guarantee that your pictures will be what she wants, or even any good at all. Manage expectations, and get it in writing. Have her sign. It is really crass and rude of her mother to impose upon you, but if you are going to do it, then get as prepared as possible.


http://www.rokkorfiles.com/Wedding101-pa ge1.html

Here is a great link for a first timer. Also try Photo.net, the wedding and social event forum. There is an entire section for newbies and first-timers with a lot of valueable reading.

Next look at your equipment. What lenses do you have? The kit lens is actually not a bad lens, but it is not very fast. If you don't have a f/2.8 zoom, then I will suggest getting a 50mm f/1.8 for low light. It is just over $100 new, and is fantastically sharp. and bright. On your crop frame sensor, it will be a good portrait length and will let you get those shots with the background nicely out of focus.

If you only have one camera, beg, borrow or rent a second body and lens if you can. Even if you can't get hold of another SLR, bring at least a film or digital P&S backup. Not ideal, but if your camera dies in the middle of the processional at least you can keep shooting with something, Make sure to have lots of memory, and film if you are bringing a film camera. Start with fresh batteries in everything, and bring extras.

Do you have a flash? (Other than the built in) That may be the thing that you will need the most. The pop-up flash does not have enough power to light a group, and will produce harsh shadows, especially in vertical shots, and red eye. If you use it a lot, it will also drain your camera battery. Do you have an extra battery? I would recommend at least an SB600. In two months, you can learn some basic flash technique, and learn how to bounce your flash. You can make a homemade bounce card for it (www.abetterbouncecard.com) or just rubberband an index card to the flash head. Theis is something you will need to practice, though. preferably with groups of people in rooms similar to the wedding venue. Take a tripod with you. Flash may not be allowed in the ceremony, and is distracting at any rate and should be used sparingly even when allowed. Find out from the officiant what is allowed and what is not. Every church has different rules re photography.

Check out those wedding sites and pay attention to the posing. Make notes or print the ones you like. Get a couple of friends as vicitms, oops, I mean models :-), and practice posing them. Brides want to hold their flowers too high. Pay attention to details like that. Watch the backgrounds so you don't have a tree growing from someone's head. Straighten ties and jackets and dresses. For the guys, hands in pockets are fine. Hands crossed in front protecting the "family jewels" are a peeve of mine, and every guy will stand like that if you let them. Always pose people at an angle to the lens, never shoot them straight on. Check your histogram to avoid blowing the highlights on the bride's dress. Try to get lots of photos taken outdoors to get better light. Go ahead of time, and at the same time of day, and scout out the venue for locations. If you're fortunate, there will be nice open shade and a scenic background without powerlines, parking lots and busy streets in the way.

There are long lists of the "must-have" shots. Find one and go over it with the bride and groom. They may not want 400 formals with every family combination imagineable, but if they do remind them that it will take LOTS of time. When doing the formals, take charge. You pose them, then you shoot first. No one is to be shooting until you get yours, otherwise you will have the subjects looking everywhere instead of at you. Tell the Aunt Ednas and Uncle Bobs that they can snap AFTER you step aside. Keep reminding the subjects that they are looking at YOU now. You will have to say this every time you shoot, people's attentions spans are short sometimes. In your case, you probably don't want to forbid other cameras at the formals, look at them as your backup shooters, but if you don't take control it will be a mess. Don't allow unlimited time, either. Get yours, step a bit to the side for a few seconds, then start the next pose. If Aunt Edna got hers, fine, if she didn't, too bad, the party is waiting. Start with the biggest group and work down to just the B & G. Release folks as soon as you are done with them to go to the reception. Have a family member in charge of rounding up the groups and having them on hand. It is frustrating to have to stop while someone hunts down Uncle Joe or Grandma for the photo op. I always shoot the formals in RAW + Jpeg. That way, if I need more control I have the RAW file. Better to have it and not need it than the other way around. The reception and pre-shots you can probably get by with jpeg only unless you are worried about the WB.

Shooting weddings ain't brain surgery, but it is also not like shooting other things. There is pressure involved to get it right. Things move pretty fast and there are no second chances to capture the moments, no do-overs. If this is a friend, you will not be able to enjoy the festivities as a guest, you will be working. So wear comfortable clothing (that's comfortable, but not slouchy, lol) and especially comfortable shoes. Stay hydrated and eat before you start. You may find you really like doing it. And you may not. With enough preparation, you should be able to capture some nice images of their special day. I hope it goes well and everyone is happy with your effort. Good luck and best wishes!

2008-04-16 02:58:38 by itsmeee

Price: $29.95

You've seen the photographs where it looks like a baby or a bride looks like they are glowing. How does that effect get created? Also, do you know of any websites that give tips on different cool photography tricks?

umm.. u could do what they all say or u can do what i say.. lol dont use photoshop... cuz duh u already kno how... use umm yea a filter.. u must buy me one of this soft focus filters which they speak!

2007-07-11 07:00:45 by Adam the Engineer

Ok, I'm starting wedding photography, and want your opinion on my work, prices, and possible website layouts.

Prices
Each comes with All photos on DVD (up to 1,000), 100 enhanced photo, copy right release so you can print them as much as you'd like.
$550 - 8 Hour
$450 - 6 Hour
$350 - 4 Hour

Engagement - $75, and that $75 goes into the price of a wedding if you book your wedding with us too. (So you'd be getting them free if you book a wedding with us too...or its just $75 if you don't...I have to work on the wording for that)

I'm still building a portfolio but here is what I've got so far (and I just upgraded my camera gear so it can only get better haha).
Wedding 1 -http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheB ox?sendevent=4f44497a4f5451774e6e77784e7 a63324e5467334e673d3d0d0a&sb=1

Wedding 2 (most recent, I don't like how the slideshow cropped my images though :( ) - http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheB ox?sendevent=4f444d324e7a59354e4877784e7 a63324e5467334e673d3d0d0a&sb=1

Engagement - http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheB ox?sendevent=4f44497a4f546b354f513d3d0d0 a&sb=1

Would you deem my work good enough for the price I'm asking. You would be getting me and an assistant.

Website layouts
-Do you prefer to look at it per wedding (clicking on John and Kates wedding, then another persons etc)
-or just one gallery of different weddings

And how bad would it be fore me to list competitors (with their permission) on my site. Part of the reason I started this is I've studied photography for almost 6 years, and am also a bride. I felt that brides needed an affordable photographer. I thought it would be nice to include a separate section to list venues, hints & tips, etc on my page. So brides who visit, but decide I'm not the photographer for them can still get helpful information. (This is where my fiancee says I'm too "nice" to be in marketing)

Thanks for reading :D And answering.
PS - Smilebox is temporary. lol Until I get a "real" website going.
haha, the guys actually my fiancee. Those were self taken engagement photos. But tell me about it ... he never listens! :P
I am kind of an amateur (still in school & learning). I would not call myself a pro...not yet anyway.
I'm located in Arizona. So send me a message if your interested :D
$50/hr ? for additional hours. I would say 12 max (but of course I wouldn't just leave in the middle of something...by I figure by then its mostly reception)

You've got a good eye, and your prices are about right for the semi-pro photographer market, depending on where you are located. My suggestions...Upgrade your equipment, do a couple more weddings, then gradually start raising your prices once you have a portfolio built up.

Wording for Engagement shots - keep it short and simple:
$75, or FREE with any wedding package. (Emphasize FREE - grabs their attention! lol)

As for your website, if I were a potential customer, I'd want to look at one gallery with all the pictures rather than clicking multiple pages. However, if I were a customer that had already paid for your services, I'd want to be able to see just my own wedding. So the answer is, you need both - one for portfolio viewing and then maybe password protected galleries for each customer, if possible (which would be good for a predetermined amount of time, after which you take them down to make room for the next one). If the budget doesn't allow all this, then I would go with just the portfolio view, and you can always load the individual galleries on a site like smilebox, shutterfly, etc. (again for a predetermined time limit) until you've worked your way up.

2009-03-25 11:21:25 by Living life - one day at a time!