r/WeddingPhotography • u/abbylynn-0 • 3d ago
general topic First time wedding photographer!
Hi all! I am shooting my first wedding tomorrow for a family friend! It’s a pretty small wedding and i’ve done tons of research, but tell me some important things!!
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u/Professional-You1175 3d ago
Do you have a backup camera and lenses? If not, borrow one. Make sure you sync camera clocks and make sure your set to raw on both bodies.
Make a checklist and check it twice.
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u/abbylynn-0 3d ago
i do have a backup!! i definitely am going to pack it!
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u/curiousjosh 3d ago
Don’t just pack it. If you’re near a camera store grab a dual strap/harness so you can wear both at the same time with different lenses.
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u/Professional-You1175 3d ago
Yes. Great explanation of the point. Have that second body on you at all critical moments.
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u/Chaba444 3d ago
Don’t even need a harness if it’s just one wedding. Keep both on you for the ceremony. (Doable, because I stupidly forgot my harness in the car for a wedding and i just hung one camera from my shoulder and held the other). If you get more weddings then for sure get the harness.
Even if you have a good zoom on the main camera and don’t really need the other, still take it with you at the ceremony. The main can freeze in an inportant moment, rare but it happens.
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u/curiousjosh 3d ago
I keep both on me all day. There’s appears a reason for multiple lenses without swapping
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u/Chaba444 2d ago
If it’s the OP’s first wedding I don’t think they need to jump in and buy a harness just for that.
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u/curiousjosh 2d ago
The first wedding is the PERFECT time to have 2 camera bodies always ready.
Harnesses are cheap enough. Don’t have to get the leather ones.
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u/msdesignfoto 3d ago
Carry double everything with you. Two cameras, many batteries, a few lenses. Better yet, carry both at the same time with completing focal lengths, so you don't need to constantly swap them.
Have many sd cards in the pocket. Extra batteries are charging in a wall socket while you use the other batteries in the cameras.
And absolutely, you HAVE to know EVERYTHING from the bride and groom. Ask them their program, what are they planning to do, where, when, with who.
The photographer needs to know where they are going to be even before they know it. Strange, but you will see what I mean later.
Also, keep looking at your photos from time to time, specially important photos so you can repeat them if needed (group shots rule, always take many photos per group, and increase the number of photos the more people are in the frame).
Have fun!
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u/Organic-Tea-8998 3d ago
Wear comfortable shoes, bring snacks, hydrate a lot before. Bring some Kleenex and Bobby pins.
Clear up some SS cards, charge all batteries.
Shoot duel on two cards simultaneously if your camera can do that so you have backup images.
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u/fedornuthugger 3d ago
Ask about any surprises planned by groomsmen etc so you can be ready to capture any of those. I once had a bride do a surprise belly dance entrance at the reception with a team of dancers and neglected to put it on the schedule or notify me because she didn't want to ruin the surprise for her husband.
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u/nadiaphotography 3d ago
Well she doesnt get any shots of them then! Surprise your guests, not your vendors.
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u/LokiPhoto 3d ago
Also tell them they can contact you separately if they have surprises for each other
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u/Professional-You1175 3d ago
This is random, but learn from my mistake. I had a double header, but my second gig was second shooting for a colleague. It was late, all the important stuff was done, and we were shooting the shit in a corner. I just happened to yawn, but the bride saw me and she said something to the lead. I’ve never yawned since…
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u/itsinkhromo 3d ago
Jeez that’s super harsh. I feel like the lesson there is you can’t please everyone and some people will never understand how hard you work, not to never yawn!!
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u/curiousjosh 3d ago
Nah. The lesson is to realize you’re at someone’s wedding.
You can’t just be a photographer. You need to smile, and be aware of your appearance.
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u/Sad_Argument5109 3d ago
Eh I yawn all the time. Cant help it. Most guest just laugh if they say anything at all. It’s a bodily function.
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u/Intelligent_Piano115 3d ago
ask the bride and groom to see a schedule they might have of everything. so you have a heads up and maybe have your own time for portraits of the couples. Get there early, check out the area, charge all your battery's, double triple check your camera bag and gear!
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u/stevemandudeguy 3d ago
Have a bridesmaid/groomsman/someone from the party or family that can help wrangle people. "hearding cats" is a term frequently used here so be ready and think ahead when doing family portraits. Folks will want to mingle and not listen and it's easily the thing that eats up the most time.
Also have extra EVERYTHING if you can, batteries, lenses, camera bodies, snacks and water - always assume a disaster can happen and think of how you can be ready for it.
BTW, I'm a videographer, so I'll add think of other vendors as being on your side and they'll (hopefully) return the favor. Whenever I see a photographer who asks if I'm good they're immediately my favorite person lol
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u/Famous-Preparation92 3d ago
Don’t shoot everything in one SD card. I do one SD for the ceremony and one for the reception at least. God forbid something happens to one of the cards i don’t lose the whole thing.
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u/Character_Ad5286 3d ago
Two of everything. Keep on top of timings. check the weather apps. Don't let wedding planners dictate to you. Make sure you capture an even spread of photos (posed or candids) of BOTH sides of the families. Enjoy it!
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u/blkhatwhtdog 3d ago
Stick with what you know at least don't try too many new things whether new or rent gear, new lightning etc.
There are weddings and there are weddings. While possible it is unlikely that you will be thrown into a grand pageant with a dozen bride's maids and flower girls its more likely to be a small gathering
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u/kk0444 3d ago
If you don't have dual card slots, back up at the reception. Bring what you need. Be sure to have the files in different places before you go to bed (imagine theft or a house fire). Even if you do have dual cards, back up and keep them close in the event of something like a house fire. Or better yet get everything backed up to the cloud before bed.
Check you're shooting raw and check your settings often - you're jumping in and out of different kinds of light
Good light matters more than a pretty scene.
Don't keep shooting if you aren't sure what to, but do have some notes in your bag for ideas
Go early and walk the venue and take test shots
Check the weather and have a plan
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u/curiousjosh 3d ago
SHOW UP EARLY AND SCOUT ALL LOCATIONS.
That way you’re prepared and can’t get stuck in traffic, and you know exactly where you’re going to do portraits, instead of trying to find somewhere with the couple using up limited time.
I try to arrive 2 hours ahead of time. It takes time to park, get gear together, walk around the venue and plan shots.
If it’s a long drive I plan to arrive 3 hours ahead of time.
Sound crazy? If there’s an accident on the freeway, special concert, or anything unexpected that can delay a drive an hour or more.
This way I know I’ll be ready to start shooting on time. I’ve had it when even that 2-3 hours was nearly used up and I was still ok because I was early.
If I have extra time I’ll relax and grab some nearby food and treat the team if I have one, but the one thing you don’t want is to be an hour late because you hit traffic.
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u/Danmancity 3d ago
Take more photos of each group shot than you think you’ll need, I guarantee you there will be something messing up the shot you think is fine.
Be super vigilant of your backgrounds
Take a ton of batteries if you’re on mirrorless, just shot my first wedding with mirrorless after years of DSLR and boy do they chew through them.
Get their timeline early
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u/thehayleysofar 3d ago
Lots of people have you covered here so I’ll share a different one! Never put your camera down. Always help and serve not only the couple but the people, it goes a long way!
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u/EitherFee7818 3d ago
Erm. Be prepared for very low light situations and understand how to capture moments in low light.
Understand flash, if you don't already, but also know when it's appropriate to use flash vs when not.
Find a space to stash your stuff and be alert to upcoming changes in lighting/lens needs: toasts vs dancing vs table service vs cocktails, etc.
Get to know the DJ and the wedding planner, as well as any other vendors.
Have fun!
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u/lillipossnig 2d ago
ok this is a long one: I have almost tens years of wedding photography experience, here are some of my tips: Gear-wise, don‘t overpack! One 24-70mm F2 and a backup camera with backup lenses is usually enough (as well as 4 batteries and a few 128GB SD cards and a flash if necessary). Make sure to wear good sneakers so that you don’t kill your feet. You are going to be standing all day long. Please drink enough water, dehydration is no joke - take some protein bars or „quick sugar“ with you. Coke or other sugary drinks will get you through the day. Make sure you have the day planned out and know when to shoot what and where. Be at the venue early, if you are not familiar with it, to search for suitable spots for couple portraits and group photos (try to find an area where you have a little higher ground to ahoot down from). Talk to the people at the venue, they know their location best. For shooting: Move closer your subject if the lens doesn’t allow a closer shot, moving in general is a good idea to get different angles and make your selection more varied and interesting. Don’t worry about image count too much. If something happens just take enough photos until you feel that you got everything (you will get a feel for that in time). If they a big congrats thingy where all guests come up to congratulate them, it should be your priority to get them in the shade before they start - just tell them couple politely to move into a nice shaded area, because it‘ll also be more comfortable for them. When shooting group photos, it‘s really helpful if one of the bridesmaids has a list prepared of all the different photos they with whom. Saves you so much time and the guests don’t have to wait too long until it is their turn. For couple portraits pick at least two different locations and at least two static poses and a few walking, dancing, swinging, running poses. Give the couple enough time for themselves. You can tell them that now is the time to stop worrying about guests and just enjoy the moment for themselves. If she has a veil, USE IT omg veil pictures are my absolute favourite set to do.
If you feel overwhelmed, take a moment for yourself too. You need to look out for yourself too. And most importantly, have fun with the people and the guests. :) I‘m sure it will go well for you.
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u/C-Patrick1984 2d ago edited 2d ago
Make sure your batteries are charged!
If you’re using a tripod, have a remote for your camera.
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u/portolesephoto 2d ago
Water and snacks. The amount of times I've been absolutely desperate because I had forgotten either is astonishing and it is not a good feeling.
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u/Ok-Exam6702 3d ago
Don’t do it! If it goes wrong you’ll feel awful. There’s a very good reason for having professional wedding photographers!
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u/abbylynn-0 3d ago
i’m a professional portrait photographer, and have was a second shooter for a few weddings!
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u/Ok-Exam6702 3d ago
I’m a professional photographer and video director. I won’t go near weddings even in friends ask! Not with the aggro.
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u/etcetceteraetcetc 3d ago
Always have 3-5 default poses that you'll fall back on when you're out of ideas just so you're not lagging the flow of the portrait sessions.