Leg tremor, that’s what has entered you when your best friend or friend has asked you to be the photographer of his wedding. You have already told him that you are not a professional and that you are not up to that responsibility, but with a sad face he has told you that who is better than you, that he only wants some emotional photos to remember, that professional wedding photographer (in the link a mega guide if you want to start as a professional) is out of your budget or any other phrase framed within a true emotional blackmail… And of course, friendship is friendship… How do you say no? Well, if you have already cured your health and you have insisted that you are not a professional and that the result will not be the same, you have no choice but to live up to it, if not a wedding photographer, then a great friend. or friend Sit back in your chair and read on because you’ll have to prepare well, in this article I’ll give you the most important keys and advice so that your friendship doesn’t end up at the bottom of a well 😉 .
To start, I recommend that you read the post that Mario wrote some time ago where he gives six essential tips. I will try not to repeat myself, but given its importance, we will surely insist on some point.
The report of a wedding has three parts: the before, the day of the wedding and after the wedding. Let’s see them one by one.
Before the wedding
Preparation and planning. Those are the main keys. The day of the wedding is the most important, of course, but good preparation will help you to be more or less successful on the big day.
The big day
The moment of truth has arrived, this is where you risk it, the important moment and when you have to have all your senses alert so as not to miss a detail and do your best. To reassure you, I will tell you something very important that you must take into account. You will not be a professional, but you have something that no professional, for all the experience they have, could beat you: you know the bride and groom, and most likely the rest of the guests or a large part. How does this help you? Well, in the most important thing on a day like this: emotions. You may not get perfect photos in terms of technique, but the fact of knowing the couple, that they know you, will help them to be more comfortable and relaxed and to know what you have to say. Because you are there to tell a story, to capture the most emotional moments, the looks, the moments of complicity, the details… in short, the soul of the event. And for this, your friendship with them will be your best ally, your strong point, on which you should focus, for the rest, I give you some tips that will also help you:
1. Check that your equipment is ready and with the parameters of white balance, type of focus, ISO, metering, etc… adjusted.
2. Lighting is very important, if you don’t master the correct lighting and exposure, shoot in aperture priority mode, if you don’t master it very well either, don’t risk losing the best moments and shoot in automatic.
3. Ask the groom to get ready beforehand so that he can go to both houses (distances permitting) and immortalize the preparations of both. If that’s not possible, focus on the bride. In the houses she tries to eliminate everything that distracts in the backgrounds, that there are no tangles that spoil your photo.
4. During the ceremony try not to disturb the priest or the bride and groom, remember that they are the protagonists. Although it is not easy, move with stealth and prudence.
5. Do not get distracted, no moment is going to be repeated to give you a second chance.
6. Photograph the details, when putting together the album they will be of great help, as well as being a nice souvenir: the bride’s hairstyle, the flowers, the rings, the details of the table…
7. Do not force, look for spontaneous moments and avoid forced poses.
8. Unleash your creativity, take different snapshots.
9. Look for different angles and perspectives.
10. Take advantage of the elements you have at your fingertips: furniture, mirrors or even use architectural elements to frame.
11. Use some props to provide originality. For example, as in this image, with a blackboard, even the guests can send a message to the couple. It will be a surprise that they will love.
12. Look for the emotional moments, tell a story, your story. You better than any other photographer can capture those moments of complicity between the couple or between the guests. Try to photograph the soul of the wedding.
13. If you want to take a photo of the kiss, the faces will be half seen, try to photograph them touching their noses.
14. Beware of overexposing the wedding dress, if you underexpose it will be easier for you to lighten the face from your RAW file than to recover the details of the dress.
15. Always focus on the eyes. If it’s in profile, focus on the closest eye.
16. Shoot in burst.
17. Get a full picture of the ceremony site from the back.
18. Try to get a picture of all the guests, it will be an arduous task, but if you succeed, in addition to being very funny, it will be an incredible memory for your friends.
19. During the reception you will also have to be aware of photographing the important moments: cutting the cake, the bride and groom’s dance… as well as going around the tables to immortalize the guests. If you use the external flash bounced off the ceiling you will get better results.
After the wedding
Once the wedding has been celebrated and when they have returned from the honeymoon, relaxed, rested and unhurried, you can do a photo session in the place that you like the most, without time limits or distances and taking advantage of natural light and choosing the appropriate funds. Some call this session the destroy the dress, since there are those who literally destroy it, getting into the sea water, throwing themselves in the middle of a wheat field or dancing on the mud. The imagination here has no limits, it is about having a good time, having fun without any pressure. Here are some sample images that can serve as an idea.
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
So far today’s article, I really hope that it has been useful to you and that you make a beautiful report of your best friend’s wedding. Remember, planning is very important, and when you’re already in the loop, try to enjoy and put a lot of love, I’m sure the result is worth it.
PS: If you share, you’ll be doing a favor for someone whose legs are still shaking!
PS: Get ready for the hard work of a wedding photographer 😉