Whether you’re just getting started in wedding photography or you’ve been running a successful wedding photography business for decades, it’s a lot of pressure to capture memories of a couple’s special day. Use these tips to help you be prepared for your next wedding photography client.

Consider the variables

Before the big day, it’s important to consider all of the factors that can affect your photos.

• Think about the time of day for your photos. If you can, try to avoid peak hours where there may be more people or other distractions. Check the weather in advance and plan for any potential changes. When selecting the location for your photos, make sure the background won’t be distracting and that there aren’t any potential hazards.
• Check out the venue and look at how much natural light is available at the time of day of the wedding shoot will be. This will help you determine if you’ll need to bring in additional lighting for the photos.
• Be sure to discuss any ideas or expectations you or your clients have well in advance of the wedding so you can take into account the venue, lighting, and time of day when planning out the photos. This will help ensure that your clients get the photos they envision for their special day.

Equipment and accessories: Cameras, lenses, and lighting

When it comes to wedding photography, using the right equipment is essential. You should have a digital camera with interchangeable lenses and other accessories such as lighting, reflectors, filters, and tripods. Speak with your wedding clients ahead of time to let them know how many photos you typically take during a wedding shoot so that they’re not surprised by any additional costs after the fact. With the right equipment in hand, you’ll be ready to capture all those special moments perfectly.

Posing tips: Group shots, couple shots, and family shots

After you’ve taken care of the basics, it’s time to start thinking about how your client wants their photos to look and feel. Posing is a huge part of the equation when it comes to taking great photos, so here are some tips on how to get the perfect poses:

• Group shots: When it comes to group shots, the size of the group matters. If you’re dealing with a large group, you may need to arrange them in multiple rows or have them stand close together. Be sure to plan accordingly and take into account the size of your group before deciding on a pose.
• Couple shots: For couple shots, find an area with a nice background and make sure both people are comfortable and relaxed. Try different poses that show off their connection and make sure they’re both smiling or making pleasant expressions. Have fun with it and don’t be afraid to try something new.
• Family shots: Family photos can be tricky but they don’t have to be. Plan out some arrangements ahead of time and make sure everyone is happy and relaxed before taking any photos. It’s also important to consider the lighting – make sure it’s bright enough so that all faces are visible in the shot. Having a few different poses and arrangements in mind will give you more options when selecting which photo looks best.

No matter what kind of shot you’re taking, always remember to take a few photos from each pose so that you have plenty of options when selecting which photo looks best.

Be prepared to deliver an excellent wedding photography experience

Communicating with your wedding photography clients before, during, and after the wedding is key. Be sure you clearly understand what they’re expecting from their wedding photographs and that you are prepared to deliver excellent wedding photography.

Check out the rest of the Blind Fox Photo blog for more industry tips!