Points to consider when photographing weddings

Monday 10 October 2022, 20:02 by Nando Harmsen | 4,710 views | 8 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

When you photograph a wedding, you take on a great deal of responsibility. You have to get it right first time, as there is no second chance.

Digital photography does make it easy to check straight away whether your photo is right, but there are still many things that can make life easier for a wedding photographer.

You take on quite a bit of responsibility as a wedding photographer.
Not everyone is suited to being a wedding photographer. The pressure is often high and you have to perform, whether you want to or not. You cannot afford to have an off day. On top of that, it is an intensive day, as you may be working for up to 14 hours, or longer.

You start early in the morning and finish late in the evening. There is not often time for a coffee break or lunch break.

Be prepared

Good preparation is essential. You need to know not only where you have to be and when, but also be alert to every special moment that may or may not happen.

You need to be flexible and, in some cases, have infinite patience with people. Believe me, there are people who can really get under your skin.

Your equipment must also be in perfect condition. It must work perfectly and you must be able to respond seamlessly to every conceivable lighting situation. You do not have time to stop and think carefully about exactly how it was supposed to work.

Trying things out is only possible if you have time to spare, and that is rarely the case on a fully scheduled wedding day.

Do you know how to achieve good results in all conditions? It is important to respond to every possible situation and achieve good results.

Check your equipment beforehand

One camera is not enough. If you are photographing a wedding, a second camera is no unnecessary luxury. If you only use one, the second is a backup. But you can also use two, each with its own unique lens.

Make sure everything is in order before you photograph the wedding. The following list of points may help.

Check that your cameras are working
Synchronise the time on all the cameras you are going to use
Set the settings exactly the same to avoid confusion (starting position)
Are your memory cards empty and in good condition? (if you have had an error message, use a new card)
Format your memory cards in the camera
Do you have two memory card slots in the camera? Set the second one as a backup so that the raw file is written to both cards.
Make sure your batteries are fully charged, and take spare batteries. Also bring a charger.
Make sure the batteries for your flashes are fully charged and take spare batteries
Set up your flashes in advance. Usually TTL with FEL at 0EV is sufficient as a starting point.
Do you have reflector cards for the flash, or other light-shaping tools with you?
Is your camera carrying system in good order?
Do you have the right lenses with you? Leave anything you do not need at home
Also consider taking a macro lens for the rings and any tools needed to photograph them
If necessary, take separate flashes and a trigger, complete with light stands, for group photos and special moments with the couple
Take a clean dishcloth with you to clean your equipment if necessary
Is your camera bag in good order, with everything in the place where you can find it without thinking?
Do you wear glasses or contact lenses? Take a spare pair of glasses
Make sure you have a list of the photos you must take

How much you take with you depends on you as a photographer. In any case, make sure everything is in order and that you can rely on it completely. This is my standard kit for a wedding.

Points to consider for a smooth shoot

Good preparation is therefore very important. Although photographing a wedding can be different for every photographer, as everyone has their own way of working, there are still a number of things that can make your wedding shoot more enjoyable.

Consider the following:

Make sure you know the schedule and have discussed it
Know the route and allow for travel time
Go through the day once more with the couple, no more than a week beforehand
You may feel uncertain, but still project confidence. You are the expert
Do not stare at your LCD screen too much. Trust in your own abilities
Do not make yourself invisible while photographing, but do not become a disruptive presence either
Talk to people, laugh along and be part of the group so that you are not a stranger among them
Do not stick too rigidly to a schedule. Be flexible, even when everything runs late
Show the couple a photo from time to time, and be enthusiastic even if it is a little disappointing to you
If a guest or a small group of guests would like a special photo, do not make an issue of it, but do it when it suits you
Do not be afraid to take the couple aside for an extra photo in a beautiful location
Take some spare clothes to change into if necessary (when things are less formal)

A wedding should not be a frustrating experience. Make sure you enjoy yourself, together with the couple and the wedding guests. It almost always turns out differently from planned.

Do not underestimate a wedding shoot

Do not think that you can just do a wedding shoot. There is quite a lot involved, and remember: you have to get it right first time. You do not get another chance. I have spoken to many photographers for whom it was a one-time experience and never again.

If you do not have confidence in yourself or you are in doubt, leave it to an experienced wedding photographer. In general, that gives you a guarantee that it will turn out well. Experience is worth its weight in gold, and you can always see it in the end result.

Bear in mind that some guests can make things difficult for you, try to demand too much attention or always think they know better.
If a couple asks you and you are one of those photographers who have doubts, do not be afraid to tell them that too. Are you a family member of the couple, or a close friend? Remember that as a wedding photographer, you are not also a guest. You cannot be both. So think carefully before you say yes.

Have you ever photographed a wedding? How did you find it? Share your experiences in a comment below this post. I would be interested to hear about them.

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About the author

Nando Harmsen has been photographing for more than 40 years. He specialises in wedding photography and landscape photography. Nando also gives talks, workshops, masterclasses and photo trips, and regularly reviews new and interesting equipment.

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8 comments

guest wrote on Tuesday 11 October 2022 at 11:16 | reply
It is exactly as you describe, exciting but still fun to do.
I have now done it 4 times for acquaintances, the 1st time it was someone very close to me indeed not very convenient because you don't get to experience any of the ceremony except through the lens of your camera during what I call the formal portraits of the bride and groom and family only, well it is easy that you know everyone well, that gave a relaxed atmosphere.
The other times it was for friends of . Also exciting but fun to do and yes the more often you are allowed to can or want to do it the easier you manoeuvre yourself between the guests and the bride and groom I notice . I like a relaxed informal atmosphere.
Beforehand, for every assignment, I had a good and nice conversation with the future bride and groom and discussed what they do and do not want .. so far I have experienced my assignments as great and both I and the bride and groom were happy with the result .
Translated from Dutch.

Robert wrote on Tuesday 11 October 2022 at 11:49 | reply
Good article Nando. Clear, understandable and funny, I also have one of those preparation lists. Difficult people for sure ..oh yes. Even people who pick up your camera when you put it on the table for a moment to get yourself something to drink.
Take good care of yourself during that long day too. Of course you shouldn't keel over.
The nicest compliment for me is sometimes; 'we actually didn't see you at all Robert' !
Then...you've been doing a good job that day in the 'shadows' and being part of the guests.
What I also always notice is that the bride and groom hugely appreciate the photos that they haven't experienced themselves. The unexpected moments y know.

Photo-shooting regards Nando from Robert.

Ps; sorry for some text mistakes,..I'm dyslexic. But better with pictures
Translated from Dutch.

NicovA wrote on Tuesday 11 October 2022 at 12:31 | reply
Done it a number of times so far - also for my own son. Great fun - but it is nice to have a backup (in terms of equipment). And better too many photos (because then you can sort through them) than too few. I do check the exposure very often. And I work with "back-button focus" so I know for sure that my subject is in focus (although with this subject that is often less necessary - but think of a shot of the bride and groom in a crowd). And scout suitable locations in advance - both for good weather and for bad weather (but don't share that with the bride and groom - I did that once and then we "had to" visit all the locations, including the "bad weather locations". Pretty cool in hindsight ). And oh yes - if it concerns family or friends - put your camera away every now and then (then you can also be part of the party) and simply make the rounds from time to time (especially at a reception) taking a whole series of photos - then you will almost certainly have everyone in the picture (and you won't be constantly watched as the photographer).
Translated from Dutch.

Jos Schiffelers wrote on Tuesday 11 October 2022 at 12:38 | reply
Yes Nando, good story, which I can confirm.
In July I had my first wedding, a family member (niece). It was quite a busy day, but I have to say, I enjoyed it. I also think the result is pretty good for the first time. I made a presentation of it of about fifteen minutes. They are going to make an album of it themselves.
As a hobbyist, I am not going to chase after getting weddings, and if I am asked then I will think carefully about it.
If you want to see the presentation then let me know. It is a large file.
Translated from Dutch.

BigBear wrote on Tuesday 11 October 2022 at 14:57 | reply
I made wedding reports for more than 40 years and one of my most valuable (and appreciated!) gear items was a small bag containing: spares (dummies, a jeweler can help you with those), florist tape (for first aid for bent boutonnieres), 2 sizes of safety pins, 2x paracetamol, band-aids in different sizes, alcohol-soaked gauze pads, something like warming ointment, a mini sewing kit and, last but not least, even a couple of tampons and panty liners.....
And believe it or not but all items, yes all of them, have come in handy at least once.
Nobody normally carries this with them at a wedding but you are the hero and can do no wrong at that moment!
Of course also take beautiful photos on such a day, naturally, that as well.. 😉
Translated from Dutch.

P. Heins wrote on Thursday 13 October 2022 at 11:55 | reply
I started doing wedding photography to keep the hobby somewhat affordable. But after the first weddings I found it super fun to do. It is an intense day , you are constantly alert to situations. Almost no time for breaks. I always use 2 cameras and possibly an APS-C system camera as a backup. I often also see unexpected spots to take photos on the day itself. Even once had it happen that on my way to the bride I saw a beautifully blooming tulip field, given the ample time I immediately went to see if it was easily accessible. I presented this to the bridal couple and she agreed to it.That is quite nice when you plan everything generously, then you and the bridal couple also have less stress and you have time to have a drink. I actually like that, deviating from your plan and then coming home with even cooler photos than you had in mind. I also always carry a portable back-up battery with me from LaCie , so I can already make back-ups of my cards on the way. In December there will be 2 more weddings in one week, one of which is at the Broekerveiling. How cool will that be.
Translated from Dutch.

johan wrote on Saturday 15 October 2022 at 09:43 | reply
Very sound tips !!! I would advise against photographing weddings of close family (parents, children, sister, brother), because you can't enjoy yourself either.
Translated from Dutch.

Ed Smit wrote on Sunday 16 October 2022 at 17:07 | reply
I was allowed to do a wedding report 3 times, all 3 times were very different and very exciting.
And one of the 3 was with a disabled woman, in order to be able to work properly it was very nice, although we had made agreements beforehand.
The second was a couple who entered into marriage for the second time, here we had an alternative in case it rained, and it did, so we went to the rescue museum (as agreed beforehand). and the third couple had 1 child and left everything up to me, we did this report in a park. I do have to add that my wife came along and paid attention to certain details. It was very nice to be allowed to do, I don't go after it to do it, these 3 couples were acquaintances of mine after all.
Translated from Dutch.

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