How to Photograph a Wedding

When asked how to photograph a wedding, I normally respond with the questions as below.

 

Is your degree of camera know-how adequate? What is your level of experience in shooting wedding ceremonies?  Are you effective in handling people?    Do you have an understanding of the fundamentals of posing individuals and groupings?

 

There are naturally additional elements which will prescribe how productive you'll be in shooting a wedding ceremony.

 

This article will concentrate on the 4 tips referred to above.

 

If for instance you responded yes to my question around your camera proficiency then that's a fine beginning.  You had better be capable of controlling your gear virtually without thought. You will have numerous matters to remember when shooting a wedding ceremony, and your gear and its intricacies and gismos isn't one you would like to get bogged down on at that point in time.

 

However, and it’s a big however, all the technical knowledge in the world will not make you good at photographing weddings.

 

Experience plainly helps, but for novices to wedding photography this is frequently hard to come by.  One means to acquire some experience is to ask acquaintances who have recently married to pose for you, assuming naturally they're willing to do so!  The promise of a few complimentary images generally does the trick.  You'll also have the advantage of looking at their album for a few tips on posing.

 

The 3rd point, that is, are you good with people, is plausibly the most underrated element by those who set out to learn how to photograph a wedding.  A big part of the wedding day comprises herding crowds together and manoeuvring guests on precisely how you need them to behave. 

 

In essence if you do not have effective people skills do not endeavour to shoot a wedding ceremony.

 

The concluding point re posing groups and individuals at a wedding ceremony is likewise important to learn.  This can be partially learned by considering some other photographers work; there are numerous illustrations of this freely accessible on the web.

 

Even so looking at it and coordinating the posing when under pressure are 2 different matters!  You must familiarise yourself with the 30 or so fundamental wedding shots and then add your own expressive style to the arrangement and shooting of an assortment of others.

 

It's very doable for an amateur photographer to learn how to photograph a wedding.