In this weeks episode of the podcast I take you with me to my last wedding of the year. I walk you through how I get ready, what I do before I walk in, I let you hear me pose the guys, photograph the dress, ceremony, bridal portraits, and then we wrap the day with lessons learned. If you shoot weddings don’t miss this episode!
In what is the last wedding of the year, I share my routine for the day leading up to the wedding. Unforeseen rainy conditions mean photos will now have to take place indoors and I share details of how I tried to make the best of the lack of natural light. Plus, what to eats to ensure Im fueled through the lengthy day.
The Big Ideas:
Show up early and prepared
Eat snacks for energy
Be relaxed and natural
Enjoy the moment
Be clear who has jewelry
Capture emotion in photos
Budget your time when shooting portraits
Shoot with intention and purpose
Find your passion in photography
Time Stamps
00:05:06 Eat to stay energized.
00:07:00 Arrive early and be prepared.
00:16:05 Be relaxed and natural.
00:26:10 Enjoy a cocktail together.
00:33:05 Be clear who has jewelry.
00:37:59 Capture emotions in photos.
00:56:59 Plan for extra time for events.
00:04:28 Use prime lenses for better photos.
01:09:14 Shoot what you love.
01:12:09 Discover your passion in photography.
Did you enjoy this episode? Check out more recent interviews with other great photographers!
Eat snacks for energy.
Eating snacks is an important part of staying energized, especially when it comes to photography. As a wedding photographer, I understand the importance of staying alert and creative throughout the day, and snacks can help with that.
On the day of a wedding, I always start the same way: I get up, have coffee, chat with the family, and have the same breakfast every time. I also make sure all my batteries are packed and everything is working. Then, I stop at a gas station and get two protein bars, beef jerky, cashews, and Red Bull. This is not a sustainable diet, but it can get me through if I'm running behind and don't have time to eat dinner.
Having snacks on hand is important because it helps me stay energized throughout the day. If I'm really hungry, it will affect my creative performance. Eating a handful of cashews or having a protein bar can give me the energy boost I need to keep going.
On top of that, I often have to rely on flash photography, which is why it's important to have backup flashes. Unfortunately, two of my flashes weren't working properly on the day of my last wedding. This was bad news because I like to have two flashes set up during the reception, so I was nervous. But I was still able to do the best I could, and I kept an eye out for pockets of light.
In the end, having snacks on hand is an important part of staying energized and creative. It's also important to have backup equipment in case something fails. By following these tips, I'm able to do my best work on wedding days.
Show up early and prepared.
Showing up early and prepared is a key part of being a successful wedding photographer. As I walked into the church for my latest wedding, I was reminded of the importance of being ready for any situation. I had already sent the couple a questionnaire a month before to confirm any last minute details. I also always try to arrive early, so I'm not scrambling to get ready.
Once I arrived, I went through the questionnaire and got into the right mental space. I then introduced myself to the bride and went over the timeline. This particular wedding was all in one location, which made things a bit easier. I had an hour with the guys, an hour with the girls, and then only 30 minutes of photos with the couple.
I'm usually quite nervous before a wedding, but this time I was surprisingly calm. I wasn't sure if this was a good or bad thing, but I was determined to make the most of it. I had to keep an eye out for interesting patches of light, as we wouldn't be able to go outside due to the wind.
In the end, being prepared is essential for any wedding photographer. I had done my homework and was ready for whatever the day had in store. I was able to make the most of the situation and get some beautiful photos. So if you want to be successful as a wedding photographer, always show up early and prepared.
Be relaxed and natural.
But once you are there, the most important thing is to be relaxed and natural. As I was scouting out the perfect spot for the groomsmen photos, I noticed that the guys were more camera conscious than the ladies. I knew that if I asked them to just laugh, it wouldn’t feel authentic. So I started off by asking them to have a drink and then just let them share stories and laugh. That was when I was able to capture the most natural and authentic moments.
It’s also important to remember that you don’t need to force a laugh or a smile. Just let the moment happen and capture it. I also noticed that when I asked the guys to do something specific like lift their arms, it helped to create more natural poses.
In the end, being relaxed and natural is the key to getting great photos. It’s important to be prepared and organized, but also to be able to go with the flow and capture the moments as they happen. That’s the best way to get the most authentic and beautiful photos.
Enjoy the moment.
As a photographer, I want to capture the genuine moments that make up a person’s life. I want to make sure that I'm getting the best photos possible, and that means I need to be flexible and open to new ideas. The podcast I just heard was a great example of this. The photographer was able to get the perfect shot by being open to the idea of the group taking a walk, and then being able to adjust the poses and background for the best possible results.
The key to getting great photos is to enjoy the moment. That means taking the time to appreciate the people in the photo and the environment around them. It also means having fun and being creative. I often find that the best photos come from those spontaneous moments when everyone just lets go and enjoys themselves.
Being relaxed and natural is important not just for the photographer, but also for the subjects. It’s important to make sure that everyone is comfortable and having a good time. That way, when the photos are taken, everyone will be smiling and having a great time.
In conclusion, it’s important to enjoy the moment and make the most of it. That’s the best way to get great photos that capture the genuine moments of life. As a photographer, it’s important to be flexible and open to new ideas, and to make sure everyone is relaxed and having a good time. That’s the best way to get the most beautiful and authentic photos.
Be clear who has jewelry.
However, when it comes to photographing jewelry, it’s important to be clear about who has the jewelry and who is responsible for it. This is especially important when photographing wedding jewelry, as it can be very expensive and easily lost or misplaced. As a photographer, it’s important to take the extra step of asking who should hold the jewelry and making sure it is given to someone specific. This will help ensure that the jewelry is kept safe and that no one is blamed for any losses or damages.
In the podcast, the photographer takes the extra step of asking who should hold the jewelry and making sure it is given to someone specific. He also recommends buying a wooden hanger and a light duty spring clamp to make the dress look more professional. These small details can make a big difference in the quality of the photos.
Overall, it’s important to be clear about who has the jewelry and who is responsible for it. This will help ensure that the jewelry is kept safe and that no one is blamed for any losses or damages. It’s also important to take the extra steps of buying a wooden hanger and a light duty spring clamp to make the dress look more professional. These small details can make a big difference in the quality of the photos.
Capture emotion in photos.
When it comes to capturing emotion in photos, it’s important to focus on the bride and her mother during the dressing process. It’s a personal conversation and should not be disturbed. To get the best shots, it’s important to find a spot that looks good before the bride gets dressed and then to ask her to stand there while the photos are taken. It’s also important to capture the wide, medium, and close-ups of the bride looking in the mirror and the mom zipping or lacing up the dress. It’s also important to capture the moment when the mom and bride are hugging.
During the ceremony, it’s important to focus on the groom to get his reaction when the doors open up for the bride to come down. It’s also important to capture the transition from the father to the groom and then to the bride. When the couple gets up on the stage, it’s important to take a few steps back and hang out on the sides or back of the church. It’s also important to capture the bride’s reaction and the bridal party’s reaction. Individual photos of each of them should also be taken as well as photos of the entire bridal party.
Capturing emotion in photos is an important part of wedding photography. It’s important to focus on the bride and her mother during the dressing process and to capture the wide, medium and close-ups of the bride looking in the mirror and the mom zipping or lacing up the dress. During the ceremony, it’s important to focus on the groom to get his reaction when the doors open up for the bride to come down and to capture the transition from the father to the groom and then to the bride. It’s also important to capture the bride’s reaction and the bridal party’s reaction as well as individual photos of each of them. By taking these steps, wedding photographers can ensure that they capture the emotion of the day and create beautiful photos that the couple will cherish for years to come.
Timing was properly budgeted.
However, it is also important to make sure that the timing is properly budgeted. In the podcast, the photographer talks about how he was worried that he wouldn’t have enough time to get all of the shots he wanted, but he was surprised to find that he had plenty of time and that he was able to get everything he wanted. He was able to get individual photos of the bride and the bridal party, as well as a group shot of them together. He was also able to get photos of the bride’s details such as her earrings, necklace, and makeup. He was able to get photos of the bride looking off into the distance and looking at the bridal party. He was also able to get photos of the bride holding up her charm.
By properly budgeting his time, the photographer was able to get all of the shots he wanted and capture the emotion of the day. This is a great example of how important it is to plan ahead and budget your time properly. By doing this, wedding photographers can ensure that they get all of the shots they need and capture the emotion of the day.
Use prime lenses for better photos.
However, the photographer in this podcast also made a mistake. He did not use a flash for the reception photos, resulting in many of the photos being blurry. He realized that if he had used a flash, he would have gotten 40-60% more keepers. This is a great example of why it is important to use flash for wedding photography. Flash helps to freeze the action and create better, more vibrant photos.
Another mistake the photographer made was not educating the bride on family photos. He realized that the family photos took 100 years because the bride's list was not detailed enough. He suggested that by doing individual family photos first, people would feel more connected to the photos and be more likely to buy prints. This is a great example of why it is important to be detailed and clear when communicating with a bride.
Finally, the photographer in this podcast made a great observation about prime lenses. He used the Fuji's version of a 24-70 lens and realized that prime lenses are much better for wedding photography. Prime lenses are great because they are lighter and more compact than zoom lenses. They also have a much wider aperture, allowing for more light and better depth of field. This allows for better, sharper photos with more detail and clarity.
In conclusion, this podcast is a great example of why it is important to plan ahead, use flash for wedding photography, be detailed when communicating with a bride, and use prime lenses for better photos. By following these tips, wedding photographers will be able to get the best possible photos from their wedding shoots.
Shoot with intention and purpose.
Shooting with intention and purpose is a key element of successful wedding photography. It is important to plan ahead and be prepared for any situation that may arise. This includes having the right equipment such as flash, lenses, and other accessories. It is also important to communicate with the bride and groom to ensure that their expectations are met.
When it comes to the actual shooting of the wedding, it is important to shoot with intention and purpose. Prime lenses are often the best choice for wedding photography as they allow photographers to get closer to the action and get more creative with their shots. Prime lenses also force photographers to think more photographically, as they are unable to zoom in and out as easily as with a zoom lens.
Finally, it is important to back up the photos immediately after the shoot. This will ensure that any mistakes or lost photos are not lost forever. It is also important to keep the memory cards on your person at all times so that they are not forgotten or left in the car overnight.
When shooting a wedding, it is important to do so with intention and purpose. Plan ahead, communicate with the bride and groom, and use prime lenses to get the best possible shots. Lastly, back up the photos immediately after the shoot and keep the memory cards on your person. Doing this will ensure that the photos are of the highest quality and that they are not lost or forgotten.
Find your passion in photography.
However, shooting weddings can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it is an incredibly rewarding job that can lead to a successful career. On the other hand, it can become mundane and tiresome. This was the case for me. After shooting weddings for a year and a half, I felt like I had hit a wall. I was no longer feeling inspired by the work I was producing. I had lost my passion for photography.
This is when I decided to take a break from professional photography and focus on personal projects. I started to shoot more personal stuff, such as my monthly photo dumps. I was still producing work, but it was not something that I felt would turn into a career. I was still feeling lost and unsure of what was next in photography for me.
This is when my wife suggested that I take a break from the business side of photography and find and foster a new passion in photography. I couldn't argue with that logic. So, I decided to no longer be a professional photographer and instead, focus on finding something that I was truly passionate about.
This is when I found a local company that was looking for a videographer. The position checked all of the boxes that I was looking for and I decided to take the job. I was excited to be able to explore a new medium and find a new passion in photography.
At the same time, I was still going to be shooting every day, uploading my monthly photo dumps, and trying new things in photography. I was also still going to be producing the podcast, interviewing photographers, and helping others to become the best photographer that they can be.
Finding a passion in photography can be difficult. It can be easy to get stuck in a rut and feel like you are not making any progress. That is why it is important to keep your eyes open and be willing to try new things. You never know what may spark a new passion in you. If you keep shooting and exploring, you will eventually find something that you are passionate about.