5 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer When You Meet With Them

Here are 5 top questions to ask your wedding photographer when you are meeting with them for the first time. These will help you get the information that you really need to ensure that you are getting a true professional in the photography industry.

1. Do you have all your business licenses and retail sales tax license (assuming your state requires collection of retail sales tax)?

a. A professional should have a business license for their photography business. If they do not they are operating a black market photography business and may not be taking photography seriously. Often people will book their photographer 6-12 months in advance and you want them to be in business by the time your wedding comes.

b. A photographer should be collecting retail sales tax if your state requires it. The last thing you want is for them to be shut down by the government for not operating properly. It is worth the peace of mind to know that your wedding photographer is going to be there on your big day, even if you have to pay a little extra.

2. Do you have backup equipment that you will have with you on our wedding day?

a. Accidents happen. A wedding day is busy with all the hustle and bustle of the events of the day and your wedding photographer is right in the middle of it. Cameras get dropped, or knocked around, and sometimes they malfunction no matter how well you take care of them. It is really important that they have a full set of backup equipment for those just in case moments.

3. What happens if you get sick? Do you have more than one photographer at my wedding?

a. Just this weekend I got an email from another photographer that was looking for help an hour and a half before the start of a wedding because they had gotten sick. If this person had a second principle photographer that they regularly used this could have been avoided. Often, if they have a second principle photographer, they will also have additional assistants that could fill in should someone get sick.
b. Also with more than one photographer at your wedding they can get different angles of the same event and also not miss moments even though one may be taking a break.

4. Are the pictures going to be edited when I get them?

a. No matter how "good" the technology is, the files from the camera to the computer go through an interpretation processes, and do not always look the same as they do in the camera. A professional photographer will go through all the photographs and touch them up to correct the colors and make them look consistent throughout the day as well as basic corrections.

5. Can we take some time during the day to take some amazing photos of me and my new husband?

a. The amazing photos that you see on websites and blogs take some time to go take. It is worth the time to go sneak away at some point during the day and get some of those amazing photos of yourselves. Consider it your first family portrait. Those are the photos that you will post online and keep in a frame at your office. Unfortunately, it takes some time to make images like that so you should reserve some time during your day to make spectacular photographs like that.

With these 5 questions, it should help you determine the level of professionalism of the person you are interviewing. These are some very important issues that you might not have thought about asking. It is okay, go ahead and ask the questions. You may really save yourself some head aches if you sort out these things early in the planning process. The biggest piece of advice is this, ENJOY your day, and at the end of the day you will be married even if everything doesn't go perfectly!

Jay Evans runs Picasso Perfect ? Photography, LLC. which is a photography company based in Columbia, SC that specializes in Wedding Photography. Picasso Perfect Photography travels throughout the world to capture the special memories of wedding days. They recommend scheduling a no cost wedding photography consultation to see what Picasso Perfect Photography - Columbia wedding photography can do for you.

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Wedding Photography Style: Traditional, Contemporary and Documentary

When booking a wedding photographer you need to ask yourself an important question - "what style of wedding photography would we like?"

It's fair to say that us photographers can sometimes baffle people with jargon - especially when describing our styles of photography, such as traditional, reportage, contemporary, documentary, photojournalistic etc. So, here we have set out the 3 styles main styles on offer today. Of course, some photographers offer hybrids that pinch elements from all 3 of these style but most offer one main photographic style.

Hopefully this article will help you to decide on the style of photography you would like at your wedding.

Traditional Wedding Photography

This is a style you will all be familiar with. Carefully posed shots of groups ranging from the whole guest list right down to just the bride and groom themselves. The poses will be more classical that contemporary so don't expect any quirky shots including running or jumping for example. This style was very much all that was on offer up until the arrival of digital photography and it's fair to say that it is a much less popular style these days. Without wanting to stereotype this style is favoured more by the older generation whereas younger couples are more likely to favour a more contemporary style.

Documentary, Journalistic or Reportage Wedding Photography

This style of wedding photography is nothing new in terms of being a general photographic style, but it is relatively new to wedding photography. This style is informal when compared to traditional wedding photography as the photography is likely to have little or no interaction with the bride, groom or guests as the primary focus is to document the day as it happens. Don't expect set poses with this style as this is all about capturing you wedding day in as natural a way as possible. The photographer will try to remain as unobtrusive as possible and this will mean the avoidance of flash photography too. When done right this style produces the most emotional and naturally captivating photography and albums produced from this style are absorbing and addictive.

Contemporary wedding photography

This style sits somewhere between traditional wedding photography and the reportage styles, in many ways this style could be considered a hybrid of the two and that the only true styles are traditional and reportage. The reason this is a style in itself is because you will get the usual posed group shots but mixed with a much more fun and contemporary posing style. Often the photography will look for interesting way to use locations and settings in the setup of a shot and take advantage of the willingness of the bride and groom to create something extra special. The photographer will look to use unusual and interesting viewpoint in the shots in order to set them apart from being in any way traditional. Quite often, in addition to the contemporary posed shots the photographer will mix in some reportage style of shooting to create a balanced album that creates the story of a wedding day. The photographer will also spend longer editing the photos in post production so as to give the finished album the optimum impact.

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The Art of Digital Wedding Photography - Part 1

Intro:

Digital photography provides many benefits when shooting a wedding. You know immediately what you've shot and that your equipment is functioning the way you want it to. You use less equipment, since there's no need for bags of film, heavy strobes, heavy camera equipment, or even light meters. You only print the images you rally like, so editing is quicker. Tasks that one required hours of darkroom work can now be completed in front of a computer in a matter of minutes. Your creativity in producing the final image is limited only by the special-effects tools to which you have access when editing, and retouching is easy--just a matter of using software.

For all these benefits, though, digital photography provides no magic wand for creating a beautiful image. You still have to understand the basic rules of photography to create good images! If you don't understand the basic principles of photography before you start shooting digital you're in for a rude awakening. As with film, the challenge of digital photography is discipline. If you are sloppy in creating images on film and leave exposure problems to your lab to fix, don't expect digital to be the panacea for all that ails you. Once you master those basics, though, digital gives you the ability to enhance your creativity perhaps in more ways than you ever thought were possible. The truth is, digital technology puts more tools at our disposal than we have had at any other time in the history of photography.

In these next few hubs, I will explore the elements that make the digital medium so different from film and those that make it the same. We're going to talk about creating the images, getting them out of the camera, enhancing them with filters and other software, working with the lab, and, finally, selling them. I'll do my best to over the are of digital wedding photography from soup to nuts and to address the issues that confront any wedding photographer who makes the switch from film to digital. You'll need to stay on top of digital media, though: In just the time it will take you to read my hubs, something in photography will have changed. This truth leaves us with one basic assumption that the best photographers in the world have always known: You can never stop learning, because the best image you'll ever take hasn't been taken yet.

Digital Basics

To photograph digitally, you need to grasp a few basics. Here are eight controls and features you'll want to master early on in your digial image-making. Take the time to become comfortable using them, and you'll soon be able to create the best possible images with consistency.

Exposure:

Unlike film, digital imaging doesn't allow you to compensate for underexposure or overexposure in the processing stage. Too much light, overexposure, will result in pale, washed-out images; too little light, underexposure, will result in dark, muddy images. Your digital camera's light meter will help you automatically achieve the right exposure. Plus, when you shoot in Raw mode, the exposure compensation feature allows you to override autommatic settings and counteract lighting conditions that the light meter might otherwise not adjust for--yo usually have a four-stop range in exposure compensation, two stops over and two under.

Aperture:

By setting your camera to aperture priority mode, you can choose the aperture, or f-stop (in automatic and other modes, the camera will determine the aperture setting). My preference is to use a large aperture to achieve a nice, shallow depth of field, which helps blur out distracting backgrounds. Typically I shoot at f 1.2 to f2.8.

Buffer memory and card writing speed:

These terms refer to how many images you can shoot consecutively. With cameras like the Canon EOS-1D Mark II you can shoot up to 20 Raw files in a row at speeds up to 8.5 frames per second. That's a lot of data! With a fast card-writing speed like 5 megabytes per second or higher, you'ree not going to wait as long for your camera to clear its buffer memory as you would with a system that only writes at 2 megabytes per second or slower. You don't want to miss the best moments of the weddin because you are waiting for your camera to finish writing to the card.

Focusing speed:

It's imperative to have a camera that's fast to focus in the autofocus mode. You don't have time to wait for your equipment to eact to different subjects as you move around a wedding.

Resolution:

Shoot everything at the very highest resolution your camera will allow--that is, witht he most pixels, so the image is as detailed as possible. This way, you'll have more flexibility when it comes to cropping an image and more options when printing.

Downloading programs:

You want easy-to-use programs for downloading and managing your files. Phase One's Capture One makes it easy to rename and batch files and do color correction an dmake other adjustments. Also Adobe Photoshop and Adobe lightroom are great downloading programs as well.

The LED Viewfinder:

THis feature is an asset when experimenting with a new technique, since it allows you to get an idea of how the image will turn out before you snap the shutter. However, don't get into a habit of viewing every image in the LED display, because you don't have time and you should learn to follow your instincts. And never get into the habit of "chimping"--making a sound like a chimp when you see the image you just captured in the viewfinder, as in "oooh, oooh, oooh!"

Diopter Adjustment:

This is really basic, but there will be moments when you may need to focus manually. Make sure you know where the diopter adjustment, which lets you manually focus on objects, is located on your camera and periodically check to see that the viewfinder is set for your eyes.

Angelica R. Whisenant is a professional photographer based out of Virginia Beach, Virginia. I have been serving high-profile clients since 2006. To check out more of my Virginia Beach photography visit http://www.leftfieldphotographyworks.com/?load=html

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How Do I Find a Great Wedding Photographer?

I am often asked what brides should consider when choosing a photographer, so I decided to post this to answer those questions.

How to choose a wedding photographer

Often overlooked, wedding photography is perhaps one of the most important decisions you will make in the arrangements of your wedding, the only tangible memories will be the photos and making sure you choose the right photographer is very important.

Choosing a photographer with a good 'eye' and a style and vision that matches your own, can be the difference between stunning photos and disappointing bland images. You will only being doing this once, so it's best not to leave things to chance. I often hear about bride's biggest regret is a lack of thought when choosing a wedding photographer.

Wedding photography is an art form and one that should be left to a true professional. It's about telling the story of your day through photographs, and not just capturing the day's events. in a haphazard fashion.

When choosing a wedding photographer you should consider a full time professional who you can trust and not a ' weekend' shooter' most professional live and breath photography, they photograph in a superior technical way, use correct lighting, and composition and care about the precise post production and retouching of your images.

It really is a 'case of chalk and cheese' with a full time pro and a part time amateur, just by viewing the photos on websites, the difference is obvious to see.

A full time professional will tell the brides story with beautiful images, images that will have the WOW factor while also documenting the finer details of the day, 'weekend shooters or hobbyists' generally do cheap deals and burn to CD and call it 'wedding photography' while the professional will retouch all the photos and present them to you in beautiful albums.

When looking at wedding photographers work,ask your self,do they show fun,romance? Great moments are often crafted by skilled photographers, when viewing a photographers work, they will show you the finest photos at this stage, judge them on what you see. It's easy to take three or four amazing photos at each wedding but taking 200 or more excellent and unique photos at one wedding is a different matter, you should have an instinctive feeling and really like the photographers work, the photos should move you in some way.

Try to see as much work as possible from a photographer, you will be able to understand the style and whether or not it suits your needs and expectations for your wedding. Choosing a photographer on price alone is ill advised can can result in disaster, bad photos, poor production and upset all round.

If the photos you view are flat, too dark, too light, no detail in the brides dress, group shoots look messy and not well organised, bride and groom looking awkward or uncomfortable,strange backgrounds, poor composition, no WOW factor on important bride and bride and groom shots, then it is likely the person who took the photos is not a professional.

There are exceptions to this rule of course in some photojournalistic styles, where people are not expected to be looking at the photo or posed, but an a general rule, look for these elements when viewing.

Make sure when you are booking a professional that you:

Ask to see insurance certificates

Ask is the photographer a full time professional or is this a part-time addition to their full time job?

What is the photographers background and experience?

How long have they been in business?

Do they supply a contract with the booking?

Do they ask you what photos you want taken and in what style?

Do you feel a good rapport when first meeting the photographer?

You will have to work with this person on the most important day of your life, so it's important you feel comfortable with the photographer.

It's true there are photographers charging practically nothing for their wedding photography, the old adage that 'if it's too good to be true, it probably is' is so applicable to this area of wedding photography,but remember that once the photos have be taken, if your not happy there is nothing that can be done to mend the situation and the pictures can't be taken again.

The professional photographers day at your wedding is not just about organising group shoots and motorwind shooting anything that moves, a professional will be considered in his photography and will endeavour to capture important moments, create beautiful images of you together and create a record of the day that will live on for years to come and will become a family heirloom for your children and grand children.

An album can be kept forever, in my experience brides who choose the CD only options generally end up with it in the drawer or get inferior prints from local chemists etc, that don't do justice to the photos taken, the album is an important consideration that will be kept in your family on the bookshelf for years to come, unlike a CD which will be forgotten about in a drawer, how often have you taken photos on your compact camera, downloaded to your computer and never looked at them again, your wedding photos deserve better than that.

Another important consideration is obviously the personality of the photographer, who wants a grumpy, bossy so and so upsetting guests, the photographer you choose should take control of the photography in a polite and courteous manner and display his professionalism at all times.

Remember good photographers are often booked in advance so try not to leave it to the last minute to get the person you want,

Once the cake is eaten, the dress put away, and the honeymoon over, the only thing remaining is the photos, you will only have once chance to catch those special moments, there are no retakes or second chances, and that is why you should consider photography to be one of the most important investments of your wedding, choose a truly professional photographer with a proven track record who will do fantastic photos and get the results you want, it's too important a day and the photos too precious to leave to someone who you don't trust 100 percent.

Paul Cooper is a professional wedding photographer based in Cheshire helping brides realise beautiful wedding photography throughout the UK and Internationally. http://www.paulcooperphotographer.com/

Wedding Photographer Cheshire

Wedding Photographer Manchester

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Wedding Photography - What If the Bride and Groom Are Camera Shy?

How do you deal with a stiff bride and groom when it comes to the portrait time?

Well, I have a few tricks up my sleeve, but they all boil down to the same thing: familiarize yourself with the people you're photographing and do whatever you can to get them to relax, to know that this isn't serious time, this is a time to let loose and be themselves. Here are a few things you can do...

1. Most weddings go on in the summer, so if you see that your bride is perspiring a bit, tell the groom to kiss her forehead. He'll make a face, and they'll usually get a laugh out of this. Be prepared to snap a picture of them laughing!

2. Have the groom nuzzle the bride's neck from behind. This will tickle, causing her to laugh. The groom will usually laugh along with her. Once again, what you are looking to snap is not the pose, but the reactions of the couple to the pose.

3. Have the couple standing facing each other, get them to close their eyes, and ask them to kiss each other. They can't see, so they'll probably miss. Maybe they'll drop a kiss on the nose, maybe they'll kiss an eyelid. Invariably, they'll start laughing. Be sure not to miss the moment.

4. If all these fail, switch to "romance" mode instead of "laughter", and have them get into more intimate positions, such as the bride putting her arms around the groom's neck and the groom's arms around her waist. Another bonus pose you can move into from here is to ask the groom to kiss her on the cheek and ask the bride to not let him do it. This is pretty much a guaranteed way to get them to laugh.

5. Moving back into the romance mode, 9 times out of 10, the bride is the more photogenic of the two. Put your focus on her eyes, have him kiss her on her cheek or her neck or shoulder while she looks into the camera. Move around them so that you're behind the groom, and have them embrace and take a picture of the bride's expression.

6. A great set up that you should always do is "the walk". Have the bride and groom stroll away from you. At this point you can snap away freely as they will probably be holding hands and just relaxing with each other. When they're far enough, tell them to stop and walk back towards you. Snap away again.

The rule of thumb is to get your clients to be as relaxed as they can be, and part of how you do this is to behave in a warm, friendly manner. Remember to praise them, even if the shots don't look good. You want to make them feel good, like the camera loves them. Don't make faces when you look at the pictures on the view finder, don't ever let them know that a pose isn't working. Tell them, "That's great! Now let's try a new pose..."

Try out these tips and tricks and see if you can't come up with a few of your own!

http://www.jqweddings.com/
Jesselynn Quinn Photography
For more photography technique, please visit my website. All comments are welcome!

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Wedding Photo Retouching for Wedding Photographers

Not having an outstanding wedding photography portfolio could be the make or break for any photographer. Business is hard in today's economic climate and every job counts, losing one job mid wedding season, could easily put a wedding photographer out of business. It is imperative therefore for the wedding photographer to have a first class portfolio.

To ensure that you have a first class wedding portfolio there are two things you can do. The first is by taking good photos. It goes without saying that every photographer will try their best to take the best possible photos for their clients, it is in their interests to do so and it's their job. The second is to ensure that these pictures go one better than the other wedding photographers out there. How? The answer is to have the images retouched by a wedding retoucher.

Wedding photo retouching is not new but few use the service as many prefer to do retouch their photos themselves. The problem with this is the wedding photographer must devote much of his time to learning the techniques, when he needs to be concentrating on finding new business. In the unlikely event that finding new business is not needed the wedding retouching should be left to a professional who has developed their skills over time. The photo retoucher can structure the work to produce the shots that 'wow' the clients and gain their business and trust.

The wedding photo retoucher can improve your photos by removing fly away hair or stray confetti. People can be removed from the foreground or back ground. New compositions can be made from two or more photos to form new photos. This can save the embarrassment to the photographer should he forget to take an important group photo, two or more photos can be merged to make a wedding group with all the right people standing together.

Further techniques used to improve wedding photos are smoothing creases in clothes and removing unwanted shadows. For the close up portraits of the bride and groom a magazine make over or studio style background could be added. With your imagination and communication with the wedding photo retoucher, anything is possible.

If you want to stay ahead of the wedding photographers out there then make the smart move to a wedding photo retoucher and get your photos to the very best standard they can be. Impress your clients with outstanding photos with that glitzy magazine look, contemporary feel or classy candid. Ensure you 'wow' potential customers into choosing you above the rest.

It may be the best decision you make to get your wedding photos retouched by a wedding photo retoucher.

Wedding retouching provides a wedding photo retouching service Come and see how to get the wedding portfolio to 'wow' your wedding clients at weddingretouching.co.uk

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Great Spots for Wedding and Engagement Photography in the San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco Wedding Photographer - Great Spots for an Engagement Portrait!

There is no doubt that the San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most beautiful and sought after places in the world to say I do! Brides and Grooms are 'Spoilt for choice' when it comes to selecting a perfect location for their Engagement Portrait! We have some of the most fabulous natural and man made beauty in the world here in the Bay. From the sweeping views of downtown San Francisco to the lush vineyards of Sonoma and Napa, the San Francisco Bay Area delivers a world class package when it comes to Wedding and Engagement Photography. One of the benefits of being a San Francisco Wedding Photographer, is that I get to photograph couples in a variety of locations with breathtaking natural beauty. I thought that this would be a good place to give you my take on all this, so here we go!

You're Engaged!

Once you're engaged, one of the things on your to-do list will probably be the hunt for a fabulous Wedding Photographer. One of the best, most exciting parts of Wedding Photography is shooting an Engagement Portrait! Its so much fun for the couple and the Wedding Photographer to spend an afternoon together in a relaxed atmosphere with no pressure or time constraint. One of the biggest benefits of having an engagement portrait is that it gives you the chance to get to know your Wedding Photographer - most couples that have taken an Engagement Portrait are more relaxed when taking photos on their Wedding Day as they already know how their photographer works and they feel more at ease. It's tough having your picture taken by someone you have never met! Most of the great Wedding Photographers I know typically include an Engagement Session as part of their Wedding Packages.

So, you're Engaged AND you've found that fabulous Wedding Photographer - but how to and where to take photos?! In my experience, i'ts important to head for locations that are meaningful to you, places that stir emotion and feeling between the two of you - maybe the site of that first stroll along the beach, or a first kiss, the proposal, the spot that 'I love you' was first uttered or a favorite place that you both go to be alone with each other. There are so many special places to take your engagement portrait! Here are a few of my favorites....

Golden Gate Bridge from Baker Beach

Some of the most spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge can be seen from Baker Beach. It's like a postcard, the Marin Headlands visible to the east coupled with the rugged cliffs of Baker Beach, clean sands and the crystal blue and green Pacific Ocean surf. I love shooting here. Two of my favorite engagement portraits at this location include Shavon and Stefan and Vikhyath and Anusha.

Golden Gate Bridge from Crissy Field

Photographing your Engagement Portrait from Crissy Field gives a different perspective from that of Baker Beach. Crissy Field is Bay side, south of the Golden Gate and offers sensational views of Marin County and some San Francisco landmarks, including the Palace of Fine Arts. I recently photographed Tom and Gretchen's Engagement Portrait at this location. Crissy Field is located north of the Marina District in San Francisco, close to Golden Gate Park and the Presidio.

Sutro Baths

Sutro Baths provide a really great rustic look with beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean, the Farallon Islands and the famous Cliff House. Here is a sample of an Engagement Portrait that I shot at this location. Sutro Baths are located at the north end of Ocean Beach close to Geary Boulevard.

The Palace of Fine Arts

The Palace of Fine Arts is unique in that it offers both a refined and rustic appeal full of San Francisco character and artistic history. It really is a fabulous location - grand and glorious. Here are some photos from an Engagement Portrait at this location.

The Palace of the Legion of Honor

One of San Francisco's most famous landmarks, the Palace of the Legion of Honor offers staggering views of the city, the pacific ocean as well as offering a plethora of wonderful locations within the grounds of the palace for beautiful pictures. the Palace of the Legion of honor is among my favorite places to photograph an engagement portrait. Below is one of my favorite images from a shoot at this location. Click on the picture to see more images!

Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park has acres and acres - 1,017 acres of gorgeous, lush parkland to take world class engagement portraits! I have photographed many couples here. There are so many locations within the park that make for amazing pictures. Some of my favorite spots include the Botanical Gardens, The Japanese Tea Gardens, JFK Drive, The Conservatory of Flowers and Stowe Lake. Golden Gate Park was the site where Anthony proposed to Karen, so we shot part of their Engagement Portrait there! I also photographed Ginger and Fernando's Engagement Portrait in the park.

Potrero Hill

For those who love sweeping city views, Potrero hill is a fabulous location - especially on a clear day. Potrero Hill sits within one of the best micro-climates in San Francisco and the views of the City are usually unobstructed by the fog. Here is link to one of my favorite photoshoots in Potrero Hill.

China Basin

On a clear, sunny day China Basin offers some of the most wonderful bayside photo opportunities. You can get close to the water with fabulous backdrops such as the world famous Giants Stadium and the Bay Bridge as backdrops. China Basin has undergone significant development in recent years. As a result, it's a great spot for those seeking clean lines and a modern, sharp feel to their pictures. I photographed Michael and LaNeisha at China Basin.

China Town

China Town is full of color and variety. I have found that this area works well for those who are looking to draw sharp contrasts between clean lines, vibrant asian colors and the bustle and grime of a working market that never sleeps. It's a fabulous place to shoot! Recently I conducted a styled model shoot in china town. We went for an Audrey Hepburn feel and I placed the model in places that would draw attention to the strong contrast between her and the environment that she was in.

University of California Berkeley

The University of California Berkeley is an absolutely wonderful location for an Engagement Portait. With a plethora of buildings dating well over a hundred years old and all the character that comes with structures of this era the campus offers a wealth of gorgeous backdrops that are both romantic and striking. This year I photographed Fre and Al's Engagement session on campus. I think that the campus would be a great location for a Wedding too - i'm looking forward to doing that one day!

Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley

Nestled in the Berkeley Hills high above Cal Berkeley, the Lawrence hall of Science offers some of the most breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay Area I have ever seen - pick a clear day and you'll hardly believe the views. After photographing Fre and Al at Cal we drove up the hill to the Lawrence Hall of Science to capture the amazing view and incredible sunset. Gorgeous scenery and world class views make this a prime spot for a terrific engagement session! Check out photos from their Engagement Session by clicking here.

The Japanese Tea Gardens - Golden Gate Park

The Japanese Tea Gardens in Golden Gate park are a tropical paradise - a garden of Eden for Wedding Photographers!! Perhaps the most difficult part of photographing a couple in the gardens is working out exactly where to photograph them - everywhere you look there are amazing spots!! I photographed Ron and Jills June Engagement Session in the gardens and I plan to go back again!!

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Wedding Photography Tips on Organizing the Photos

So, if you are the groom or bride reading this, you'll be able to create some great wedding photos if you can organize it properly. If you have friends or guests with cameras, that's even better. If not, that's no problem, as long as you have a camera and tripod you've got everything you need.

Your Options

1. Ask someone who you know who's a keen photographer to take some photos for you. I wouldn't suggest you go and ask him/her to take your wedding photos as this can be quite a responsibility to ask of someone and (s)he may just say no. I would explain to him/her first that you are going to do your own wedding photos and album and would like him/her to simply take some photos for you. This is easier if you have a guest who's into photography as (s)he will be there anyway, and as a keen photographer, (s)he'll probably be bringing his/her camera, as a wedding is a great opportunity to get some photos. I've done it like this myself for friends and family as a guest and photographer.

2. Approach your local college and contact the photography class or evening class and ask them if they would be interested in using your wedding as a "photo shoot" and you would grant them permission to edit, print, and use your photos in connection with the work they are doing in return for giving you a copy of all the photos on disk. If you don't want to call them and ask, send them an email.

3. Ask the guests! Let them know that you're doing your own photos, either because of budget or you just don't like the wedding albums you've looked at, or because you want complete control over the photos and want to be able to put them on Facebook or as a slide show on YouTube to show friends and family around the world, and you want to make your own album with our own photos taken by your guests.

Doing it this way, I believe, would make it more special as the photos have been taken by the guests, often the people who are closest to you. To have photos captured by guests is a great idea! If they are worried about taking wedding photos, explain that you have a great guide with some fantastic professional tips that you will show them to help them in getting some great wedding photos.

If no one has a camera, you'll need to get one, or at least borrow one. If you're going to get one, take a look in the members' area for the latest recommendations.

4. If there is absolutely no one you can get to help, you have no friends coming to your wedding, or no guests will be at your wedding, then, at the very least, you'll need a camera and a tripod.

5. If, however, you are the person actually doing the photos, you just need to organize yourself and your camera!

If you're getting a friend or guest to do the photos, you don't just need to get one person to do them. If you like, you could get 2, 3, 4, or more people to do the photos. In fact, if you let all your guests know what you're doing and that you would like to create an album from their photos, you can then get them all involved. It's probably best to choose 1 or 2 people to do the main group shots, though, if you do, in fact, want group shots. Then, you'll need to discuss what key photos you want them to get...arriving at the venue, walking down the aisle, cutting the cake. They will probably all benefit from reading this guide and going through the photo list with you. When you've downloaded the list, discussed it, and edited the photos you want, you can print off a copy for everyone to keep with them on the wedding day. Once you've discussed the photos you want and don't want, the style you want, and the location or locations, go through the list together and discus any other photos you want. http://www.wedding-photo-guide.com

After 13 years in the photography business and running a portrait studio, Geoff has now moved into photography writing and sharing tip's ideas and techniques. you can see more here at http://www.wedding-photo-guide.com/

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Wedding Photography - Ideas For Taking Outdoor Wedding Photos

You only get one shot at this. Outdoor wedding photography requires a specific know how. Your photographer must be able to see the potentials and drawbacks to a specific photography venue. Here are some simple steps to ensure that your day goes great.

1. Preplan - Your wedding day will be hectic. You will not have the time to creatively structure a full photoshoot. You need to look at some ideas beforehand, and make sure that they suit your particular style. Visit the location and see what obstacles you will face. If you go in with a good idea of your surroundings, you can previsualize the shots you want

2. Timing - Most photographers know lighting is best in the ween hours of the day. Around 4-7 depending on the time of year. Problem is, a lot of brides think that the sunnier the day, the better. The truth is, bright sunlight creates harsh lighting conditions for good portraits photography. Plan the groupshots for later in the day if possible.

3. Punctuality - A wedding is go, go, go. If your bride has family members that are habitually late, then tell them to be there 30 minutes earlier than the shoot will actually start. This ensures that everyone is ready to go at the right time.

4. Use the sun as a backlight - If you have a flash, you can use the sun to create a nice rimlight for your subjects, without silhouetting their faces.

5. Study - Use photographers that you admire for inspiration. You can always use other photographers in order to inspire your own style. I always like to study photographers who have shot in similar locations in order to get an idea of what could be possible. By doing this you are allowing yourself creative flexibility. Just make sure to keep your work original.

6. Bring the proper equipment - Lenses and a camera are a must, but you should also invest in proper lighting equipment. I have found that good off camera flash equipment has helped my photography immensely. A wide angle lens can also help to capture your surroundings.

7. Stay with the trends - You always have to evolve your style to suit the needs of the current industry. Photojournalistic weddings have been popular for the last 5 years, however the industry is moving to a more fashion oriented wedding photography style.

8. Schedule a portrait shoot on a different day! - One great tip that I have found helpful is to schedule a shoot with the bride and groom, in their wedding attire, on a separate day. This will give you the opportunity to set up a great portrait session without the pressure of wedding deadlines!

Michael Anthony Photography is a Santa Clarita, CA Photographer.

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Destination Photography - Through the Eyes of a Wedding Photographer

As a professional wedding photographer, my most challenging assignments are those that require working as a destination wedding photographer. It is also a challenge to the wedding planner and the couple, as everything is out of the country (mostly) and there are millions of things that can go wrong.

Local photographer - To be or not to be

While choosing a photographer cum videographer for your destination wedding, the common dilemma couples face is whether to hire a local photographer who is familiar with the sights and surroundings or to fly in a photographer whom the couple know well and are comfortable with. Both the points are valid, but evaluating each solely depends on the budget.

If you can save up money on travel and other arrangements, you can always afford to fly in someone you know for the job. Knowing doesn't essentially mean personally, but knowing would suggest having an idea about the person's work from previous weddings (friend's or family's).

One thing you need to know is that not all the countries allow photographers from abroad. Some places require the photographer/videographer to have a government permit often requiring a nominal fee to be paid to obtain the permit. This can also take few weeks to months. So plan ahead.

If you were to hire a local, you might need to meet the person face to face to talk about your ideas and gauge their talent. This is important not only to get a clear picture of what the photographer can offer you, but also to see whether or not you are comfortable with the photographer and his/her approach.

'In-house' photographers

Some locations, like resorts and clubs have 'in-house' photographers on contract. In such a case, an outside photographer is strictly prohibited from working on the wedding. I once had to refuse an offer because the resort wouldn't budge from their decision to not allow outside photo and videographers! The bride was devastated, but what was done, was done.

This is a good time to point out that you need to check with the hotel or resort on their policies on bringing in hired photographers.

Bottomline

Go for the one who has the better experience. A wedding photographer who has travelled a lot is bound to have plenty more ideas and experience when compared to a local. However, you might also find that some of the locals have better talent than the photographer you personally know from your own place.

Get referrals from people who have used both local as well as hired destination photographers from their own countries. Decide for yourself as to which one fits the budget and what are the requirements to fly in such a person and his/her crew into the destination.

Happy destination wedding planning!

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How to Get Experience As a Wedding Photographer

It seems like a viscous circle right? You can't get work without experience and you cant get experience without doing the work. But you need to remember just how important wedding photography is to our customers. These could be the only lasting memory of the most important day of their life, so why would they trust it to an amateur? Any budding wedding photographer knows that in order to succeed you need a strong portfolio from multiple weddings. One or two shots is never going to do it either your going to need to demonstrate a constant flow of a whole wedding day. Its a highly competitive market and everyone with a camera thinks there a photographer these days, so your images need to be the best every time. So just how can I find the much needed experience in the wedding photography industry. Photography School. There are loads of photography classes out there these days that will give you hands on wedding photography experience.

Often they will be run by local studios who will hire models and run group sessions. You will get to spend time shooting a "bride" with an experienced photographer at your side to help with any tips and advice. There are also some great part time photography courses run by colleges that can give your hands on basic photography skills. Do a quick google search for Photography School or Photography Course and your sure to find something suitable. Contact local Photographers. So we all know to get experience you need to get yourself shooting at a wedding. The only problem is this can seem near impossible. Most city's and towns will have more photographers than you can imagine some good, some not so good and some great in my opinion competition is a healthy thing and there are plenty of weddings to go around. The problem is not all photographers think like this so finding a photographer in your area who is willing to take you under there wing and show you the ropes may be easier said than done. Many photographers see it as training up new competition. If you are willing to travel a little further you may find it's a little easier. Contact a photographer who is not in direct competition with where you will one day be working and ask if you can do some unpaid work as an assistant. Working as a photographers assistant does not mean you will spend all your time with a camera in your hand, it does not mean you will get hundreds of shots to use for y our portfolio but it does mean you will get a taster for what a wedding day truly involves. You will be asked to carry the bags, run errands, upload images, fetch the photographer a drink and all other seemingly meaningless jobs.

If however you use your eyes and your ears and pay close attention to everything you can I guarantee you will pick up tons of skills? Build relationships. While it may feel like jumping from one photographer to the next to gain, as much experience as you can is the best thing you can do, nothing can beat a good working relationship. Try and get on as many weddings with one photographer as you can and make it a regular thing. If they call you with a last minute shoot cancel your plans and take up the offer. Over time the photographer will trust your skills that little bit more and will let you take on more responsibility, who knows they may even let you take the lead on a wedding with there assistance. Free Wedding Photography There are many amateur wedding photographers out there who start there career by offering free wedding to photography to couple on a budget in order to learn the skills needed. Always remember that no matter how little the couple has paid they are skill a client and if you make a mistake on there wedding day they could still destroy your reputation and your career before it has even started. If you have the skills to shoot the wedding then charge the going rate for package. Don't forget even if you are shooting the wedding for free you will still have many expenses and you will still need insurance on your gear and your liability. Practice your skills on a model One of the most important things about being a wedding photographer is that your basic skills are mastered. You need to be able to handle every possible scenario and need to be confident in many styles of photography. Many of these skills can be mastered on a model. Try and practice using very little set up time and only very little time per shot. Set up a shot take the shot and move on to the next, this will help to simulate the fast pace of wedding photography. Only after gaining experience on as many wedding as possible (I would say about 20 weddings minimum) should you think about taking on a clients wedding solo. Even if asked by friends and family to shoot there wedding ask yourself honestly if you are ready to guarantee stunning photography no matter what you are faced with. Good Luck

Andy Warner-Simpson is the head photographer of A.S Photography,Milton Keynes. With 10 years professional wedding photography experience and hundreds of weddings shot. For more details on wedding photography Milton Keynes and Wedding Photos Buckinghamshire than please visit our website http://www.as-photography.co.uk/

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My First 3 Years As a Wedding Photographer - Lessons Learned

Wow, it's been a roller coaster ride for me in the last 3 years. As well as holding down a full time job as a marketing manager I've also been building up my wedding and portrait photography business. Whilst it's been very challenging juggling the two elements in my life, it's also been richly rewarding, and I've learned some very valuable lessons. So what advice would I offer other like-minded photographers looking to build a career in social photography? Here are some of my top tips:

1. Plan your week ahead - When you are juggling both a job and a business it's absolutely critical that you manage your time effectively. A great tip is to spend an hour every Sunday afternoon planning your week ahead. Also, plan in time for your different 'roles', such as 'Photographer', 'Day Job', 'Father' and 'Husband'. It's vital to keep some balance in your life, so plan in some down time and recreation.

2. Look at other photographers' work, but keep true to your style- Whilst it's great to look at other photographers' work and style to get inspiration, you shouldn't overdo this. It's important to develop your own unique style and trust your own artistic instincts. At the end of the day it's your own unique vision and style that you must sell, and this is what becomes your brand identity. Rest assured that you are probably much better than you think you are!

3. Write a business and marketing plan- If you don't set yourself objectives for each year, and write out a plan of how you will achieve them, there's a high probability you won't achieve them. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but it's a fact! We write a business plan every January for the year ahead, set out all of our objectives and then work on a marketing action plan for how we are going to achieve them. Write a plan, but more importantly, work the plan!

4. Keep networking- Keep building links with other wedding suppliers, such as other photographers, make up artists, venues and dress makers. It's a great way to raise the profile of your company and also generate leads. If possible join a local business networking group.

5. Maintain a positive mental attitude- This is less tangible but incredibly important. It's tough getting a business off the ground in the current economic climate, and you're going to face knock-backs and challenges along the way. You must keep your objectives in mind through it all, and remain positive. You have to build up some mental resilience. In addition I would say that you should try to adopt the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, which basically means that you seek to continuously improve every aspect of your business and photography.

Good luck! Keep positive and above all persist, and I'm sure you'll make it as a professional photographer.

Matt Foden Photography are Wedding Photographers in Surrey. You can check out their site here:

http://www.mattfoden.co.uk/

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Flawless Wedding Photography for Your Special Day

What is the importance of wedding photography? What are its benefits?

The rejoinders to the above stated questions would differ on the perception of individuals as everybody wants to capture the priceless moments of their wedding in one album that would reflect the sweet memories of their extraordinary day. Wedding is a beautiful phase that you go through in life when you want to annex those enchanted effects loaded with precious moments under the bright blue sky. Unswerving wedding photos are amalgamation of photojournalism and storytelling so that your enraptured memories become more personal.

One of the best wedding photography tips is to be poised. It certainly helps in a number of ways. It makes sure that you are not skeptical or anxious and miss all the prodigious shots but it also helps you from the camera being shaken when you are snapping the shots.

You have to strongly accentuate on the point that you take innumerable photographs on your big day as they will remind you of all the unforgettable moments when you were exchanging vows with your beloved one, having a fabulous conversation with your kith and kin, reaching the church in a magnificent limousine and the list goes on. In order to capture the best of the moments that would go through on your beguiling day, you need to carefully scrutinize everything well in advance so that nothing goes haywire. You would need to hire a professional wedding photographer so that he can capture the best shots for your wedding. You would need to interrogate him as far as his credentials are concerned and other details as well and also need to succinctly discuss with him all the crucial events you want to be photographed. A good location for a wedding plays a very imperative role. In this regard, you need to make the wedding photographer comprehend which all spots at the locations you want the photographs to be taken. Last but not the least; guests are also important as they would shower their choicest blessings upon the newlyweds.

It's your privilege that you make a complete list of shots you would like to be captured and hand over the same to him so that he can plan accordingly for the event. It has been often perceived that you tend to miss a lot of people in your photographs, especially those who are close to you. In order to escape from such a situation, it is recommended that you appoint a family coordinator who can guide the photographer to snap all the important guests without missing anyone.

Social Photography or Professional Photography in Vancouver was started by Erin Michelle Slobogian also known as EMS. She received a bachelor of photography at Emily Carr Institute of Arts and Design. She has been shooting Weddings Photographers since 1994, has produced 4 solo shows as well and has been a part of numerous group shows and publications.

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The Changing Face Of Wedding Photography

When your grandparents got married they may have had a few photographs taken of them that were then placed on walls or shelves. Possibly these photos were snapped by a friend or relatives and they may not have been very professional looking. They were probably black and white photos and may not have been of good quality. By the time your parents were getting married they may have had a selection of coloured pictures taken. These photos were always posed and most were group pictures. These may have been put in a plastic album that they took out for family reunions and other occasions.

Are you wondering what options you will have for your wedding? Photography has come a long way since your parent's day. You will not only have better equipment that will be used, your choice for photos; albums and even online sharing will be something grandma never imagined. Technology has changed so much in the last twenty five years. You will be glad that you are getting married in this age of high tech digital cameras. Your wedding photographer will know if they have captured the best shots of you in each frame. They will be able to keep snapping until they know that they have captured the proper shot. In the past, photographers had no way of telling if the picture they were taking was of good quality or not. They had to wait until the photographs were developed before they knew the results.

A photographer today will ask you what group pictures you would like to take at your wedding. This is a great idea because you won't want to miss having a picture with that favourite aunt. Photographers, however, now take more photos that are not posed. Your photographer will be constantly taking pictures, telling the story of your special day. Candid and random photos are often amazing and can capture the feeling and emotions of your important moments. Having videos of your wedding may not be necessary if your photographer takes a series of photographers depicting the complete picture of your wedding day. Many photographers are experts at this and a professional picture book can be made of your wedding. From getting ready to the throwing of the rice your wedding can be captured on film. This book will be a treasure passed on from generation to generation.

Photography today is more exciting than ever. From digital cameras to new methods of putting these photos in books, today's photography has come a long way from grandma's day. You have great options to create memories that will last a lifetime take advantage of all of the possibilities.

Colin McDonald writes on behalf of Steven Brooks Photography - wedding photographer

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What's in a Wedding Photographers Camera Bag

I was shooting an 'out of area' wedding last week (to me that is a wedding more than 20 miles from my home), went to pick up my camera bag and nearly had a hernia. It weighs so much that it reminded me of being back in the Army with your life on your back. And that is just what my camera bag is - everything I need to shoot a wedding, or portrait or just people when I am away. A portable studio in fact ready for every eventuality.

You should make sure that your own wedding photographer has the equipment required with them, or in the car, to cope for any shot you may want!

Typical Wedding Photographer's Kit (Canon User)

Canon EOS 5D Mark II with 24-70mm L f2.8 (with UV filter)Canon EOS 5D Mark II with 70-200mm L f2.8 IS (with UV filter)Two Canon 580EXII speedlights, with Stofen diffusers and mountsTwo spare 5D Mark II batteriesFour sets of rechargeable batteries for the speedlightsOne set of graduated filters for those (less and less used) creative moments4 large waterproof plastic see though bags - just in case it rainsGary Fong light sphere attached to the outside of the bagStrobies flash diffuser in a case attached to the outside of the bagManfrotto monopod strapped to the outside of the bagOne small bag containing 'hair scrunch' with sparkly bits and champagne cork for adding to the ring shots. (Makes them a bit more interesting!)Manuals for both camera and flash units - well you never know!Leatherman tool in a case on the shoulder strapSeveral climbing karabiners on the bag - come in handy when you need to secure stuff to tables / chairsOne blowerTwo cleaning clothsBottle of cleaning fluid3 sensor swabs100Gb of memory cards320Gb external HD100-business cards25 marketing brochures (for those guerrilla marketing moments!)5 x 1Gb USB memory sticks2 x 5Gb DVD-RWDVD marker penHi-Vis vestRoll of gaffer tape on the outsideLightweight tripod strapped to outside of the bagManfrotto tripod and joystick ball head on the outside of the bag

Small vanity case - I always carry hairspray, hair grips, brush, comb etc. It is much easier to make sure the bride looks perfect before the photograph is taken than in Photoshop afterwards.

Laptop Case - Sounds obvious but it makes good sense to back up the photographs as and when I can during the day. I also carry a portable 320Gb Hard Drive giving me three sets of the wedding photographs. Set 1 is on the memory cards. Set 2 is on the portable HD and set 3 is on the laptop. Needless to say all three are usually in different place with the memory cards kept in my pockets all day. I also use the laptop to show off a selection of quickly edited photographs to the happy couple and their guests.

Data Projector - if there is space at the venue then this is a great tool. Connected to the laptop I can show off the wedding photographs, usually during the evening, to guests ad evening guests.

It may seem a lot but as a professional it makes sense to ensure you have all the kit you will need rather than saying "Sorry - I need xxxx for that shot and it is in the studio."

Check with your wedding photographer what they will bring so no shots are missed!

Wedding Photography Packages in South Wales and the UK. Mid week photography packages from ?399 with Wedding Photography and Album packages starting at ?800.

Andrew has been taking photographs for many years and shooting weddings and taking wedding photographs for nearly 15 years.

He is a preferred supplier to the Cwrt Bleddyn in Usk so if you are thinking about getting married there he can offer you some great money saving deals.

http://www.andrew-miller.co.uk/
Newport Wedding Photography Packages

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The Best Camera Brands For Wedding Photography

This question has been asked since cameras were invented and I have no doubt will continue to be asked for many years to come, 'Which is the best brand of camera for Wedding Photography?'

I'll admit right up front that I shoot Canon and would never switch. Why you may ask do I shoot with Canon? Well to be truthful the reason is because I had a Canon film body and a couple of lenses that were over 20 years old, so when I went into Wedding Photography I just stuck with what I knew. I was happy with what I had so I saw no reason to change when I moved into their more professional range.

But if you are just starting out and have no real preference for a particular brand or a serious amount of money tied up in a particular brand then you will probably be asking yourself this very question.

Well my answer is really quite short. Any of the reputable DSLR brands will serve you well. Do not attempt to shoot weddings with anything less than a DSLR, please. You simply don't get the extras to fully control your camera and the difference between even a cropped sensor and those found in even high end non-DSLR cameras is enormous. A 10MP DSLR would be a much better choice than a 16MP Point and Shoot

Don't be swayed by a friend's recommendation or the opinion of someone you think knows about photography on which camera to buy. Certainly listen to what they have to say but just because it suits them doesn't mean it will be best for you. When deciding, seek out all the cameras you are thinking of and go and handle them. Play with them and see if they fit well in your hand and are easy to use. It's a big investment, so take your time and maybe go back and try some again. This is a very personal choice so that is why there is no one answer. The camera has to become part of you and something you will need to use instinctively, so the more comfortable you find it, the easier you will find it to use.

Whilst it is very important to have good quality gear when shooting weddings, your eye and artistic abilities are more important.then the brand of your camera. Whilst you can get away with middle of the range quality equipment, the difference between them and the higher end DSLR is noticeable. You want to portray yourself as a professional, so do so in every aspect of your job.

Megapixels is another topic of discussion when it comes to choosing a camera, but this is a different topic.

So, so long as you invest in a good quality DSLR and just as importantly, good quality lenses, you will have no problems providing high quality photographs. If you want to know more don't be afraid to ask.

Port Macquarie's Wedding Photographer of choice is Portpix Photography. We service the entire Mid North Coast from Sydney to Coffs Harbour. Come and see me at http://www.portpix.com.au/ and if you have any questions on anything to do with Wedding Photography drop me a line.

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What All You Need To Consider When Choosing A Wedding Photographer

Wedding photos are treasures for lifetime. They symbolize the union of your beloved and you. Everybody wants their wedding day to be special. They want the best clothes, best food, best venue and the best wedding photographer. There are numerous photographers in Brisbane; however, selecting the best Brisbane photographer or best Sydney photographer will depend largely on your research along with your tastes and preferences.

Nonetheless, there are quite a few common resources that will help you zero on a suitable photographer for your big day. Consider the following tips:

Dig references: This should be your first step in selecting a photographer, Brisbane. You must start collecting references of individuals involved in photography in Brisbane. If you know any of your friends or family members who have recently tied the knot, you must ask them to refer their wedding photographers to you. After having a brief discussion with all the photographers referred by your families or friends, shortlist a handful of them.

Gauge the work: Almost all photographers have their portfolio uploaded on their websites. It is a good idea to visit their websites and understand what kind of work they do. If you are looking for a creative tinge in your wedding photography, you must check for versatility in their work. Once you visit the sample portfolio, try and gather as much as information as you can about the photographer.

Communicate: It is best to have a telephonic conversation with the shortlisted photographers whereby you can tell them about your requirements in brief, ask for a quotation or schedule an appointment for a face-to-face meeting. A face-to-face conversation will definitely help you communicate your requirements in a better manner. It is best to go prepared with all possible questions that you may want to clarify with the photographer.

Potential questions may include break up of charges, idea about additional charges, types of services offered in the package, types of packages offered and so on. You must also communicate the types of photos you want. This would also include themes and poses related to the wedding. Do not miss out on checking about cancellation policies and last-minute no-show charges. This will help you in getting a fair idea about the overall deal.

To sum up

After you are done with all the above mentioned steps, it is a good idea to book the photographer by paying a certain amount in advance. No doubt you have spent substantial time in selecting the right photographer for your dream wedding!

Looking for information on photography or an excellent photographer to capture the memorable moments of your big day? Then, look no further and visit Carly Costello Photography right away.

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Proven Beginner Tips for Wedding Photography

So, you have bought your first digital SLR camera. You have familiarized yourself with and are just starting to get comfortable with taking quality shots when a relative or friend approaches you to help cover an upcoming wedding ceremony. In an instant you have been appointed as a wedding photographer. You are both nervous and excited. The following few tips will help you to get a start on the dos and don'ts on wedding photography!

1. Know what the couple wants

Many beginner wedding photographers often are not confident enough to interact with the couple and thus suffer from some form of miscommunication along the way. Find out what kind of shots they want, what they are looking out for and if there are any special requests. This goes a long way into helping you build a healthy rapport with the couple.

2. Visit the locations beforehand.

Before the day of the shoot, it is a good idea to visit the locations first. Try to visit at least some, if not all of them. By doing so, you will have an idea of what spots to shoot from and where the light will be coming from during the actual shoot. This is monumental in helping your confidence in choosing the sequence of which shots to take from which locations first. This is also a time to assess any special requests from the couple and whether they are feasible or not.

3. Turn off additional sounds or possible distractions

You don't want your camera autofocus beeps to disturb the couple in the middle of a kiss. Neither would you want your cellphone to ring during a teary-eyed speech during the wedding dinner. Switch off all possible audible distractions. It might seem insignificant, but the couple would definitely appreciate you for this.

4. Use two cameras

Mainly you would want a wide angled lens on one camera body, and a telephoto lens on the other. Weddings do not give you the luxury of time to switch between lenses however fast you can do them. Having the freedom to use different focal lengths will prevent you from missing those magical moments. If you don't have another spare camera body, borrow it from a friend. Trust me, it is well worth it.

5. Be bold, but not rude

Anticipate the sequence of events! Sometimes you have to be in the thick of the action to get the shot. Frame the picture in your mind, go in, take the shot and exit quickly. Be polite as well if you have to move through a crowd. During formal or group shots be bold and ask for what you want. This hastens the process and allows the guests to return to the festivities quickly.

6. Mastery of flash is key

You will need a separate flash unit mounted on your camera because your camera's built in pop up flash just won't cut it due to its limited range and power. Learning how to bounce the flash off ceilings and walls is important as head on flash often delivers very average results. For a more professional shot diffusing flash is key.

7. Use RAW

By now you should have heard of RAW formats and you might think that it is a troublesome format to work with. However, for wedding photography it is an indispensable tool as it allows you to alter the white balance of the completed shot after you have taken it to create entirely different effects. This is something which JPEG does not allow you to do.

8. It is all about perspective

Try out different perspectives. Very often the most mundane objects like flowers at the reception could make a stunning shot if you experiment from different angles and perspectives.

9. Be prepared beforehand.

Have extra batteries with you. Throw in a lens cleaner into the bag. Bring along extra lenses. Unexpected events might occur and you want to be as prepared as possible so as to avoid panic should the unfortunate occur.

10. Relax and have fun!

As a wedding photographer, your creative inspiration is the key to your success. Moreover, in the setting of a wedding you have little time to compose your shot. Being relaxed will help those creative juices flow and deliver professional results. Arm yourself with a smile and the people you are shooting will reward you with theirs!

Justin Au Eong is a freelance photographer from Singapore. After falling in love with photography at a young age, he has grown his passion and till date his inputs can be found on http://www.photoquotes.com/showquotes.aspx?id=870&name=Eong, Justin. Now, he enjoys sharing his passion and experience with budding shutterbugs across all different genres of photography.

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