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Taking Pictures is
Easy ... right?
"Is taking a
picture easy?"
Sure ... taking pictures is easy ....
I only have to ask myself one question before I
trip the shutter ...
1. Is this a good shot?
2. Is the light right or should I use flash?
3. How much flash?
4. From what angle?
5. What setting should my camera be one?
6. Should I overexpose to make the faces brighter?
7. Should this be at 100 or 400 asa?
8. Should I shoot at eye level or get down on the ground?
9. Should I shoot this in color now or black and white?
10. What is the color temperature in this room?
11. Do I need to white balance to fix that?
12. Is this the right lens for this shot?
13. Is there any clutter in the background?
14. Won't that stuff on the sides block my flash?
15. How am I going to get this nervous person to smile?
16. Is their hair ok…it looks a little mussed up?
17. Will they get mad if I try to fix it?
18. Is that collar on the shirt crooked?
19. She had a double chin…how am I going to hide that?
20. Where did her sister run off too? Isn't she in this picture?
21. Won't I need to rearrange these people? She tans and he
doesn't…I don't want to wash him out?
22. Isn't this background going to be dark without another light?
23. The wedding coordinator tells me I am out of time!
24. Should I use a filter for this shot?
25. Isn't the sun going to create flare on my lens?
Yes, I could just press the button. Most photographers do. I fight
for every shot I take and there are a 1,000 questions you could
ask before every shot if you are a Professional Photographer!
"I used to be a wedding photographer"
“I used to be a wedding photographer..." - I hear that
from different people at every wedding.
Why?
Because “Hell hath no fury like
a scorned bride”!
The average life span of a wedding photographer is 2-5
years. There simply isn't enough time to learn all the exotic and
detailed hidden wishes of a bridal couple and the complexity of
fulfilling a wedding day experience. Photographers bail on
weddings because they don't have enough time to learn the
complicated skills to make couples happy and after a couple of
brides get a hold of them after bad weddings ... that is it. They
are done.
Fantastic wedding photography
is 5 styles not one.
“We don't want to pose for our pictures”. That is
photojournalism. That is ONE style of wedding photography….you
really probably want 5 styles.
Commercial, architectural, portrait, photojournalism and fine art.
PLUS you NEED the most fantastic personality to come with those
complicated skills. A person that can put 40 terrified people at
ease. That is a tall order.
With the digital revolution
at hand 1,000's of want-to-be's are flooding the photo market.
The trouble is they will not have the time and
patience to learn the complex skills of the hardest job in the
world….shooting the perfect wedding AND anticipating the brides
every wish before she even has it! When they bail on the idea
of being a wedding photographer two new rookies will replace them.
How can so many photographers
be shooting weddings?
Basically they are defective parachute salespeople.
You buy the chute…jump out of the plane….chute doesn't open…boom.
They got your money…you are devastated…or at least less than
thrilled with high priced snap shots…and they move on to the next
unsuspecting bride.
Price can be deceiving
Rookies are charging $3,500 for their packages! Then
there are those that want $500. It's the wild West out there. High
price does NOT mean high quality and low price does not mean a
good deal.
It has taken me every day of being a wedding
photographer to know what I know and do what I do. Hire
experience…it costs you no more and it will be the difference
between happiness and heartache.
I have had family,
friends both say this "My pictures look just
as good as the professional photographers does." So to kind
of lay it out on the line just what should you expect from a
wedding photographer? I searched the internet and added some of my
own experiences or expectations.
Wedding Photography Timeline - Tips and Advice
by Josh Root
Modified by Todd Wright
Wedding photography is an art. To master it requires being
familiar with the minor details, procedures and traditions that
are tied up into this special day. This sample timeline outlines a
series of steps a professional photographer might experience as
well as typical responses and preparations needed to carry out a
wedding to completion. Every wedding is different, and chances are
slim that you will ever see a wedding process that goes exactly
like this. For beginning wedding photographers, this article may
provide useful information and give an overall glimpse into the
timing for photographing a wedding.
Note: This is one perspective of the timeline for a wedding
and mainly focuses on an American-style Christian wedding ceremony
and traditions. We invite you to share your own timeline at the
end of the article.
Bride and Groom (noted as B/G from here forward)
Mother of Bride (MOB)
Father of Bride (FOB)
Mother of Groom (MOG)
Father of Groom (FOG)
4-12 months prior to the wedding date
- Initial contact with Bride and Groom via phone or e-mail.
- Meet in person with B/G. Show portfolio, provide price sheet
and other printed promotional materials and discuss
rates/packages/contract.
- Receive signed contract and retainer which can be anywhere
from 20 to 50% to hold the date.
- Discuss wedding with B/G and gather initial information
about times, locations, number of bridal party members, etc.
Help the couple be realistic with timing especially with regards
to how many family photographs they require.
2-3 months prior to the wedding date
- Take engagement photos of B/G.
- Go over the engagement photos for B/G to pick 5x7 black and
whites for news papers.
- Take Bridal photo shoot. Keep it happy and relaxed. Allow
the Bride time to relax and get used to being in front of a
camera. Remember we are not all models. This is also a good time
to educated the Bride on shots that will make her look her best.
- Go over which Bridal shot(s) she would like to have seen at
the reception.
2 months prior to the wedding date
- Deliver 5x7's for newspaper announcements. If you have a
working relationship with local newspapers they will give you a
copy of their announcement forms to give to the B/G.
- Order canvas of Bride and other 8x10's that the Bride and/or
Bride's Mother chooses.
- Design and order custom Bride and Groom cards to give out at
the wedding.
1 month prior to the wedding date
- Bridal canvas should be in your office. Inspect it for
quality and workmanship if you need to re-order you need to get
a move on.
- Frame 8x10 ordered (if needed)
- Contact B/G by phone, email or in person. At this point you
will want to go over the timeline; double check the information
you gathered previously; be clear about the priorities, details,
times and locations and formal family photographs. Make sure you
know if there are any divorces and how those photos will be
handled with regards to step-parents/siblings etc. Whenever
possible get the information in writing.
1 week prior to the wedding date
- Contact B/G to once again confirm all info.
- Get emergency phone numbers.
1 day prior to the wedding date
Wedding day, 2-5 hours before the ceremony
- Eat something, you may not get a chance later.
- Pack all gear into car. Double check to see that batteries
and memory cards are there.
- Map and directions on hand if needed, and/or your GPS is
ready to go.
- If this is not a local wedding, make sure you have budgeted
enough travel time.
Wedding day, 1-3 hours before ceremony
- Images of Bride/Bridesmaids getting ready. Makeup, hair,
etc.
- Images of Groom/Groomsmen getting ready. Ties, cufflinks,
making a toast, etc. if time allows.
- Images of Mother of Bride (MOB) attaching veil, zipping up
bride's dress, etc.
- Images of decorations being put up.
- Images of guests arriving.
- Formal portraits (see dedicated section below) if doing
these prior to the ceremony. If not doing these formal family
photographs prior to the ceremony, this is a good time to do the
Bridal Portraits while she's fresh. Also, if possible, take
portraits of the Bridesmaids with Bride and perhaps family with
bride, which will save time later after the ceremony.
Wedding Day, last hour before ceremony
- Images of guests arriving.
- Prayers with family or minister.
- Last minute hugs, tears, toasts or prayers with
bridesmaids/groomsmen/parents.
- Guests being seated.
- If there is time and ceremony is at a venue rather than a
church - this might be a good time to get photos of the tent,
reception room, flowers, decorated tables and other details.
The Ceremony, processional
- Parents and Grandparents.
- Groom and Groomsman usually arriving from side door or
Bridesmaid/Groomsman pairs.
- Bridesmaids, if not in pairs above.
- Maid of honor, if not in pair above.
- Ring bearer and/or Flower Girl.
- Bride and her father (traditionally).
The Ceremony, giving away of the Bride
- Bride and father reach the altar and Minister addresses
Father of Bride.
- Father of Bride answers (sometimes both Father and Mother
answer) and "gives" bride to Groom, typically hugs daughter and
shakes Groom's hand.
- Father of Bride leaves to sit with family.
The Ceremony
- Minister talks to everyone (B/G typically facing minister,
away from guests).
- Minister addresses B/G.
- B/G recite vows (B/G turn and face each other).
- B/G exchange rings.
- Minister addresses everyone, issues pronouncement.
- B/G kiss.
- Minister presents "Mr & Mrs..." (B/G turn to face audience).
The Ceremony, popular additions to above
- Minister leads prayer (B/G typically facing minister).
- B/G acknowledge parents/grandparents, walk down to hug or
shake hands.
- Mothers of B/G light candles, then B/G use those candles to
light central unity candle (hard to photograph, may be facing
away from audience at all times).
- Minister may lead closing prayer after vows but before
pronouncement (B/G facing each other).
The Ceremony, recessional
- B/G walk back down aisle first, usually fairly quickly.
- Bridesmaids/Groomsmen in reverse order of processional.
- Minister.
- Parents, Grandparents, family, and honored guests.
- B/G may return and greet/release guests row by row, though
this is less common than it once was.
The Ceremony, afterwards
- Bridal party will be hugging, high-fiveing, and crying
wherever they all stopped after recessional (excellent candid
photo opportunity).
- Guests will swarm around B/G and congratulate them.
- Possible receiving line, B/G greet each guest as they exit
the church.
- B/G signing wedding license with minister and witnesses
(typically best man & maid of honor).
Formal Portraits (basic groupings for example purposes)
If doing the formal photos after the ceremony it is a good idea
to do the largest groups first as well as the Bride's family first
so they can host the beginning of the reception as soon as
possible. Also, if there are very young children in the formal
family photographs, it is wise also to get these done right away
as children will tend to get cranky and restless. Here is a
typical order for family and wedding party shots after the
ceremony. Not all couples want as many as listed here, but this
could be considered a "traditional" list. No matter the number of
groupings, it is wise to let couples know they should plan 5
minutes per photograph to make sure you have enough time to fit
everything in without stress.
- Bride's side
- Couple with Bride's parents, grandparents, siblings,
spouses and children
- Couple with Bride's parents (also step combinations if
required)
- Couple with Bride's Grandparents
- Bride with Siblings
- Bride with Parents
- Bride with Mother
- Bride with Father
- Bride with Grandparent(s)
- Groom's Side
- Couple with Groom's parents, grandparents, siblings,
spouses and children
- Couple with Groom's parents (Also step combinations if
required)
- Couple with Groom's Grandparents
- Groom with Siblings
- Groom with Parents
- Groom with Mother
- Groom with Father
- Groom with Grandparent(s)
- Wedding Party
- Entire Wedding party with Couple
- Bridesmaids with Bride
- Groom with Groomsmen
- Bride with Maid of Honor
- Groom with Best Man
- Possible Additions
- Bride with flower girls
- Groom with Ring Bearer
- Bride with each Bridesmaid
- Groom with each Groomsman
- Bride with Groomsmen
- Groom with Bridesmaids
- Groom with Ushers
- Couple with readers
- Couple with Officiant
Reception, B/G announcement and entrance
- DJ will announce B/G.
- B/G enter room to applause.
- Rest of wedding party enters room.
- Wedding party sits down at head table.
Reception, meal (buffet for this example)
This is where it is extremely helpful to get the timeline from
the couples. Some receptions start with the couple being announced
into the room and then they do their first dance. Some start with
a welcome toast from Dad followed by the Best Man and Maid of
Honor Toast, then a blessing and then the buffet or dinner. Others
may have scheduled the toasts after dinner before or after the
cake cutting. The first dance can happen between courses or before
or after the cake cutting.
- B/G go through buffet line.
- Wedding party and family go through buffet line.
- Rest of guests go through buffet line.
- Everyone eats.
- B/G finish first and walk around greeting tables.
Reception, toasts and speeches
- Best man gives speech, toast.
- Maid of Honor gives speech, toast.
- Father of the Bride, toast.
- Father of the Groom, toast.
- Other family members, toast.
Reception, cake cutting
- B/G hold knife together and cut a piece of cake.
- B/G feed each other cake.
- B/G mash cake in each other's face (optional).
- B/G kiss.
Reception, first dances
- B/G dance.
- Bride and father dance.
- Groom and mother dance.
- DJ calls wedding party onto dance floor.
- (alternate) DJ calls all married couples onto dance floor.
- Everyone invited to dance.
Reception, bouquet and garter toss
- DJ calls single girls to get in group.
- Blindfolded or with back to girls, bride throws bouquet.
- Girl catches bouquet, everyone cheers and claps.
- DJ calls all single guys to get in group.
- Bride is given chair and sits down.
- Groom reaches up bride's dress and retrieves garter.
- Blindfolded or with back to guys, groom throws garter.
- Guy catches garter, everyone cheers and claps.
- Dancing begins again, continues until end of reception.
Reception, other events going on during above.
- B/G visiting with guests.
- Children dancing.
- Grandparents dancing.
- Groom and other men smoking cigars.
- Parents of B/G sharing stories.
- Additional drinking and toasts.
Wedding day, arriving home
- Download memory cards to computer.
- Burn backup CD/DVD.
Week/month after wedding day
- Identify good photos.
- Sort photos into like groups (ceremony, reception, formals,
etc.).
- Process images as per personal style or B/G request.
- Burn DVD/CD of finished images.
- Deliver proof images to B/G.
- Accept and send reprint and/or album orders.
- Congratulate self on job well done.
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