Wedding Photography: How to Capture the Big Day

Photographing a wedding is like photographing a race. It only happens once, it's emotional, and you don't get second chances. When photographing a wedding you have to foresee the action. You must be completely prepared to shoot at a moments notice. Just relax and don't be an outsider, be a part of the action.

When photographing a wedding there is a lot of pressure to get the picture. Wedding photographs must be beautiful and creative. A wedding is a special time when people get together and share a lifetime event. People really open their hearts and that doesn't happen on a day to day basis. You want to capture this feeling when photographing a wedding.

Although no two weddings are the same it is important to use an eye for composition and design. Every occasion and wedding is different from one another. Each group of people and setting creates different energy. Capture the energy and personalities of the people in the group. This is what makes the photograph really special.

Most often, people tend to look more comfortable in outdoor photographs. Take as many outdoor photographs as you can. The outdoor light often makes people look healthier, and thus happier. You want your pictures to look like a relative or the best friend of the bride took the pictures. Get involved when you take the pictures, otherwise it will look like the photographs were taken by a stranger.

Whenever possible you should offer the bride and groom unlimited film. Limiting the amount of film you can use at the wedding may limit your artistic ability. What if there is one more great shot you can get and you run out of film? Don't limit yourself by limiting the film. If you can afford it, offer unlimited film to all your customers. Surely they will be pleased with your work if they have more to choose from. Make sure that you also get a list of family and friends the bride and groom want photographed the day of the wedding.