Marriage is an event that requires special expertise in photography. Indeed, a “simple” mastery of the image will not suffice since the alliance of relational, patience and precision will augur.

With the assistance of camera of your need, it is necessary to trace and immortalize this sweet day which symbolizes the union of two beings…

The bride and groom are waiting not only for you to know how to expose and work on your photos with retouching software, but also and above all that you make their personality shine
through photography.

All is therefore to take original photos, breaking with the appearance of the classic wedding: the newlyweds can then find the friendly atmosphere of the most beautiful day of their lives!

 

What Style of photographer to choose for your marriage?

If you are looking for a photographer for your wedding, you may have noticed that we often talk about “style.”

But what does that mean exactly? Should we choose a photographer for his style, and what should we look for exactly not to be wrong?

 

What style fits you? Who are you?

The first question to ask yourself before looking for a wedding photographer is: Who am I?

To get to know what you really want, you have to ask the right questions. The way you dress, the brands you like, the music you listen to, the movies you watch:

Here are so many clues that will help you understand who you are to know who to look for?

 

Are you more “direct” or “suggested” style?

You have of course the right to have your own style. For example, you might prefer to take photos in reportage mode: to be there, to observe and to discuss.

That said, the bride and groom may have special expectations and it is better to talk to them to make everyone happy.

Maybe the images you like are the ones where the subjects are watching the camera. Maybe you prefer the “suggested” style, where the subjects do not look at the camera, where you see a bit of a look, a part of a face, or a small detail that attracts attention.

Be attentive, it will help you to understand the style of a photographer: the images are rarely the result of chance, and the photographer’s personality is expressed through the bride and groom.

 

Pictures memories or dream?

Which images are most important to you? Are pictures in memory enough, or are you looking for something more creative for your wedding?

Do you want to create images with a dreamlike spirit, taking advantage of these moments of joy and happiness, where is a pure photojournalism report enough for you?

If you want to know more about the Fine Art spirit, this article explains his philosophy.

 

Colors and light or dark atmosphere?

Some photographers like to work by underexposing the scenes, that is to say that the atmosphere that emerges is quite “dark” and others like light and colors.

It is important to understand that this is often a photographer’s choice, and that it has nothing to do with the place. One can make a very bright place “dark” in the processing of images and
shooting, and the opposite is true too.

Discuss this type of topic with your wedding photographer, so you do not have any nasty surprises. His style must match your expectations.

There are no more beautiful reports than those where the photographer invests deep inside himself for the bride and groom, and when he likes what he does: It’s the key to having a wonderful report!

 

Quality or quantity?

Quality and quantity are rarely compatible. If a photographer promises you 1,500 images for your wedding, do not expect a work of art. It’s up to you to choose between a lot of medium images, or fewer images with a real artistic work.

To tell your story, it’s not enough to trigger on “everything that moves”. We must see the project as a whole. What will be the support and the products? If you want pictures, the photographer should know in advance, to project images compatible with this style of image.

If you want a beautiful book in portrait format, the shooting is not the same as a landscape format. It is therefore useful to learn about the quality of prints (type of papers, boxes, ink used…) before choosing his wedding photographer

 

QUANTITY IS THE ENEMY OF EMOTION

 

Analogue or digital?

The choice of film or digital is a technical choice for the photographer, but it concerns you directly!

The silver photographer often favors quality and costs more than digital, so you need to plan a higher budget. More on the subject: why a film wedding photographer?

 

Some tips to identify the style of the photographer

The first thing to do is to watch several different reports from the same photographer, and see if the images are homogeneous. Are transitions between images fluid? Do we go from color to black & white for no reason?

Are the newlyweds always comfortable, bright and smiling or rather serious in a rather dark atmosphere? Why is it so important? In reality, every photographer has his vision of things.

If you ask 2 photographers to take an image of the same person, in the same place, you should have two totally different images. If this is not the case, it is because the photographer does not have a well-defined “style”, and it is often indicative of a lack of experience.

Navigate between the different wedding reports of a photographer: Even changing mood, location, weather or people, there must be very strong common points in the images. A sense of stability and coherence must emerge. Choosing a photographer for his style is the most important thing to do so you will not go wrong. What would happen if your photographer told you something different than what you saw when he “seduced” you?

A homogeneous style and well marked year after year, marriage after marriage, is a guarantee of quality: It is the ultimate advice to remain serene and have only good surprises!

 

Preparations

Several factors contribute to photos of successful preparations:

 A good photographer (that’s fine and that’s why you chose it carefully)

 The good mood…. well, of course! You will tell me; beware of stress that can ruin the overall mood; an infallible cure for stress: the organization. Here. Easy to say, I know it. In terms of photos, a general panic during which everyone runs in all directions can be worth its weight in gold but, very honestly, I do not wish you; On the contrary, Relax! Smile! it’s your day, finally, it’s there. Enjoy. Worries? We are here! We have seen others, and perhaps we have some advice or a solution; you are not alone, we are here!

 The environment. I mean, the place. I mean, a room (usually it’s in a room that happens), tidy, tidy, without plastic bags with the dirty laundry of the day before, coats doors in all directions, plastic and more, (wink friendly), the bed undone (if it’s in a room), etc. You get the picture!

 Mirrors, big and small, which invite to very particular shots.

 An entourage: do not stay alone / alone; these moments are so beautiful to share.

 Go for a makeup artist and a hairdresser at home, this will prevent you from running everywhere in the morning.

 

The Ceremonies

Enter the raised head: Whether at the town hall or in a place of worship, walk, head up, and forget your pretty shoes, even if they are the person for which you flashed there has 6 months now and bought on the spot as if your life depended on it! Enter these places with your head up! Look ahead; look at friends, family and all who are here for you…

Get out of the same way: go for a throw of light things like flower petals, soap bubbles, confetti liberty; leave aside the grains of rice or lavender seeds, because, believe me … it hurts … The rice thrown by handles is not particularly pleasant to receive in the face!

 

The group photos

Group photos are now often replaced by a photobooth. If the option tempts you, it must be included on your wedding invitation.

Your guests will know that a photo corner has been prepared in advance and that they are invited to go before leaving. If the photobooth option is not your thing, go to the more traditional one.

However, if it is more difficult to put in the situation the beautiful family and you think it is better to make pictures say (oh horror) asked for these photos, either! Book a little time to take photos in staggered with your bridesmaids and groomsmen.

 

The couple pictures

The couple photos of the “d” day will be either in the morning, or before or during the reception and sometimes at these three times of the day. You will have pictures of couples in different places, but especially with a different light.

You will have previously discussed your wishes with your photographer and shared a Pinterest board.

You will have made with him or her a location of suitable places. Bring accessories (giant balloons, colored sunglasses, rubber boots, off-the-wall shoes.

Long live Converses or tiags! Everything that can stand out and personalize your photos – this is also valid for photos with the girls and boys honors, etc …)

Finally, let yourself be guided by your professional image. You have trusted him or her by choosing them, so continue in this direction and to the end.

 

As a photographer, how to start wedding photography?

It goes without saying that a certain mastery of the image is necessary before embarking on such an undertaking. Indeed, it is appropriate to know how to handle the atmosphere photos, the
portraits, but also the ceremonies.

First of all, try to contact a professional from the field in order to ask him to accompany him and observe his actions to make your hand.

 

Love the bride and groom, love the world!
….. and avoid unflattering photos.

Avoid underwater shots that get bigger, find the right profile, look for the best light, and do not shoot when your subject is eating.

In short be patient, because there are many ways to miss his portraits. Accompany with laughter, get upset when the golden light comes (I advise you to read this statement of love of Chloé Vollmer-Lo to his subjects, it is very fair).

 

Introduce yourself to the family (and other guests)

Although you know the bride and groom very well, you will probably not know their family, or their friends. It is therefore very important that they present you (on the page thanking if there is a book of mass, the welcome speech of the wines of honor …) for an important reason: you will be hungry and thirsty.

And if the guests have a feeling of sympathy for you, they will smile at you, and that will make more beautiful photos!

 

Smile!

Do you want people to smile at you? Smile too! And yes, even when you hear the same joke a third time, and even if it’s not very funny.

 

Have a lot of room on your memory cards

Because a wedding is not the place to say “damn I have more than 300 photos to do, that one I do not”, be very very wide on the free memory on your cards.

Since you shoot in RAW, count 16mo per photo, add to that the fact that you will sometimes be tempted to make small video, mix with the fact that we can easily do between 1200 and 2500 photos during the weekend ( depending on the number of guests), and you need at least 32 GB of space – but plan a little more in case.

 

Have the program on you (and ask the arrangements at the church)

The bride and groom have read in all the books on marriage: you have to make a schedule for D-Day, and having it will help you know where and what time to find the bride and groom.

Here are the key points:

 Is there an engagement photo shoot or save the date? (several weeks / months before the wedding)
 Hairdresser? Makeup?
 where are we eating at noon? (cf be introduced to the family)
 Dress
 Couple photos: before or after the ceremony? it depends on both the planning and the desired light
 Town hall
 Place of worship?
 Group photos
 Wine reception
 Meals
 Evening party

Some will push the details of the schedule to the nearest second. In this case, locate the most important elements: be keen enough to spot for yourself what time the bride and groom look at each other with eyes in their eyes, but remember the time of the bouquet (even if you are a girl, you may not hear the call).

If you know exactly the minute-by-minute process, you will also need to be aware of the investments, especially if the wedding takes place in a place of worship.

 

Some tips for getting started on wedding photography:

• Use the black and white photo mode to bring out the bride and groom’s outfits,
• Equipped with a cobra flash with adjustable head,
• Tell a story with photos,
• Capture unusual and funny moments,
• Plan group photos in advance,
• Discuss goals with the bride and groom,
• Change often fixed focal length.

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