Wedding photo sessions: their features, preparation and conduct

Features of wedding photo sessions

To ensure a smooth wedding photo shoot, find a good photographer. This will not just be the outsider you hire, but also the one who will spend the most time with the newlyweds. Usually the photographer is next to the bride and groom from early morning until late evening, so you should be comfortable with him.

Source: russohota.com

Wedding photo sessions have the following features:

To carry them out, the photographer’s work experience is important. It will not be possible to re-shoot this event, so take the time to choose the person to whom you will entrust the shooting.
Think over your routes. Time for a photo shoot is allocated either before the registry office or after. In any case, it is limited, so there is no need to figure out where to go “on the fly”, this will cause unnecessary worries.
If not only the newlyweds, but also friends or parents will participate in the photo shoot, take care of their organization, especially their appearance. It is advisable that they have clothes in the same color scheme.
If you are planning a joint photo shoot, it should still include only shots of the newlyweds.
The nuances of a wedding photo shoot should be discussed with the photographer in advance. He must listen to the wishes of the bride and groom and offer his ideas. Ultimately, both the couple and the photographer have the same complete idea of how the shoot will be carried out.

Source: alex-malinin.ru

Equipment for a wedding photographer.

Why am I talking about equipment after skills? Yes, because good photographic equipment will help develop the skills of a photographer, but will not help at all if they are absent.

An important point is that beginning photographers are not always ready to invest large amounts of money in photographic equipment for photographing weddings, especially if they do not yet have such experience and are not sure whether they will seriously engage in wedding photography. In this case, photo rentals come to the rescue. Why are photo rentals a salvation for beginners? But because it is often simply impossible to get high-quality results in difficult lighting conditions with an entry-level SLR camera. And if we are talking about commercial wedding photography, then the rental cost is included in the cost of shooting and the novice photographer kills several birds with one stone: he provides high-quality photographs to the couple, which is the most important thing in this whole process, and receives high-quality photographs in his portfolio. It is also important to mention the impression that the photographer and prof. equipment and an entry-level DSLR, which every 4th person now has, will impress the guests. In the first case, it is likely that other orders will appear from those who saw such a photographer at work; in the second, it is very unlikely. But the most important thing, of course, is the result of the shooting.

Choosing a camera for a wedding photographer

To photograph a wedding, it is best to use a camera with a full-frame sensor from a brand you are already familiar with (the same as your current camera, if it is an entry-level one). Of course, using a full-frame camera or full frame is a recommendation, and this does not mean that a wedding cannot be photographed with a cropped lens. It’s just that a camera with a full-frame matrix has a number of advantages - higher operating ISOs, which will allow you to take high-quality pictures with a low noise level, high matrix resolution, which is useful for framing, and others. Read more about camera models for wedding photographers in the following. articles, I plan to write a detailed review of photographic equipment for photographing weddings. Subscribe to updates so you don't miss out.

Lenses for wedding photography

Lenses for wedding photography must meet the following criteria:

Be sharp at all focal lengths
Be fast, preferably with a constant aperture of 2.8 (for zoom lenses)
Be universal. You may miss the most important point when changing lenses, so it is better to choose 2 high-quality lenses that will cover the most working focal lengths (for example, 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8 ) and other lenses at your discretion. There will also be a separate article about lenses for wedding photography.

Other equipment

It is also good to have with you:

A convenient photo bag or photo backpack that will fit all your equipment
External flash
Reflector for shooting in sunny weather.
Spare batteries for flash and camera.
Spare camera. A wedding is a moment that cannot be re-shot, and an indicator of good service is readiness for any surprises.

This is the basic set of photographic equipment for a wedding, everyone complements it in their own way.

Preparing for a photo shoot

Preparation takes much longer than the photo shoot itself, so don't put it off until the last minute. The main details that it is advisable to decide on first are the location, clothing and accessories. The shooting is thought out after the general concept of the wedding has been chosen, so you have to come up with the features of the photo shoot, taking into account other nuances.

Source: videozhuk.com

Selecting a location

Surely every couple has places that are meaningful to them. For example, the cafe where they met, the shore of the lake where they had their first kiss, etc. These places may not be so romantic, but remember that a photo shoot is, first of all, a memory for you. Therefore, even if others do not understand the choice of location, the main thing is that it is special for you.

Also popular places are:

lobbies of hotels and inns;
parks, squares;
amusement parks;
ancient cathedrals;
city attractions;
roofs of buildings;
nature.

Source: wedding.nitsievsky.ru
Make sure that the choice of location matches the weather. It is better to have backup options in case of rain or other undesirable events. Photographers also advise not to go far from the registry office or restaurant, which you then need to go to. A long road will only require more time and nerves.

Choice of clothes

Some couples decide to be photographed in their wedding clothes, and this is understandable. Firstly, it is not so easy for a bride to change clothes, and secondly, so much effort is spent on choosing a wardrobe for the celebration that you don’t want to take it off. Still, some newlyweds decide to prepare a few more images.

You don't have to change your clothes completely. Many people like to experiment with their wardrobe in winter, when the bride can throw on a different coat or fur, and the groom can create a comical look by wearing a hat with earflaps. Other ideas are suitable for summer photography. For example, paired items: T-shirts with each other’s names or thematic inscriptions “husband”, “wife”, “newlyweds” and others. By the way, the bride can wear it on her dress, but then it is better to order a size larger.

Source: morefotok.com

Selection of accessories

Accessories are something that can be used to easily add variety to your photographs. Even if you don't want to change clothes, they will help you create different looks. The following are relevant for wedding photo shoots:

Balloons;
Natural flowers;
colorful smoke;
inscriptions;
kites;
Photo frame;
a set table for a romantic dinner (for example, in the middle of a forest);
Stuffed Toys;
ribbons, garlands.

Source: bogdanovalexander.com

Where to start and how to develop a wedding portfolio?

At first, when you don’t yet have a wedding portfolio , orders for weddings can only come from close friends and relatives. If you want more orders and real earnings, then you need to be active. In photography, a good portfolio is at least half the success. After all, they greet you “by their clothes.” The second half is your communication skills and what result and impression you will leave.

At first, there is nowhere to get a portfolio, because there is no experience, and there is nowhere to get experience, because there is no portfolio and no orders. This is such a vicious circle.

You can break it by starting to photograph weddings as a second photographer or as an assistant to the main photographer. You may have to work for free at first, but this investment of time and effort will pay off handsomely later! After all , first you work on your portfolio, then it works for you. Accordingly, you need to ask to shoot with familiar photographers, or even better, with professionals whose photographs you like and serve as a guide. Why should they take you? A photographer at a wedding is like a Christmas tree hung with photographic equipment, often you need to bring something, serve something, hold a reflector. It's also a good idea to photograph guests while the main photographer is working with the couple.

Position of the newlyweds' hands

Newlyweds usually want to show off their wedding rings with an unusual placement of their hands. Try different options; shots in which hands are intertwined look very gentle and romantic. In addition, this position is considered symbolic. Many people like the following options:

on a wedding bouquet;
on the railings or handrails near the stairs (exiting the registry office);
the bride’s palm is directed upward, there are rings on it, and the groom’s palm is under it;
on pigeons;
one hand of the bride in the hands of her husband.

Light touches look sensual when the groom holds the bride by the fingertips. Remember that if the chosen position looks unnatural, then it is better to abandon it.

Video filming of a wedding walk

I have to admit, this is my favorite part of wedding videography. Everything a videographer has that is creative, inventive and directorial can be expressed at this stage of the work.

In every city there are certain places where newlyweds walk after the official registration. I recommend that all videographers visit these places more often even before wedding video shooting, come up with game scenes for the newlyweds and choose the most interesting camera angles.

Of course, like any other, video filming of outdoor weddings completely depends on the weather and on our ability to organize certain staged episodes of video filming. Thus, a wedding walk (with some reservations) can be defined as staged video shooting.

What poses are best not to use?

To avoid taking bad shots, avoid the following poses:

in the style of “the wife holds her husband in the palm of her hand” - this is the last century, such photographs will not surprise anyone for a long time;
with a too revealing neckline when the bride bends over;
overly passionate, outspoken.

Shots in which the bride does not behave elegantly, but on the contrary, shows fatigue, also look inappropriate. If you want to relax, take off your shoes and sit down to rest, it is better to take a break at this time and continue the photo shoot later.

A photographer for a wedding, not a wedding for a photographer

Wedding photography is the most versatile of genres. It combines elements of portrait photography, subject photography, reportage photography, and even extreme photography (which doesn’t happen at weddings!). Unlimited opportunities for self-education (online seminars, master classes, an abundance of literature and educational films) contribute to a high level of competition in the wedding photographers market. One of the first rules experienced photographers talk about is: “The wedding is not for the photographer, but the photographer is for the wedding.”

Ideas for a cool newlywed photo shoot

The newlyweds look happy in those photographs in which they were able to completely liberate themselves. To come up with original shots, use your imagination and imagine yourself in different funny images. Below are some ideas that have inspired many couples to have a creative photo shoot.

Source: rpk-algoritm.ru

With a ball on the football field

In some couples, the groom or even both newlyweds are fond of football and this can be used as the basis for a photo shoot. One of the advantages of this idea is that the bride’s snow-white dress looks advantageous against the background of green grass. And in general, the idea of combining a romantic celebration with a sports game seems interesting.

You can come up with many poses for newlyweds, for example:

the bride stands on the goal, the groom scores the ball into it, then vice versa;
newlyweds play football, trying to take the ball from each other;
the bride and groom lie on the grass, looking at the sky;
You can also involve guests, for example, by placing them on the goal into which the newlyweds score a goal.

Source: svadbalist.ru

Photo session on the water in a ball

A photo session in the water is romantic, unusual and perfect for couples with imagination. A water balloon can easily support two people, but you need to find a place that provides such a service in advance. If you have never tried such water activities before, it is better to rehearse first.

There is no need to try hard to come up with poses, just relax and have fun. Such a photo session usually lifts the mood not only of the newlyweds, but also of all the guests who watch it. It is also important to discuss the chosen idea with the photographer, since shooting with water usually requires special equipment.

Source: msmap.ru

In the back or trunk of a car

The trunk can be used in different ways, and the emphasis is on it and on the newlyweds, so the car model does not play a special role. You just need to make sure that it is clean. Play out several different stories:

young people kiss while sitting in the trunk;
the bride hid the groom in it, tying his hands and feet;
friends are hiding the young man from his annoying future wife.

You can use the same principle on the body, and the more unsuitable the car is, the more original the pictures will be.

Source: svadbalist.ru

With a fake mustache or huge glasses

Although mustaches and glasses seem like boring attributes, they can be used to make interesting shots. You can even make your own props by cutting out figures using stencils, or simply buy or rent them.

For this idea, it is better to involve guests. First, the girls try on glasses, and the guys try on mustaches, then the props can be swapped. The glasses can be completely different, the funnier they turn out, the more fun the photos will be. You can make them in the shape of stars, hearts of different sizes.

Source: svadba-inform.ru

Photo session on motorcycles or bicycles

The main props for a photo shoot can be motorcycles or bicycles. If this transport is not alien to you or you are even passionate about it, demonstrate it in the pictures. Motion shots are especially exciting, but the photographer must have the necessary skills and equipment to achieve this.

A bicycle is especially suitable for romantic photography; it just needs to be decorated. To do this, you can use ribbons, fresh flowers, or put a basket with plants or fruits on the trunk. If you still use it as a transport, then it can be alone, then the groom will give the bride a ride.

Source: mototaxi24.ru

In summer against the backdrop of castles or sand hearts

If the photo shoot takes place on the shore of a lake or sea, use the most accessible props - sand. You can use it to build different castles and other figures, decorating them with shells. This will have to be taken care of in advance. But some newlyweds, on the contrary, decide to do this together during the shooting, giving symbolic meaning to this construction of their first common house.

Source: WomanAdvice.ru

In winter on a horse-drawn sleigh

In winter, there are not many gifts of nature that can be used for a wedding photo shoot, so the emphasis has to be on the snow and the fun associated with it. Shooting on a horse-drawn sleigh is a great idea in Russian style.

Then guests can also join the newlyweds. This idea gives everyone a fun, joyful mood. It is important for newlyweds to choose makeup, clothes, and shoes that match the theme. National down scarves and other warm clothes will look beautiful.

Source: 100secrets.ru

Newlyweds and guests cover their faces with signs

The advantage of this idea is that you can make signs yourself by purchasing only thick multi-colored paper and markers. Love declarations can be written on them, for example, “I love him” and “I love her,” compliments, names.

You can also come up with interesting inscriptions for guests, for example, for the future mother-in-law “Mom of the best husband” and others. Also, funny faces, emoticons, and anything else your imagination can create can be drawn on the signs.

To make your wedding photo shoot original, feel free to consider all the ideas that come to your mind. Spend enough time choosing a photographer and preparing. Discuss the shooting plan in advance, think over the locations and all the details. And during the photo shoot, just relax and have fun.

How to start and what do you need to photograph weddings?

In order to become a bad wedding photographer and take disgusting photos of weddings, you don’t need anything, let’s assume that we have already passed this stage. The main mistake of novice wedding photographers is that they start photographing weddings without being either morally or technically prepared for this process, and they are chasing money. We'll talk about technology later, now about morale.

The distinctive features of wedding photography are the great dynamics of the filming process. You need to have time to shoot staged shots and reportage, have time to capture the emotions of the couple in love and guests, be ready to shoot in any lighting, in any weather, and generally be prepared for surprises and quick changes in the situation, and all this within 10-12 hours.

Before you start photographing weddings, you need to:

Completely master your camera, be able to shoot in all shooting modes (especially in “A” - aperture priority)
Develop your skills and collect a portfolio in staged photography and love-story photography.

In essence, one of the most important parts of wedding photography is shooting a walk , and this is nothing more than shooting a love-story , which largely consists of staged photographs. You can start with familiar couples, but it is best to train on strangers, thus developing communication skills, maintaining mood and working in conditions close to combat.

Learn to work with external flash in rooms with poor lighting. An external flash is an integral part of a wedding photographer’s arsenal of equipment ; you will find out what to do if you don’t have one.
To develop your skills in reportage photography by photographing holidays and other events, ideally it is better to practice at feasts in order to learn how to properly photograph people at the table. These skills will be indispensable at your wedding reception.
Communication, communication and more communication . A photographer is not a ghost at a wedding. Most of the communication during wedding photography for young people happens with the photographer; they expect confidence and tips on what and how to do; they often need to cheer up, calm down, relax and make them laugh with a good joke. A wedding is, first of all, a holiday, and a good wedding photographer is a photographer who can maintain the festive mood, or even increase it, and convey it through his photographs!
Accustom yourself to shooting only in Raw format and learn how to process it.
If possible, start photographing weddings as a second photographer.

So, when you have a “hands full” and have successful experience in filming a love story, reportage filming in different conditions, experience communicating and filming strangers, and the more such experience, the better, the percentage of failed filming tends to “0”, then You can move on to shooting in combat conditions and developing your wedding portfolio.

Marriage registration at the registry office - 2nd stage of the photo shoot

Typically, the lighting in the formal registration room is not the best, so the photographer must be able to tell immediately if a flash is needed. If you need a flash, then you also need a diffuser. In some rooms, additional lighting is installed under the ceiling. In such cases, you need to adjust the operation of the camera so that there is no too much light. The task of the photographer at the registry office is to record the usual registration procedure in as much detail and competently as possible, since during registration there is also little chance of getting unusual photographs. The main moments that the photographer should photograph are the signatures of the newlyweds and witnesses, the exchange of rings, the first kiss, and the presentation of the marriage certificate. Good shots can be obtained at the end of the wedding ceremony, when the newlyweds leave the registry office and their relatives and friends begin to congratulate them.

Wedding banquet – 4th and final stage of filming

By this stage of the photo shoot, most of the photographer’s work has already been completed. During the banquet, reportage shooting is usually carried out. Meeting the newlyweds with a loaf of bread, the first exclamation of “Bitter!”, the first dance of the newlyweds, dancing of the newlyweds with their parents, cutting of the wedding cake, throwing the bouquet by the bride, throwing the garter by the groom, etc. Be sure to remove the wedding cake both as a whole and when cutting it into pieces. The presentation of gifts must be photographed in detail. Also take photos of competitions, dances, congratulations and guests. In general, try to act in accordance with the situation. Technically the task is not difficult. You will need an external flash, a diffuser, and proper positioning controls. Good luck!