Wedding Photography

Wedding photography can be a great area to specialise in and is an excellent way to network and meet more potential clients. It can be pressurised as you won’t get a second chance to take any shots. It can also be very rewarding for the photographer and be a very good way to get yourself known.

The Client Brief

The photographer should meet with the client well in advance of the wedding to discuss their requirements. Both parties should then meet again just before the wedding (ideally at least two weeks before) to discuss the final arrangements and any changes to the initial brief.
At the first meeting the following should be discussed:

The date and location (if you’re not familiar with the location you should visit it beforehand).
Whether the wedding is formal or informal.
What type of pictures the client would like (a list should be made to ensure none are missed).
Who is who, i.e. how will the photographer know who the parents/grandparents are etc.
Whether the couple want any shots taken before the wedding of the party getting ready.
Whether the couple just want shots of the ceremony and reception or whether they also want shots of the evening gathering. The photographer will need to take a couple of breaks during the day, so ensure the couple are aware of the times you won’t be available. Sometimes the photographer is invited to the wedding breakfast, which is a great bonus!
The timings of the day.
Whether there are any guests only attending the ceremony and not the reception.
Your fees and terms. The deposit should be paid at the initial meeting. Ensure you make it clear when the balance is to be paid.

The Big Day

On the day of the wedding you must be well prepared. Have a back-up camera, spare batteries and a spare memory card. Don’t leave anything to chance.

Try not to get in the way of the actual wedding, but remember you have a job to do that you are being paid for. Work with the other wedding suppliers such as the caterers, vicar, DJ and ushers as they can all help you organise people and supply you with information about the wedding.

Don’t forget the copy of the plan of pictures to be taken. Be prepared for the bride and groom to ask for extra or different shots on the day. If they make this request be flexible.

When managing the guests you will need to be assertive and friendly. People will need to be told what to do and where to stand and it will be up to you to organise this. If you have an assistant you will find them invaluable. If you can’t afford to pay an assistant you could try asking a friend or member of your family to help you.

After the Wedding

Couples will often expect to see their photographs on return from their honeymoon. Make sure you are aware of the date they want to see the pictures. It’s likely they’ll choose the pictures and an album and pay the final balance when you deliver the album. You might use the services of a calligrapher to write some special words in the album.

Promoting your Photography

Every good photographer is on the look-out for the next job. Make sure you take some business cards with you on the day and give them to anyone who makes enquiries. Use the day as an opportunity to network but don’t let this take the focus away from the job you are doing.