3 Survival Tips for a First-Time Wedding Photographer

6 March 2018
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Whether you're a skilled amateur photographer or someone who is just breaking into the professional ranks, shooting a wedding is arguably the biggest project you'll ever tackle. This once-in-a-lifetime event needs to be documented correctly for those who are getting married, as well as their family and friends, and you'll also want your photos to look good enough to use in your portfolio with the intention of getting more photography opportunities.

It's understandable that you'll have a case of the nerves leading up to shooting your first wedding, but these survival tips will help you to feel better.

Be Confident in Your Gear

Going into a wedding, you can't have any doubts about the reliability of your gear. Devote as much time as you need to be confident in your gear. There are several steps involved in this process. For example, charge all of your batteries, even if they're close to full, and buy extra batteries to store in your camera bag. Empty all of your SD cards and have plenty of backups. Clean all of your lenses, ensure that gear such as tripods aren't missing any parts, and keep a list of what you need to take with you so that you don't forget anything.

Make a List of Your Shots

It's daunting for even a seasoned wedding photographer to think of every shot that he or she wishes to take without being able to consult a list. You should never go into a wedding without a detailed list of what you want to shoot. Whether you keep this list in your phone or have a hard copy in your pocket, you'll be able to consult it several times throughout the day and check things off as you go. It's easy to overlook a certain shot, such as the bride with her father, and this is something that you'll seriously regret.

Don't Go Alone

While veteran photographers can often shoot weddings by themselves, this is a poor strategy for your first time. It's beneficial for a number of reasons to have someone helping you for your first wedding. Ideally, this would be another skilled and trusted photographer on whom you could rely to get through your shot list, as well as capture candid and wide-angle shots when you're busy. At the very least, it's handy to have an assistant who can help you to change lenses, keep track of your shot list, and perform any other necessary tasks.

To learn more about these and other tips, contact local wedding photography services.