I've said it before, and I'll say it again...

Wedding photography is the toughest job for a photographer.

There's plenty of reasons for this, not the least of which if you screw up, you've kind of ruined your client's day.

Yikes.

With that in mind, I've put together a quick list of mistakes beginner wedding photographers make and provide tips for what you can do to avoid making them yourself.

Mistake #1: Diving in Without Much Experience

Photography is hard enough to master on its own. But trying to photograph something as significant as a wedding without much experience beforehand is the biggest mistake you can make.

I understand that you have to start somewhere, but that starting point is not at someone's wedding as the primary photographer.

Instead, seek out opportunities to be a second shooter for a more experienced wedding photographer.

Not only does that get you the experience you need, but it also gets you connected with someone that's been there, done that, and can offer critical advice to you as you develop your wedding photography skills.

But don't think that getting behind the lens at a wedding is all the experience you need.

It's crucial for photographers to develop their business skills, too.

You need to know how to market yourself and your business, how to brand you business, how to develop a pricing schedule, and create a suite of products and services to offer your clients.

All that takes a good deal of business know-how that you may or may not have.

If you're lacking in the business department, a mentor can help you get on the straight and narrow. Perhaps that mentor is the person for whom you serve as a second shooter. Maybe you have a good friend that's got tons of business savvy. Or you might watch YouTube videos and read tutorials like this one to get the ball rolling.

Whatever you do, don't make the mistake of just jumping into wedding photography. Get experience first!

Learn More:

• Must-Have Tips for Amateur Wedding Photographers
• Wedding Photography Tip: Guidelines for Being a Second Shooter

Mistake #2: Giving Clients Poor Quality Products

As I noted in the previous section, one of your tasks as a budding wedding photographer is to figure out what products and services you will offer to your clients.

The easier of the two is coming up with a list of services - wedding photography, engagement sessions, a certain number of photos from the reception, and so forth.

The harder part to determine is what products you'll include in your wedding packages.

That's true on two fronts: What products will you offer, and where will you source them?

The second part of that question - where to source products - is the most critical. Do it right, and you get gorgeous results, like the canvas in the photo above. Do it wrong, and you've got a problem.

That's because where you source your products impacts the quality of the products, and the quality of those products has a direct reflection on you.

For example, if your clients want a large canvas print made and you go the bargain-basement route and present them with a print that's poorly made, it won't matter how gorgeous the photo is that you took.

Instead, what your clients will remember is that you cut corners and presented them with a print that left a bad taste in their mouth.

I can speak from experience that not all photo printers are made equally. That's especially true when it comes to things like canvas prints.

For my money, you can't do better than CanvasHQ.

The quality of these canvases is second-to-none with gorgeous (and correct!) colors, beautiful contrast, and a host of finishes that allow you to customize the look of the print.

As always, nothing but pure professional perfection from the team at CanvasHQ! Keep up the great work! - Mark C., Ankeny, IA

And the quality doesn't stop with the canvas itself, either. The craftsmanship that goes into the frame behind the canvas is worth mentioning as well.

The prints that these guys put out look like heirloom pieces - precisely what you want to present to your clients.

Beyond that, CanvasHQ treats you like an actual person, not another order number that has to be fulfilled. If you have questions or concerns, a real-life human will talk to you about it. If you aren't totally satisfied with your print, they'll remake it for free or refund your money within 30 days.

They have fast shipping, too!

In other words, if you want to offer your clients the very best products while setting yourself up with a printer that makes your life easier, choose CanvasHQ.

Learn More:

• Design a Canvas Print Today
• Why Photographers Should Print on Canvas

Mistake #3: Not Having a Back-Up Plan

When you've got a gig that's as important as a wedding, you need to be prepared on all fronts with back-up plans.

What happens if it's raining the day of the wedding? What if the venue is locked when you get there? What if your car breaks down on the way?

Aside from those logistical questions, what will you do if your camera stops working? What if you accidentally drop your lens?

I know playing the "what if" game can result in a long and scary list of potential disasters, but if you don't think of everything and have a back-up plan for those eventualities, you could find yourself in a real pickle.

On the logistical front, you can prepare for problems with the weather and the venue by visiting the venue well ahead of time.

Find places indoors and out where you can capture photos of the happy couple and their family, that way if the weather is rough, you know right where to take them inside.

On the gear front, have duplicates of everything. Bring at least two camera bodies and multiple lenses. Have multiple batteries for both cameras, and be sure they are fully charged. Also have multiple memory cards at the ready, so when one fills up, you can quickly swap them out.

Will you be able to think of every single possible problem that might arise? No. Are you going to be the one beginner wedding photographer that doesn't make a single mistake on their first job? Sorry to say, but no...

But what you can do is prepare yourself as best you can and seek to set yourself up for success well in advance.

Continue learning, continue practicing, and you'll find that when it's time to shoot your first wedding, you'll be much more capable of doing so and doing it well.

Learn More:

• Powerful Ways to Improve Your Photography in 2018
• Newborn Photography Tips for Beautiful Photos of Your Baby 

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There's an endless array of gear that you need to photograph a wedding.

But if you ask me, there are some basic essentials that are absolute must-haves if you intend to make a career out of photographing the most important day in someone's life.

Rather than bombard you with a giant list of must-have gear, I've narrowed it down to three wedding photography accessories that will make your life much, much easier.

Without further ado, here's the short list of my recommended wedding photography gear.

A 50mm Lens

There are many great things about a 50mm lens that makes it a must-have for wedding photographers (or any photographer, really...).

For starters, an f/1.8 50mm lens is extremely cheap, yet gives you excellent performance for the price point.

An f/1.8 lens is sharp, fast, and versatile, so you can use it during the ceremony in good lighting, in dim lighting at the reception, and pretty much anywhere in between.

Additionally, you can use a 50mm lens for portraits of individuals, the happy couple, or the entire wedding party - you just have to zoom with your feet to adjust the distance between you and the subject.

On top of all that, a 50mm lens produces gorgeous bokeh, so your wedding day portraits will have a gorgeously blurred background that helps separate the subject in the frame.

These lenses are also very small and lightweight, so you can work with ease and not feel like you're carrying a ton of weight around attached to your camera.

Now, if you're a Canon shooter, the f/1.8 version of this lens is a bit on the loud side, so it might not be most appropriate for shooting during the ceremony.

But, by and large, whether you choose an f/1.8, f/1.4, or f/1.2 50mm lens, you'll have something that's a solid workhorse that will more than pay for itself over the years.

Learn More:

• How to Make More Money as a Wedding Photographer
• The Top 5 Leather Camera Bags for 2018

A Great Speedlight

Though it would be great to have perfectly lit scenes over the course of the wedding day, it simply isn't going to happen. There will be times when you need artificial lighting to help your camera get a well-exposed shot.

The ideal way to do that is with a quality speedlite.

For me (and many other photographers), it's tough to beat the Yongnuo YN560 IV speedlite.

Not only does this thing perform very well, but it's also incredibly inexpensive.

It supports wireless slave functionality and multiple trigger synchronous mode, too.

You can save custom settings and it has a lightning-fast charging recycle system as well.

In other words, this thing has just about everything you need to take improved wedding day photos. I'd add a wireless flash remote and a flash diffuser for good measure, and you'll be good to go!

Get more details about the Yongnuo YN560 IV speedlite in the video above by ZY Productions.

Learn More:

• 7 Mistakes That Make You Look Like an Unprofessional Photographer
• The Worst Things About Your Camera (and How to Fix Them)

A Great Camera Harness

As important as it is to have the best gear for wedding photography, you also need to have a means of carrying your gear and do so in a way that's both comfortable and functional.

The Holdfast MoneyMaker certainly meets those criteria...

I've had the pleasure of having a MoneyMaker for a number of years now, and I have to say that it's one of the best investments I've ever made in photography gear.

Aside from the fact that this thing is absolutely gorgeous, it's also incredibly durable.

 

That's because the bridle leather that Holdfast used to make my MoneyMaker is tough and strong, and has more than stood up to the task of long days shooting over the years.

In fact, with time, this thing has developed a personality of its own, with a few scrapes and scratches here and there that tell the story of my life as a photographer.

Something else that's gotten better with age is the fit. It's always been comfortable for me to wear, but with time, the leather has adapted to my body, so my MoneyMaker fits me like a glove.

That level of comfort is extremely important for wedding photographers because if you aren't comfortable, it's really, really hard to concentrate on your job.

Additionally, the MoneyMaker allows you to carry two cameras right on your body (and a third one at your chest with an adapter) so your gear is easy to access.

That means no awkward lens changes or going back and forth between your camera bag to get a different camera body. Instead, you have what you need, where you need it, all right at your fingertips.

And that's important for any kind of photography, but particularly wedding photography in which you have to be prepared to take the shot at a moment's notice.

In other words, the Holdfast MoneyMaker is the perfect means of carrying the gear you need so you can stay on top of your wedding day photography tasks.

Like I said earlier, there's tons of other gear you need to photograph a wedding, but a great lens, a quality flash, and a superb camera harness are good places to start!

Learn More:

• The Photographer's Money Maker
• How to Choose a Camera Strap

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Wedding photography is one of today's most popular choices among career photographers. That's no surprise; it's fun and rewarding and you get to work with people in some incredible locations. It's also extremely competitive, and that should come as no surprise, either. If you've ever wondered what sets successful pros apart in this business, the answers have much to do with the tools they use after the shoot. Here are three of the “secret weapons” in the arsenals of professional wedding photographers.

Adobe Photoshop & Lightroom CC

While this first item in the list is 1) two tools, not just one, and 2) not at all secret, it still needs to be here and if you haven't used these post-processing applications because of the high cost, the Creative Cloud versions are the solution to that and other problems, such as the need for multiple installations.

These are, without a doubt, the most used applications for editing and retouching and that holds true for weddings as well as other genres. The innovative tools in these apps simply haven't been matched by any other software and they're designed to integrate seamlessly with each other and Adobe Bridge, to let you create smooth custom workflows that give you optimum results in the shortest possible times. If you haven't seen either of these programs lately, you owe it to yourself to find out what the CC versions offer.

Best of all, you can now have both applications, along with Bridge, for just ten bucks a month. There's just no good reason anymore to do without the top editing software. Get started easily with a subscription here.

SmartAlbum Software

How you present your images to your clients for proofing and in the final package can make or break your wedding photo business. Yes, it truly is that important. Creating albums manually is one of the most work-intensive aspects of this business. Fortunately, recent software innovations have given photographers better options in this area.

We like the SmartAlbums from Pixellu. This simple album design software eliminates the drudgery of creating layouts, resizing and cropping images, and manually placing photos into album spreads. With SmartAlbums, simply select your images, drag and drop, and immediately see a design.With beautiful layouts to choose from, easy customization, and time-saving technologies, there is no better way to design your album. Here are just a few of the features offered in SmartAlbums:

• Thousands of professionally-designed templates
• Customize and save preset layouts
• Supports over 100 professional lab companies
• Utilize Lightroom and Bridge ratings for sorting photos
• Import images in a wide range of formats
• Export layered designs to Photoshop and InDesign
• Cloud Proofing for album review and client approval

This is one of the newest and best tools available and will revolutionize the way you create your clients' albums. Get your hands on SmartAlbums with a free trial here. The trial is fully functional and watermark-free allowing you to design, proof, and print your album with little effort.

A Backup Drive

Is this a no-brainer? Maybe, but it's still surprising how many aspiring and even working wedding photographers simply don't invest enough in backing up their image files. It won't take more than one time to learn a very hard lesson in this business. In fact, losing a wedding client's images could easily be enough to end your career. Successful pros stay that way by protecting their businesses.

The bottom line is simple: backup your image files and then back them up again. External hard drives have become inexpensive enough that there's no excuse not to have one (better yet, two)  and use automated backup software to ensure that when an accident happens, you've got it covered. Here's a great choice from Seagate.

These are obviously not the only secrets to wedding photography success. They are, however, some of the most important, although often overlooked in lieu of the equipment needed during the shoot. Add these tools to your kit to help ensure the profitability and longevity of your wedding photo business.

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Normally when you read a tutorial about taking photos, there's a lot of technical or artistic information about things like camera settings and composition tips.

However, that's not all that's required to get a great shot...

In this article, I've got three ways you can make your wedding and engagement photos stand out, all without even touching your camera.

Make It Special

You don't want the photo shoot to be just one more thing the couple has to do.

Instead of going through the motions, make the photo shoot something special that the couple will remember. After all, the more special it is, the more love they'll show for one another, and the better your photos will be!

When you meet with your clients, ask them questions about how they met, where they met, where their first date occurred, and so forth.

Using that information, you can plan to take some of the engagement photos at one of those locations, if possible.

Additionally, asking the couple what they like to do, what their hobbies are, who their friends are, what their family is like, and so forth enables you to incorporate those elements into the photo shoot.

For example, if the bride has a child from a previous marriage, encourage her to bring the kid along to be featured in some of the photos.

If the groom specializes in black and white photography, be sure that a few of your photos are in black and white.

The point is that the more you get to know your clients and the more interest you show in them as people (as opposed to a paycheck), the more meaningful the photos you take will be.

Editor's Tip: Turn your wedding or engagement photos into heirloom pieces. Find out how.

Give Your Clients the Opportunity for Input

Clearly, your job is to take the best possible photos of your clients.

Sometimes, I feel like photographers take that to mean that they have to dictate most of what happens in the photos.

But if you ask me, that's the wrong approach.

Instead, you want your clients to be comfortable in front of the camera, and one of the best ways to do that is to let them offer some input regarding what photos to take and how they're taken.

As noted earlier, getting to know your clients will help you tremendously in your effort to create the very best wedding and engagement photos.

A great way to do that and to give your clients input into the process is to send them a questionnaire well ahead of your first consult meeting.

The questionnaire might ask for personal details - where the couple met, how long they've been together, their tastes in photography styles, and so on.

But it should also ask more practical things like where they'd like their photos taken, what kind of clothing they prefer to wear, and most importantly, the types of shots they'd like you to take.

That kind of input gives you much more fodder for creating photos that not only look great, but have feeling and emotion connected to them.

Not only that, the input of your clients will make the experience more personal and meaningful to them, and that's just what you want!

Learn More:

• 3 Mistakes Beginner Wedding Photographers Make
• Must-Have Tips for Amateur Wedding Photographers

Top It Off With a Gorgeous Print

Maybe I'm a little old school, but it seems to me that in this day and age, so many people have gotten caught up in sharing photos on Facebook and Instagram that they've forgotten what it's like to hold an actual print in their hands or look at a print hanging on the wall.

There's something so satisfying about seeing an actual photo. Unlike on a computer screen, you can reach out and touch it. You can feel the finish of the print and see the texture of it in the light.

The chances are excellent that your wedding and engagement clients will want actual prints - photos to send to friends and family, a photo album, and a print to hang on their wall or mount above their mantel.

Your job is to give them the highest quality prints you can.

There are tons of companies today that offer "excellent" and "gorgeous" prints.

Unfortunately, most of them don't live up to their claims.

But one company that does is CanvasHQ.

Amazing quality! Just what we wanted and exceeded expectations. - Caitlin K., Ware, MA

I know canvas might not sound like the most modern of choices when it comes to the substrate used to print a photo, but just hear me out....

Canvas has a textural quality to it that brings the photo to life. Like I said before, it's something that you can see, touch, and feel that brings the image (and the moment it captured) to life.

What's more, canvas prints - if they're made right - can last for generations without fading or losing their stretchiness over the frame.

Printers like CanvasHQ go the extra mile for you as well.

They double-check all the colors to ensure they're spot on. They even give you free digital proofs to make sure you're getting just what you want.

There are plentiful options to customize the look of the canvas print, too, including different finishes, frame thicknesses, and an array of sizes (including custom sizing).

Best of all, these guys are as dedicated to you as you are to your clients. They have superb customer service before, during, and after the sale, so if you have questions or if a problem arises, they're there to fix it.

Best experience purchasing canvas! I’ve used other companies before and was disappointed in service. Will definitely use CanvasHQ again. - Kathleen W., Conesville, OH

As I noted in the introduction, your capabilities with your camera and your understanding of things like composition and lighting obviously play an important role in the quality of your images.

But simple things like getting to know your clients, involving them in the process, and giving them top-notch prints also have an enormous impact on how well your images turn out.

If you attend to all of these facets of wedding and engagement photography, you'll end up with results that you're proud of, and images that your clients will love for a lifetime.

Editor's Tip: Great prints are often about drama and design. Design your canvas print today.

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^{photo bykyonntra via iStock}

If you’re in the wedding industry, then you know that it is absolutely booming right now. There are tons of covid brides and grooms that haven’t been able to publicly share their love and they are looking to (and willing to pay a tremendous amount to do so). 

In essence, it’s a great time to be doing wedding photography. However, if you weren’t doing wedding photography before the pandemic, it’s also a great time to start doing so. 

Regardless of where you’re at in your wedding photography journey, you’re going to need these essential wedding photography accessories that will make sure you stand out to your clients. 

Each of the highlighted wedding photography accessories on this list are made by Holdfast. So, if you’ve never checked them out before, it’s a great time to do so. They have all kinds of leather camera accessories perfect for event photography. 

MoneyMaker Camera Harness

Other than your actual camera (and maybe your lenses), a camera harness is one of the most important pieces of wedding photography gear you’ll ever own. Not only do camera harnesses protect your most expensive equipment from harm, but they also ensure that you can be hands free when you need to be. 

My favorite wedding photography camera strap is the MoneyMaker Camera Harness.The MoneyMaker harness is perfect for wedding photographers because it allows you to carry two cameras at once, each of which hang to one side of your torso while you’re wearing the harness. 

The MoneyMaker is also really comfortable and practical. It is made of leather and stainless steel d-rings, which means that it will conform to your body the more often you wear it. It also means that you don’t need to worry about getting caught out in the rain since steel doesn’t rust. The MoneyMaker is also comfortable because, unlike other harnesses, it isn’t one size fits all. It comes in small, medium and large to fit almost every photographer. 

But, what really makes the MoneyMaker stand out when it comes to wedding photography accessories is the fact that it genuinely looks nice. A lot of times it feels as if the companies making wedding photography accessories completely forget about the fact that photographers need to look presentable at these shoots.

The MoneyMaker has such a classic look, so you don’t need to worry about it going out of style. It also comes in a variety of muted colors, like tan, black, and chestnut, so that you can customize your look a little bit. 

Finally, the MoneyMaker comes with a lifetime guarantee. So, while the initial $230 price tagmay seem like a lot, you’re investing in your future. 

Learn More:

• 4 Photography Accessories That Will Make Your Life Easier
• Ditch Your Camera Bag for This Photography Belt

SD Memory Card Wallet

I’ll be completely upfront, the SD Memory Card Wallet isn’t one of my absolutely essential wedding photography accessories. But, I had to include it on this list because I was absolutely shocked at how much I loved shooting with it for the first time.

The SD Memory Card Wallet does exactly what the name implies… it holds your memory cards. The wallet is really small, measuring 5.5” x 2.75”, and is designed to hold up to 6 memory cards at a time. It’s size is also helpful because it isn’t bulky, which means that you can hold it in your pocket without even feeling it. 

Before I came across this wallet, I did what you probably do. I had a dedicated pocket in my camera bag that held my memory cards. But, when you’re shooting a wedding, sometimes you don’t have enough time to get your camera bag out to switch memory cards. With this wallet, you don’t have to. And the best wedding photography accessories are the ones that make your life as easy as possible.

The SD Memory Card Wallet comes in a few different colors, including green and black, and will cost you $95. Once again, this product comes with Holdfast’s lifetime guarantee. 

Hush Keys Leather Key Wrap

This is yet another product I never knew I needed until I tried it for the first time.

The Hush Keys Leather Key Wrapis an ingenious product. I’m sort of upset that I didn’t think of it first.

This little piece of leather is designed to wrap around your keys in order to keep them quiet during important events, like a wedding ceremony. The leather wrap comes with two shackle clips, one of which will hang off of your belt, the other of which will hold your keys in place. 

The Hush Keys Leather Key Wrap comes in a ton of different colors, like brown, navy, green and black and will run you $45. 

I hope that these wedding photography accessories will help you on your next shoot.  

Learn More:

• Inexpensive Ways to Upgrade Your Camera
• Camera Safety Tips for Your Next Trip

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Just like the Boy Scouts, wedding photographers - the successful ones, at least - are always prepared. From multiple camera bodies and stacks of memory cards to shot lists and detailed maps of the venue, wedding photographers are somewhat like the doomsday preppers of the photography world. If anything goes wrong, they have what they need to deal the situation.

But for as much planning and preparation that goes into the having the right gear and taking the best shots, some wedding photographers neglect to ask some very important questions that can make or break their ability to perform their job to the best of their abilities. This is not a trap into which you want to fall.

Have a look at these four essential questions you will want to ask your wedding clients.

What’s your Story?

Your entire purpose as a wedding photographer is to tell a story about the happy couple. And while you can take photos of their big day - and good photos at that - without knowing a single thing about them, it obviously helps to know the story behind the couple.

Maybe they met in college. They could be high school sweethearts. Perhaps they met only six months ago and it’s been a whirlwind romance. Whatever the case, the more you know about the couple, the better you can do your job of telling their story through your photographs.

An added bonus is that asking about how they met, how the proposal occurred, and the like, will demonstrate to your clients that you are interested and that you care about them beyond the scope of your business relationship. It’s this kind of personal connection that will help you do a better job, is more likely to result in work with which your clients are satisfied, and it might get you some referrals too!

What do I need to know about the family?

Having a few details about the couple’s families is critical to your success on the wedding day. After all, if Uncle Jamey and Aunt Tami just got a divorce, you probably don’t need to take a portrait of them together.

What’s more, many people have parents, stepparents, former stepparents, stepbrothers and sisters, and so on and so forth. You need to know who’s who, who is on agreeable terms with one another, who needs to be in the family photo, and potential pitfalls to watch out for, like the Uncle Jamey and Aunt Tami situation.

It can be difficult to ask for those kinds of details, but they are critically important for your work. The more you know, the easier it will be for you to pose family members and arrange shots such that everyone is happy. As hard as it is to ask for personal details, it’s much harder to get people that shouldn’t have been near one another in the first place to stand happily and pose for a picture!

Who can I contact if you aren’t available?

When the big day rolls around, your clients most likely will not have their phones with them as they get ready for the day. That means you need a point of contact (or two, or three) so you can get in touch with someone in the know if you have any questions or problems.

Whether it’s a wedding planner, the best man, the maid of honor, or someone else, get all the phone numbers you need ahead of time. Use them as a relay if you have questions or needs that only the wedding couple can fulfill. Also use your point of contact to help you get everyone together for posed portraits before the ceremony. Your point of contact will also be able to help you identify who’s who, so you’re sure you get everyone photographed that needs to be photographed.

Are there special requests?

When making plans with your client, don’t forget to set aside some time to inquire about any special requests. Aside from the shot list, are there any specific photos the couple wants? Do they have any unusual requirements, like having a photo taken with their pet alligator? Does the venue ban flash photography? Are there specific clothing requirements you must abide by?

Of course, you won’t be able to think of all the possible questions to ask your clients about any special requests, but at least starting the conversation will get you on the right track towards fulfilling their needs and wants. Keep your special requests list handy as there are sure to be additions as the days tick off the calendar and the event gets closer.

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Any active photographic expedition can be exhausting. Events shooters, wedding photographers and sports photographers can really feel the effects of a shoot when it's done. For those of us shooting landscapes and wildlife, the hike in can be pretty brutal. Adding 40 or so pounds in camera gear only makes the job more tiring. Here are a few tips for shedding some pounds in your pack or bag.

Leave the laptop at home or in the room.

I know some readers will cringe at this one, if not for the fact that they can't break the chain to the device, then because it's hard to leave something valuable unattended. If you're not at home, most hotels will have safes or other secure storage options included with your room charges or for a small fee. Not only will you eliminate a few pounds, you'll be protecting your computer from the potential damage that might be caused by packing it around. Let go for a little while and carry a few spare memory cards so you don't have to worry about downloading.

Use a tripod alternative.

Yes, I know, those mini tripods often just don't do the trick, and beanbags, etc. can be just as heavy as a full-size tripod. If you're packing around a big telephoto zoom or prime, you're going to need solid stabilization and that three-legged monster is hard to beat. It isn't the only choice, though, especially if you're not carrying really heavy glass. Check out this article for a good discussion on alternatives.

Use a zoom when a zoom will do.

We all know that prime lenses are the first choice when it comes to image quality. On the other hand, unless you're birding or imaging planets, you might be able to sacrifice a little bit of sharpness in exchange for a big difference in weight. Street and travel photography, event shooting and many other genres will let you get by with a little big of softness if your image tells a quality story. You can also do some sharpening in post processing. Find a good walkaround zoom to cover the range you'll be most likely to use and leave the primes at home when you're going to be really active or packing your gear a long way.

Redistribute the weight

Sometimes reducing fatigue is simply a matter of weight distribution. There are a great number of good camera holsters, harnesses and other ingenious rigs engineered for placing the weight on the strongest areas of your body. There's a good chance that by using more than one carrying point, you can haul the same amount of equipment without feeling so much strain.

These are far from the only ideas you can consider for making the task of lugging your gear around easier. They are, however, quick solutions that should help you feel a little relief with just a little bit of effort.

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If you've ever photographed a wedding, you know that it's a stressful undertaking.

Not only are you charged with getting great photos, but you also have to do all the "behind the scenes" things that make it more likely for you to get the top-quality photos that the happy couple expects.

That means being on top of your game on the big day.

The problem, of course, is that with so much going on and so many people involved, it's easy to let things fall through the cracks.

With that in mind, I've put together four tips from the pros that will help you tackle wedding photography in a way that makes you - and your images - more successful.

Editor's Tip: See gorgeous examples of wedding photography by Nick Burrett Photography.

Tip #1: Keep Your Friends Close and Your Gear Closer

In the hustle and bustle of the day of the wedding, you need to be locked and loaded and prepared for anything.

That means you can ill afford to be rummaging through your camera bag, nor can you afford to constantly switch from one camera to the next.

That means you need a way to keep your gear easily accessible and organized, right within your reach.

But how do you do that?

With the Spider Holster SpiderPro.

Not only does the SpiderPro accommodate two cameras and two lenses, but it places them right on your hips - a spot that's as easily accessible as you'll find.

With your cameras at your fingertips, you don't have to worry about asking the bride or groom to hold their pose as you grab your second camera body from your bag.

Instead, it's right there on your body where it should be!

And the placement of your gear on your hips means something else - you can avoid the fatigue-inducing grind of carrying your cameras by their shoulder straps.

Without the weight of your cameras eating into your shoulders, you'll be better able to work the wedding in comfort as your hips are much better equipped to carry your gear.

Believe it or not, your physical state can have a huge impact on the quality of the images you take!

The SpiderPro isn't just easily accessible and comfortable, either. It's also incredibly easy to use.

Just pull your camera upward to release it from the harness, and you're free to raise the camera to your eye to take the shot.

But don't confuse ease of use with reduced safety...

SpiderPro uses a patented ball-joint system that keeps your camera and lens safe and sound, solidly attached to its mount.

It's not rigidly mounted, either, meaning the camera can move as you move.

That means when you bend over or kneel down to take a photo, your cameras and lenses have room to move as well, so you don't have to worry about your lens jabbing you in the leg.

In fact, one of the best features of SpiderPro is that it holds your cameras in such a way that the lenses point backward, meaning, you don't have to worry about a long lens banging on the ground when you kneel down for a shot, either.

In other words, the SpiderPro is purpose built for wedding photographers. It's safe for your gear, comfortable for you to carry, and makes you more agile with an improved workflow to get the images you need.

What's not to like about that?

Learn More:

• Get the Specs and Pricing on the Spider Holster SpiderPro
• Camera Accessories Every Wedding Photographer Needs

Tip #2: Good Help is Invaluable

You're going to need someone to help you with the day's activities whether you're a seasoned pro that's shot hundreds of weddings or you're taking photos of your very first wedding.

Most people automatically think of having a second shooter - which you should definitely have.

Splitting the task of getting photos before, during, and after the ceremony will help relieve some of your stress and will also allow you to offer many more photos from different perspectives over the course of the day.

But you'll also need help when it comes time for the family photo portion of the day, and that's something that many newbies neglect to think about.

It's easy to think that group photos will be easy - after all, the group is there in one place and is a captive audience, right?

Wrong.

The chances are quite good that one or more of the following will happen when family photo time rolls around:

• Someone will be missing.
• Someone will be tired.
• Kids will throw fits.
• Family members will squabble.
• It will be chaos.

I know that doesn't paint a pretty picture, but there's an easy way around most of those problems: get help.

By recruiting someone from both sides of the family to act as directors, you remove the responsibility from yourself to find people, learn every single person's name, and guess about the family dynamics.

That means you can concentrate on getting the right settings dialed in, setting up your lighting equipment, and working on posing the guests rather than finding Grandpa Tom or dealing with an unhappy and tired ring bearer.

The more help you have from the family, the faster you can complete the family portraits, and the quicker everyone can get back to the festivities!

Learn More:

• 4 Facts About Being a Professional Photographer That You Need to Hear

Tip #3: Give Your Clients the Audio They Deserve

Photographers these days aren't just photographers...

With the advancement of the video quality our cameras are capable of delivering, many wedding photographers also offer videography services.

That's great from a video standpoint, because you can shoot full HD or even 4K video with many of today's camera systems.

That's not so great from an audio point of view, though, because camera manufacturers haven't given as much attention to upgrading the audio experience as they have with video.

There's an easy solution, though, and it's called Sound Shark.

This parabolic microphone sits atop your camera in the hot-shoe mount, out of the way, with no cords.

And because it's directly over your camera's lens, it's ideally positioned to pick up great audio.

Its design helps improve the quality of the audio, too - the parabolic shape focuses the sound onto a single point while also being resistant to wind and ambient noise.

The result? The high-quality audio your high-quality video demands!

Learn More:

• Get the Specs and Pricing on the Sound Shark

Tip #4: Expect Things to Go Wrong

It's cliche to suggest to "expect the unexpected," but in this case, the phrase definitely applies.

You'll have gear that malfunctions. The flower girl will throw a fit as she's walking down the aisle. It will be windy and cloudy when you're trying to take outdoor portraits. It's just the way things go!

All of these things - and more - are things you can't control, but you need to be able to work around them in order to do your job.

That's why preparation is so key to a successful wedding photography gig.

Have backup plans for everything. Take multiple cameras, lenses, batteries, and memory cards. Have two or three different locations (indoors and out) in mind for family portraits.

Have contingencies in place in case your second shooter is a no-show or the lights go out in the venue in the middle of the ceremony.

Some things are more difficult to plan for than others, but the key is to plan anyway and be prepared for anything.

The couple will be panicked enough if something goes awry, so they certainly don't need you adding to the panic!

Learn More:

• Essential Tips for Starting a Successful Photography Business

Bonus Tip: Change Lenses for Changed Perspectives

I love a good 50mm or 85mm lens for portraits, but shooting a wedding isn't just about taking portraits of individual people in the wedding party or the couple that's getting married.

You'll take photos of the ceremony from the back of the venue, small and large groups outside, little details like the wedding rings, and people dancing at the reception.

That means you need to have a stable of lenses that you can use in different situations to offer the happy couple different perspectives on the day.

Use your 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm lenses for portraits. Switch to a 24mm wide-angle lens for large groups. Use a 100mm macro lens for taking shots of details like place settings. Try a 70-200mm lens for portraits from a distance.

You get the point...

If every shot you take is with the same lens, the wedding album will look boring.

Spice things up, adapt your gear and shooting style to the situation, and give the couple a varied and interesting look back at their wedding day.

If you can do that and follow the other tidbits of advice I've outlined above, I think you'll be in a better position to take professional-grade photos!

Learn More: 

• 8 Reasons Why You Need an 85mm Lens
• 8 Reasons Why You Need a 70-200mm Lens

 

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If I were to rank the types of photography in terms of their difficulty, I would put wedding photography at the top of the list.

I'm not saying that it's impossible to be a successful wedding photographer - far from it.

However, I think it takes a little extra work because the stakes are so high.

After all, as a wedding photographer, you bear the burden of recording one of the most significant moments in your clients' lives. That's heavy stuff!

With that in mind, I put together this quick list of wedding photography truths that will shed some light on the realities of throwing your hat in the wedding photography ring.

It Can Be Hard to Maintain Balance

Being a wedding photographer is a ton of work, and because of that, it can easily throw your life out of balance.

By that, I mean that before you know it, being a wedding photographer might be all that you feel like you do. Working weekends certainly doesn't help...

There will be times - particularly during wedding season - that you might not see your friends and family that much. That can lead to some pretty heavy feelings of isolation, and you might even wonder if this is the job for you.

Having said that, if you can find ways to bring that balance back, wedding photography is a great career.

When it comes down to it, having a better work-life balance can often come down to good scheduling and choice.

For example, if you know you'll be working this weekend, take Thursday afternoon off. If you have an engagement shoot out-of-town, bring the family along for a little vacation. Get up 10 minutes earlier each morning to have breakfast with your kids before you take them to school.

Yes, these suggestions might not always work, but they're certainly worth a try!

Learn More:

• Must-Have Products for All Wedding Photographers

It's Incredibly Rewarding

All the long hours and time away from your friends and family can be trying. But at the end of the day, being a wedding photographer can be incredibly rewarding.

Aside from the fact that the photos you take will be admired for decades to come, being a wedding photographer means that you get to witness the most important day in your clients' lives. That's pretty special.

That's not to mention all the people you get to meet and photograph.

Seeing generations and generations of a family come together in one spot for one event is fun to see - and can be even more fun to document with your camera!

Learn More:

• How to Start a Photography Business

It Ebbs and Flows

There's no getting around the fact that weddings are seasonal.

You'll be busy in the spring and the fall, not so busy in the winter and the dead of summer.

With those ups and downs in the demand for your services, you need to figure out how you're going to even out those peaks and valleys.

That might mean taking on different types of work - engagement sessions, family portraits, newborn photography, and the like - or it might mean working more during the peak times of the year to have enough money to make it through the slow times.

Either way, it can be a challenge, but, again, it's part of figuring out how to have better balance in your life.

Learn More:

• How Much Do Photographers Make?

Your Products Need to Speak Volumes

Artwork by Luke Woodford

You can be the most skilled photographer on the planet, but if you present your work in the form of cut-rate prints and albums, you might as well close your business doors right now.

Quality photos need to be presented in a way that enhances them, increases their value, and makes them something even more special for your client.

Look at the image above - now that makes a visual statement, does it not?

It's an Acrylic Prestige Collection Album from nPhoto, one of the best manufacturers and suppliers of photo albums in the world.

If you want your work to make a real statement, nPhoto's albums are the way to go.

Artwork by Luke Woodford

Where some printers might build their albums with flimsy paper and cheap cover materials, that's certainly not the case with nPhoto.

They offer a variety of cover materials for their different albums including supple leatherette and texture-rich textile that give their albums an immediate wow factor. The cover can be modified by the client in virtually endless ways, with different material colors, fonts, album corners, and so on.

In the case of their Acrylic Prestige album, there's a refined acrylic window on the cover that beautifully frames the cover photo in a way that gives the album a beautiful, modern look.

Artwork by Luke Woodford

Inside, the beauty continues. nPhoto's albums feature layflat pages that are the perfect medium for enjoying the photos inside.

And since the images are printed on 800g/m² paper, the pages feel sturdy and weighty, like something that will last forever.

Speaking of printing, nPhoto makes use of silver halide Noritsu HD technology and metallic and silk papers (which can be intermixed in a single album!) that make the images leap off the page in beautiful color and detail.

You get tons of options too. You can have as few as 10 pages or as many as 70 pages in one album, select from multiple sizes of albums, and offer you clients features like padded covers, laser etched covers, and edge seams.

The bottom line is this: you can work hard and maintain a great balance between work and home. You can enjoy taking photos of these special moments all you want. But if you don't present those photos in the best light, it'll be difficult - if not impossible - to make a success of your business.

In that regard, the products you offer are the linchpin to your success. With that in mind, choose to work with the best - nPhoto.

Judging from the sample images throughout this article, I think you can see that these albums are the ideal way to present your photos!

Learn More:

• Explore nPhoto's Line of Photo Albums and Accessories
• Why We Need Photo Albums, Even in the Digital Age

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There's nothing that quite matches the satisfaction of capturing a wedding portrait that exudes all the emotion of that special day. Well, except perhaps seeing that shot displayed in a unique way that enhances that feeling, that is. Whether you're looking to offer something special to your wedding clients or just hoping to find a way to make your own special wedding prints even more spectacular, here are a few ideas that are sure to make them stand out.

Print it on Wood

Here's one of the newest and most unique ways to print and display your photos, with a method that adds incredible texture and depth. Have your print created directly on genuine wood, with the whites transparentized to let the natural beauty of the grain show through. You'll love the way it looks, and it comes ready to hang with an incredibly simple mounting system that you'll love just as much.

The example above an many more wood print ideas are available from Woodsnap. Learn more here.

Put it in a Personalized Walnut Album

Wedding albums come in all shapes and sizes. Here's one that really stands out, crafted of solid walnut. The front cover is beautifully laser engraved with a custom message that you or your client can specify. It holds up to 200 4” x 6” photos or the equivalent. Personalization is included in the cost.

It's a nice option for wedding packages, a great way to show off your own wedding mementos, or a thoughtful gift. Learn more here.

Mount it on a Photo Vase

Why not display that wedding portrait along with fresh flowers or maybe even the preserved wedding corsage or bouquet? A simple glass vase won't distract from the beauty of the image and the personalized message. Fill it with whatever you like and set it on the side table or bookshelf as a reminder of that special day.

By the way, if you're a wedding planner, this makes a great centerpiece for reception tables, too! Learn more here.

Can't Pick a Favorite?

 If you or your clients can't decide which of those awesome wedding shots is best, here's another great idea from Woodsnap that makes things a little easier. Just send 3 of your favorites along with the order you want them to show and the names to add. They'll print them directly on directly on a beautiful, 11” x 14” piece of solid wood, with a decorative border and the names printed across the bottom.

Think of the possibilities with this one: A bridesmaid's or groomsman's gift? An anniversary gift for your favorite couple? Your featured item for your next wedding special? Whatever you do with it, it's going to look incredible. Learn more here.

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First impressions are important in any business. In a business where your job is to make your clients look good, they become critical. As a photographer, you can expect to be under close scrutiny from the first meeting with a potential client to the time you deliver the final package. With everyone in proximity watching, your image is every bit as important as your images. (See what I did there?) Here are a few tips for polishing up your image to help you close deals and attract new business.

1) Keep a positive attitude. You may have been expecting appearances to be the first thing on this list. How you look is certainly important and we'll touch on that in these tips. Your demeanor is even more important, though, because attitude is contagious. You need to prepare for every meeting, shoot, proofing session and phone call with a conscious commitment to being a pleasant person to deal with. Your contacts will follow suit.

2) Look the part. Speaking of suits, most clients aren't going to expect you to wear one until you're actually shooting in a formal environment. That doesn't mean you shouldn't be well-dressed and well-groomed. Opt for the button up shirt rather than the t-shirt and casual slacks rather than jeans when you meet with clients. When you're shooting, wear the appropriate attire for the venue.

Don't forget that your straps and bags are also part of your attire. Upgrade to gear that completes the professional appearance. I highly recommend taking a look at the great collections from HoldFast. With materials that range from Water Buffalo and American Bison to 100% eco-friendly, and innovative systems created by a pro photographer for pro photographers, you'll look great and work with increased ease and efficiency.

3) Sharpen up your advertising. Joe the Plumber can probably get by with a cheesy business card and a “Yellow Pages” website. People will expect more from a professional in a creative field. Clean, well-balanced design and color coordination in your business cards, website, online and printed portfolio and even the letterhead you use for your bids, contracts and invoicing will give the impression that your work also has these qualities. Don't skimp in these areas.

4) Have an office. Most independent photographers do the majority of their work at home and that's fine. No matter where you work, however, you need a space to conduct business with your clients and it needs to be dedicated to just that. It should be comfortable, clean and well-lighted. Make sure you can seat a few guests comfortably at an area where you can lay out photos, albums, etc. as well as sign the legal stuff.

5) Know your equipment like it's part of you. Whether you're in the studio or covering an event, struggling with equipment is one of the first things a prospect or client will notice. You should be intimately familiar with the operation of everything from your cameras and lenses to your fax machine. Awkward pauses are not conducive to a pleasant working experience.

6) Learn this phrase: “Semper Paratus.” In case you're not up to speed on Latin, that's the motto of a few organizations, including the US Coast Guard and it means, “Always Prepared.” What it should mean to you as a professional photographer is that potential clients and subjects are everywhere. No matter where you are, maintaining that professional appearance and having your equipment ready is just good business sense.

Our friends at HoldFast can help out with that, too. Take a look at the Roamographer Collection for a rugged, but handsome way to carry plenty of gear and look good doing it, even when you're in the back country. Ditching the suit and tie for hiking boots doesn't have to mean you can't stand out as a professional. This smart, hard-working carrying system is the ultimate in classic everyday working gear, combining vintage good looks and rich American Bison leather with great accessibility and convenience.

It's not lacking in innovations, either; the shearling- padded shoulder strap on Roamographer bags features a unique slider that safely holds a camera at the ready, for quick, easy, one-handed access to it when the shot comes up. Watch the short video below to see its elegant simplicity.

 

 

Although far from a complete list, these steps will help get you on the right track to building a professional image that attracts and retains customers for your photography business. Happy shooting!

 

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I'm sure that most photographers are the kind of people that want to protect our planet and all the species living on it. After all, without all the flora, fauna and other natural wonders (including us) around, there wouldn't be much to photograph. On the other hand, there are ways to help protect the planet that many of us don't often consider. Here are a few suggestions for being a bit more “green”.

Use Rechargeable Batteries

Billions of disposable batteries end up in landfills every year. While harmful chemicals used in the manufacture of “household” batteries have been eliminated in the US, the reduction of landfill trash is of major concern. By purchasing rechargeable cells for your devices that can use them, you'll do your part by re-using them perhaps hundreds of times before disposing of them. What's more, you'll save money!

Buy Synthetics

There's nothing quite like the feel of fine leather, but when it comes to lugging around your camera and peripherals, consider whether fashion or function is most important. If you're shooting a formal wedding, the leather camera rig will probably look more professional. If you're out in the “boonies”, nylon, canvas and other materials will do just as well and perhaps wear better.

One gear manufacturer that's known for their beautifully crafted leather gear has responded to requests for more sustainable gear with a line of its most popular multi-camera rig and accessories made entirely of man-made materials. Check out the Camera Swagg Collection from HoldFast Gear.

Watch Your Step

When you're keeping an eye on your subject out there in the wild, it's easy to forget to watch what your feet are treading on. In parks and sanctuaries, don't stray from the designated foot paths; they are there for a reason. Even in the wild, you never know what might be nesting on the ground around you or what fragile plant species might be underfoot. Tread lightly.

Don't Get Too Close

Every wildlife photographer wants to get the close shots and it may actually be easier to approach many species when they're nesting or denning with eggs or babies. Unfortunately, it's also highly stressful for the animals. Resist the temptation to push the boundaries. Use a longer lens instead. Your subjects will look more relaxed and your conscience will thank you.

Pack Out What You Pack In

No one should need to be reminded of this, but sadly, there are still too many people in all walks of life that leave litter behind. Burning your trash isn't always the answer, either. Stray fragments of burning paper cups are notorious for starting fires, and I constantly find melted plastic bottles in fire pits. Pack smarter so that you have less waste to dispose of in the first place. You can start with a reusable water bottle like this one from HoldFast's Explorer collection. It will fit as well in your bag as in theirs.

Obviously, there are many more ways that we can be more conscious of our impact on the environment while we're out there shooting. Wedding photographers can help protect outdoor reception areas by reducing the foot traffic on grasses. Landscape photographers can opt not to remove branches and other natural obstructions to their shots. We only have one planet. Let's try to keep it intact for our children.

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The face of professional photography is changing. In many genres, particularly wedding and event photography, shooting stills is no longer enough to clinch the best gigs. With the improvement of video capabilities in the latest DSLR cameras, more photographers are including video in their standard packages, and more clients are expecting it. If you're not providing it, you're probably going to be losing business.

For many photographers, making the transition to video recording isn't as easy as it sounds, because motion picture recording presents unique lighting challenges. For the best results, video recording requires high-performance, portable lighting. Fortunately, that requirement isn't as difficult to fill as it once was.

Continuous LED lighting is opening new doors in this industry. Thanks to compact, powerful and flexible sources that accommodate a wide range of creative modifiers, LED lights can match the flexibility of your DSLR, making for an ideal video recording setup that goes anywhere. Just as a still photograph can be enhanced by the addition of a soft box, snoot, grid, reflector, etc. to the light source, beautiful cinematic effects are available for your videos, creating an entire new avenue for your creativity and a new product to add to your photo packages.

As one of the most versatile continuous LED lighting options, Stella lights from Light & Motion are a choice we're happy to recommend. These powerful light heads are designed to be used with a variety of press-on portable modifiers that provide convenient, simple light shaping abilities. Adapters are also available to mate them to popular photographer's tools, including Profoto and Elinchrom light shapers to create a system with incredible versatility. Imagine the possibilities for both your stills and motion work, from “film noir” lighting to creating a ray of sunlight through a window. With Stella lights, your imagination and creativity are the only limits.

Stella's integrated battery and a wide variety of mounts add to its versatility, making it a convenient and powerful workhorse for street/event, daylight-balanced photography and videography, too. It's Stella's ability to integrate with other light shapers, though, that makes it a powerful, professional tool for stills and digital film work . Photographers finally have a viable alternative to strobes that allows them to shoot both stills and motion while leveraging their current investment in photo and lighting equipment.

See the Stella line today and learn how you can add beautiful video production to your repertoire as well as consistent, versatile continuous lighting for your still photography.

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If you've ever photographed a wedding before, you understand just how stressful it can be.

After all, you're responsible for capturing a once-in-a-lifetime moment that can never be captured again...

No pressure, right?

And as if that weren't enough, you have a lot of gear to worry about (and carry around).

A couple of camera bodies, a couple of lenses, a hot-shoe flash, memory cards, batteries...you get the point.

Fortunately, smarter minds than mine have developed some handy camera accessories that make wedding photography easier.

Not only can you outfit yourself with gadgets that make it simpler to carry and access your gear, but the easier it is to carry and access, the more likely you are to get the best shots of the day's events.

So, without further ado, let's have a look at a few must-have wedding photography accessories!

Spider Holster SpiderPro

One of the top complaints of wedding photographers is not having a way to carry their camera and lens (or better yet, two cameras and lenses) in a way that's comfortable, yet makes it easy to grab their camera for a quick shot.

Well, all I have to say is that those photographers haven't tried Spider Holster's SpiderPro yet...

When a split second can make the difference between getting the shot and missing it, you want camera accessories that streamline your workflow.

SpiderPro does just that by putting your cameras right where they belong - on your hips at your fingertips.

It's literally a grab and go type of situation.

Just pull your camera upward to release it from SpiderPro, and you can raise it to your eye for the shot.

The patented ball-joint system makes it incredibly easy to mount or unmount the camera, too. Just one fluid motion releases the camera and allows you to get the shots you need.

Better yet, when you're not using your camera, you know that it's safe and sound in a mount that's built like a tank and keeps your camera lens pointing backward, not down.

That means that when you need to kneel or squat for a shot, you don't have to worry about your lens banging on the floor.

It's comfortable too!

Rather than bearing the weight of your camera by a shoulder strap on a single shoulder, you spread that load on the beefiest part of your body - your hips.

That means you can shoot longer in greater comfort, which will only aid you as you strive to document each moment of the day.

If you're looking for ways to streamline your wedding photography workflow, I can't think of a better gadget than the Spider Holster SpiderPro. It's that good!

Check out other virtues of the SpiderPro in the video above by B&H Photo Video.

Camera Tether

Shooting without a neck strap or hand strap can be a little disconcerting - after all, you never know when you might trip, or a wedding goer might accidentally bump into you, causing you to lose your grip.

If scenarios like that have you concerned, simply use a camera tether as an added layer of protection.

The tether shown in the GIF above will securely attach your camera to your body but won't get in your way, either.

When you're photographing a wedding, it's important that you have full range of motion, and the Spider Web Tether gives you precisely that.

Use it as a neck tether, over the shoulder, or as a sling - whatever makes you most comfortable.

It also works seamlessly with products like the SpiderPro discussed above, as well as tripods, hand straps, and the like.

That means you get the security you want without losing any functionality or compatibility with other accessories. Not bad, right?

Memory Card Organizer

When you shoot a wedding, you'll go through a few memory cards, so keeping them nice and organized is of the utmost importance.

Of course, you also want your memory cards to be safe and secure, and accessible, too.

A memory card organizer like the one shown above is an ideal solution.

With space for six cards, each of which slides into a clear, plastic slot for easy identification, you have quick access to all the memory cards you'll need for the big day.

It's also got room for things like lens wipes, a spare battery or two, your business cards (to get all those referrals!), and even your smartphone.

Think of it like a little assistant that'll make your life easier.

And since this particular organizer was developed by photographers, it's easy to use with just one hand, so you don't have to let go of your camera just to wrestle with a zipper.

Lens Pouch

One of the most time-consuming tasks you face as a wedding photographer is swapping out lenses.

Avoiding lens changes is just one reason why wedding photographers should carry two camera bodies, each with a different lens.

But sometimes that might not be possible, or maybe you want a third lens handy to switch out with one of the lenses on your bodies.

Whatever the case, having easy access to your lenses is paramount.

The lens pouch shown above gives you that easy access you need.

It can accommodate up to a 70-200mm lens with a hood attached (or you can opt for a medium-sized pouch if that's more your style). Just slide the lens into the pouch, and you're good to go!

The pouch is expandable too, so you don't have to fight getting your lens in and out.

Even better, the pouch has an integrated tether for the rear lens cap, that way you're sure it doesn't go missing while you're switching lenses.

And, again, this gadget was designed by photographers, for photographers so that you can get your lens in and out with just one hand.

Wrapping It Up

There's plenty of gear that you need for wedding photography and plenty of accessories and gadgets that will make your life a lot easier.

If you ask me, at the top of your must-have list should be the Spider Holster SpiderPro.

I mean, come on - have you ever seen an easier way to carry your camera?

Combined with other accessories from Spider Holster, you've got a complete system for keeping your gear safe and accessible.

And like I said above, the easier it is for you to carry and access your gear, the more likely you are to get the shots you need.

That's a win-win!

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^{Photo by Ramiz Dedaković on Unsplash}

There is no other photography niche where the dress code for photographers is more important than the wedding industry. You want to be taken seriously, but not too seriously because you are shooting the most important day of someone’s life. 

So, what is the best way to come across as yourself, and yet professional? 

Dress in Muted Colors

^{Photo by Angello Lopez on Unsplash}

Muted colors are the name of the dress code for wedding photographers game. Think whites, dark blues, greys, and blacks.  

You want to ensure the guests understand your role by simply glancing in your direction, and you also want to blend into the background as much as possible.

^{Photo by freestocks.org on Unsplash}

So, don’t dress too flashy. You’re there to document the day, not distract guests with a wild-colored outfit.

Likewise, you want to dress as comfortably as possible, so leave the tight-fit dress or the three-piece suit at home in favor of clothing that looks the part of a wedding, but allows you more freedom of movement than if you’re dressed to the nines. 

Granted, you also need to consider the type of wedding you’re photographing - a very formal affair in a church might necessitate a different wardrobe selection than one on a beach in Fiji!

Find Comfortable Shoes

^{Photo by Alexandra Gorn on Unsplash}

The best of the wardrobe tips for photographers is this one: find comfortable shoes, and then make them more comfortable.

You can still go with the muted colors theme, but ensure they look nice and won’t hurt if you stand in them for 14 hours. 

Dr. Scholl’s is your friend in this endeavor, to be sure. The more padding and support you have for your feet, the more tolerable a very long day of shooting will be.

^{Photo by Radek Skrzypczak on Unsplash}

Wing tips are always a good decision, heels are not. Neither are clunky shoes, like big, heavy boots. Slim, trim, and comfortable is the name of the game! 

Also, if you have new shoes, make sure you break them in for at least 2 weeks before the  wedding. By breaking them in, you’ll be able to get them to conform to your feet, which will prevent blistering. 

Learn More:

• You’re Carrying Your Camera All Wrong 
• Wedding Photography Problems 

Carry Your Gear in Style

Nothing hurts me more than seeing a wedding photographer walk into a wedding with a backpack full of camera gear that has clearly seen better days. 

One of my friends even insisted it was okay for him to use a backpack he’d had since college to carry his gear. This makes you look cheap and when you look cheap people will assume your work is too. 

I recommend Holdfast for anyone wondering how to look like a professional photographer, because their gear looks great and lasts a lifetime. 

Holdfast’s MoneyMaker dual camera harness offers you unparalleled functionality with the ability to carry two or three cameras right on your body.

These harnesses fit you like a glove, too, so they’re super comfortable for those long days of shooting weddings.

Besides, they look like a million bucks with options for various leathers, cotton canvas, and even python skin to give your harness the precise look you want.

It might not be your wedding day, but it’s nonetheless vitally important to look like you belong there. With a camera harness like the Holdfast MoneyMaker, you can certainly look the part!

Learn More:

• Why This is the Best Leather Camera Bag on the Market 
• Wedding Photography Gear Tip 

 

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 ^{photo byD-Keine via iStock}

Wedding season has come back with a vengeance. Most wedding photographers that I know are completely booked through 2021 and 2022. 

I’ve even seen a lot of Instagram posts recommending that couples getting married in 2023 get their venues, photographers, and caterers picked out now to get ahead of the rush. 

So, if you’ve ever thought about getting into wedding photography, there has never been a better time. 

But, if you’ve never shot a wedding before, then you’ll need some help, both with some basic wedding photography tips, but also with wedding photography poses. 

In this wedding photography posing guide, I’m going to give you a few easy wedding poses to get you started. To get more details on these and other wedding posing tips, check out the video above by John Branch IV Photography. 

Chest-to-Chest

^{photo byDelmaine Donson via iStock}

One of my favorite easy wedding poses is chest-to-chest. This is exactly what it sounds like. You have the couple stand with their chests as close together as possible.  

This is a good pose because it feels really natural for your couple, which means that you will get the most honest expressions from them during it. 

If you’re shooting with a straight couple, then it’s a good idea to have the bride on your right hand side. This is because her hands will naturally gravitate to his arms or chest and if she is located on your right side, then you’ll be able to get a good shot that includes her wedding band. 

^{photo byLumiNola via iStock}

In this position, the groom will likely have his arms wrapped around his bride’s waist. If you have an especially shy groom, you can ask him to whisper something ridiculous into her ear so that you can get a shot without his face, while simultaneously getting a great shot of the bride laughing.  

If the bride is a lot shorter than the groom, it may be easier for you to have her rest her head against his chest. 

Bear Hug

^{photo byPollyana Ventura via iStock}

Another one of my favorite easy wedding poses is the Bear Hug. This is where one person, or the taller individual in the couple, is behind the other, or the shorter individual in the couple, giving them a hug. 

With the Bear Hug, you do need to make sure that it doesn’t look too much like a bad prom photo. So, ensure that your couple is comfortable while doing this pose. 

^{photo byMEDITERRANEAN via iStock}

If it helps, you don’t have to position them directly in front of the camera. For instance, you can have them facing to the right or to the left of the camera so that they aren’t focusing too much on its presence. 

You can have one person hold the other by their arm, waist, or shoulders, but if it’s a straight couple, don’t have the groom hold the bride around her stomach because it will look like she is pregnant. You can also have the couple sit down rather than stand. 

Learn More:

• 3 Cameras for Wedding Photographers on a Budget
• Quick-Start Guide for Wedding Photography

Walking Towards the Camera

^{photo byPollyana Ventura via iStock}

Once you’ve gotten the more traditional poses down, you’ll need some easy wedding poses that will help your photography to look more modern.

One way to do this is to simply add movement into your photos. 

One of the most popular poses for this is when you have your couple hold hands and walk towards the camera. It’s important that they are not looking at the camera for this pose. So, you can direct them to simply hold hands and talk to each other as if you weren’t there. 

Out of all these easy wedding poses, I like this one the best because it helps teach the couple how to interact with the camera by basically forgetting it’s there. 

You’ll need to use continuous autofocus with this pose so that your subjects are always in focus. Also, make sure that you take as many photos as you can, since you never know when the most natural interaction will occur, which will make for the best shot. 

Hipster Pose

^{photo bymerteren via iStock}

I don’t recommend this pose for every couple, which is probably why it’s called the “hipster pose.” In the hipster pose, you’ll have both members of the couple stand a few feet apart from one another and they’ll both be staring at the camera. 

The hipster pose is a great pose for a couple who is getting married in a particularly beautiful place because it will show off their background more than any more traditional poses will. 

The hipster pose is also a great pose for a couple who is a little quirky. While it does work for a more traditional couple, I like it for couples who may choose some non-traditional outfits, like a woman in a tux or a mini skirt or a man in a brightly colored suit. 

Let us know if any of these easy wedding poses helped you on your first wedding shoot.  

Learn More:

• Wedding Photography Marketing Tips
• Wedding Photography Tips for Amateurs

 

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I’m not a portrait or wedding photographer, but I always make room in my schedule to hop over to Las Vegas to attend the WPPI Expo.

That’s because the best of the best in the photography industry are in attendance, and I want to see what innovative products and services these companies have developed over the course of the year.

And while I love exploring the trade show to get my hands on the latest, greatest photography accessories and learn about new trends in the business, I also really enjoy meeting the people in the industry and getting to know them and their story.

In looking ahead to WPPI, which runs February 25-28, 2018 in Las Vegas, I couldn’t help but take a peek at the companies that will be in attendance. Below is a summary of some of the can’t-miss folks you’ll need to see if you attend the show.

Sirui

One of the booths I’ll be sure to visit when I’m at WPPI is Sirui.I’ve been a fan of Sirui for a long time now.

I picked up a Sirui tripod years ago, and it remains one of my favorite pieces of kit.

And that’s what Sirui is best known for - well-built tripods that are packed with features to help you take better photos.

I have a full-size tripod for landscape photography, but Sirui offers all sorts of other tripod options, too. That includes tiny collapsible tripods that you set on a table for a small camera up to big, beefy video tripods that can handle a bunch of weight with ease.

Regardless of the type of tripod, Sirui dedicates themselves to making something that is easy to use and will serve you well for years and years to come. Trust me - I know that firsthand!

From features like built-in levels and retractable metals spikes, tripods with integrated monopods to tripods with waterproof legs, and tripod kits that come complete with a tripod head and carrying case, Sirui knows how to pamper you with the ultimate gear experience.

You can look forward to seeing, touching, and testing out their tripods (and other products!) if you visit them at Booth 1151 at WPPI. To prepare, visit their website to see all they have to offer.

Sew Trendy Fashion & Accessories

_{Fatima Hurd}

I’ve been in the photography business for a good, long while now, and in that time I’ve had the pleasure of meeting tons of great people in this industry. One of those people is Valerie Best, founder and CEO of Sew Trendy.

Valerie started her company by herself in her basement. She handmade her first gown in 2012, and over the years has expanded her operation into one of the top clothing manufacturers for the photography industry. You can see Valerie and her team in the image below hosting visitors at their booth at Photo Plus earlier this year.

The rapid growth of the company might have derailed others into losing sight of their commitment to quality, but for Valerie and her team, the desire to craft the finest quality clothing and accessories remains as strong as ever.

Sew Trendy’s gowns, for example, are gorgeously designed and impeccably made, helping the women that are wearing them to feel beautiful and confident in front of the camera whether she’s an expecting mom, a young lady, or a woman headed out on the town for the evening.

^{Corinna Schultz Photography} 

But Sew Trendy isn’t just about gorgeous gowns. Instead, they have a complete line of fashion accessories, too.

That includes stunning floral crowns like the one you see in the image above. They also offer sashes, rhinestone crowns, coordinating girls dresses, and gorgeous newborn photography props.

In other words, no matter if you specialize in maternity photography, newborn photography or non-maternity photography, Sew Trendy has something for you.

Be sure to stop by and say hello at Booth 1054 WPPI! In the meantime, you can check out Sew Trendy’s line of products by visiting their website. 

Click Props USA

If you’re a portrait photographer, you understand that while the background you use isn’t the star of the photograph, the quality of that backdrop makes an enormous difference in the quality of the shot.

That’s why it’s so important to invest in portrait backdrops that aren’t just beautiful with current designs, but are also made such that they last for years and years to come.

When it comes to gorgeous, well-crafted backdrops, you needn’t look any further than Click Props.

I met with the Click Props folks at Photo Plus, and when I did, I could immediately see that their products truly are top-of-the-line.

Their backdrops are made of thick vinyl, which means they’ll stand up to use for years to come. Another impressive feature that goes unseen in your photos is the reinforced grommets every 12-inches along the top of the backdrop.

All those strong grommets mean the backdrop hangs beautifully without any bunching or folding, giving you the background you need to make your portraits pop.

Click Props doesn't just hit it out of the park in the quality department, though…

They offer more than 200 gorgeous backdrop designs, that way you’re sure to find exactly what you need to complete your artistic vision. That’s true whether you want a forest scene, a library look, graffiti, or something in between.

Have a look at Click Props’ backdrops by visiting their website, and be sure to say hello at Booth 1060 once WPPI rolls around.

Ikan

When I attended Photo Plus back in October, I dropped by the Ikan booth to have a visit, and it reminded me of two things.

First, the Ikan folks are the best in the business - they’re knowledgeable, friendly, and ready to help you get the gear you need.

And second, I was reminded of the fact that Ikan has a ton of products. That comes with the territory when you’re one of the top photography gear distributors in the U.S.

One gadget I enjoyed playing with was the DS2-A Beholder 3-Axis Angled Gimbal Stabilizer shown above.

This thing is perfect for videographers like me that shoot with a smaller camera and just need a lightweight, handheld stabilizer. But don’t think that because it’s small and lightweight that it doesn’t have a lot of awesome features.

Not only does the gimbal hold up to four pounds, but it also has a unique angled arm that gives you an improved view of your camera’s screen as you film.

I also took note of the fact that you get 360-degree movement on the pan axis, which combined with the 3-axis gyro stabilized brushless motors, gives you beautiful, seamless movement in your videos. It even has a 32-bit controller, a 12-bit encoder, and an OLED display that shows the gimbal’s operating modes.

Another product Ikan will feature at WPPI is NiSi’s line of filters.

As any photographer knows, filters are one of the most useful photography accessories you can own, especially if you shoot outdoors.

NiSi offers circular and rectangular filters to meet your needs, with everything from reverse ND grads, NDs, graduated NDs, and polarizers to help you take improved photos. NiSi even manufactures special filters for drones and cinematic cameras, so, really, no matter what you use to shoot photos and videos, NiSi has you covered.

You can see these and many other products first-hand at Booth 1209 WPPI. Trust me, Ikan’s booth will be hopping with plenty of people checking out tons of awesome gear, so join the crowd! In the meantime, you can visit Ikan’s website to see all the products they have to offer.

Calotype

Photography is an industry full of innovations, and at the forefront of modern innovations is Calotype.

I first learned about this company a few months ago, and to say that I'm impressed is an understatement.

The nuts and bolts of it is that Calotype is a web-based, end-to-end photography suite that allows you to improve the management of your workflow, and as a result, streamline how your photography business functions.

That's especially true if you work in high-volume photography niches like school photography or sports photography because Calotype helps you track data for all your clients. When you might see hundreds of clients in a single day, Calotype can definitely make your day easier!

But don't think it's just for school photos and the like. Wedding photographers can reap Calotype's benefits as well.

That's because it helps you organize images, create secure QR codes and encrypted image galleries, make custom pricing lists, view sales statistics, and manage email marketing.

There's a lot more to love, too. Drop by Booth 469 and see how Calotype might change your business life.

Holdfast

Holdfast makes some of the best photography accessories on the market today, hands-down.

I say that as someone that's a proud owner of their incredible MoneyMaker multi-camera strap and their amazing Roamographer bag.

These items - and the others in Holdfast's inventory - show an attention to detail that I don't often see.

Not only are their products gorgeously handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces, but they offer all sorts of functionality as well.

I'm not a wedding photographer, but I know enough that one of the must-haves of working such a stressful job is having easy access to your gear.

Well, the MoneyMaker solves that problem because you can carry two cameras with lenses attached (and a third one with an adaptor) right at your fingertips.

That means you're less likely to miss a shot because you have to swap cameras or lenses. Instead, you've got everything you need right there on your person.

I can tell you that the MoneyMaker is the most comfortable camera strap I've ever used, too. That's certainly worth something when you have a long wedding day ahead of you!

Don't take my word for it, though. Stop by and say hello to the Holdfast crew at Booth 920 and see their finely crafted straps, bags, and other accessories for yourself.

nPhoto

Taking great photos is just the beginning. You also need to present your photos in the best possible light.

That's precisely what nPhoto does...

nPhoto has the largest lab in Europe, where their artisans craft gorgeous photo albums and other photography products that make your images shine.

These aren't any old albums and photography products, either.

Instead, they're heirloom pieces that your clients will cherish for generations to come.

That's because nPhoto is committed to quality and craftsmanship - two things that have gone by the wayside as more and more cheap online printing companies have cropped up.

Aside from offering the best quality products on the market today, nPhoto gives you tons of customization options as well, from the size of the photo album to the type of paper used to the font style used.

They have gorgeous accessories to complement their albums as well, including parent albums, trifold image displays, USB drives, and more.

Part of building a successful photography business is developing partnerships with the best vendors. As someone that's held an nPhoto photo album in my hands, I can tell you that these guys are at the top of their game.

See for yourself by visiting Booth 173 at WPPI 2018!

Skylum

Skylum, formerly Macphun, has built a reputation over the years as one of the top photography software companies in the game.

As evidence of that fact, Skylum's incredible Aurora HDR 2018 software was named by Apple as the App of the Year for 2017. Given that there are hundreds of thousands of apps floating around out there, that says a lot about the quality of the products being put out by this small team of photography die-hards.

But Skylum's software isn't just about winning awards.

Instead, it's intended to allow photographers like you and me to quickly and more easily fine-tune our photos.

In fact, Skylum's Luminar 2018 (shown above) has all but replaced Lightroom in my post-processing workflow. And as I noted above, Aurora HDR is an amazing piece of technology that allows even beginner photographers with zero HDR experience to create something beautiful.

Their software is powerful, smartly built, and exists in a work environment that's beautifully designed and easy to use. What more could you want?

See Skylum's software in action at Booth 462. You can learn more by visiting their website as well.

Package Choice by Hill & Usher

No photographer should be without photography insurance - there's just too much that can go wrong, too many accidents that can occur to go without it!

For photographers, Package Choice Insurance by Hill & Usher is the way to go.

That's because Package Choice understands the unique needs of photographers that are in business for themselves.

With that in mind, Package Choice offers a variety of property and liability coverages, that includes:

• Errors & Omissions
• Insurance for Cameras and Other Gear
• Worldwide Camera Insurance
• Business Personal Property Insurance
• General Liability Insurance

Package Choice offers many other benefits to photographers as well. If you aren't insured, or if you aren't happy with your current insurance, have a chat with the Package Choice folks at Booth 1237. More information is also available on their website.

Iris Works

If you're like me, the hardest part of being in the photography business is managing the business aspect of it all...

You know, keeping organized, not forgetting appointments, maintaining periodic contact with your clients, billing, and so forth.

Iris Works was built for photographers like you and me that want to spend less time worrying about the logistics of the business and more time actually taking photos.

Not only does Iris Works give you a snapshot of your business activities all on one screen, which features your daily to-do list, your upcoming schedule, and recent client activity, but it also enables you to automate messaging to clients.

That means if you have a shoot coming up in a week, Iris Works will automatically send a reminder email to the client. Cool, right?

It'll also help you draw up contracts, create questionnaires, create and send invoices, and many other handy features that will help your business run more smoothly.

Iris Works will be at Booth 1062 at WPPI - I highly recommend talking with them and seeing their product in action! 

KEH Camera

 

KEH Camera has been in business for decades, providing a place for photographers to buy and sell top-quality pre-owned gear.

Their inventory includes over 50,000 cameras, lenses, and other gear, so no matter what you need to add to your kit, the chances are good that KEH will have it.

Even better than their massive inventory is the fact that KEH makes things nice and simple for you.

There's no worry of fraud. No concern that you won't get your money in a timely fashion, either. When you order a product, you know it'll be what shows up on your doorstep. 

You can rest easy knowing that every camera, lens, and other piece of equipment undergoes KEH's 10-point inspection process. What's more, you can trust their grading system so you know the exact condition of the product before you buy.

And if you have something to sell, it's as easy as a few steps, and includes free shipping, too.

There's a reason why KEH has such a good reputation. They have great products, excellent customer service, and good prices, too.

See what KEH has to offer by visiting them at Booth 1046 at WPPI 2018.

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^{photo byD-Keine via iStock}

Despite the fact that a lot of photographers aren’t working right now, I’ve heard from some of my friends who are in the wedding photography industry that they’ve never been busier. It looks like not even a pandemic can stop love. 

If you run a wedding photography business, you probably know what I’m talking about. Lots of large venues are being cancelled and couples are opting to do more adventurous weddings that are much smaller and more intimate. 

But, this is just one of many wedding photography trends this year. Let’s dive into what other wedding photography trends people are looking for right now so your wedding photography business can stay on top.

Shooting the Proposal

^{photo byskynesher via iStock}

Boring, traditional proposals are out and modern proposals are in. More women are proposing to their partners than ever before. Proposals are also getting incredibly grandiose. Plus, every moment of the proposal is being captured by a professional photographer. 

Engagement photos are incredibly exciting because, most of the time, one of the people in the couple doesn't see it coming and surprise elicits the best emotions that are really simple to catch on tape. 

If you are thinking about getting into wedding photography this year, you can start by doing easy shoots like the proposal. This will let you feel out whether or not you like working in this sort of environment. Plus, it’s always fun to be a huge part of someone’s life. 

Using Traditional Film

^{photo byDorianGray via iStock}

Polaroids and other forms of film cameras are also a huge wedding photography trend this year. It’s definitely a throwback to when every wedding would have a Fujifilm disposable camera on each table. 

But, this trend is now being taken a bit further. Couples are actually asking that all of their wedding photography be captured using traditional film cameras. 

And, if you’ve never used traditional film cameras, this may be a bit daunting. But, film cameras capture the timelessness of a wedding unlike modern cameras. They create the best wedding portraits that are dainty and light. Film is incredibly romantic, so it’s no wonder wedding photography has finally embraced it yet again.  

Learn More:

• How to Make Your Portraits Look More Professional
• Strategies for Finalizing the Sale With Your Client

Creating Large-Format Canvas Prints

Another wedding photography trend this year that harkens back to a simpler time is printed photos. 

Couples love the option of canvas prints for some of their favorite shots from their big day so that they can decorate their new home together. 

I use CanvasHQ to create my large-format canvas prints for a number of reasons. Firstly, they are one of the cheapest options, which my clients and I both like. Secondly, each one of their canvases are crafted by hand. The frames are hand-built and each canvas is hand-stretched so that your image has a personal touch from the very beginning to the very end of the process.

Every canvas created by CanvasHQ is rated for decades so your wedding photography will double as a family heirloom down the line. This is because each canvas is made with museum-grade ink that won’t fade over the years.

The last reason why I love to work with CanvasHQ is that they have a countdown on their website to tell me exactly how long my production will take if I send in a photo today. In the era of Covid madness, this is an especially phenomenal trait to me. As of the writing of this article, their turnaround time is just 3 days. 

Given all that, it’s no wonder they won our 2020 best canvas print company award. See how they did it!

Day-After Photoshoots

^{photo bymediamasmedia via iStock}

Savvy couples are beginning to realize that it doesn’t make a lot of sense to spend potentially tens of thousands of dollars on a wedding if they’re being ushered from one step of the wedding to the next. They will just feel hurried all day!

This is why a lot of couples are participating in day-after photoshoots. These photoshoots can be a lot more laid back, since the couple isn’t rushing to get to eat their dinner or talk to their relatives. It’s less stressful for the couple, but it’s also less stressful for you as the photographer. 

Aerial Shots

^{photo byAleksandarNakic via iStock}

Another wedding photography trend in 2020 is aerial shots. If you don’t own a drone and you hope to continue your wedding photography business for years to come, I strongly suggest you get one.  

Aerial shots are wonderful because they allow you to capture the landscape of the wedding in such a unique fashion. For instance, if a couple is getting married on a large farm, it makes sense to include this in their photos, but it could be difficult to do from anywhere other than the air.  

Aerial shots are also much more dream-like than other traditional forms of wedding photography. You can really make them whatever you want them to be. 

Learn More:

• Wedding Photography Tips for Amateurs
• Wedding Photography Mistakes You Need to Quit Making

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^{Photo by Pekic via iStock}

When photographing weddings, capturing timeless moments and crafting the perfect love narrative can be challenging. With that said, as wedding photographers strive to deliver exceptional content for their clients, following one simple step can elevate your wedding photography packages to a whole new level.

Lucky for you, this article aims to share that step with you and teach you how to easily implement it in your wedding photography business! However, before we jump straight into the money-making secret, we will also explore a few bonus wedding photography tips to enhance the quality of your photos and videos.

So, join us as we unravel the simplicity behind this crucial step and discover how it can enrich your wedding photography packages, increase the satisfaction of your clients, and, ultimately, make you more money as a wedding photographer!

Check out the video above by John Branch IV Photography for more wedding photography tips if you are new to shooting weddings. 

Table of Contents

• Wedding Photography Tips: Invest in the Right Gear and Learn How to Use It
• Wedding Photography Tips: Plan Properly
• Wedding Photography Tips: Shoot RAW Photos & Be Creative
• The One Simple Step to Wedding Photography Packages
• Final Thoughts on Wedding Photography Packages
• Recommended Photography Gear

Wedding Photography Tips: Invest in the Right Gear and Learn How to Use It

^{Photo by Mordolff via iStock}

Our first tip for wedding photography is to buy the right equipment. And while this might sound obvious, it starts with your camera and lenses. There are certain cameras (interchangeable lens cameras like DSLR and mirrorless cameras) and lenses that will help you consistently capture better wedding photos.  

Other important wedding photography products you should own include tripods, a lighting kit, external flashes, camera bags, spare memory cards/batteries, and a backup camera body. Once you have all the gear above, don’t forget to get to know it and practice shooting with it before working in a professional setting.

Additionally, we highly recommend using two separate cameras when photographing a wedding. Having two cameras with different focal length lenses speeds up your workflow and makes you more prepared to capture the perfect shot regardless of the shooting situation.

Wedding Photography Tips: Plan Properly

^{Photo by Alexander Shelegov via iStock}

Another important part of the wedding photography process is the planning. This includes many often-overlooked (but important) things like establishing a good relationship with your client, scouting the location before the wedding day, having a plan B in case your primary shoot location can’t be used, and so forth. 

Creating a detailed and unique shot list before every new wedding is a must-do. While it’s okay to have a few generic shots on your list, you also need to speak with the soon-to-be-married couple beforehand to see if there are any specific shots they are looking for. Knowing the location well also helps build a successful shot list. 

If it’s a large wedding (especially if the couple wants photos and videos), don’t be afraid to hire help. Having multiple photographers allows you to capture different angles and perspectives of the wedding and increases the number of pictures you’ll have in your final photo pool.  

Learn More:

• How to Build Wedding Photography Packages
• Beginner Tips for Building a Successful Photography Business

Wedding Photography Tips: Shoot RAW Photos & Be Creative

^{Photo by grinvalds via iStock}

One of the most common mistakes new wedding photographers make is shooting JPEGs instead of RAW files. While the colors of JPEGs might look bolder and brighter at first glance, they offer significantly less editing capabilities. And today, editing has become an integral part of the photography process. 

In contrast, with RAW files, the editing possibilities are nearly limitless. Inside your post-processing software (Adobe Lightroom is our go-to), you can adjust everything from the exposure and colors to the clarity and noise of RAW files. 

And don’t forget to always be creative – whether that’s while you are shooting a wedding or editing your images. In the end, photography is an art, and it’s up to you to make your wedding photography packages stand out against the competition. 

The One Simple Step to Wedding Photography Packages

Finally, providing high-quality products to your wedding clients is the one simple step that will instantly enhance your wedding photography packages. Tons of wedding photographers only give digital copies of their wedding photos to their clients, but you can set yourself apart by offering amazing physical products, too.

Our favorite product to include in our wedding photography packages is this Premium Gift Box by Saal Digital. It is 100% customizable, doesn’t include any distracting brand logos, and is made from premium-quality materials like a 0.15”-thick customizable acrylic cover. Combined with a beautiful leatherette, the gift box is a true statement piece for your client’s photo book.

Your photography clients will absolutely love the personalized touch a premium gift box adds to your packages, and it will give them something physical they can hold in their hands and look back on to remember their special day forever. And at the end of the day, happy customers translate to more wedding gigs and more money for you! 

Check out the video above by Saal Digital Corporation for a closer look at one of the photo books you can get with the Premium Gift Box. 

Final Thoughts on Wedding Photography Packages

While tons of photographers are taking great wedding photos, only a handful of them are providing the wedding photography products their clients deserve. That’s where you come in! You can improve your photography business overnight simply by adding higher-quality products, like the Premium Gift Box, to your wedding photography packages!

Interested in adding other products to your wedding photography packages, too? Here’s a list of more wedding photography products currently available on Saal Digital:

• Photo Books
• Wall Art
• Prints
• Posters/Fine Art
• Cards
• Photo Gifts
• Photo Calendars

Recommended Photography Gear

Heads up: Clicking on our affiliate links and exploring our sponsored content helps us at no extra cost to you, and we only recommend gear we're absolutely crazy about!

Learn More:

• 4 Tips for Creating Photos That Grab People’s Attention
• 5 Simple Yet Effective Tips for Boosting Your Professional Photography Business

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I realize that there's more to life (and work) than making money.

But let's not kid ourselves, either.

Though it's certainly best to do something you love, it's even better to make more money doing what you love!

With the tips outlined below, you can learn how to increase your wedding photographer salary.

How Much Do Photographers Make?

There's no hard-and-fast answer to this question because there are so many factors involved in a wedding photographer salary.

On the one hand, your base rates influence your bottom line, as do the add-ons and products you offer to your clients.

How many gigs you book clearly influences how much money you can make, as does the amount of competition you have for the gigs that are available.

Experience factors into it as well - if you're just starting out, charging a lower rate to entice clients to take a chance on you might be necessary, while more experienced photographers can command a higher rate because of their experience and reputation.

Learn More:

• How Much Do Photographers Make?
• The Photographer's MoneyMaker

Provide Something Unique

To earn more money as a photographer, you need to separate yourself from the pack.

In this day and age, in which just about anyone with a camera markets themselves as a photographer, it's increasingly important to have a unique selling proposition that's attractive to customers.

When it comes to products and services, it can be difficult to find something highly unique that draws people in.

That means that you should focus your attention on selling the most unique thing about your business - you!

There is no other photographer like you, so when you market your company, focus on what makes you different from everyone else.

That might be your photography style. It could be the way you approach photography. It might even be the way you interact with clients and tell their story through the images you create.

Whatever it is that sets you apart, identify it, market it, and run with it, that way you can stand out from the crowd. And the more you stand out, the more likely you are to be hired!

Learn More:

• 9 Items Any Photographer Would Want in Their Camera Bag
• 7 Mistakes That Make You Look Like an Unprofessional Photographer

Improve Your Workflow

On the practical side of things, one of the simplest things you can do to earn more money as a photographer is to simply streamline your workflow.

This has applicability to all aspects of your business, from how you interact with prospective clients to how you edit your photos to how you actually take photos in the first place.

When it comes to taking photos, time is of the essence. After all, the time you have with each client is precious, so you want to be able to work quickly and efficiently to get all the shots you (and they) want.

You can do that by carrying your cameras on your body in an easy-to-use camera harness like the Holdfast MoneyMaker.

Think about it...

With something like the MoneyMaker, you can have up to three cameras right there at your fingertips.

That means no more digging around in your camera bag for a different camera body or lens.

Instead, you can have everything you need for quick changes. You can take more photos in less time!

What's more, by having all the gear you need attached to a camera harness, you can move more freely.

That means you'll have an easier time getting varied images, and the more varied the images you take, the more complete the visual story is that you can tell.

Besides, camera harnesses like the MoneyMaker are unbelievably comfortable too. I should know - I own one!

It fits like a glove, spreading out the weight of the gear you're carrying so you have the ultimate in a comfortable carrying experience.

In other words, these things not only help you improve your workflow and allow you to get the job done faster, but the MoneyMaker also allows you to work longer without getting fatigued because the weight of all that gear is evenly distributed across your shoulders and back.

What's not to like about that?

Learn More:

• Get the Specs and Pricing on the Holdfast MoneyMaker
• The Best Photography Gear I've Ever Bought

Be Quick

Related to the previous point, be quick in the processes you have to complete after you take the client's photos.

That is, the faster you get proofs and final products to your clients, the more impressed they will be. No one likes to wait around forever for the expensive photos they just paid for.

Now, this doesn't mean that you should sacrifice the quality of your work in an effort to have an impossibly short turnaround time.

Instead, as pointed out above, work on your workflow, streamline it, and find ways to save yourself some time.

Not only will that help you please your clients, but it will also free up additional time in your schedule to accommodate more clients.

And the more clients you can accommodate, the more money you can earn!

So, when asking yourself, "How much does a photographer make?" the answer is simple - it depends on your ability to provide something unique, your ability to improve your workflow, and your ability to cut turnaround time down so you can move on to the next client.

This isn't a comprehensive list of ways to make more money, but it'll get you going in the right direction!

Learn More:

• Explore More Photography Business Tips

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One of the challenges of wedding photography is working with couples that might not be all that comfortable in front of the camera.

And when that happens, you end up with portraits that look stuffy and stiff.

In other words, if you don't take action to learn how to pose couples for wedding portraits, you could end up with a collection of photos on your hands that reminds the couple of how nervous they were on their big day instead of making them think of what a great couple they are!

With the following tips, you can learn how to loosen up your clients for much more natural-looking wedding portraits.

Editor's Tip: Your wedding photography deserves to be seen for the piece of art that it is. Find out how to turn your images into fine art.

Wedding Photography Tip: Give Them Something to Do

When it comes to how to pose couples, one of the easiest and most effective things you can do is to give them something to do.

And I don't mean have them work on a jigsaw puzzle...

Ask them to hold hands, to tell one another a joke, to look into one another's eyes, or to walk toward the camera.

Even very simple tasks like these will help ease their minds, loosen up those muscles, and help them focus less on you and your camera and more on one another.

In the image above, note how relaxed this couple looks, as though they're out for a romantic stroll with no one around.

That's the kind of look you should be striving for when you give your clients a task while taking their portraits.

This type of relaxed portrait can be much more meaningful and visually interesting than stuffy, heavily posed wedding portraits.

Learn More:

• Wedding Photography Tips from the Pros
• How to Take Better Portraits Right Now

How to Pose Couples: Show Them What to Do

Communication between photographer and their subjects is of the utmost importance when creating portraits. 

But, sometimes it's hard for your clients to understand the vision you have in your head, even if you try to explain it really well.

That means that there will be occasions when you need to show them what to do.

If that means that you need to stand in for the bride or groom and show them exactly where to look, how to hold their shoulders, where to place their hands, and so forth, by all means, do it!

Of course, you need to ask permission first before moving your clients or otherwise touching them in any way.

But the clearer you are with your directions, the better the result will be.

Editor's Tip: Don't think that the process of creating a gorgeous wedding portrait ends with post-processing. Learn the value of getting high-quality prints.

Wedding Portrait Poses: Keep It Simple

Trust me when I say that the last thing you need to do on your clients' wedding day is to make them take part in elaborate portrait sessions.

By all means, go all out for the engagement session. But when their big day comes, allow the couple to simply be with one another.

As noted above, give them the direction they need so that you can get the photos on your shot list marked off. But you'll likely find that by letting things happen organically that you'll end up with some wonderfully candid photos that might end up being some of the best shots of the day!

Learn More:

• 3 Ways to Get the Best Wedding and Engagement Photos
• 3 Mistakes Beginner Wedding Photographers Make

Seal the Deal With a High-Quality Print

You can learn how to pose couples for wedding portraits all you want, but in the end, if you don't take the time to have high-quality prints made, it won't matter how great the posing is.

Think about it...

You've spent all this time and effort into preparing for the day of the shoot. You've directed your clients to pose just how you want. You've capitalized on great light. You've composed an eye-catching shot. Why would you ruin all that by having a cheap print made?

It just doesn't make sense.

What does make sense is to have your wedding couples photography printed by CanvasHQ.

I cannot believe how easy it was to get my canvas from Canvas HQ! I submitted my photo on a Wednesday and my canvas was at my door on Saturday! And it was absolutely perfect! I will definitely order from Canvas HQ again! - Kara O., Manchester, IA

A finer canvas print you will not find - not here in California or anywhere else, for that matter.

I've spent a lot of money over the years on canvas prints, so I consider myself a bit of a canvas connoisseur. Let me tell you that CanvasHQ canvases are the best I've ever owned.

There's a lot to love about these canvases - the impeccable craftsmanship, the incredible colors, the hand-built frame to keep things nice and square...

But what I appreciate most about CanvasHQ is their commitment to making your memories (or those of your clients) as gorgeous as possible.

In that regard, you aren't just another order number to fill. Instead, you're a respected member of the CanvasHQ family, and the time, effort, and care that they put into your canvas shines through.

This was the first time having my pictures put on canvas...after contemplating about it for years. I love how they turned out! In fact, I am placing a re-order to share with my sons who took me to Italy. Thank you for adjusting the alignment and for the positive feedback. I would highly recommend your services. Barbara W., Roanoke Rapids, NC

On top of that, CanvasHQ is fast - depending on where you live, you might get your canvas in just a couple of days of placing your order.

That combination of features - unbelievable quality and fast turnaround times - is quite rare. Yet, these guys pull it off!

CanvasHQ won't break the bank, either. That means that you can give your clients a stunning canvas print that's befitting of their big day, and it won't cost an arm and a leg, either.

Now that'sa great combination!

Learn More:

• Must-Have Tips for Amateur Wedding Photographers
• These Wedding Photography Tips Will Totally Change Your Photos

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I'm a professional photographer and have been for more years than I'd like to count.

But even as experienced as I am in taking portraits and landscape photos, the idea of shooting a wedding is something that sends shivers down my spine.

It's hard work - stressful work, too.

So if the pros get nervous, I can only imagine what the experience is like for a new wedding photographer.

If you're looking for a few ways to improve your ability to capture the big day, this article is for you!

You Need Help

Unless it's the world's smallest wedding, you're going to need someone to help you get all the shots that your client wants. That means hiring a second shooter.

Though the temptation might be to give a camera to your brother and have him take photos, you really need someone that knows how to handle a camera and compose an eye-catching shot.

After all, it's your name at stake here, so you want your second shooter to be just as skilled as you are in creating beautiful photos.

You might also consider having a "rover" that helps with things like setting up lighting, wrangling the wedding party for group photos, swapping out memory cards or lenses, and so forth.

The less logistical stuff you have to deal with, the more time you can be behind the lens, taking great photos!

Learn More:

• Wedding Photography Secrets Revealed by the Pros
• Starting a Wedding Photography Business? Here's Some Things You Can't Forget

Don't Skimp on Products

When you're just starting out as a photographer, one thing that can have an immediate, positive impact on your business is offering your clients the best quality products possible.

And I'm not just talking about prints, either.

One of the most important deliverables you can have for your wedding clients is their photo album, so it needs to be gorgeously crafted, unique to their specific tastes, and give them a complete viewing experience that helps them relive the wonder of their big day all over again.

You can do all those things with an nPhoto photo album.

These albums look and feel like a million bucks.

That's partially due to the high-quality materials that nPhoto uses to manufacture their albums, but it's also due to the fact that each album is handcrafted by a skilled artisan.

These are not mass-produced albums that have a cookie-cutter look and feel to them.

Instead, nPhoto offers a wide variety of customizations that give you and your clients the ability to create something that's truly one-of-a-kind.

That includes different album cover materials, different types of paper finishes, add-ons like laser etching, layflat pages, rounded album corners, and so forth.

And the good news is that nPhoto does all that for a reasonable price.

That means you can add their photo albums (and their other incredible photo products) to your product line, give your clients the best possible experience, and make money all at the same time.

In fact, you can easily use some of nPhoto's other products - like their Album Boxes, Triplexes, and USB Memory Boxes - as upsell items. That means your clients can get even more gorgeous reminders of their day and you can put more money in your pocket.

Learn More:

• View nPhoto's Complete Line of Photo Albums and Other Products
• Anatomy of a Great Photo Album

You Need to Understand the Wedding Program

Any photographer worth their salt knows and understands their subject.

That's true whether you're photographing a baby, wildlife, or, in this case, a wedding.

Since no two weddings are alike, you can't just rely on your conception of how the wedding program will proceed.

To ensure you're in the right place at the right time to get the best shots, you need to be intimately familiar with how each couple's wedding will unfold.

Different religions have different steps in the process, different symbolistic events, and different rituals. If you aren't familiar with each, you could easily miss an important moment of the ceremony.

So, sit down with your clients well in advance of the wedding day so that they can explain to you exactly what is happening and when. An ideal time to do this is when you go over the shot list.

As you learn more about the planned events, ask questions. Be interested. Don't approach it as a business meeting in which you're outlining what you need to do and when. Instead, take this opportunity to get to know the couple a little bit better.

After all, the more you know about your clients, the better job you can do in capturing the emotions and feelings that they will have on their big day.

This list of wedding photography tips might only have three items, but trust me - if you can master each one, your performance as a wedding photographer will only be improved!

Learn More:

• 4 Truths About Being a Wedding Photographer
• Three People Wedding Photographers Can't Live Without

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If I were to pick the type of photography that's the most difficult and stressful, it'd be wedding photography.

There's an awful lot on the line when you're responsible for capturing the memories of the most significant day in a person's life.

It's a lot of pressure, to be sure!

That's especially true if you're an amateur photographer.

Here's a few insider tips from the pros that will help you get the job done.

Be Part of the Action Without Getting in the Way

Weddings require an interesting set of qualities of a photographer.

On the one hand, you can't be timid and try to photograph the day's events from the back of the room.

Yet on the other hand, you can't be brazenly bold and constantly be on the bride and groom's hip throughout the day.

That means that you need to develop a sense for when it's appropriate to be part of the action, but do so without causing too much of a ruckus.

For example, during the wedding ceremony, you'll want photos from various vantage points.

The best time to move from one position to the next is during less intimate moments, like during songs, that way your movement isn't quite as noticeable.

Likewise, at the reception, you need to be amongst the crowd to get candid shots of everyone enjoying themselves. Again, do so while dinner is being served or while guests are dancing, not while the father of the bride is making a heartfelt speech.

Remember - the best wedding photographers are those that get the job done without guests remembering that you're there!

Editor's Tip: Bring a zoom lens, like a 24-105mm f/4, so you can get up-close shots without being up-close.

Get Creative With Perspective

One thing that veteran wedding photographers understand better than beginners is the need to find unique perspectives from which to take photos.

That is, don't fill up the wedding album with photos taken only from your eye level or showing the happy couple from the waist up.

Instead, work to find ways to add interest to the collection of photos by shooting from down low, from above, from the side, from behind, and so forth.

There is all sorts of inspiration online for interesting and unique wedding photography ideas, so find that inspiration and put it to good use to create more compelling photos.

Learn More:

• Powerful Ways to Improve Your Photography in 2018
• 3 Beginner Photography Mistakes That are Ruining Your Photos

Take It Easy With Deleting

There can be a temptation sometimes - particularly for amateur photographers - to look at the photos they've taken and start deleting the bad ones.

This is a mistake, though.

For starters, the more time you spend looking at the photos you've already taken, the less time you have to take additional photos.

Additionally, your camera's LCD doesn't exactly give you the ideal view of your images, so waiting until you can view them on your computer screen at full resolution will help you better determine what images need to go.

Lastly, even if a photo isn't the best in its original form, that's not to say that you can't make something of it in post-processing.

So, don't delete any images as you're shooting. Take plenty of memory cards, fill them up, and make determinations about quality later on.

Editor's Tip: Need some photo post-processing tips? Find what you need by clicking here.

Don't Skimp on the Prints

The quality of the photos you take on the wedding day isn't just dependent upon your mastery of lighting, composition, and so forth.

Instead, the success of your wedding photography depends on your ability to process the images as well as on the quality of the prints you provide to the happy couple.

When it comes to prints, it is imperative that you offer the very highest quality, something that not only looks spectacular now, but is crafted to last for a lifetime of enjoyment.

There are all kinds of interesting ways to print photos these days, from metal to wood to acrylic.

But if you ask me, the best option is canvas.

Canvas has been around for a long, long time, so it's a tried-and-true medium for presenting art.

But, like many things in life, not all canvas is made equally.

I've purchased dozens of canvases in recent years, many of which were disappointingly poor quality.

Then I found CanvasHQ... 

These guys understand how to craft a gorgeous canvas. That's because they use only the finest materials and the best manufacturing processes to create a drop-dead gorgeous print.

Not only are the canvas prints color calibrated beforehand, but once they're printed, they're closely inspected for quality and color accuracy. If something is amiss, it's printed again until it's perfect.

 I was very impressed with the communication and the professionalism shown. My designer contacted me to let me know what they thought was best for my canvas. I will definitely be using CanvasHQ again in the future. - Stephanie T., New Milford, CT

Then the canvas is stretched over a kiln-dried pine frame that's precision cut and assembled using jigs to ensure they are straight and true.

The frames are then finished by hand, and the canvas stretched over the frame using a combination of hand and machine techniques.

The result is a statement piece that any wedding photography client would be proud to display in their home.

Excellent quality printing, superior build quality and A+ customer service. I wish I came to you first before trying others. Thanks Kristy! - Eric S., Haverhill, MA

As if that's not good enough, CanvasHQ is a small, family-based company, so they treat each customer like an old friend.

There's no gimmicks, no sleazy salespeople - just genuine, hardworking folks that aim to give your clients the perfect print.

And on the off-chance that something isn't quite right, CanvasHQ has your back with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. That means you either get a new print or your money back!

I have about a dozen CanvasHQ prints in my home, so I can tell you firsthand that you won't be disappointed with the quality of work.

If you want to make your mark as a wedding photographer, give your clients the best experience. Give them a gorgeous canvas print from CanvasHQ.

Learn More:

• Start Designing Your Canvas Print Today
• Must-Have Tips for Awesome Canvas Prints

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Starting a business can be a daunting task.

That's especially true when it's a wedding photography business because it's so cyclical in nature.

That means that you need to have a rock-solid plan and a sensible approach to creating your business.

The question is, what does that look like?

Here are a few tips that will take some of the mystery out of building a successful wedding photography business.

Be Consistent

Being consistent applies to all sorts of things in business.

On the one hand, you want consistent results in the images you create. That should be the easy part because you're a photographer!

But most photographers aren't businesspeople, and it's in that realm that a lot of consistency is needed.

That includes developing a consistent schedule from one day to the next so all the business activities that require your attention get done.

That also includes your marketing plan and being consistent in your message to potential clients, the branding that you use, and the style of the images that the viewing public sees on your website, in your portfolio, and on your social media channels.

The more consistent you are, the easier it is for you to get into a routine, and the more likely that your clients will perceive you as professional and experienced. Those are all good things!

Editor's Tip: To bring more consistency to the manner in which you present your photos to clients, you need to partner with a printing company that offers top-notch products for your business. nPhoto is one of the premier printers in the world, with an expansive line of photo albums and other accessories that will wow your clients. Find out more by clicking here.

Give Your Clients an Experience They Won't Forget

One of the best ways to ensure you stand out in the crowd of wedding photographers is to focus your attention on giving your clients an experience that's second-to-none.

There are many different ways to do this...

Start out with a bang, by constructing a consult experience that is sure to knock people's socks off.

Buy them coffee, have treats to share, and foot the bill for it all. These aren't expensive items, especially when you consider how many thousands of dollars potential clients will spend on their wedding photography packages.

By turning the consult into something that feels less business-like and more like they're meeting with an old friend, the better the experience will be.

Another idea to impress potential clients is to present your work in a way that shows your dedication and commitment to quality.

On the one hand, this is an opportunity to show off your photography style by showing them sample images that you've created.

This is an important step because you want your clients to see your vision for what you'd like to do for their big day.

It's important for another reason as well - you can introduce them to some of the products that you offer.

Showing off your product line is by far one of the best ways to ensure your clients leave your consult impressed. That's especially true if you partner with a company like nPhoto, who has built a solid reputation for producing some of the best photo albums and accessories on the market today.

nPhoto's albums are highly customizable, too, so you not only have gorgeous products to offer potential clients, but you also have a custom experience to offer them as well.

These photo albums aren't just beautiful to look at, either - holding them in your hand, you can feel the quality of craftsmanship.

The covers are beautifully detailed, with your choice of several different materials. The interior pages are equally as beautiful with a weight and heft to them that make the album feel like an heirloom.

The point here is that the consult experience shouldn't just be you talking about how great you and your photos are.

Instead, you need to give your clients something they can feel, touch, and experience. If you do that with a sampling of nPhoto photo albums, you're putting yourself in the best possible position to impress would-be clients.

Learn More:

• Check Out nPhoto's Line of Photo Albums and Other Accessories
• Reviewed: The Best Photo Album on the Market
• How to Design a Professional Photo Album

Focus on Marketing Yourself

It might sound weird to market yourself, but just hear me out...

The most unique thing about you as a wedding photographer is you. That means that when you are the center of your marketing strategy, you have a ready-made method of setting yourself apart from other wedding photographers.

So, when coming up with ways to promote your business, think of your unique qualities and how you can use them for marketing purposes.

For example, if one of your best qualities is your ability to guide and direct people, upload a short video to YouTube that shows you wrangling people for a group photo at a wedding.

If you're proud of your ability to make genuine connections with people, put a series of photos on your Instagram that takes people step by step through your process of getting to know your clients.

Heck, you can even offer up some behind-the-scenes photos or videos that tell your personal story, like why you decided to become a wedding photographer.

The point here is that by marking yourself in addition to your services, you humanize yourself, help people get to know you, and put a face to the business name, all at the same time.

The more people know you as a person, the more likely they will be to come knocking at your door to hire you!

Editor's Tip: A great marketing strategy is to highlight your relationship with other vendors. For example, you might add a blog post to your site about the bakery you recommend, the florist you prefer to work with, and the company you use to print your clients' images. By showing your personal connection to these other businesses, you help to humanize them while also showing your commitment to providing your clients a top-notch experience.

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^{Photo by SDI Productions via iStock} 

When people think about wedding photography, their minds usually go straight to beautiful wedding ceremonies and receptions. However, any experienced wedding photographer will tell you it’s SO much more than that. And it all starts with the pre-wedding consultations. 

Wedding consultations are where you display photos from past gigs, build trust and understanding with clients, make a plan with the loving couple, set your price, and more. For us, they are, without a doubt, one of the most important parts of the entire wedding photography process.

That’s why we were shocked to discover how little time and effort so many photographers put into their wedding consultations. Don’t be one of them! Instead, join us as we explore the importance of wedding consultations and how you can improve yours!

Check out the video above by Hillary Muelleck to learn how to ROCK your next wedding photography consultation and for booking tips for wedding photographers. 

Table of Contents

• Establishing Expectations and Vision in Wedding Consultations
• Wedding Consultations Should Build Rapport and Trust
• Use Wedding Consultations to Plan for the Wedding Day
• Customizing the Photography Experience
• Managing Expectations and Addressing Concerns in Wedding Consultations
• Recommended Photography Gear

Establishing Expectations and Vision in Wedding Consultations

^{Photo by hxyume via iStock} 

Setting realistic and achievable expectations is crucial for both you (the wedding photographer) and the couple. If the goals and vision of the two parties align from the beginning, the chances of something going wrong decrease exponentially. Moreover, if everyone is on the same page, it makes your job easier and is one less thing the soon-to-be newlyweds have to worry about.  

Here are a few tips to establish expectations during wedding consultations.

• Talk through the style, theme, and location of the wedding. Topics to discuss include the venue, decorations, number of guests, and overall aesthetic.
• Clarify the expectations of your job duties, coverage, timeline, and final deliverables. Will you shoot photos and video or only photos? This knowledge helps determine the cost and if you need to hire another photographer or videographer. 
• Address any questions, concerns, or requests the couple may have regarding photoshoots and the final images. 

Wedding Consultations Should Build Rapport and Trust

^{Photo by kate_sept2004 via iStock}

You also want to foster trust and build rapport with your clients during wedding consultations, which starts by always being open and honest with them. Being transparent and friendly from the first meeting (and maintaining that transparency throughout the wedding process) creates a positive working environment and makes it easier to communicate with each other. 

• Here are some excellent ways to build rapport and trust during pre-wedding photography consultations.
• Listen actively to the couple’s ideas, concerns, and preferences. Maintain eye contact with them throughout the meeting and demonstrate signs of empathy and understanding.
• Share examples of your previous work to showcase your experience and gain professional credibility. This includes your wedding photography portfolio and testimonials from other clients.
• Present various product packages so the couple can choose the best fit for their needs and budget. Offer high-quality products like a metal print to WOW them. 

Learn More:

• These Wedding Photography Gifts Will Make the Big Day Even More Special
• Try These Fun Wedding Photo Ideas With Your Next Clients

Use Wedding Consultations to Plan for the Wedding Day

^{Photo by FG Trade via iStock}

At the wedding consultations, you should discuss the wedding day and the specific events the couple wants photos of. That way, you can ensure that you capture them all on camera. Furthermore, knowing the exact schedule of events for the big day well in advance lets you make a detailed game plan for tackling it. 

For example, where does the couple prefer you to be when multiple things happen simultaneously? In the lobby, taking photos of guests, or in the dressing room while the bride is getting ready? Here are more things we recommend squaring away with the couple during consultations regarding their wedding day.

• Address important logistical considerations, including venue restrictions, lighting conditions, and weather contingencies. Also, it’s always a good idea to scout the wedding venue in advance if feasible.
• Make a plan together and get the final timeline approved by the couple. This will ensure sufficient time to go from place to place without feeling rushed and allow you to capture all the essential shots.
• Are there any other days the couple wants photoshoots before or after the wedding? Today, it’s extremely common for couples to take engagement and wedding photos on days different from the actual events. This gives you even more fodder for presenting them with a signature print, perhaps an oversized metal print they can proudly display in their home!

Customizing the Photography Experience

^{Photo by Pekic via iStock}

For many couples, it will be their first time getting married. But who knows, you might have shot hundreds of weddings by now. That experience makes you an expert on the subject, and wedding consultations are the perfect time to share the photography knowledge you’ve accumulated through the years. 

Therefore, you should offer guidance and suggestions on everything from photo locations to poses and work with the couple to personalize their dream shot list. Of course, you want to listen to the couple’s requests and incorporate them into your plan, but don’t be afraid to offer advice as you see fit.

You should also customize their final photography package during wedding consultations. Every couple is different, and some may want only digital copies of the photos, while others might want metal prints, framed metal prints, small prints to display on a desk or credenza, and so forth.

For items like these, Large Metal Prints is a fantastic partner that can help you deliver high-quality photo products to your clients. With incredibly detailed prints with beautiful colors, deep blacks, and bright whites, Large Metal Prints delivers the type of quality your clients deserve. See what I mean in the video above!

Better still, these prints act like a billboard for your business - when people see a big, beautiful metal print of your clients at their wedding, guests will ask who took the photo, giving you access to another pool of potential clients. It’s a win-win!

Managing Expectations and Addressing Concerns in Wedding Consultations

^{Photo by Ugur Karakoc via iStock}

We already mentioned that one of the most important things you must do in your first wedding consultation is to set expectations. However, we can’t completely forget about them once they are set. Throughout the rest of the wedding photography process, we have to continuously manage those expectations and address any issues that pop up along the way.

Many things can happen during a wedding photography shoot, so you must constantly communicate with the couple and update them on timeline changes, turnaround times, post-production processes, etc. Finally, a good wedding photographer should also be a reassuring voice of reason and guidance to alleviate the couple's worries and anxieties. 

Recommended Photography Gear

Disclaimer: Our articles might have affiliate links and the occasional sponsored content, but don't sweat it – if you buy something, we get a little kickback at no extra cost to you, and we only hype products we truly believe in!

Learn More:

• The Importance of a Personalized Wedding Photo Album
• The Art of Lifestyle Photography: Capturing Real Moments in Time

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^{Photo by Ramiz Dedaković on Unsplash}

Whether you’re prepping for your first wedding or your one hundredth wedding, everybody can use additional wedding photography gear tips, especially if those wedding photography gear tips include how to score wedding photography gear on a budget.

In this list we cover our favorite cheap gear, our must-haves, and more. In short, these wedding photography gear tips will probably change your life.  

Invest in Good Shoes and Insoles

^{Photo by Radek Skrzypczak on Unsplash} 

I made a mistake the first time I went to shoot a wedding; I wore a fancy new pair of shoes I just bought. I almost immediately regretted it and began limping entirely against my will by the end of the (very long) day. 

It got so bad that one of the bridesmaids offered to run to the store and buy me bandages. That was one of many most-embarrassing moments running my own photography business. 

I never thought about shoes as part of my wedding photography gear until it was too late.  

Since then, I’ve purchased a mid-range pair of leather boots (they cost around $200). I also invested in Dr. Scholl’s insoles, although any drug-store brand of insoles should do the trick for a few months before you need to purchase new ones.

I also started breaking my wedding shoot shoes in by wearing them around my house, and then on shorter shoots. 

You should plan to own your wedding shoot shoes for at least 2 weeks before you even begin to think about wearing them to a wedding you’re working. Take it from me. 

Learn More:

• The Most Important Photography Gear You've Never Thought to Buy 
• Top 5 Leather Camera Bags for 2018 

Have a Supply of Old, White Sheets 

^{Photo by Yoann Boyer on Unsplash} 

And maybe blue or red sheets if you’re shooting a wedding with a less-conventional bride. 

Nobody wants it to rain on their wedding day, which is precisely why it almost always rains on your wedding day. And if you’re going to want to be taking pictures of your happy couple frolicking in the woods, or sharing a secret moment outside the church in the grass, your bride’s dress will get wet and muddy.

If you have white sheets on you, you can place them underneath the bride and easily conceal them while keeping her dress clean. 

I always have at least one white sheet tucked away in the back of my car in case I forget to pack one with the rest of my wedding photography equipment, and it has saved me more times than I can count! 

Buy Yourself a Camera Harness

This tip echoes my earlier tip about the comfortable shoes. No wedding photography gear tips list is complete without an easy way to carry a camera, and lenses, and more lenses for 12, sometimes 14 or 16 hours straight.

A camera harness is one of the cheapest additions to your wedding photography gear and it might just save you on chiropractic visits and massage appointments down the line.

Stop googling, “wedding photography gear on a budget,” and invest in one harness that will last you a lifetime. 

My favorite option is the MoneyMaker by Holdfast. 

It’s so popular that it is currently on backorder, which makes sense when you think about the fact that each one is hand-crafted in the U.S. with the best leather that money can buy.

I love the MoneyMaker because it fully equips me to shoot with 2 cameras, which very few camera harnesses do.  

I also enjoy the feeling of knowing my wedding photography gear is absolutely unique to me. I can see part of the cow’s branding on my MoneyMaker harness because Holdfast refuses to dispose of good hide just because of perceived “imperfections.”

This lets me know that I have something nobody else in the industry does. 

Holdfast also has additional wedding photography equipment, like additional gear straps if you really need more room on your camera harness than the MoneyMaker already gives you.  

Get Cheap (But Helpful) Lighting Gear

photo by Mordolff via iStock 

I know when I started in photography one of the most intimidating things was learning how to utilize an artificial light system for portraits.

But then I quickly realized that you don’t need a huge or expensive setup like the one shown above to vastly improve the lighting situation. 

For most weddings, all you need is a couple of speedlights with diffusers for photos inside the venue (this Yongnuo speedlight is highly rated and dirt cheap) and a reflector pack for shots outside (this one is a great buy).

If you’re not sure how to use speedlights or just want to see how an expert handles flash photography at weddings, check out the video above by Adorama.

As far as using a reflector goes, it’s a simple process that just requires an extra set of hands and the right positioning to bounce light onto your subject. You can read up on that process here.

With that, you have a few practical wedding photography tips that can have a significant impact on your wedding day workflow!

Learn More:

• How to Pose Couples for Wedding Portraits 
• Wedding Photography Tips From the Pros 

 

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When most people see the phrase "wedding photography" they probably think of formal, posed shots of the happy couple or the wedding party.

And while those types of photos are certainly important for weddings, they aren't the only photos that should make up the portfolio of the day.

With these wedding photography tips, you'll get the inside scoop on a few ways that you can breathe new life into your photos and give your clients something even more special.

Blur on Purpose

For a totally unique take on wedding photography, try blurring the subject on purpose.

This is often done to draw attention to something else in the shot, like the bride's bouquet or the groom's wedding band.

By focusing on details like these you are able to build a better story about the day.

But sometimes photos that only include the little details can feel a little bland. That's where adding the one or both members of the couple to the background of the shot comes in handy.

Rather than the image feeling contrived or unnecessarily focused on one object, you give the photo some context.

When it comes to how to shoot a wedding, it's often these artistic photos that are the most memorable of the bunch!

Editor's Tip: Printing your photos can bring them to life. Get breathtaking prints of your images today.

Outdoor Wedding Photography Tip: During the Day, Face Away From the Sun

A common mistake that's made when shooting outdoors is having the subject face the sun.

On the one hand, I understand why photographers do this because looking at the sun brightens the subject's face.

But on the other, hand, the harsh light of the sun might wash them out and cause hard shadowing in certain areas, like under the nose and chin.

A better solution is to have the subject turn away from the sun. Doing so puts their entire face in the shade for a more even look.

What's more, by having the subject face away from the sun, you can get creative and overexpose the background for a high-key look.

When doing so, try using spot metering mode, that way you can get an accurate light reading off of the subject's face, and your camera will disregard light information from the rest of the shot.

Of course, you can also seek out some shade if you aren't too keen on a high-key background and use the diffuse lighting in the shade to get a well-exposed image throughout.

Learn More:

• 3 Mistakes Beginner Wedding Photographers Make
• 3 Beginner Photography Mistakes That are Ruining Your Photos

For Group Wedding Photos, Focus on the Nearest Person

Since more depth of field exists behind the point of focus than in front of it, you want to be sure that the nearest person to you is sharply in focus.

If you do that, everyone in the shot will be in focus. If not, the nearest person - who is likely the most visible in the photo - will be blurry.

Even if the focus is just slightly off, you'll still be able to notice it, and it's not something you can fix in Photoshop.

One of the best tips for wedding photographers is to open the aperture a stop or two, focus on the nearest person, and you'll be in good shape for those wedding day group photos.

Editor's Tip: Your tack-sharp wedding photos deserve to be seen as big, beautiful prints. Turn your photos into statement pieces.

How You Print Your Photos Matters

When it comes to tips for wedding photography, I'd be remiss if I didn't touch on what needs to happen after you take your photos, cull them, and edit them.

Your work isn't done once the digital files are complete. Instead, you need to find a way to bring it home by turning your best images into fine art prints.

After all, a wedding portrait is perhaps one of the most cherished of all portraits, and you want your clients to have a statement piece that knocks people's socks off.

I'm especially fond of canvas prints for wedding photos because you can get just about any size print you want, and if you choose the right printer, you'll get something that's built to last with gorgeous colors and an eye-catching finish that makes you say WOW.

CanvasHQ certainly fits the bill on all of these fronts.

This was the first time having my pictures put on canvas...after contemplating about it for years. I love how they turned out! In fact, I am placing a re-order to share with my sons who took me to Italy. Thank you for adjusting the alignment and for the positive feedback. I would highly recommend your services! - Barbara W., Roanoke Rapids, NC

I've seen their work firsthand, and I have to tell you that the quality of their canvases is second-to-none.

And I'm not just talking about the canvas itself, either.

These canvases are beautifully constructed with kiln-dried frames that are manufactured using jigs.

That means the frame is straight and true, so when the canvas is stretched over it, you get impeccable results.

Just like in photography, it's often the little details that make the difference between something good and something great.

Extremely pleased with the quality of the canvas, the ease with which it was to order, and the punctuality and speed of delivery. - Kyle T., Baltimore, MD

They focus on all the small details so you're sure that the prints you get are perfect.

And on the off-chance that something goes wrong, you can rest assured that CanvasHQ will fix it.

Don't give your clients (or yourself!) a poor quality print. Wedding day memories deserve better. They deserve CanvasHQ!

Learn More:

• 3 Ways to Get the Best Wedding and Engagement Photos
• Must-Have Tips for Amateur Wedding Photographers

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If you're trying to build a successful wedding photography business, there's plenty that you need to keep in mind.

Where will you work - out of your home, a studio, or elsewhere?

How much will you charge?

How will you market yourself?

There's lots of other questions, too, but one of the most important is this: who can help you achieve your goals?

In this post, I want to outline three very different, yet vital groups of people that wedding photographers simply cannot live without.

A Good Printer

If you think that you can make a go of being a wedding photographer by offering your clients cheap photo albums that you print at the local drug store, you've got another thing coming.

One of the most important people to have in your life as a wedding photographer is your printer because the products they produce are what you use to showcase the photos you take.

Think about it - you can either show your clients their photos in a cheap, flimsy album that you order from a bargain-basement website, which will make your photos look cheap as well, or you can opt to give your clients a superb album that highlights the quality of your work and presents it in a way that makes it feel like an heirloom.

It's obvious which one will benefit you more in the long run...

When it comes to giving your clients the optimal experience of viewing their wedding photos, there's no better printer to choose than nPhoto.

nPhoto has the largest printing lab in Europe and is staffed with over 400 employees that dedicate their days to presenting your photos and your clients' special memories in a way that you can be proud of and your clients will cherish for the rest of their lives.

You can see their commitment to crafting the finest quality albums on the market by looking at the images above and below.

Not only are these albums the peak of design and quality, but they're also highly customizable.

That's good for you because you can help your clients select the features they most want, resulting in an album that's specific to them and them alone.

In fact, you can have two different clients choose the same photo album from nPhoto, and end up with two vastly different end-products - there's that much to customize!

That includes everything from the cover material to the size of the album, the type of paper used within the album to the font, and even choices to include laser etching, padded covers, and layflat pages. And that's just the beginning.

nPhoto doesn't just provide the best photo albums on the market, though.

Instead, they offer photographers like you the opportunity to upsell clients with gorgeous photo accessories.

That includes special albums for the parents of the happy couple (shown above), triplex displays, image boxes, and USBs loaded with your images that come in gorgeously crafted USB boxes, like the one shown below.

The bottom line here is that the way perceive your work isn't just dependent upon the quality of the images themselves. Instead, it also depends on the quality of the products you use to present those photos.

If you want to achieve the best success in this business, it's critical that you work with a printer that can deliver the highest-quality albums and photo products possible. That company is nPhoto!

Learn More:

• Start Designing an Album Experience for Your Clients Today
• Why We Need Photo Albums, Even in the Digital Age

A Second Shooter

Of course, filling up a great photo album with gorgeous photos is a task that cannot be left solely to you.

You'll need a good second shooter, someone that you trust to help you document the festivities of the day.

Not only does a second shooter mean that you have two cameras in two different locations to cover more of the goings-on, but it also means that you get photos from two different points of view and perspectives.

That's important from a storytelling perspective. For example, as the primary shooter, you can document the moment the bride sees her soon-to-be groom for the first time while the second shooter can train their lens on the groom to capture his reaction at that moment as well.

There's something to be said for the different types of photos that a second shooter can capture, too.

While you focus on the more serious or intimate moments of the day, the second shooter can capture the fun, funny, and candid moments.

Together, these images provide a more detailed account of the day that captures a range of emotions from a greater variety of people.

In other words, weddings are far too large and far too important for you to handle all the photo-taking duties by yourself.

Get a second shooter, increase the number of photos you get of the day, and have a better story to tell with your images.

Learn More:

• Must Have Products for All Wedding Photographers
• Explore Photography Business Tips

An Insurance Agent

No one likes to talk about insurance. Even fewer people like paying for it.

But having the proper coverage for you and your business is vital to your long-term success.

You can be as careful as possible, but accidents might still occur.

Think about it...

If you set up a light stand and it falls over onto a member of the wedding party, you need to have liability insurance to cover any related costs for medical bills or a lawsuit.

Likewise, if you're on your way to the venue and you're in a car accident that damages your gear, you need to have an equipment policy so you can replace the gear quickly and get back to work.

There's also calamities that might occur right in your own studio - a pipe might burst, a fire might break out, or someone might break in and steal your gear.

Without the proper insurance from an insurance agent that specializes in offering policies to professional photographers, you put your business at great risk for failure.

That's why having a good insurance agent - along with a top-notch printer and a great second shooter - is one of the most critical people to have on your side.

Learn More:

• How to Design a Professional Photo Album
• Things to Consider When Buying Professional Photographer's Insurance

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^{Photo by Jovana Stojanovic via iStock}

The work of a wedding photographer is full of opportunities for stress. After all, this is a high-pressure job that requires you to perform, and perform well!

That being the case, having some fun wedding photo ideas in our back pocket is one way we can keep our wedding photography fresh while helping keep ourselves from succumbing to the pressure of the gig.

Each client deserves the best we can provide for their special day, too, so we’ll also discuss some helpful wedding photography tips, including a few suggestions for displaying the photos you take. Let’s get to it!

Table of Contents:

• Causes of Wedding Photography Stress
• Fun Wedding Photo Ideas for Any Client
• Pre Wedding Portraits
• Jump! For Your Love
• Fun Wedding Photo Ideas - Posing and Groups
• Fun Wedding Photo Ideas - Lighting and Effects
• Display Options for Wedding Photos
• Wedding Photography Tips
• Recommended Photography Gear

Causes of Wedding Photography Stress

^{Photo by Marco VDM via iStock}

Fun wedding photo ideas help lessen the stresses involved in wedding photography, both for the client and for you as a photographer. Some of the main causes of stress revolve around the nature of the special event photography.

The timing of the event is a large part of most of the stresses. This event only happens once, it has things happening in a certain order, and there aren’t many opportunities for reshooting anything. 

Other opportunities for stress may come from people being on edge about how special the event should be. Sometimes there may be some personality differences going on that cause friction. That’s simply the nature of documenting once-in-a-lifetime happening!

Fun Wedding Photo Ideas for Any Client

^{Photo by digitalskillet via iStock}

Sometimes we get into a mindset about how serious everything should be. It’s true that we need to do our utmost to ensure delivering great images in a timely manner, but that doesn’t mean we have to be so somber about things.

Our client may be a friend or family member that we’re providing the wedding photography service for, or they may be paying us top dollar for a specific wedding package. Any of our clients might be open to some of these fun wedding photo ideas. All we can do is ask.

When speaking to our wedding photography clients, it can be a good idea to ask them if they have any lighthearted or fun wedding photo ideas of their own. They may be hesitant to bring it up themselves, so being open and willing might help make their special day just what they really want.

Check out the video above entitled, “10 tips to get great wedding photos - ideas, poses, techniques” by Christian Tudor - Academy of Photography, for some helpful advice on this subject. 

Pre-Wedding Portraits

^{Photo by Ekkasit Jokthong via iStock}

Few wedding photography clients want anything silly happening during the actual ceremony (though some will, and I guarantee they’ll tell you their ideas), so the pictures taken before and after the formal ceremony itself will be the most likely opportunities for fun wedding photo ideas. 

Some lighthearted pre-wedding portraits ideas will probably go over well for most couples. Pre-wedding portraits can happen a week or more before the wedding or closer to the wedding date, so you can capitalize on less stressful times to enjoy a fun photoshoot. These types of images help tell the story of the wedding day in a photo album or other image presentation, while also providing a little levity.

On the wedding day, there are multiple ways to include fun wedding photo ideas with the bride and her attendants as they get ready. The same goes for the groom and his group. Informal, candid shots at this point of the day are wonderful ways to include fun photos. We can also take advantage of this time to grab nice images of those attending who aren’t part of the wedding party.

Jump! For Your Love

^{Photo by Hiraman via iStock} 

Jump for joy is a common thought on such a loving day, so we can use our imagination and the party’s willingness to simply have fun by asking for some jump up and down shots.  

We can vary these poses quite a bit, like having the groom and everyone else but the bride jump while she stays on the ground and vice versa. Not everyone will jump at the opportunity for airborne imagery, but when you can get them to join in, those pics are always cute.

Fun Wedding Photo Ideas - Posing and Groups

^{Photo by teksomolika via iStock} 

Even while we’re in the middle of capturing all of the traditional poses and groupings that our clients may be expecting, we can stay alert for those candid spur-of-the-moment shots that come up. 

An unexpected conversation might result in either a touching expression or a goofy one. We don’t even need to step out of the configuration we have set up, just click that shutter when we see it happening. 

The groups that we document on the wedding day can become fun wedding photo ideas by means of varying who gets paired with who. Stay open to suggestions from people attending and from the wedding party themselves.  

Make sure that the client is open to these ideas ahead of time, though. Some people stay much more serious than others, but you will pretty much know all of this well ahead of time by paying attention to your client and their mindset about the event, the types of photos they want, and the types of prints and photo books they want.

Fun Wedding Photo Ideas - Lighting and Effects

^{Photo by olegbreslavtsev via iStock}

There are so many ways to incorporate fun wedding photo ideas by means of lighting and other effects. Smoke bomb phtography may fit in with some clients, low-key and high-key photography will for others. Soft focus, backlight, low angle, and other ideas are all available as fun wedding photo ideas, too.

To get some ideas, take a look at some of the other articles we’ve published about portraits, group portraits, family photo ideas, and lighting configuration for a special look, and even our articles on filters, depth of field, and shutter speeds for motion or blur. All are on the table for some fun wedding photo ideas!

Display Options for Wedding Photos

^{Photo by ASphotowed via iStock}

Once the wedding day is past, display and sharing options can satisfy a desire for fun wedding photo ideas. Sharing the photos of the special day is often a highlight of visits with others after the event. 

Photobook Press, one of my favorite photo book printers, has a new photobook idea that fits into this, the Signature Sewn Photo Book. It’s one of the most beautiful photo books you can have made, and is perfect for showcasing all of the images of the special day, including the fun wedding photo ideas we discussed earlier.

With the Signature Sewn Photo Book, Photobook Press has married the finest design and digital print technology with old-world book style to create wedding photo books that are as elegant as the events they commemorate. It’s an heirloom wedding book built to last - just what you want to provide to your clients!

Wedding Photography Tips

^{Photo by neicebird via iStock} 

Learning about a few fun wedding photo ideas is just the tip of the iceberg. Getting your clients on board for some candid images might take a little convincing, but once you have them on board, it can make your clients’ special day that much more special.

That’s particularly true if you provide them with a gorgeous vessel for displaying their photos, as we just discussed. There’s no point in taking beautiful images if you don’t have a means of presenting them in a beautiful manner!

So, use these tips to get some inspiration, partner with a quality photo printing company to get the best products for your clients, and have FUN the next time you have a wedding to photograph!

Recommended Photography Gear

Learn More:

• The Importance of a Personalized Wedding Photo Album
• What to Look for when Ordering a Photo Book
• Custom Artwork Ideas for your Photography

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^{Photo by Christian Holzinger on Unsplash}

When you're just starting out in photography, there can be many things that might overwhelm you.

Learning to use your camera is certainly one of them. Developing your creative eye is another. But with practice, these things become second-nature.

A different type of struggle that some photographers experience is simply trying to figure out what kind of photographer they want to be.

Is landscape photography the best type of photography? Or is it portraits? What about macro or street photography?

The answer is that there is no "best" genre of photography. Instead, you have to figure out which popular photography genre is the best fit for you.

Below, I've outlined 19 different types of photography to help you quickly explore which of these genres might be most appealing.

Table of Contents

• Landscape Photography
• Weather Photography
• Astrophotography
• Underwater Photography
• Wildlife Photography
• Aerial Photography
• Travel Photography
• Architecture Photography
• Real Estate Photography
• Street Photography
• Portrait Photography
• Wedding Photography
• Event Photography
• Fashion Photography
• Newborn Photography 
• Documentary Photography
• Still Life Photography
• Macro Photography
• Pet Photography

TYPES OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Landscape Photography

One of the most popular types of photography styles, landscape photography is all about capturing the beauty of nature.

Though many landscape photos are wide-angle, sweeping shots of a landscape, there are plenty of opportunities for vertical landscape photography and even photos of very small vignettes in a larger landscape that highlight the details of the natural environment.

Landscape photography is also perhaps the most accessible as well. All you have to do to find a subject is head outside!

Explore our collection of landscape photography tips.

Recommended Landscape Photography Books:

• The Landscape Photography Book: The Step-by-Step Techniques You Need to Capture Breathtaking Landscape Photos Like the Pros
• National Geographic Greatest Landscapes: Stunning Photographs That Inspire and Astonish
• The Art, Science, and Craft of Great Landscape Photography 

Weather Photography

I like to think of weather photography as landscape photography on steroids.

Instead of focusing on the serenity of nature, weather photography puts extreme weather events front and center.

Though most people think of tornadoes and thunderstorms when they think of this type of photography, it also includes blizzards, sandstorms, rainbows, and hurricanes, just to name a few.

Needless to say, photographing weather can be very dangerous, but if you play your cards right, you can get spectacular photos and keep yourself safe at the same time.

Astrophotography

The misconception about astrophotography is that you have to have a mountain of expensive gear to get high-quality shots. That's just not the case!

Instead, you can take epic photos of the night sky with essential astrophotography gear, like a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a fast lens, a tripod, and a remote shutter release.

Common problems with this type of photography include getting stars nice and sharp and understanding how to compose astro photos in a way that's compelling. It helps to have mad post-processing skills too.

But, as you can see above, when it all comes together, there are opportunities to create truly incredible photos.

Use these astrophotography tutorials to get started!

Underwater Photography

Of course, not all landscapes involve mountains, rivers, foul weather, or stars - there's a whole other world to explore with your camera underwater.

Granted, you'll need some additional gear to make underwater photography a possibility, but the reward waiting for you beneath the surface of the water can be epic.

So, grab a GoPro and a snorkel and see what you can find just under the water's surface!

Wildlife Photography

If you ask me, wildlife photography is one of the most difficult photography types to master.

That's because more than just about any other kind of photography, photographing wildlife requires an abundance of patience, and that is not something I have.

Though you might have to wait for hours and hours in a blind for that perfect moment, the payoff can be truly magical and breathtaking photos of animals.

Fortunately, to get started in wildlife photography, you don't have to trek to some distant mountaintop. Start practicing in your backyard with your dog or the local park with birds to develop your skills.

Recommended Wildlife Photography Books:

• Wildlife Photography: An Expert Guide
• Wildlife Photography: Proven Techniques for Capturing Stunning Digital Images

Aerial Photography

It seems like not that long ago, the types of photography shots that were available to most of us were those found while standing on the ground (unless you had a plane or helicopter handy).

But, with the development of drones in recent years, now any of us can take to the skies and get started in aerial photography.

For me, this type of photography involves photographing landscapes from a much different perspective than I normally do.

But aerial photography isn't limited to landscapes. Instead, you can use drones to take killer photos of anything from wildlife to weddings, real estate to sports.

Travel Photography

One look at Instagram and you'll quickly realize that one of the most popular photography types is travel photography.

Travel photography encompasses all sorts of other types of photography - landscapes, portraits, wildlife, and street photography among them - and as such, it has broad appeal.

The beauty of this kind of photography is that it helps showcase different places and peoples and helps us all feel a little more connected to one another in this big, beautiful world. It's not all that difficult to get started in travel photography, either.

Besides, who wouldn't like to travel the world taking photos? Talk about one of the most ideal photography careers!

Architecture Photography

I like to think of architecture photography as urban landscape photography. By that, I mean that instead of photographing natural elements, you're capturing the beauty of manmade structures and exploring how they've changed the urban landscape.

Though I enjoy a good shot of a city's skyline, there's something even more compelling about the detail-oriented shots of buildings.

Whether it's a beautiful arch or a gargoyle perched on high, there are plenty of opportunities to accentuate the beauty of humankind's architectural wonders.

Real Estate Photography

There are many types of photography jobs that one can pursue, including real estate photography.

Obviously, the purpose of real estate photography is to make residential and commercial properties as appealing as possible.

This involves everything from perfecting the staging of the property to finding the right angles to highlight interesting features or architecture.

Fortunately, there isn't an excessive amount of gear required for photographing real estate - in some instances, you might just need your smartphone!

Get all the real estate photography tips you need to kickstart your career photographing properties!

Recommended Real Estate Photography Books:

• The Business of Real Estate Photography: A Comprehensive Guide to Starting your own Real Estate Photography Business
• Photographing Real Estate Interiors and Architecture: A Comprehensive Guide to Equipment, Technique and Workflow for Real Estate Photography

Street Photography

Much like I think of architecture photography as urban landscape photography, I think of street photography as being urban portrait photography.

The whole point of street photography is to portray what life is like in the city. Often, it's done with quick snapshots without the subject knowing that they've been photographed.

The challenge with street photography is to turn simple, everyday scenes into something meaningful and beautiful. That is, you have to concentrate on how the composition, framing, lighting and so forth help you tell a compelling story about the people in your photos.

Portrait Photography

Even taking selfies out of the equation, portraiture is likely the most popular photography niche in the world.

But portrait photography is much more than simply pointing your camera at someone and taking a photo.

Instead, portraiture is all about telling the story of the person being photographed and highlighting what makes them unique.

But there are many more types of portrait photography than solo portraits, including family portraiture, fashion photography, professional headshots, graduation photos, and even sports photography as well.

Regardless of the type, for the best portraits, you have to master the camera settings for portrait photography in addition to learning the types of lighting in portrait photography.

Discover more ways to improve your portraits with our collection of portrait photography tips.

Recommended Portrait Lighting Books:

• Picture Perfect Lighting: An Innovative Lighting System for Photographing People
• The Dramatic Portrait: The Art of Crafting Light and Shadow
• Portrait Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots

Wedding Photography

Getting married is a big deal, and so is being hired to photograph that event. Needless to say, no matter the type of wedding photography, wedding photographers have an immense responsibility, and that makes this kind of photography among the most stressful.

But being a wedding photographer isn't just about having the right skill set behind the camera. Instead, wedding photographers must be storytellers, problem solvers, and have tremendous people skills.

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of wedding photography is finding ways to get practice so you can minimize your wedding photography mistakes. Working as a second shooter is a prime option for learning the ropes as it takes some of the pressure off of you while giving you an opportunity to learn from a more seasoned wedding photographer.

Event Photography

From concerts to birthday parties, corporate events to the county fair, event photography encompasses a huge range of subjects.

This might include portraits of the people at the event, the food they're eating, the event space in which they're gathered, and so on.

In other words, event photography is a fast-paced and challenging genre of photography that is not for the faint of heart. You have to be ready for anything and have an array of gear (especially a range of lenses with different focal lengths) if you're to be a successful event photographer.

Ultimately, though, event photography is all about helping the people in attendance relive the event years and years down the road through the photos you create.

Fashion Photography

Fashion photography primarily exists for branding and advertisements, though as photography has become more accessible and social media has risen to prominence, fashion photography is becoming more broad-based.

Whether the purpose of the photo shoot is to create photos for a magazine or to post on Instagram, the point of fashion photography is to highlight clothing, makeup, and other fashion accessories in a way that makes them highly desirable for consumers.

Because of the need to showcase these items, a lot of fashion photos are full-body shots. What's more, fashion photographers must be experts in types of lighting in photography and have excellent portrait posing skills too.

Newborn Photography

Whether you know it as newborn, infant, or baby photography, this genre is perhaps the most rewarding.

Capturing what a newborn is like in the first days after their birth is a huge honor - and a big challenge.

Babies are unpredictable, so photographing them while they sleep is one of the top newborn photography tips to follow.

You'll find that they are sensitive to temperature fluctuations, sensitive to light, and might have accidents that require a diaper and a wardrobe change.

Being prepared for these eventualities is a must, and despite those challenges, the reward at the end of the shoot is well worth the time and effort!

Get easy-to-understand instruction on maternity and newborn photography tips.

Documentary Photography

Along with photojournalists, documentary photographers strive to depict newsworthy events in a way that helps people better understand or connect to the event that's occurring.

The focus of documentary photography is on emotionality - evoking a feeling in the viewer that makes the event more real.

Though war type photography is likely the best-known subgenre of documentary photography, many other events - presidential activities, state gatherings, and national celebrations - might fall under the purview of a documentary photographer. Additionally, many documentary photographers simply seek to capture daily life, history, culture, and so forth.

Still Life Photography

Still life photography is all about creating images of objects.

In many instances, just a single object or a few objects - a bowl of fruit, for example - might serve as the subject of a still life photo.

The key to a successful still life image is having excellent lighting that casts an even light on the subject while also minimizing shadows.

Even though it might not be the most popular type of photography, by focusing on the lighting, you can create an interesting scene out of even the most mundane of subjects - silverware, items on a desk, kids' toys, and so on.

Macro Photography

 

If you've got a keen eye for detail, macro photography might be for you.

Photographing small objects - flowers and insects, for example - is actually a lot easier than it looks, provided you have the right gear and the right approach.

In fact, you can use your smartphone for macro photography and get pretty awesome results!

Like any type of photography, becoming a pro at macro takes time, but if you commit yourself to practicing and learning, you can create some truly breathtaking photos.

Pet Photography

When you're just starting out in photography, your pets are one of the best subjects with which to work.

After all, they're easy to access, they'll listen to your direction (hopefully!), and you can photograph them in the comfort of your own home.

Better still, because many of the same principles of portrait photography apply to pet photography, it's a great primer for flexing your portraiture muscles down the road.

So, put your dog in his favorite costume, grab your camera, and start working on your composition skills, mastering camera settings, and storytelling abilities!

For a humorous look at these and other types of photography, be sure to check out the video above by Antti Karppinen.

In the meantime, use the information I've provided above to think about the type of photography that best suits your interests and skills.

Don't be afraid to test out multiple genres or different types of photography as well!

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Editor's Note: This is a guest post by photographer James de la Cloche. All images are his own and are used here with permission.

A Little Background

For many years I had anticipated a move from Jersey in the UK (the original Jersey!!) to Chiang Mai, Thailand. I already had a long association with the place and had decided by 50 that I would abandon my past professional life that had been in interior decoration and real estate (always with an element of photography for over 27 years) to become a professional photographer in Chiang Mai, the amazing city situated in the North of Thailand. That was over five years ago now.

When I first arrived, I had expected to become a recognised interiors photographer but for one reason or another that didn’t really happen. The last thing I expected was to become known for my portraits and wedding photographs of couples with elephants! That journey started around two years ago and is all down to the amazing Alexa Tkawpa of www.chailaiorchid.com who had spotted my website and contacted me to see if I could photograph a wedding for some of her guests. Buddhist ceremony in the temple, no problem I said. “Then there will be photos with an elephant in the river” she said. “Oh!” I said.

Two years later I have been privileged to have shot around 50 couples with elephants. Elopements, blessings, portraits, weddings and soon, the first same sex couple blessing with elephant! Perhaps this should be the Pink Elephant package? I couldn’t be more excited and will be sharing the photos through my facebook page and website.

The First Rule of Shooting With Elephants

Always, but always make sure that you have several sacks of bananas or cut sugarcane with you. Elephant food is primarily elephant grass. Bananas and sugarcane are like candy for an elephant and they will listen to their handler a lot closer if they know they will be rewarded with sweet treats. A fully grown elephant eats around 250kg a day so they never really get full!

My shoots generally last between 60-90 minutes and I promise you that translates to a lot of elephant candy!

My General Rules

Eco friendly camp - I will only work with an elephant camp if I know that the elephants are treated well (I wrote a long blog on the subject of elephant tourism, riding and mahouts https://dlc.photo/chiang-mai-elephant-photography/ ). Miss “Seavoy” is my favourite elephant model and we know each other pretty well these days. She knows what to expect when she sees me with camera in hand and she always will come and greet me, giving me a good sniff over with her trunk before moving along to her handler who will be dishing out the candy :)

Female elephants - Females are generally more gentle and compliant than male elephants. Male elephants can be exceptionally dangerous during “musk”. Safety first! I had one guy who wanted to dress as Tarzan and be photographed on a big bull elephant. I don’t know if he ever got his wish but if he did it wasn’t with me.

Experienced handlers - The elephant’s handler must be experienced. Any animals can be tricky to photograph so just imagine how difficult it is to manoeuvre a 2,500kg elephant. Add into this the couple you are photographing with the elephant and you can see you want the best handler available! I handle the couple and the “mahout” handles the elephant. The couple often go from super enthusiastic about the shoot to “OMG those elephants are bigger than I thought”, so reassurances are needed. Note: I’ve never lost a client yet and none have fallen off the elephant although a few have decided that they would just stand near her instead of sitting up on her shoulders. Whichever way is fine as I have always been fortunate to nail many great shots in each shoot so far.

Background - As with all shoots, a great background is essential. I particularly love river shots. The down side is there are many bamboo rafters on the river so I often find myself having to wait for a clear background. So, I am always in the river, usually up to my waist with a very expensive camera and lens.

I did actually drop the A7Riii in the river a few weeks after buying it. It had the 24mm-70mm G Master attached too. Sony fixed the camera but said the lens was dead but, my local supplier sent it to Bangkok and it’s all working again and I haven’t really noticed any degradation in the quality. I am pretty lucky as insurance for cameras is only just starting to be a thing in Thailand.

Forest shots are also awesome, especially when the forest is lush during and straight after the rainy season, as the light gains an amazing quality as it filters through the foliage and, if we get the elephant into just the right spot the shot will really rock!

Light - Ah, the light! As photographers we must all love the light and know how to manipulate it. For my style I love to work with additional lighting which surprises a lot of my clients but, it is this I think that adds a magazine look to the shots.

Tools of the Trade

What Tools Do I Use?

I shoot with Sony. It used to be Canon up until 3+ years ago when all my gear was stolen but I have never looked back since changing to the original Sony A7 and A7R. Now I have upgraded to the A7Riii which is an absolutely amazing camera. The auto eye focus can be really useful when you have a moving elephant with a couple on it’s back. The dynamic range is stunning and the ability to shoot multiple shots in quick succession without hitting the memory buffer is really useful in some situations with the elephants. For example, the elephant is continually moving its head so I always take multiple shots in order to get that “one” where the couple and the elephant as well as the background and light are all as I want them.

Lenses are the 24mm-70mm f2.8 Sony G Master, the 90mm f2.8 G and the Sony Zeiss 55mm f1.8 - these are all fantastic lenses but most of the time the 24-70mm is on the camera as it is such an awesome and versatile tool.

I always use off camera flash during these shoots (note: elephants don’t like reflectors but are quite happy with a flash popping away). I use a single Elinchrom Quadra Ranger with the HS flash head and an Octabox, my assistant holding this aloft on an extendable California Sundance pole.

I find that to ensure images without the elephants ears blurring when they flap them, or trunk blur, shooting at speeds of 1/320 up is advisable dependent on the focal length you are working with. The flash is there just to lift the shadows a little and you must remember that elephants skin is usually very dark and the new hi speed sync Elinchrom head is great for this.

Future Aims

I’d love to get to Africa at some stage to photograph some African elephants. They are substantially larger than their Asian brothers and sisters and their ears are really huge in comparison. Other difference is the females also have tusks which is not true of the Asian elephant but, Chiang Mai will remain my home as it called to my soul many years ago and I feel truly routed here with the beautiful mountains and nature that surround the city.

Connect with James on his website.

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^{Photo by Hisu lee on Unsplash}

You probably got into photography because you’re a great artist with a keen eye for what makes a beautiful photo. 

What you might not be so good at is the business side of things. I know from personal experience that I was confident behind the lens, but not so much doing things like marketing. 

But marketing is the lifeblood of your business. If you can’t effectively put your brand out there in front of potential customers, it will be hard to get clients.

With that in mind, here are three effective marketing tips for wedding photographers that will help you expand your business.

Offer Premium Products

^{Offering high-end products helps your clients associate your brand with beautiful, high-quality, durable items they can cherish forever. The 8x8” Journal ArtBook shown above is just one option you have for marketing your work in a gorgeous, finely-crafted package.}  

It is critical that you put your best foot forward with your photos. And that goes not just for the actual photos you take, but how you present them as well.

The images you take of a wedding will be viewed and shared with family and friends far and wide. That’s a prime opportunity to show off your photos in a beautiful way.

Choosing premium products as a vessel for marketing your photography is one of the best things you can do to expand your business.

And I know what you’re thinking…

“Premium” means expensive. Fortunately, that’s not always the case.

When I went to WPPI in February, I had a chance to meet the folks from QT Albums.

In addition to them being incredibly friendly, down-to-earth people that are passionate about what they do, they have an impressive line of premium products for photographers.

I was particularly impressed with their AriaBook line of photo albums.

As you can see above, this photo album is visually impressive with a gorgeous finish that is sure to leave your clients breathless. 

You can customize the album to your client’s wishes with the great variety of cover options and personalizations, range of sizes from 6 x 6 inches to 12 x 18 inches, and choice of Fuji lustre or silk prints bound in slim, standard, or thick pages.

What struck me most about these albums is the incredible dynamic range. The photos jump off the page with lovely colors and contrast.

These albums look and feel like heirloom pieces - something that will last for generations. That’s simply not the case with bargain photo albums that you can get from other websites. 

Best of all, you get that premium quality without paying steep prices. There’s plenty of room for you to mark up the price on these products and still make a good profit, plus studio samples are 50% off so you can show clients an example of what they can expect from you. It’s a win-win!

The products you recommend to your clients are essentially a representation of your business, so when you’re putting your work out there, make sure the companies you work with offer you the level of quality that your photos deserve. QT Albums certainly fits that mold! 

Start a YouTube Channel

^{Photo by Kon Karampelas on Unsplash}

Social media is king when it comes to marketing in the digital age, and YouTube is at the top of the heap. 

Second only to Google, YouTube is the largest search engine in the world. In 2019, it was estimated that YouTube had two billion monthly users that streamed 250 million hours of video each day. 

Needless to say, that’s a huge audience that you can reach by starting a YouTube channel.

Granted, not everyone is going to amass millions of followers, but even if you have a couple of hundred followers, you’ve got a good-sized audience that you can share things with.

^{Photo by Andreas Rønningen on Unsplash}

Do behind-the-scenes videos that shows everything you do on a wedding day. Share a tutorial for taking beautiful portraits of a bride. Talk about the things you do to capture candid moments at receptions. The ideas are endless! 

Think of YouTube as your chance to share some organic content. Things like how-to stuff and tutorials as opposed to sales messages, that demonstrate your expertise as a photographer. After all, the more you can show people you know what you’re doing, the more likely they will be to hire you!

Besides, YouTube can be used as a means to supplement your income. If you can monetize your channel, you can diversify your revenue stream, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that! 

Step Up Your SEO

^{Photo by Merakist on Unsplash}

Let’s face it - when someone needs to find a photographer online, they go to Google and type in “photographers near me” or something of the sort. 

That means that you need to have your SEO on point so when searches are made for photographers in your area, your name is at the top of the list.

Learning the ins and outs of SEO optimization is something that will take time, but it will be well worth your time to do it.

This resource will guide you along, or if you’re a beginner, these tips will be helpful.

^{Photo by Webaroo on Unsplash}

I know that optimizing SEO might not be the sexiest topic, but trust me when I say that when it comes to marketing for photographers, it’s one of the best things you can do.

You need a strong web presence with a beautiful website that’s easy to navigate. You need to have curated content on your site as well - a monthly blog post or two will do wonders for your page rankings. 

The content you share needs to be timely, useful, and valuable. It needs to be sharable too.

Marketing your business is all about ensuring that your brand cuts through all the noise of your competitors and increasing the total number of clicks, impressions, and boosting the click through rate to your site. By focusing on SEO, you will be better equipped for that to happen!

 

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Whether you're a brand new wedding photographer that needs some guidance on wedding poses or you've been at it awhile and just need a little inspiration, this wedding photography posing guide is for you!

Given that weddings are such an important subject, you certainly want to go into it as prepared as possible, with plenty of ideas for wedding poses for photography.

In the video above, Jessica Kobeissi gives an overview of some crucial tips and tricks that will result in improved results.

Her tips specifically address natural light wedding photography, though if you use artificial lighting, many of her tips still apply.

Have a look at the video above, and for a refresher of some of her best tips, check out the recap below.

Editor's Tip: Already have awesome photos? See what they look like as fine art.

Pay Attention to the Details

^{YouTube Screenshot/Jessica Kobeissi}

Wedding poses should be all about enhancing the quality of the photos you take.

Not only does that mean putting the couple in the best photo position to highlight their love for one another, but it also means utilizing the lighting that's available to show off some of the finer details in the image.

That often means putting the sun behind the couple, that way its light can act as a rim light, highlighting the bride's hair, for example, or catching reflections off of items like decorative hair clips or brooches.

In the screenshot above, notice the warm glow of the light on the bride's hair and how it illuminates her dress for a little more drama in the shot.

Pose the Couple for Close-Ups

^{YouTube Screenshot/Jessica Kobeissi}

When thinking about wedding poses, you need to mix it up a bit and have a variety of images that show different points of view.

That means full-body, half-body, and close-up photos as well.

When getting in close, it's often a good idea to have the couple get physically closer to one another as well.

In the image above, you can see how the couple has moved from having their cheeks near one another in the previous shot to having their foreheads touching in this shot.

The act of bringing the couple closer together for a close-up shot makes for a much more intimate image, particularly if you have them engage in eye contact.

Find Different Types of Light

YouTube Screenshot/Jessica Kobeissi

When working with natural light, it's important to add variety to your wedding photo poses by shooting in various types of lighting.

In the previous two images, the lighting was very bright and harsh, which created some beautiful overexposed backgrounds that gave the photos a light and airy feel.

In the image above, though, you can see how moving the couple to the shade offers much more even, flat lighting that gives the image a much different mood.

The mood of this shot is also different because of the posing. Notice how this photo is a little more casual, with the bride holding her bouquet loosely at arm's length.

To give your portfolio of images the most impact, try mixing and matching formal and informal poses like this one.

Wedding Photography Posing Guide: Get the Best Shots by Moving Around

^{YouTube Screenshot/Jessica Kobeissi}

One of the challenges of posing couples for wedding photos is that they aren't exactly dressed to move around a lot.

That means that to get the most variety, you need to be the one that moves around to get pictures from different perspectives.

Once you pose the couple, as was done in the image above, move to the right and left. Kneel down and shoot up towards them. If possible, get a higher vantage point, too.

YouTube Screenshot/Jessica Kobeissi

The point is that if you move around, you can get four, five or more different looking photos, all without having to repose the couple.

It's a time-saving trick that will positively impact the quality and quantity of the photos you take.

Editor's Tip: How you present the images you take matters just as much as the images themselves. Order gorgeous prints right here.

Show Off Wedding Poses With a Gorgeous Print

I had some friends get married a couple of years ago, and their photographer was extremely talented.

The problem wasn't with the quality of the photos - it was with the quality of the products she provided to them. Learn more about photography poses for boys on our website PhotographyTalk.com.

There's nothing worse than a beautiful wedding portrait that's ruined by being printed poorly. After all, what's the point of spending all that time posing the couple and perfecting the image if it's then presented in a low-quality print?

Instead, make a statement with your work by presenting your clients with a large-format canvas print.

As you can see in the image above, canvas can be a beautiful vessel for showing off the love the couple has for one another (and all the effort you put into highlighting that love!).

Our large canvas print far exceeds our expectations! Spectacular! - Kamal M., Atascadero, CA

Prints from companies like CanvasHQ give you the best results because they're dedicated to perfecting the image from getting the colors just right to selecting the best finish for the image to constructing a frame that will hold straight and true for generations to come.

On top of that, these guys are committed to getting your prints to you and your clients fast. But don't think that fast equals poor quality, because that couldn't be further from the truth.

LOVELY work & incredibly quick. LOVE CanvasHQ! - Meredith I., Westbrook, ME

I have quite a few canvases from CanvasHQ, and I can tell you first-hand that they are the best canvas prints I've ever gotten.

If only I'd known about these guys when I got married, I'd have a huge canvas of my wife and I on the mantel!

With a variety of finish options, different frame depths, and a commitment to customer satisfaction, there's really no better experience in getting fine art prints than CanvasHQ.

So, don't put in all your time and effort to posing couples for your photos. Instead, save a little time and energy to get them the best quality print possible as well!

Learn More:

• Design Your Canvas Print Today

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^{Photo by Sweet Ice Cream Photography on Unsplash}

Getting into the wedding photography business is stressful, especially because of imposter syndrome. You’re trying to exude confidence in the middle of one of your scariest moments - being responsible for recording the biggest day of someone’s life without yet being a professional.

If you, like I once did, need some wedding photography tips because you’re trying to learn how to photograph a wedding alone for the first time, don’t worry. Here’s a short list of wedding photography tips for beginners, so all you need to worry about is wowing the happy couple. 

Table of Contents

• Don’t Forget Your Shot List
• Visit the Locations Before the Shoot
• Bring Two Cameras
• Don’t Be Shy
• Practice Using Different Kinds of Light
• Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
• Give the Couple High-Quality Prints

Don’t Forget Your Shot List 

^{photo by GaudiLab via iStock} 

After you’ve booked your first client and after you’ve rewatched your favorite wedding photography tutorial for the fifth time, you’re going to need to devise a shot list (and then remember to pack it, because we’ve all made that mistake...).

You can make your own, but I wouldn’t because there are so many free wedding shot lists online. The only reason you should make your own is if, as an example, you’re photographing a couple getting married in a hot air balloon or movie theatre or something equally as extravagant and unexpected.

Because, as it turns out, you can just modify wedding shot lists that someone else put the work into. 

My favorite wedding photography shot listactually comes from The Knot, because it’s a website geared towards the bride and not photographers. 

This may be a good time to include this tidbit: definitely get input from the couple about what shots are essential for their big day. It is about them, after all! 

Visit the Locations Before the Shoot

^{photo byHreni via iStock}

You do not want to get to the location and realize you thought you had power outlets for your lights when you don’t.  

You also don’t want to get to the location and realize you’re not going to have much natural light  when you thought you were, or that you should probably be wearing hiking boots instead of the ballet flats you thought looked cuter before the 14-hour day. 

You’re going to have enough to worry about as it is, so you want to minimize the possibility of surprises when it comes to the venue.

Map out where you can sit, stand, and kneel to get shots during the ceremony such that you aren’t too much of a nuisance to the members of the audience. Determine where you can position yourself to get those all-important shots of the couple exiting the venue for the first time as a married couple. Think about ideal spots to take photos of the wedding party, where you have good light, a nice background, and so forth.

The more you plan, the better off you’ll be, so take the time to explore the different shoot locations and you’ll be much more prepared come the big day.

Bring Two Cameras

^{photo by Volodymyr Shtun via iStock} 

Back in the day, I read plenty of wedding photography tutorials, and many of them omitted this little nugget: bring two cameras. 

For starters, the last thing you want is to be snapping away and have your camera malfunction. Having a second camera protects against that horror.

Additionally, having a second camera means you can have a different lens on it which enables you to get varied shots without having to constantly swap out lenses.

Many wedding photographers will have one camera body with a zoom lens, like a 24-70mm, that they use for rapid-fire shots during the ceremony and reception and another camera with a prime lens, like an 85mm, for posed portraits.

Then, invest in a camera harness so you can have both cameras on your person at all times to get the shots you need.

If you don’t own multiple cameras or multiple lenses, beg, borrow, or rent the gear you need. Whatever the case, don’t go into a wedding with just one camera and lens!

Learn More:

• How to Find More Photography Clients 
• Wedding Photography Tips for Beginners 

Don’t Be Shy

^{photo by pixdeluxe via iStock} 

You can’t be shy. People will get in your way, and unless you’re in the mood to write an expose on why everyone should stop using iPhones at weddings like this photographer did, you’re going to need to learn how to politely move them.

Since boldness isn’t exactly a trait you can learn overnight, this tip isn’t included in a lot of wedding photography tips for beginners listicles. 

But, I think it’s important because there are helpful, and ridiculous, tip lists for how to overcome shyness. 

Remember that you’ve been asked to record lasting memories for someone, and you can’t do that if you’re hiding in the back of the room!

Practice Using Different Kinds of Light

^{photo by pastorscott via iStock} 

Churches have the worst light of any edifice in the world and it’s truly a shame we decided that’s where almost all weddings should take place.

But, since I’m probably not going to reverse thousands of years of tradition with this blog post, I can at least teach you how to overcome this awful predicament.

The first option is to bounce your flash. You’ll need to scout the church beforehand to ensure there is a light-colored wall for you to bounce your flash off of, because if you bounce your flash off a colored surface it will tint all your photos with that color. Learn more about how to bounce light in the video below by Adorama: 

If there isn’t a white wall anywhere, consider purchasing a diffuser to soften the light. Doing minimizes the harsh look that flashes create for a much more pleasing look.

This, however, doesn’t work for all churches because some of them don’t allow camera flashes at all.  

If they don’t allow flash, you’ll need to work in manual mode and adjust the camera settings to brighten your images. Boosting the ISO makes the camera’s sensor more sensitive to light, and brightens the photos, though it also introduces digital noise. 

You can also open the aperture of the lens to let in more light, but doing so also reduces the depth of field in the photo.

Slowing down the shutter speed is another option, though if you do, be sure you use a tripod and that you don’t slow it down too much, otherwise movement in the shot might be blurred.

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

^{Photo by Mr.Autthaporn Pradidpong on Unsplash} 

Yes, most of the photos that will end up on your couple’s wall will be more traditional wedding poses. 

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try and get some photos from different angles. Get above the couple; get below the couple. Capture candid moments. The collection of images you create will weave a story of the day, and having different types of images will make that story more special.

The chances are they will love at least one non-traditional print, and that’s worth all the effort! 

Give the Couple High-Quality Prints

 ^{photo by Kostyazar via iStock} 

Once the big day is over, and once you’ll never need to Google “wedding photography tips for beginners” ever again, you still need to deliver quality photos for your couple.

And, no matter how incredible your editing capabilities are, it’s always more impressive to show up with a high-quality gorgeous print of their favorite photos.

This type of wow factor photo delivery method is the type of thing that will get you recommended by that couple in the future. 

I always use CanvasHQfor my wedding photography canvas prints because their customer service representatives actually care about the quality of their work (and your work too). 

They stopped one of my photos before it went to print because it was slightly off-center, which I’ve never had happen with any other canvas printing company. 

They hand build each canvas. They also only use high-quality ink that won’t run or fade in inclement storage conditions. Plus, they nearly always have a deal on their website for up to 30% off their original prices.

And, canvas prints are one of those wedding photography package add-ons that you can charge more for to increase your own profit.

It’s just a smart idea to work with vendors like CanvasHQ that allow you to offer professional products without actually being a professional.

When it’s all said and done, you want your images to last, and canvas will do that for generations! See what your photos look like as a large format canvas print.

Learn More:

• How to Take Better Photos of Your Kids 
• How to Boost Your Photography Sales 

 

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It's easy to get a so caught up in the act of taking wedding photos that you can forget other important details about having such a huge responsibility.

A wedding is a huge event, and the last thing you want to do is miss out on doing your job as the wedding photographer to the best of your abilities.

This short guide offers some insider wedding photography tips that will help you stay on track and tick all the boxes on your client's big day.

Spend Time Getting to Know Your Clients

Before you start worrying about what wedding photography gear you'll need on the wedding day, it's necessary to sit down with your clients and get to know them.

And I mean really get to know them.

A lot of photographers will give their clients a questionnaire to fill out that helps them understand who their clients are.

But I prefer to sit down face-to-face and engage them in an actual conversation.

Perhaps a questionnaire can serve as the basis of your chat, but you'll get so much more detail out of your clients if you're face-to-face, asking follow-up questions.

Besides, nothing can replace a genuine conversation in which you learn about these people, why they love each other, and who they are both as individuals and as a couple.

The more details you can get about the people you're photographing, the better job you'll do in capturing meaningful photos.

Learn More:

• Wedding Photography Posing Guide
• 3 Beginner Photography Mistakes That Are Ruining Your Photos

Meaningful Photos Need Beautiful Products

It's not enough to take a really beautiful photo of a couple on their wedding day.

Instead, you need to consider how that image will be presented once it's printed.

Perhaps the most common means of presenting wedding photos is in an album, so naturally, the quality of that album is extremely important. The last thing you want to do is spend all this time and energy crafting gorgeous photos, only to have them printed in a cheap, flimsy album.

The same goes for any prints that are part of your wedding package.

This is especially true of the "hero shot," the photo that the couple will have printed in large format to hang in their home.

There are tons of options for photo printers these days, and as someone that's tried a lot of them, I can tell you that nothing compares to CanvasHQ. And I'm not the only one that's been impressed:

I am impressed with the service and speed of delivery. The quality of the canvas is excellent. I will be ordering again soon. - Deborah P., Mabank, TX

There's a lot of reasons to love these guys.

Not only are their products gorgeously crafted, but they're produced in short order.

In fact, on a recent order, I got digital proofs within a couple of hours of placing my order, and my canvases were on my door just a couple of days after that.

It's rare to find such high-quality prints and get them so quickly.

Something else that sets CanvasHQ apart is how they go about making the frames for their canvases.

Other companies that I've used in the past had frames that looked and felt as though they were slapped together. And, unsurprisingly, that negatively impacted how the canvas looked.

But with CanvasHQ, you get a rock-solid, hand-built and machine-finished frame that's straight, true, and sturdy.

Sure, no one will ever see the frame, but it's what makes or breaks a canvas, and these guys certainly know how to build a quality frame.

Love you guys!! I have referred so many people- I love how easy to work with you are, how you make my photos look amazing, the editing you are able to do and how fast your service is! - Rachel F., Winchester, VA

In the end, the quality of your wedding photos (or any other photos for that matter) depends on tons of different factors.

Most of those factors are your responsibility directly.

But if you don't choose a printer that can fulfill your vision and produce a gorgeous print, all your hard work will be for nothing and your images won't look like professional wedding photography!

Learn More:

• Get the Specs and Pricing on Canvas Prints
• 3 Ways to Get the Best Wedding and Engagement Photos

Shoot a Fake Wedding

Rather than throwing yourself directly into the wedding day fire, a great way to learn how to photograph a wedding is to shoot a fake wedding.

Grab a couple of friends, head to the local park, and practice posing them for common wedding photography shots.

Work not on just posing the couple, but on your communication skills too. The better you are at directing the people you're photographing, the better your photos will be.

Communication is an especially important skill when you're photographing large groups, as you will no doubt do on the wedding day.

Another benefit of shooting a fake wedding is that you can use the images to build up your portfolio.

I don't know too many people that will take a chance on a completely inexperienced wedding photographer, so having portfolio images to show off your skills will only help you land more jobs.

Learn More:

• These Wedding Photography Tips Will Totally Change Your Photos
• 3 Mistakes Beginner Wedding Photographers Make

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