Wedding Photography Lessons
As many of you know this past weekend I shot my first wedding. Technically it was the second wedding where I attended as a photographer but I don’t count the first because I never fired a shot and all I did was lug around other people’s gear (and get paid below minimum wage). Plus the wedding last weekend was where someone contacted me. (Granted they contacted me because Chrissi had to move to the other side of the world.) Anyway I’m rambling….
So many people have asked, “How’d it go?” and this entry is my attempt to answer that question.
First let me preface my response with this…I learned a lot. I learned more about my errors due to my “greeness” to wedding photography than anything. So it may sound like I had a horrible time, but I didn’t. It was a beautiful ceremony and reception and one of the most community driven wedding experiences I have ever been to. Not to mention I was exposed to another culture and in turn learned many things that I had no idea about.
So…How’d it go?…aka the lessons learned
1. In negotiations, I need to ask what the families’ expectations are. In other words, how long do you want photography coverage? What pictures are you wanting taken? Do you want pictures edited? etc…
2. I need to set up a sliding scale (so to speak) that takes into account what the expectations are verses cost. Sure I can do a wedding for $250 but here’s what that gets you.
3. I need to grow a set.
4. I need super duper comfortable shoes because the ones I wore (cute little half boots) kill my feet.
5. Because of my style of photography I find it easier if I connect with them. I need to make it a point to meet them and learn about them. What’s their story?
6. An all day wedding takes me at least 2+ days to bounce back from.
7. Having at least one other person there to shoot and help is a must. I am very grateful to Rudy for coming along and being the lead photographer and really teaching me a lot. It was nice to be able to watch how he does things.
8. As Rudy says, “I know how to bark, I just need to do it.” Taking group shots after the wedding is like shopping for the hottest deal on Black Friday. Everyone is fighting for space to get the picture you are trying to take. And there is always at least 1 person who doesn’t like the way you have the shot set up.
9. The type of wedding photographer I would want to be, would require lots and lots of practice and it would cut into what I really love which is family or event photography. (Check out these blogs for the style I would want to be Daphne Studios (which is here in Cincinnati), Jasmine Star, Orange Turtle, Todd Pellowe.
10. For now, I don’t want to be a wedding photographer…or at least a lead wedding photographer. If a wedding came my way I would much rather be the second photographer and NOT work the details or contracts.
The direction that I am leading Photos By CRT in is to provide personal family or event photography.
kati says:
Good because this momma needs maternity pics, family pics and baby pics once this little boy decides to show up, and by that time it will be time for livi pics again!
wedding photographer Perth says:
Appreciate your honesty, some photographers get a bit overwhelmed by the responsbility and pressure that comes along with wedding photography. Sounds like you learned a lot, and it will help you if you decide to do it again. All the best!
Jean says:
I’m glad that you had a ‘good’ time, and that it gave you insight into (or confirmed?) the direction that you want to take w/your photography. And if you do decide to do another wedding, you’ll know what to expect & be more prepared – which will hopefully lessen the stress. Keep up the good work! :-)