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A Fly on the Wall – 10 Tips for Wedding

Beginners
by Elizabeth Halford
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People often ask me if I ‘do weddings’.

That’s a funny question for a photographer. Perhaps like asking a chef if he ‘does
chicken’. I’m a photographer and I have the ability to photograph anything. Do I
base my business solely around weddings? No. Can I do them? Certainly! And I love
it.
I’ve never taken a class on how to photograph weddings or read a book on the
topic. I have my own way, my own style and my own rules and my clients are happy
with me so I must be doing something right!
As a woman, I really feel at an advantage in the world of wedding photography.
Firstly, I can capture the excitement of the bride getting ready in a way a man can’t
because, let’s face it, most brides don’t want a man hanging around while they’re
getting dressed.
Kelebihan photographer wanita:
Dapat merakamkan saat keseronokan pengantin perempuan bersiap (bermake up
dan berpakaian).

I have also been a bride and I see things in a vastly different way than a man ever
could. Having started as a makeup artist, I’ve been involved in many weddings and
have watched many-a-photographer sit and drink or flirt with the bridesmaids while
precious moments are slipping by un-photographed (like the mom fitting her
daughter’s veil).
 Mind you, I have only done a few weddings and I don’t
claim to be an expert by any stretch of the imagination. But I do think that I have a
few tidbits I can share with anyone who is just starting out or perhaps is a man in
the business looking for a little female perspective.
1. Don’t Manipulate / JANGAN MANUPULAT
When the bride is preparing on the morning, don’t get in the way and ask for smiles
or stage the dressing. Just be on your toes and try to anticipate what’s next.
Is her hair and makeup finished? She will probably be getting into her dress next. Is
she in her dress? Get yourself to the bottom of the stairs to shoot her coming down.
There is no time to relax if you’re the photographer!
Semasa pengantin perempuan sedang bersiap, jangan dok sibuk-sibuk suruh
senyum.
Tiada masa untuk relek kerana anda mungkin terlepas merakam saat

2. Fill In/ PENUHKAN

If allowed, wander around the house or hotel room and snap photos which can be
used to fill-in spaces in the album to create a sense of ambiance and location. I
always snap the makeup brushes, dresses hanging up, important things around the
home.
If you’re at the bride’s family home, there will be loads of memorable things around
the house to photograph. Family photos around the home, her childhood bedroom.
Jika dibenarkan, berjalan-jalan di sekitar rumah atau bilik hotel. Snap gambar yang
mana boleh digunakan untuk mengisi ruang dalam album bagi melahirkan rasa
ambiance dan suasana tempat itu. Contohnya, berus make up, baju pengantin yang
tergantung

3.Get Alone / BERSENDIRIAN

Spend a couple minutes alone with the dress, the shoes, the flowers, etc. to take
meaningful photographs without anxious people rushing you. There should be
plenty of time while you’re there.
But when you’ve got what you need, remember to leave in time to photograph
guests arriving at the ceremony and the groom as he waits for his bride.
Luangkan masa untuk merakamkan gambar baju, kasut, bunga dan sebagainya
dengan penuh makna tanpa ada orang lain mendesak anda
Apabila anda telah merakamkan apa yang anda mahu, tinggalkan. Pergi rakamkan
saat pengantin lelaki menunggu pengantin perempuan dan juga ketibaan para
tetamu.

4. Be Bold

Don’t be shy in front of the audience.

Obviously, use a zoom lens so you’re not hip-to-hip with the priest but be strong
and bold and remember that you have a license to be there! You were hired and
everyone knows that so don’t worry about moving around and shooting from behind
the priest if it’s appropriate.
Editors Note: Check out these Wedding Photography Tips from a Celebrants
Perspective.
5. Dress for the Occasion
If you’re a woman, forget wedding protocol and wear trousers! No trying to look
pretty. Before I figured that one out, I was holding my skirt down more than I was
holding down the shutter. Quiet shoes are a must – you don’t want to be tip toeing
around like a criminal.
6. Remember the Others
 When I first started weddings, my clients were
friends so I generally knew one side of the family better than the other. It was
entirely subconscious, but I realised that in the ceremony, I was gravitating to the
people I knew and leaving the others out.
Find out who is family and make sure to get some images of them as well.

7. Be Bossy
This part is (still) the hardest for me. There are two times I have to throw my weight
around: after the ceremony and during family set. I usually take the bride and
groom away to a location for 30 minutes of shooting privately and this can be
difficult as the guests often form a spontaneous receiving line and kidnap the
couple.

c Craig Johnson

Know who is driving you there and make it happen. The bride and groom have told
you what they want and although they are often distracted away from their plan on
the day, they will thank you after if you make their original plan happen.
For the formal portraits, it can take a precise military operation to execute such an
endeavor and this bit still makes my palms sweat! People are anxious to get to the
food and dancing and I’m the only thing stopping them! Have a list arranged ahead
of time of the specific groups the couple wants otherthan the usual his-family-her-
family, him-and-his-guys, her-and-her-girls, etc.
The most important part in making this happen is to have your bossy go-to person
who knows everyone (perhaps one of his groomsmen?) to announce all of the family
and bridal party to step outside and then have him announce the groups you are
needing. You can literally take each shot within 30 seconds if you can gather them
and get them to engage with you all at once. Not as simple as it sounds, but it can
be done. I just ask everyone to look at me and smile and then take about 10 shots
at once. You can use the PhotoShop group merge function to grab all the smiling
faces and put them into one photo if necessary.
8. Gear
A few of my thoughts on gear. NEVER use a pop-up flash. Always have an external
flash ready to go and never point it directly at your couple. I always point it at the
ceiling or a wall. I shoot with two cameras. My main one has a zoom lens and a flash
and the other has either a 50mm 1.4 or 85mm 1.4 wide open so no flash is needed.
Be Professional
True story: I once saw a big, sweaty, poorly dressed wedding photographer hawk
back a loogie and SPIT on the ground during formal portraits. Absolutely disgraceful!
It can be easy to fall into the fun of a wedding and obviously, you won’t be any good
if you’re uptight and not having fun, but if you get too lax and begin socializing, you
will miss important moments and you’re basically at work so remember to be
professional.
I would even bring my own snack to eat on the sly when you get a chance – I would
never accept an invitation to take part in the buffet. Remember that people are
watching you and a huge percentage of them are either looking for a wedding
photographer or know someone who is so be professional at all times.

c Craig Johnson

10. In My Opinion
I never take posed table shots. I absolutely h.a.t.e. it when the photographer comes
around, interrupts your meal, wine or conversation and forces everyone to squeeze
their head into the middle of the table for a photo. What on earth would the couple
ever do with that photo? Certainly, it’s good to make a record of everyone who was
there and you can do that without being intrusive and even do it in a beautiful way.
But – and this is just my humble opinion – the photographer can easily lose guests’
feeling of ease and comfort the instant he/she becomes intrusive. Make yourself
invisible!
I really love photographing weddings. It is HARD work and I actually ache for a
couple days after. Bring an assistant who can help you (that’s a bonus tip!) and get
a good night’s rest beforehand. Have a blast and be confident – the bride and
groom already love your talent because they hired you in the first place. So be
secure in that fact and own it!

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