Wedding photography: The best tips for photos at your first wedding
Covering a wedding is one of the highest arts in photography; why is that? A wedding is one of the most emotional moments in a couple's life. Here, the photographer is not just a photographer, but also an emotional support and a rock in the surf. Mastering the equipment is the linchpin here. That's why we want to give you the best tips for your next wedding in this article.
When things have to happen quickly - the best tips first
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Prepare for the wedding by talking to the bride and groom and the witnesses. Make it clear what your requirements are and include them in the proposal.
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Always try to find the person who shows the most emotion. The wedding couple usually can't see the audience during the ceremony and during the festivities their gaze is usually everywhere and nowhere.
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The photos of the wedding couple should be as candid as possible. It helps if the couple are chatting, for example reminiscing about past vacations, past dates or funny moments.
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Ideally, have a second camera or a backup camera with you. This way, you can use different focal lengths at the same time and also get a different crop.
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Master your camera, because in stressful moments you need to be able to operate it blindly and keep an eye on the subject.
Trends in wedding photography with Awid Safaei
We invited Awid Safaei, who gave us lots of tips and tricks about wedding photography in an almost 2-hour talk! Thanks to the timestamps, you can also get the best tips quickly in this talk.
What you should have clarified as a wedding photographer
For your offer, you should make an appointment with your wedding couple in advance to get a good feeling for everyone involved and to make sure that you are the right photographer for the wedding.
You should clarify these questions:
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What direction should the pictures take? It's best to exchange images with each other. Especially with regard to the couple shoot and the group pictures
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Are there any special requests?
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How many pictures can the couple expect?
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What is the schedule for the wedding?
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By when can the couple expect the pictures?
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Where will the wedding take place? For example, church or registry office. Also plan a plan B if the weather doesn't play along
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To what extent should you be active? How many hours will you be accompanying the couple?
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Are any special details already known? For example, hair accessories or partner shoes, etc.
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Clarify the rights of use of the images to find out whether you are allowed to use them for your portfolio. If you are allowed to use the images yourself, you should offer a discount for this
Where do exciting moments arise during an event?
Let's try to capture the whole thing in the chronological order of a wedding and find out where the most exciting and emotional moments arise. As your experience grows, you will anticipate more and more moments where the guests' emotions will show. It helps to regularly survey the wedding party at a glance and recognize certain patterns. Roughly speaking, as the ceremony gets closer to saying "I do" or stories are told about the parents, these are often the moments when you need to pay particular attention to the guests.
Getting ready
Getting dressed and styled for the wedding is often a very underestimated part of the wedding. Many couples skip this moment in the wedding documentation. However, at this stage of the wedding, everything is still open and the couple's tension is noticeable. The wedding and the seriousness are still in the air. The bride usually has the most action, as her closest friends and the best man or maid of honor are often also present at her getting ready.
It's worth recording details such as the styling, the dress that is still hanging unworn in the room, as well as the putting on of the dress itself. Everyone involved plays a role here. The groom will also be getting dressed, as a rule, the guys are often in a very relaxed and playful mood.
Some couples also have certain rituals among their besties; with the groom perhaps a cigar or a sip of whiskey. The bride might have a glass of champagne on the side. Pay attention to the emotions of the people in the room and capture them at the best moment.
The important thing is: as the photographer, you are also the point of grounding and relaxation on the day of the wedding. Take the stress away from the bride or groom. Talking works wonders! Give compliments to those involved to encourage them further.
Getting Ready
the groomsmen get ready
Getting Ready - Groom and his groomsman
Getting Ready - Mom and daughter
First look, Barut's reactionThe first look / First Look
The moment when the couple sees each other for the first time is very emotional and intimate for many, which is why they want to experience this moment away from the ceremony. Some want to enjoy this moment all to themselves. It's best to find a place away from all the hustle and bustle, it's a brief moment in which you are usually rewarded with very emotional pictures.
In order not to disturb the moment, focal lengths over 85mm are particularly suitable, so you are not in the intimate zone, but can record the whole thing from a more observational perspective.
Veiled moments - The first encounter
the moment: just the two of us
Place of the wedding ceremonyArrival at the wedding venue
If the wedding ceremony is at the same location as the Getting Ready, this point is rather out of the question. However, if your wedding couple is arriving in a vintage car, for example, it depends on whether your couple is driving it themselves or whether they are being driven. In either case, you can consider being on board. It makes sense to work with a wide-angle lens, as the space is quite limited.
If you are traveling at the same time, you should make sure that you are there before the couple to document them getting off.
Tips for the wedding ceremony - wide-angleWedding ceremony
Anything can happen during the ceremony: From parents and grandparents shedding a tear, to restless and curious children, to friends and acquaintances beaming with joy. But in addition to what's happening on their faces, pay attention to what's happening with their hands. Who is whispering to whom?
Also talk to the registrar or the priest/pastor before the ceremony. Because the most important thing is to know their rules. It can be stricter in church in particular! Make it clear to the other person that you will keep quiet and take care not to disrupt the event. Especially in church, you should be aware that you are not to go behind the altar, this is the responsibility of the minister.
Your main focus during the ceremony should be on the audience - with one eye on the wedding couple. This is because your couple usually don't have a view of the audience, which makes this part of the ceremony as exciting as possible.
For the kiss, it's best to have your camera on constant fire so that you can capture it at all times. Most of the action takes place in the audience, which is where you should pan directly after you've captured the kiss. The couple's parents will usually remember their own wedding and emotions will run high!
The ring as a symbol of a promise
Tears of joy - A timeless moment in black and whiteWedding ceremony checklist
You should keep this list of pictures in mind for the wedding ceremony:
- Entry of the bride
- Photos of the totals
- Photos of the bride and groom during the ceremony
- Photos and details of the guests during the ceremony
- Ring handover and ring exchange
- Kiss
- Exit of the wedding couple
The wedding rings are put on with the yes-wordCivil weddings
A civil wedding is usually kept very short, because for most people this is more of a "necessary evil". The ceremony is often between 15-25 minutes long. These are the most important points at a civil wedding:
- Signature of the marriage documents
- Signature of the witnesses
- Presentation of the register book
If you are working with a registrar who does not like photographs being taken during the ceremony (apart from the kiss and ring exchange), only good communication with the wedding couple will help.
Church weddings
The church wedding usually lasts about 45-60 minutes. There are a few rules you need to clarify here. The minister and you should talk openly beforehand about what you have to consider when photographing the ceremony: where are you allowed to move, when are you not allowed to take photos, etc.? In the church, it is better to put your work a little further back, as you are usually confronted with many restrictions. What the priest forbids is forbidden. Here you should also refrain from any further discussion.
Free weddings
This type of wedding ceremony probably offers you the most freedom! As the whole process is very open and can be carried out according to the ideas of the wedding couple. It also generates the most emotion, as the speeches and rituals are interactive and involve family and friends. People like to laugh and cry!
It's a good idea to take photos of the wedding speaker and send them to them for their own portfolio. In the best case scenario, you will gain a recommendation for other weddings. Good networking almost always pays off in the end.
Congratulations from family and friendsCongratulations
Whether at the registry office, in the church or at a free wedding ceremony: the congratulations are part of it! They often create a great and fascinating atmosphere. It's okay for you to be as close as possible, it likes to get a bit crowded and the emotions are boiling! You will also have to move around a lot. Congratulations from different perspectives are also more exciting and varied!
Confetti rain and tears of joy
Confetti rain and tears of joyChampagne reception
At the champagne reception, there is often a lively exchange between the guests, but also between the wedding couple themselves. It's best to work at a distance here and simply capture a few moments; this tends to be a somewhat quieter phase of the wedding.
Group photos
An absolute must next to the ceremony! It's simply part of it and, in addition to the perfect picture of the kiss, it's also a real challenge if you don't know the best tips!
- Use a wide-angle lens for larger groups
- Make sure that the group is not looking directly into the sun
- Set the camera to continuous shooting, so you can swap heads or faces later if necessary
- Use as closed an aperture as possible to achieve a large depth of field
- The little ones to the front, the big ones to the back
It is particularly helpful if the wedding couple documents the desired compositions and gives them to you as a list, which you can then always use as a guide. You can also ask the groomsmen for help.
Focus on love
Elegance with joie de vivreDecoration +& Location
Every detail of the location has to be right. Every wedding has its own details, be it the table decorations or the whole ambience of the location. There are various special features such as name tags, guest gifts, floral decorations, glasses, lighting and other decorations. Take 10-15 minutes for this.
Decoration of the location
Vintage-style dessert buffet
Discreet elegance in the detailsCoffee +& cake - cake cutting
This is another opportunity for a few emotional photos of the cake cutting. It is important to look at how the whole thing takes place: Is the party standing with around the cake? Can you use this for shots with the audience? Also observe what is going on with the children, because children usually love cake and are particularly excited about it! For the adults, there are a few laughs about the kebellei, who gets to have their hand up when the cake is cut.
Dinner
Finally a rest period for you, right? Yes! On the whole, you can relax. However, feel free to take photos of the food, the preparations and how the food is fetched. Nobody likes to be photographed while eating. So take some time to relax before the games and speeches start. At some weddings, there are a few speeches before or during the meal, but this is the exception rather than the rule.
Table decoration in a class of its own
Festive evening with loved onesGames and speeches
We give you our seal of approval that there will be at least one speech at every wedding. Make sure you keep an eye on the wedding couple and capture the mood of the location. You may need to use a flash, depending on how late it is.
It is important that you change the perspective regularly to capture different angles and people.
Opening dance of the bridal coupleOpening dance
Now it's time to gather all your strength once again: The opening dance follows, a highlight of every wedding.
The challenge lies in the lighting conditions. It is often very dark during the opening dance as the lights are dimmed. If your camera does not have good autofocus, especially in dark lighting situations, the only option is manual focusing, but this is not for everyone.
Party
To round off the wedding, we'll really let it rip once again. Here you can really play around again: With the exposure time for light pullers or with a fisheye lens for a special warped look. For the light pullers, set your camera to 1/15s and set the flash to the second shutter in the camera.
Motion blur emphasizes the dynamics
Happy into the nightYour personal checklist
Apart from photography, there are also things you can do to prepare for the upcoming wedding, such as clothing and other factors such as your body and energy level!
Before the wedding day
- Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep the night before the wedding to be fit and focused.
- No heavy or greasy meals the night before - instead, eat light, protein-rich food for good energy.
- Drink enough water the day before so you don't get dehydrated.
- Have comfortable but professional clothing ready. Choose breathable fabrics that allow freedom of movement. Make sure your shoes have a soft sole if possible. You will be taking a lot of steps; most weddings involve a good 15 - 30,000 steps. A tip at this point: choose clothes that match the dress code of the wedding so that you blend in better with the wedding party and stand out less.
- Check times, locations and time buffers - run through everything in your head so that you have less stress on the day itself.
- Check your smartphone: Save all important contacts (wedding couple, witnesses, wedding planner). Charge the battery and take a power bank with you.
- Check the weather forecast again and plan a new location for the couple shoot if necessary.
On the wedding day
- A protein-rich breakfast with slow carbohydrates (e.g. oatmeal, nuts, banana) will give you long-lasting energy.
- Start the day with a large glass of water and drink small sips regularly throughout the day.
- Energy bars, nuts or a banana for quick energy in between.
- Try to take a quick breath in between to avoid overexertion.
- If you notice your energy levels dropping, have a snack.
- Stay flexible: weddings rarely go 100% to plan - be mentally prepared and don't let yourself get stressed.
- You should exude friendliness and good humor as you are attending a special moment in the couple's and family's lives
- Try to be as unobtrusive as possible. As the photographer, you should not be intrusive or disruptive under any circumstances.
- Use sunscreen when the sun is shining.
Equipment +& technique: your perfect equipment for unforgettable wedding moments
The equipment for wedding photography can cover an entire book or cause a fundamental discussion. Nothing is more dependent on personal preferences than your own equipment.
As a wedding photographer, well thought-out equipment is the key to success.
Memory cards and batteries
The following applies to the backup strategy: more is more. Multiple memory cards and spare batteries are not an option, but an absolute must. Investing in high-quality SD cards with fast write speeds pays off, especially in situations where fast image sequences are required, such as ring tosses or confetti rain.
Transportation and accessibility
For optimum freedom of movement and quick access, I rely on a combination of a high-quality camera strap and a professional belt system. The belt holds the camera close to the body, while the belt pouches keep the rest of the equipment such as Lens, filters and batteries safely stowed away. I recommend a comfortable double belt that allows you to carry two cameras at the same time - it is ergonomic, non-slip and distributes the weight optimally on the shoulder. This investment will definitely pay off on long wedding days. This combination allows you to move freely and still have everything you need right at hand - perfect for dynamic wedding photography.
Kalahari Carrying Strap KAAMA LS-85 Crossdraw Leather
- Ergonomic crossdraw design - Distributes the weight of the camera evenly and allows quick access, ideal for long wedding shoots.
- High-quality genuine leather - Stylish, robust material that not only looks professional, but also develops a noble patina over time.
- Secure and stable hold - Reliable fastening with snap hooks and safety straps so that the camera is always ready to hand.
- Flexibly adjustable - Length adjustable and compatible with different camera models, suitable for different carrying needs.
- Comfort for long shoots - Comfortable to wear thanks to soft padding and optimized weight distribution, ideal for weddings with many hours of use.
Blackrapid R-Strap Double Breathe backpack-like double strap system
- Backpack-like double strap system - Even weight distribution on both shoulders, reduces strain and fatigue during long wedding shoots.
- Two cameras always at hand - Ideal for wedding photographers who need to switch quickly between wide-angle and telephoto lenses without wasting time.
- Breathable and comfortable design - Padded, air-permeable straps ensure high wearing comfort, even in high temperatures or on long assignments.
- Secure and stable fastening - Robust carabiners and safety loops prevent unintentional slipping or jamming so that the camera remains protected at all times
Professional emergency kit
And then there are the small but important helpers that make up a professional service:
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Headache tablets for all eventualities
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Plasters (especially handy for blisters caused by new wedding shoes)
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A small blanket for outdoor shoots
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A spare shirt (because sometimes it gets sweaty!)
- Deodorant
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Chewing gum and small snacks
Additional equipment
A special insider tip that will set you apart from other photographers: A portable photo printer and a stylish picture frame. Quickly edit a highlight photo during your lunch break, print it out and place it framed on the gift table - this not only delights the wedding couple, but is also brilliant marketing, as all guests can admire the picture.
Contemporary equipment also includes a compact drone for impressive group shots and location overviews. Incidentally, these shots are an excellent goodie for the location itself - a win-win situation for future collaboration!
Not to be forgotten is the sensor cleaning kit - an absolute must for flawless shots.
Canon Selphy CP1500 Printer
- Compact + portable - Lightweight, portable design with optional rechargeable battery for flexible printing right at the wedding.
- Fast instant printing - Prints high-quality postcard-sized photos (10 x 15 cm) in approx. 41 seconds - perfect for guest albums or take-home memories.
- Smudge, water + light resistant - dye-sublimation technology ensures long-lasting, high-resolution prints with professional quality.
- Easy connectivity - Wireless printing via WiFi, AirPrint or Canon PRINT app - directly from your smartphone or camera.
- Customized photo prints - Multiple layout and framing options for creative photo stations, guestbook entries or thank you cards right on the spot.
Perfect for photobooths, guest albums and personalized memories during the celebration!
DJI Neo
- palm-sized drone for vlogs
- 135 g, lightweight and portable
- Hand launch and landing
- AI motif tracking, QuickShots
- multiple control options
- ultra stabilized 4K video
- All-round protection for propellers
Working with flash
Choosing the right flash equipment is crucial at weddings, as the lighting situations are constantly changing. Here too, there are different approaches, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Whoever opts for a clip-on flash relies on mobility and the ability to react quickly. The big advantage: you have maximum flexibility and can react quickly to changing situations. A high-quality flash head with pan and tilt function allows you to bounce the light over the ceiling or walls, which ensures softer illumination.
In my experience, two models in particular have proven their worth:
Both flashes impress with their excellent price-performance ratio and reliability.
Moreflashes in the range
Godox Speedlite V1
- Compact flash
- up to 480 flashes at full power with fully charged battery
- round flash head
- improved AF light
- head can be tilted backwards
- Color temperature 5600K +/-200K +/-200K
- Recycling time of 1.5s
- integrated 2.4G Wireless X system
Godox Speedlite V100
it may be more expensive than the Godox V1, but it also has considerably more flash power, with 100W/s it stands alone, which hardly any other clip-on flashes can achieve so far! You are guaranteed to have enough light for adverse lighting situations at your wedding!
- TTL clip-on flash
- with an output of 100 Ws
- supports synchronization with global shutter (up to 1/80,000 s)
- with 2.3-inch color touchscreen
- intuitive menu layout
- enables series of 70â100 full power flashes without overheating
- Zoom 28-105 mm
- HSS / High Speed Steel
- Speed without compromise
- Battery delivers up to 400 flashes at full power
- with USB-C connection
Working with macro Lens
The macro Lens is an absolute must in my photo bag. It is used at every wedding without exception, especially for the magical ring shots. A little pro tip: experiment with color foils that match the color palette of the wedding for the ring photos. The results are simply breathtaking!
Allmacro lenses in the range
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Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro
- Telephoto macro Lens 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art
- compatible with high-speed autofocus and with camera-based optical correction
- HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor)
- supports DMF, AF+MF
- Aperture ring
- Aperture ring click switch
- Aperture ring lock switch
- AFL button
- Focusing range limiter
- Focus mode switch
- Dust and splash proof
- Water and oil-repellent coating
Working with fixed focal lengths
If you want to photograph a wedding with a fixed focal length, you should be aware that you will have to move a lot more to get the photos in the frame. However, a fixed focal length has a decisive advantage over a zoom lens: a better aperture! This allows you to work with a lower ISO in low light situations.
Especially when working with cameras with more megapixels, it can make more sense to work with fixed focal lengths, as this reduces the compromise you make with more megapixels. This also allows you to better adjust the image section in post-production
Allfixed focal length Lens in the range
The typical focal lengths in the fixed focal length range:
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Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN ART
- Internal focusing
- Focus mode switch
- High-speed autofocus - stepping motor
- 11-blade round aperture
- creamy background bokeh
- Reflection and ghosting minimizing design
- Dust and splash-proof construction
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Sigma AF 85mm f/1.4 DG DN ART
- fast 1.4
- lightweight and compact
- suitable for mirrorless full-frame cameras
- 15 elements in 11 groups, with five SLDs and one aspherical lens
- high-precision and robust brass bayonet
- Filter diameter: Ø 77mm
- lightweight and compact housing
- precise imaging performance
- impressive bokeh
- optimized stepper motor for contrast and phase AF
- Aperture ring lock switch
- in-camera aberration correction functions
- dust and splash-proof
Working with zoom lenses
You may be the type of person who wants to use flexibility to get a specific image section with a little less movement. The disadvantage is that the aperture is usually worse than that of a fixed focal length. Zoom lenses with an aperture better than f/2.8 usually cost significantly more and are limited in focal length.
Allzoom lenses in our range
Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD
- versatile focal length range from 35 mm wide-angle to 150 mm telephoto
- handy and compact fast zoom Lens
- fast and silent VXD autofocus for precise focusing
- unparalleled close-ups with the shortest focusing distance of 33 cm at an initial focal length of 35 mm
- Focus ring can be used alternately for focusing or aperture adjustment
Unfortunately, we cannot offer this article here. However, you are welcome to order it at www.fotokoch.de
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS Sport
- suitable for mirrorless full-frame cameras
- expressive imaging possibilities
- High-speed autofocus HLA (High-Response Linear Actuator)
- optical stabilizer (OS2â algorithm)
- Dust and splash-proof construction
Fun gadgets?
Involve the guests in the wedding after the ceremony at the location by distributing Polaroid or disposable cameras on the tables and letting the guests take photos. Usually these ideas come into play through the wedding couple themselves.
Clever tips for weddings
- It should be self-explanatory that your camera should ideally be set to RAW format in order to have maximum freedom in post-processing.
- Change the perspective as often as possible to offer a wide variation of images.
- Don't take too many photos. Storage space is now cheaper than ever. That's why you should also have enough memory cards ready. The Create Mate from PGYTECH can help you with this.
- Replace your memory cards regularly to prevent them from failing. Memory cards only have a certain lifespan. The more often you write data to them and format them again, the more likely it is that you should replace the cards once every few years.
- Do not use adapted micro SD memory cards! These are much slower and due to the form factor, the life expectancy of these memory cards is usually worse than that of other memory cards.
- Check whether your memory cards are empty!
- Set off in good time and plan enough buffer for special cases.
- If possible, don't let the couple shoot last longer than 45 minutes.
- Try to get the wedding couple into a mixed light situation and not take photos in the blazing sun.
- Pay attention to the details: bridal bouquet, jewelry, hair accessories / hairstyle, rings!
- Try to work only with short and clear posing instructions in the couple shoot.
- Take the wedding couple aside for the couple shoot without witnesses, parents-in-law and guests. They disturb the intimacy or cause distractions.
