| p>What is a wedding? For a photographer it's nothing | | | | times. This includes the flashes' cables, diffuser filters |
| but business. For the bride and groom it's the most | | | | and attachments. You must bring with you at least |
| important day of their life. A day in which two lives | | | | two flashes. Remember that it's one day in a lifetime |
| take a decisive turn, for the better or for the worse. | | | | and you cannot afford to stop working just because |
| So a wedding is undoubtedly a very important even | | | | the flash decides to break down. |
| for at least two people and their immediate families. | | | | Remember to change the batteries in all of the |
| The photographer must be aware of this, even | | | | cameras and flashes, plus bring at least one refill of |
| though for him/her it's just another day at work. | | | | batteries for each item. Better have too much than |
| Why is this? Because from him/her and from him/her | | | | not having enough. Before digital photography arrived |
| alone the memories of this decisive day will totally | | | | I used to carry with me twice as much film as I |
| depend upon. Unfortunately many photographers do | | | | actually would have needed; the worst thing that |
| not think of a wedding this way, but instead as just | | | | could have happened was that I would have brought |
| another check coming in. This is wrong for two | | | | the film back home. You never know what can |
| reasons: | | | | happen at a wedding and you just want to be ready. |
| 1. Because if a photographer doesn't respect a | | | | Nowadays you want to make sure you bring enough |
| wedding for what it is, he/she will unconsciously not | | | | memory cards. No, one memory card that can hold |
| perform at his/her very best. | | | | 10.000 images is not enough. Occasionally memory |
| 2. This attitude won't let the photographer fully | | | | cards go wrong and you do not want to find |
| appreciate the efforts made to make this day look | | | | yourself in the position of not being able to shoot. |
| so marvellous and therefore he/she will not be able | | | | Take three, five, eight of them... they are neither |
| to capture the true atmosphere. | | | | heavy nor expensive, so bring plenty with you. |
| [A brief introduction about myself: I am a wedding | | | | Take with you some business cards to hand out. It's |
| photographer because I love wedding photography, | | | | very common at a wedding to exchange cards with |
| not because it pays well (which is debatable). As a | | | | the venue manager, the band, the catering manager, |
| matter of fact, I've done it for years making little or | | | | etc; we all work with and for each other and word |
| no money at all.] | | | | of mouth has proven to be the best form of |
| For a photographer a wedding begins when a deposit | | | | advertising. Make sure your cards are clean, new and |
| is paid and therefore a specific date is booked. From | | | | fresh; there is nothing worse than being handed a |
| that moment on there is a continuous (at times | | | | dirty and sweaty business card that has been sitting |
| invisible) relationship between the photographer and | | | | in your bag or wallet for six months. Get yourself a |
| the couple to be married. Some people book over a | | | | nice aluminum case for your cards, so that they will |
| year in advance, but this doesn't mean that in this | | | | be handed the way they are meant to. |
| lapse of time the photographer will forget about the | | | | I always keep a chocolate bar in my bag. When you |
| wedding. As soon as a specific date is booked I send | | | | get very hungry and your stomach starts |
| the couple a contract to be signed by both of them | | | | complaining, it's very difficult to concentrate and |
| and a form to be filled in with all the relevant | | | | especially to create something artistic. I have been to |
| information, both items to be returned in good time | | | | weddings were there was absolutely nothing to eat. |
| for the wedding. When I receive the form and the | | | | The day is very long and you never know when |
| contract back, I arrange for an appointment with the | | | | hunger is going to hit. If you are in a place where the |
| couple to discuss all the details of the big day. The | | | | weather is unpredictable like in London, bring an |
| contract, the form and the meeting are three very | | | | umbrella. Nowadays there are umbrellas that can fit in |
| important steps for all parties; let's go over them | | | | your pocket, so just through one in your bag. It's |
| individually: | | | | always better to be prepared. |
| The contract: | | | | Take out what you are going to wear and examine |
| In this world, only what is written counts. Where | | | | that everything is fine. How many times did it happen |
| ever there is an exchange of money, there must be | | | | that you were 100% sure that a particular shirt was |
| a written agreement. Other than for legal reasons, | | | | in your chest of drawers and instead it was sitting in |
| this is very important because of the fact that when | | | | the laundry basket? Well, you don't want this to |
| people are under pressure or stress, they tend to | | | | happen on the morning of a wedding, so do take |
| forget things or to miss interpret them. This could | | | | everything out and see if it is all clean, ironed, no |
| lead to unpleasant incidents in the future. A wedding | | | | buttons missing and just keep everything ready. We |
| photographer contract will state the agreed date, the | | | | are still two days away from the wedding, so if |
| agreed amount of money to be paid in exchange for | | | | something is wrong you have time to fix it. Polish |
| the service and what service is to be provided. A | | | | your shoes and keep them ready. There is nothing |
| contract should also include a copy of the | | | | worse than an elegant wedding photographer with |
| photographer's terms and conditions and this must be | | | | filthy shoes. That says it all about the person. Make |
| visible to the clients before they sign the contract. | | | | sure you carry a watch, some emergency cash and |
| The contract is also very useful when dealing with | | | | an ID. Always carry an ID with you; this is because if |
| dodgy people, of which the world is unfortunately | | | | you get pulled over by the police, whatever the |
| filled. Some brides and groom (I must say it doesn't | | | | reason, you do not want to be taken in to be |
| happen very often - but it does happen) plan from | | | | identified. In most countries (including the USA) you |
| the start to take more than what they bargained for. | | | | must carry an ID at all times by law. Not many |
| Some people will look for a loophole in the contract | | | | people are aware of this, but the police can detain |
| to ask for more prints or for some money back. | | | | you for up to 24 hours for identification purposes if |
| Imagine if you didn't have a contract... open season | | | | you do not carry one. So since a wedding is very |
| to hunt down the photographer. The beauty is that a | | | | important, you want to take all precautions possible |
| properly drawn contract works the other way just | | | | to make it go smooth. |
| as well, so it also covers the bride and groom. | | | | One day before the wedding it's the time to check |
| The form: | | | | your vehicle. Make sure you fill up the tank, check |
| This is another very important thing, often omitted | | | | the oil and all fluids. Check the pressure of the tires |
| by most photographers. This form will contain all of | | | | (including the spare tire) and wash the car. |
| the information a photographer needs for a particular | | | | Remember that first impressions count. Fully charge |
| wedding, including contact numbers for everyone | | | | your mobile phone and keep it switched on from |
| concerned with the particular wedding. Even if you | | | | now on. Get your form with all the wedding |
| only have to manage one wedding (beginners) it's a | | | | information, street maps, alternative routes and |
| good idea to keep all the information in one place, | | | | notes and put everything in your bag. If you live in a |
| because when you need it the most you must be | | | | large city, have a public transport pass, or ticket with |
| able to find it, quickly. | | | | you as well, just in case something goes |
| Most photographer (and this is a very bad habit) | | | | unexpectedly wrong with your car. Have some coins |
| work with notes. They take notes over the | | | | ready for parking meters; When taking pictures of |
| telephone, notes when they meet the clients, some | | | | the bride and groom after the ceremony, you don't |
| more notes gathered from here and there... and in | | | | know what ideas they have in mind and you have no |
| the end some crucial information ends up missing, like | | | | ideas where they might take you. If you |
| the brides telephone number on the day of the | | | | unexpectedly have to park somewhere, you just |
| wedding, or a missing postcode. A sibgle form with | | | | want to be prepared. Tickets are expensive and |
| ALL the information is the key. | | | | coins are very light to carry in your car. Call your local |
| The meeting: | | | | road information office to make sure that everything |
| Meeting the bride and groom before the wedding is | | | | is fine on your route. Look over the internet for the |
| essential. In order to get the mood of the day, you | | | | weather forecast and watch the evening news; if |
| must know who you are creating this mood for. | | | | something big has happened, you want to know |
| Everyone is different on this planet, there will not be | | | | about it... it might affect your plans for the following |
| two people alike. Therefore your service as wedding | | | | day. Set two alarms just in case one goes wrong |
| photographer must be tailored to the specific people | | | | (you don't want to oversleep on the wedding day) |
| you are dealing with. Even with a last minute wedding | | | | and lastly, have a good night sleep. This is important; |
| you should find some time to meet the bride and the | | | | you can't go to bed late, you must be fully rested. |
| groom. If there is absolutely no time, have a nice | | | | On the day of the wedding give yourself plenty of |
| telephone conversation and try to understand their | | | | time. It's way better to wait around for two hours |
| feelings and expectations. | | | | reading the paper, than being late and not have a |
| After this initial contact there will be a long period of | | | | chance to read the comics. My assistants only have |
| silence, as the photographer is not expected to call | | | | to be late once for me not to ever hire them again. |
| once a week just to say "hello". In this period of time | | | | There is plenty of choice out there. Time is crucial |
| from meeting the couple to seeing them again on the | | | | and delays are totally unacceptable in this line of |
| big day (that can be long or short, depending on how | | | | business. Always plan for the unexpected, accidents |
| much earlier they have booked), the photographer | | | | do happen and they can very well happen to you, so |
| will investigate all the details of the wedding: the | | | | be prepared. |
| church, the venue, the bride and groom's homes, | | | | As soon as you wake up you should call your |
| addresses, routes, alternatives, etc. Everything must | | | | assistant, just to make sure his alarm worked and he |
| be investigated thoroughly, because mistakes on the | | | | should do the same to you if he gets up first. This is |
| wedding day are not forgivable. | | | | not paranoia, it's a wedding and you should not take |
| The next thing you should do as a wedding | | | | the slightest chance. Have a nice breakfast as it's |
| photographer is to prepare for the big day. One | | | | going to be a very long day. Leave home knowing |
| week before the ceremony you should go to check | | | | that you won't be back before one o'clock in the |
| on the ceremony location (the church) and the | | | | morning. |
| reception place. Don't do this too early, because | | | | The moment has arrived; the day for which so many |
| things can change with time, including the managers. | | | | people have been planning for over a year has |
| Take the light meter with you. Look for possible | | | | arrived. Do your very best and never stop till it's |
| shots, light impediments, speak with the manager for | | | | over. There is no illness, there is no hunger, there is |
| permissions and information. Other than obtaining | | | | no family or girlfriend/boyfriend, there are no |
| very good and useful information, you show a high | | | | excuses: you keep shooting till you drop dead. You |
| standard and professionalism that will be passed on | | | | owe it to the bride and groom that trusted you with |
| as word of mouth. Leave a business cart to every | | | | the most important day of their lives. You owe it to |
| person you speak with. You always want to leave | | | | yourself, because people will be talking about you for |
| people impressed with your work, even if you don't | | | | years to come and you want them to talk nicely |
| directly work for them; one day you might. Word of | | | | about you. During the day it's OK for you to have a |
| mouth spreads very fast when a photographer | | | | drink or two, just make sure you don't drink too |
| works poorly, but it spreads just as fast when he or | | | | much and especially make sure you don't drink at all |
| she does a good job, so do it right and always | | | | for about two hours before you get yourself behind |
| better than the others; you will be remembered for | | | | the wheel. Fatigue, alcohol and driving do not mix well |
| that. | | | | at all. |
| Two days before the wedding is the time to start | | | | The day after the wedding is when the real work |
| using a checklist in order not to forget anything. This | | | | starts: the editing of all the images, printing them and |
| is the time to make sure that a certain number of | | | | delivering the final work to the clients. It has been a |
| things are available to you and that are in good | | | | long and difficult journey to the end of the wedding |
| conditions: check that you have a clean and decent | | | | and if the clients are happy, you have achieved you |
| photo bag for your equipment. Make sure that your | | | | goal. As you can see there is a lot more to a |
| tripod works in all positions and that it doesn't jam. | | | | wedding than just make your appearance on the day. |
| Check that you diffusion panel is clean and not | | | | A wedding will typically keep a person buy for about |
| broken in any part; it would be a terrible | | | | 70 hours and you must consider this in your pricing. A |
| embarrassment if you were to open it in front of | | | | mistake that many photographers make is to |
| many people after a long time of not using it and | | | | overbook. They let themselves available for more |
| found it unusable. Make sure you have at least three | | | | weddings that they can actually handle. One wedding |
| camera bodies with at least three lenses, ranging | | | | per week is plenty of work for one person, typically |
| from a wide angle to a telephoto lens. Why three | | | | 60 - 70 hours per week (7 days). If you get booked |
| bodies? One for color, one for black and white and | | | | for more than a wedding a week, make sure you |
| one as spare camera. Now with digital photography | | | | have the resources to handle the extra work. On |
| two bodies are enough, as everything is shot in color | | | | average a photographer will deliver the photographs |
| (the color can be taken away in the editing process). | | | | about a month after the wedding. Over two months |
| Make sure the aperture of the lenses work fine and | | | | is not acceptable. |
| that every moving part moves freely. If you use | | | | I hope this article helped you in better understanding |
| them, make sure you have soft filters and | | | | wedding photography. Always do your best and be |
| accessories in your photo bag; they are the most | | | | proud of it. |
| common thing to be left behind, I've seen it a million | | | | |