Erin specializes in Wedding Photography, Engagement Sessions & Boudoir Sessions in Los Angeles. She also offers high-end must-haves like Luxury Albums & Wall Art.
When searching for your perfect wedding photographer, look for someone who has similar artistic styles to your own. Create a Pinterest board together with your spouse to see if you are on the same page from a creative standpoint.
1. Hire a Professional
When it comes to your wedding day, there is a lot that goes into making it perfect. Choosing your caterer, venue, and dress are just a few of the things that need to be taken into consideration. But one of the most important aspects of your big day is hiring a professional wedding photographer.
Professionals have years of experience and know how to capture all of the important moments of your wedding. You can trust them to take beautiful and candid photos that will last for generations. They will also be able to capture those “once in a lifetime” moments like the first kiss and the cake cutting that you won’t be able to recreate on your own.
Another reason why it is important to hire a professional is that they have the right equipment. A professional will have top of the line cameras that are capable of capturing high quality photos. They will also be able to use these tools to their advantage by using light and composition to create stunning images.
Hiring a professional will also give you peace of mind on your big day. You don’t want to be so worried about your photos that you are unable to enjoy the moment. Plus, it’s nice to have physical prints of your wedding day photos that you can touch and hold instead of just seeing them on your screen.
2. Plan Your Schedule
Wedding photography is more than just capturing the big moments of your special day. It’s also about the little details that make your day so memorable, like the smiles of your friends and family, the sweet glances you share with your partner, and the subtle looks that tell your story. A skilled photographer is able to capture these moments and preserve them in a way that will bring back your memories for years to come.
The best wedding photographers are able to plan their shooting schedule to ensure they capture all of the important moments on your wedding day. For example, they may suggest scheduling family photos before capturing the couple’s portraits, so that you don’t run out of time. Additionally, they may suggest that you take your couple portraits during the golden hour or just after sunset, when the sun is softer and provides more flattering light.
A good wedding photographer is also able to anticipate potential problems and address them in advance. For example, they might have backup equipment in case of bad weather or recommend hiring a backup planner to help with the timeline in case of any delays. They might even have a list of suggested vendors in case any unexpected situations arise, like if the venue has to close early due to maintenance issues or if there are any guests with health issues that require extra care.
3. Hire a Second Shooter
Sometimes second shooters come with the package you purchase from a photographer, and other times they are an additional cost. Whether or not you decide to hire one depends on how many guests will be at the wedding and what your specific needs are.
A second shooter can offer several benefits for a couple, including:
Additional coverage: Having two photographers covering the event will ensure that all important moments are captured. This can be especially helpful for larger weddings with lots of guests or ceremonies in multiple locations.
Capturing more detail: Second shooters can capture more details and provide a broader range of images for post-processing. This can also add more variety to your final gallery and help tell the story of your day.
Adding more creative and artistic shots: Second shooters can help to capture more creative and artistic shots that can add an extra element of visual interest to your wedding photos. They can also capture unique angles and perspectives that can add an additional dimension to your photos.
Wrangling family photos: Having a second shooter can help to wrangle large groups of people into formation for group shots. This can be particularly helpful for couples who have a lot of extended family or if they are following any specific cultural traditions that require special arrangements for photos.
4. Set Up Your Equipment
Whether you’re shooting with just one camera or with multiple cameras, you’ll need to set up your equipment ahead of time. It’s important to have a sturdy tripod in place so that you can capture video as well as still images. This will help you to ensure that all the key frames are captured and that your footage is as smooth as possible. A tripod will also help you to capture sounds, such as the guests’ appreciative “oohs” and “ahs” as the bride walks down the aisle or the clinking of glasses during a toast to the happy couple. A Rode VideoMic Go or a similar digital recorder would be ideal for this purpose.
You’ll also need a monopod to help you stabilise your handheld camera. This is particularly useful if you’re taking pictures of speeches or the ceremony. The monopod is a great alternative to a Steadicam or other professional stabiliser, as it’s easy to use and won’t make your hands look too big in the photos.
A photo booth is a fun addition to any wedding, and it can be a good way to get some casual, silly shots that you might not be able to get with a professional photographer. To set up a photo booth, simply provide some props for your guests to use, such as hats, moustaches and picture frames cut from paper.
5. Take a Test Shoot
A test shoot is a chance for you to try out new ideas and techniques without the risk of messing up on a client’s paid job. It’s also a great way to stay on top of the latest trends, meet fellow freelancers and hone your creative skills.
When you’re ready to book your first professional job, it’s essential to have a strong portfolio. Not only will this show clients that you have the skills and experience they’re looking for, but it will also give them an idea of what to expect from your work.
Having a strong portfolio isn’t just about having beautiful photos, it’s about telling a story through your images. That’s why it’s important to think about the story that you want to tell and to make sure that your photos are a perfect match for your vision.
During your test shoot, remember to take plenty of photos and use a variety of poses. Also, be sure to bring a flash, tripod, and lots of memory cards. This will help you capture sharp and clear photos and avoid any camera shake. Finally, be sure to practice the rule of thirds, which is a compositional guideline that states that the most important elements should be placed in the middle of your frame. This will ensure that your photos are balanced and have a striking visual appeal. A test shoot is an opportunity for you to practice your craft and get a feel for what it’s like to be a wedding photographer.
6. Edit Your Photos
Once the photos have been taken, they will need to be edited. This is an important step, as a poorly-edited photo can ruin the overall look of your wedding album. Before you begin editing, make sure that all of your images are backed up and saved to multiple locations. This will ensure that you don’t lose any of your memories in case your computer or memory card fails. You should also consider using an editing workflow that allows you to create a collection of presets for various scenarios or locations, which will speed up the editing process and allow you to achieve a consistent look across all of your photos.
When you’re finished editing your photos, consider printing them out so that they can be displayed on your walls and enjoyed by your loved ones. Seeing photos in print is more powerful than viewing them on a screen, and it can help you connect with the emotions that were experienced during the day.
If you’re looking for a photo editor that can help you bring your vision to life, try Picsart. With our easy-to-use app, you can quickly edit and enhance your images and transform them into works of art. You can choose from a variety of filters and effects, add text and graphics, and more. Plus, with our AI content generator, you can effortlessly generate captivating copy for your visuals without ever having to leave the app!
