Wedding Honeymoon
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Side hustles are helping many families put food on the table during the pandemic, so Calvin Fisher gives tips on how to turn a passion for wedding photography into a career.

 

South Africa (27 May 2021) – Being a wedding photographer is serious business: you don’t get any second chances if you mess up on the day, and you run the chance of potentially ruining the biggest day of the newlyweds’ lives. That’s why it is extremely important to know everything about the trade ahead of time. But if you’re a newbie in the game, it could be challenging.

Calvin Fisher, owner of Pandabomb, a digital production house that specialises in photography, videography and social media marketing, has put together a few tips on how to tackle being a wedding photographer on the big day.

Visit the venue ahead of time.

Firstly, you need to have an idea of what the location looks like in order to have an idea of where you’ll be taking the pictures. Take someone with you so you can shoot practice photos; this will allow you to be prepared on the day. Walk around the entire area and look for places where the couple could pose for pictures. If you’ll be shooting outside, find some spots to take photos that are up close to the church or any important building, and find others that are further away, so the entire building can appear in the background.

Gather some images to use as inspiration

Another way to make sure that your pictures come out great would be to ask the couple for examples of the photos they love. Ask them to gather a few off the internet and to share them with you. By doing this, you’ll have a better understanding of the type of pictures you need to capture on the day. You can also gather your own inspirations as well: this would include the details and props and all the different poses you could suggest.

Make a list of the people who need group photos.

Now, this step is important. Make sure you ask the bride and groom beforehand to make a list of each different group they want photographed. For example: Bride and groom with both sets of parents, bride with her siblings, groom with his grandparents, etc. By sorting out this list ahead of time, you’ll avoid missing out on any photos the couple wish they had after the wedding.

Get someone to help you on the day.

Whether you’re photographing just the bride and groom or the entire wedding party, a helper can be a lifesaver. Give your helper the must-have photo list and ask him or her to keep track of which ones you’ve taken and which ones you still need to do. Ask them to call out who’s up next and help arrange each group so you can stay in one spot taking the photos. They could also assist in getting all the camera equipment in order, so you don’t have to juggle everything at once.

Outside images for the win!

Try and take as many photos as you can outdoors. Reason being, the natural sunlight would work in your favour. But, if you have to take images inside the building, avoid your on-camera flash at all costs– as it will cast ugly shadows and give people weird facial expressions. Instead, turn on all the lights and open any windows and doors to get as much light into the room as possible.

Make sure you’re prepared for the rainy days.

Rain on a wedding day might seem like a nightmare for newly married couples. But it can also be seen as a unique opportunity to snap some amazing pictures. Make sure to bring along a few stylish umbrellas for the couple to use, which could take your pictures to the next level, and not to mention keep the couple dry during the photo shoot. Another important thing to take into consideration is making sure all your camera equipment is waterproof and safely dry throughout the day. The last thing you want is for your tools not to work properly on the wedding day.

Finally, relax

Even if you’re nervous, pretend like you have everything under control when taking the pictures. The last thing you want is for the couple to feel stressed because you will without a doubt be able to see their uneasiness in the photos. Speak to them, ask them about their plans after the wedding, and tell them how gorgeous they look. Help them feel relaxed so their excitement will show in the photos. That way, even if your pictures aren’t perfect, they’ll still be treasured.


Sources: Irvine Partners
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About the Author

Tyler Leigh Vivier is a writer for Good Things Guy.

Her passion is to spread good news across South Africa with a big focus on environmental issues, animal welfare and social upliftment. Outside of Good Things Guy, she is an avid reader and lover of tea.

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