Wedding photography is a rewarding but challenging genre that requires skill, creativity, and professionalism. You need to capture the emotions, details, and moments of a special day, while avoiding common pitfalls that can ruin your work and reputation. Here are some tips to help you avoid common mistakes in wedding photography.
One of the most important steps to avoid mistakes is to plan ahead. You should communicate with the couple, the venue, and the other vendors before the wedding day. Find out their expectations, preferences, and schedules. Scout the location and check the lighting conditions. Prepare a shot list and a backup plan in case of bad weather or unforeseen circumstances. Having a clear plan will help you avoid missing important shots, wasting time, and causing stress.
Another key factor to avoid mistakes is to use the right gear. You should have a reliable camera, a variety of lenses, and enough memory cards and batteries. You should also have a backup camera and a flash in case of equipment failure or low light situations. You should also use a tripod, a reflector, and a remote trigger to stabilize your shots and control the light. Using the right gear will help you avoid blurry, underexposed, or distorted images.
In my experience, knowing the capabilities of the gear you're going to use & having a solid foundation in the principles of photography will help you avoid blurry, underexposed (or over), or distorted images. I rented a Canon 7D to photograph my BFF's wedding. The 5D MkII was "better" in low light, but the 7D's superior AF system was more important to me. Little did I know that its mode selector knob has a tendency to rotate when it rubs on something. During the bridal party portraits, I noticed the sound of the shutter was not it was supposed to be. The mode dial rotated from M to B (Bulb) probably when the camera rubbed on my shirt while walking around. Familiarity with cameras and multi-sensory experience in shooting saved that moment.
One of the most common mistakes in wedding photography is to shoot in JPEG instead of RAW. JPEG is a compressed format that reduces the quality and dynamic range of your images. RAW is a uncompressed format that preserves all the data and details of your images. Shooting in RAW will give you more flexibility and control in post-processing. You will be able to adjust the exposure, white balance, contrast, and colors without losing quality or detail. Shooting in RAW will help you avoid noisy, dull, or inaccurate images.
One of the most challenging aspects of wedding photography is to be creative. You need to capture the essence and personality of the couple, while avoiding clichés and repetition. You should try to find different angles, perspectives, and compositions for your shots. You should also use the environment, the light, and the props to create interest and variety. You should also experiment with different styles, such as black and white, vintage, or artistic. Being creative will help you avoid boring, generic, or similar images.
One of the most crucial steps to avoid mistakes is to backup your files. You should never rely on one storage device or location for your images. You should always have at least two copies of your files, preferably on different media and locations. You should also backup your files as soon as possible after the wedding, and keep them safe until you deliver them to the client. Backing up your files will help you avoid losing, damaging, or corrupting your images.
One of the most beneficial ways to avoid mistakes is to learn from feedback. You should always ask for feedback from your clients, your peers, and your mentors. You should also review your own work and identify your strengths and weaknesses. You should be open to constructive criticism and suggestions, and use them to improve your skills and techniques. You should also keep learning and updating your knowledge and trends in wedding photography. Learning from feedback will help you avoid repeating, ignoring, or overlooking your mistakes.
Working as a second shooter for several different wedding photographers is, in my opinion, the best to reduce mistakes and experience (and therefore actually learn) how to be a competent wedding photographer. There's so much minutiae in wedding photography that can only be learned by experience, and the best way to gain experience without risking ruining someone's big day is to work for different people who have more experience.
-Remember to synchronize the date and time of all cameras used for the wedding. -Carry a small pocket-sized white balance card -Wear comfortable shoes -Arrive near the first location well ahead of the time you need to be there. -Carry a small bag/purse/duty belt and put some of your backup batteries and memory cards in it. There' not much point in having a backup if you can't access it when you need it.