All the Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Wedding Photography

A comprehensive guide to help beginner wedding photographers navigate the journey, with tips on gear, planning, and avoiding unnecessary stress.

Decision - Research

Before doing anything else, decide whether you want to focus on a specific photography niche.

This choice will guide what you need to research, whether it’s photography gear, business practices, vendor etiquette, or processes for different types of wedding photography and other types of photography.

Note: It’s okay to change your niche later, but make sure you’re prepared to act based on the decision you make now. You can always pivot, but first, decide as that will determine if this advice applies to you.

Wedding Photography Gear Checklist

When it comes to wedding photography gear, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise—gear matters. Here’s a list of essential wedding photography equipment that every photographer should have for weddings and general event photography.

• 2 camera bodies with dual SD card slots (for redundancy and backup)
• Lenses:
• Zoom lenses: A 24-70mm f/2.8 lens and a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens for versatility in all environments
• Prime lenses: An 85mm 1.4/1.8 and a 35mm 1.4/1.8 for a more creative approach to event photography
• At least 4 SD cards with at least 2 backups
• Lights You must have at least one, preferably two speedlights. You should also invest in at least 2 high power lights e.g. AD200/300s for off camera flash during the event(Required in larger spaces)
• Light Stands for those above mentioned lights
• Transmitters for your lights
• A good quality camera harness/strap system
• Backup Camera Batteries: It is not a bad idea to have 2 - 4 back up batteries at all events.
• Comfortable shoes (you’ll be on your feet for long hours)
• High-quality camera backpack (cheap bags won’t last)
• High-spec laptop or PC for editing
• High-speed storage (SSDs or NVMe SSDs) and a cloud backup solution

Having the right gear is crucial for shooting weddings. Trust me, invest early in the tools you need to succeed.

Education: Mastering Your Wedding Photography Gear

Now that you have your gear, you need to learn how to use it. YouTube is a fantastic resource for learning the basics of wedding photography and your camera’s specific settings. Here are a few essential skills every wedding photographer should know:

• Learn to shoot in manual mode
• Here is a party trick most people might not share with you, the quickest way to learn to shoot manual is to reverse engineer the shot from the results. If you don’t have peers to practice with, just go out shooting, take a photo in auto, then look at the settings, now switch to manual and try to replicate those settings if you liked the way the image looked.
• Master the balance of ISO, shutter speed, and aperture
• Learn how to use on-camera and off-camera flash, especially for weddings where lighting will constantly change

A few youtube channels that cover topics like learning your brand of camera, their settings, off camera flash and much more

• Adorama
• B&H Photo Video Pro Audio
• Influencers worth checking out include and are not limited to: Jared Polin, Ray Alvarez, Julia Trotti, Manny Ortiz, Magic Wedding Photographer, Tony & Chelsea Northrup, Taylor Jackson, Matt Granger, Vanessa Joy, Pat Kay, Jason Vong and many more.

Pro tip: Even if your clients prefer a natural light look, knowing how to use flash will make you more versatile in tricky lighting situations.

Remember, you’ll always be learning in this profession. Practice shooting friends, family, pets, or even objects around your house. Every shot teaches you something new.

Networking, Word of Mouth, and Social Media for Wedding Photographers

One of the best ways to get started is by working as a second photographer for a more experienced professional. You might not get paid for the first few weddings, but the experience you gain is invaluable. And I highly recommend working at least 3 to 5 weddings simply for the experience and the confidence it will give you.

Ways to get hired as a second photographer:

• Join Photography groups in your area, especially wedding photography and second shooter groups.
• Share the gear you have and your experience level, be very specific about wanting to shadow experienced photographers.
• You can offer to begin working as an assistant first to get your foot in the door, then as a second shooter to get used to the workflow.

Why second shooting matters:

• You will Learn the flow of a wedding day without the pressure of being the lead photographer
• You will have the opportunity to get introduced to other vendors and professionals in the wedding industry
• This is one way to build your portfolio and reputation

Once you’re ready to work as the lead photographer, make sure you’re active on social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, facebook, linkedin, where many potential clients are looking for inspiration. Word of mouth is powerful in the wedding industry, so always be professional and friendly.

How to Handle Your Own Wedding Photography Clients

When a potential client reaches out, one of the first things they will ask is, "What are your prices?" Each wedding photographer approaches this differently, but it’s important to create a wedding photography pricing strategy that reflects your experience and market.

Key steps in the client onboarding process:

1. Consultation Call: Your first call should be a consultation to understand the client’s needs and wedding vision. See link for questions you should ask during a consultation.

LINK: Important Questions to Ask on Consultation Calls

1. Planning Call: Once booked, have at least one more call to review the details, timelines, and the vendor team.

LINK: Important Questions to Ask on Planning Calls

The Importance of Contracts in Wedding Photography

Whether it’s a friend, family member, or a new client, always have a wedding photography contract in place. This contract should outline your services, payment schedule, and expectations for the day.

• Define boundaries (e.g., whether guests can interfere with your shots during key moments like the ceremony)
• Require a retainer fee to ensure client commitment and avoid last-minute cancellations
• Having a contract protects both you and your clients, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

Communication and Time Management on the Wedding Day

Your two biggest tools on a wedding day are communication and time management.

Time Management Tips:

From the moment you arrive, you're on the clock.

Check in with your clients, set the tone, and be jovial—be more excited than they are.

Walk the grounds of the event and get a lay of the land.

• Plan your lighting setup for the ceremony and reception, especially if indoors—you don’t want to figure this out in the middle of the event.
• Test the lighting with other vendors or willing guests. People love having their photo taken, so just ask nicely if they can pose for you to test the light.
• If there is a planner, review the schedule with them and help them keep things on track.
• If there’s no planner, collaborate with the DJ to keep the schedule running smoothly.
• Make sure to eat before the guests, especially on long 5+ hour shoot days, so you're ready to jump back into action.
• Do not stress the couple with things you can manage on your own. However, don't try to handle situations that are beyond your control. If something is at risk of running too far behind or being missed, inform the couple calmly.
• People are flexible. Don’t panic, and don’t make the couple feel the need to panic. Relax and solve one problem at a time if anything arises.

Communication is always a multi part effort:

• Consultation
• Planning
• Day-of communication
• Building rapport – Respectful and friendly communication with all other vendors is highly important. Be a team player.
• Attentiveness – It's important to be attentive to the couple's verbal and non-verbal cues. Some brides and grooms love being photographed, while others may be shy, anxious, or not very jovial even on their wedding day. Be sensitive to their personality, quirks, and needs, and ensure you're not pushing them out of their comfort zone. Remember, this is their day. The pictures they want and don’t want matter more than the shots you dream of capturing. Let me repeat—this is their day. Always put them first. For example, if it's a hot day, don't keep the bride or groom outside for too long before the ceremony to avoid them being sweaty before the big moment.
• If anyone is rude to you, remain kind and courteous. Simply inform the couple about what happened, but maintain your professionalism. This can be tough, especially if the person being rude is a family member, but it's important to stay professional.
• During the planning process, discuss all these aspects with the couple and ensure they are noted in your contract.
• During the ceremony, don't hesitate to ask guests to sit down if they are standing up, moving around, and getting in your way. You are the hired professional; their cellphone photos can wait.
• The reception is a good time to experiment with your camera. Unlike the earlier parts of the day, this is a more relaxed environment where you can explore different shots while guests enjoy themselves. Have fun, but be sure not to miss key moments.
• If you see a cool shot you’d like to try with the couple that wasn’t discussed beforehand, simply approach them and share your idea. If they’re interested, great! If not, that’s fine—it’s their day.

Backup Your Images Immediately After the Event

When you get home from the wedding, your first task is to offload your images to your computer and/or cloud backup. This prevents any accidental overwriting or card formatting issues at future events.

Backup strategies:

• Use high-speed external drives (SSDs or NVMe SSDs)
• Have an offsite or cloud-based backup solution (like Dropbox)

Conclusion

Mastering wedding photography involves careful planning, investing in the right gear, and learning how to handle the unpredictable nature of live events. Whether you're second shooting to gain experience or booking your own clients, communication, time management, and having the right tools at your disposal are key to success. By following these essential wedding photography tips, you'll be well on your way to establishing a thriving wedding photography business.