Wedding photography has always been a challenging endeavor, as capturing such important moments digitally is often hindered by poor weather conditions, difficult clients, and long working hours. Nowadays, photographers also spend a considerable amount of time editing pictures, so couples can be assured of receiving the best possible images after the wedding.
The less-discussed issue, however, is the role of creativity. Every wedding is unique, as is the location, so utilizing these elements to your advantage as a photographer is both challenging and exciting. As a rule of thumb, being consistent, improving curation, and seeking creativity are key to taking the best pics and becoming renowned as a wedding photographer.
So, let’s dive deeper into the creative side of photography.
In This Article:
Start with the basics
The simplest way to capture the wedding is to be present throughout all the important moments of it, from the first time the groom sees the bride to the after-party. Detail photos are usually the first in line, featuring the bride’s dress, her shoes and accessories, as well as the groom’s suit and boutonniere.
As simple as it seems, you can enhance the impact of these details by taking a non-traditional approach. For example, while most pictures of these details are done in the same room where the couple gets ready, you could take them outside and photograph them near plants or unique sights. What about a mountaineering ring photoshoot?
Or, you could opt to do the pre-ceremony photos in a way that captures people from different angles, when they’re not paying attention to you. While this can be challenging when people are moving, you could adjust the shutter speed to freeze people. Experiment with shutter speeds of 1/250 sec or 1/500 sec, depending on how fast the subjects move.
Take advantage of the surroundings
Regardless of where the wedding takes place, taking in the environment before the event will help better plan the photos. Natural lighting will always be superior to artificial lighting, so look for places where the background is impressive and the brightness is sufficient to capture the best wedding moments.
Ensure that you always communicate with the couple and allow them to contribute ideas and recommendations. Usually, the majority of the photos should align with their goals, but you can offer yourself the freedom to picture some of their moments in your style.
Regardless, use their house, city/village, and surroundings as a base for a collection that represents them. Blending the space with the couple in a personalized manner can bring out the best pictures, especially when in a natural setting. However, city-based pics can also be amazingly operated.
Focus on the outfits
The bride, the bridesmaids, and all the ladies attending the wedding will have put a lot of effort into choosing the ideal dress. Therefore, doing them a favor and capturing the dresses in their best angles is ideal for maximum customer satisfaction.
Use flash features to highlight dress textures indoors, especially in dim venues, and top-down and side angles for portraits. During editing, also try to clean the background as much as possible to allow the dress to pop out. Still, it’s also best to adjust exposure accordingly to highlight the beauty of the dresses’ material.
Finding opportunities for dress-focused portraits can also help capture more unique shots, particularly for the bride. For example, framing the bride and her gown next to props like a floral statement or an architectural building will offer the moment more weight. Also, don’t forget about composition and clean lines for the gown.
Explore the natural setting
Capturing the couple in nature is truly magnetic, and there are so many elements from the surroundings that can enhance the picture. For instance, you can use reflective surfaces, such as bodies of water, to create ethereal images. The couple stands near the pond, and you capture them from different angles.
Catching seasonal elements is also a never-ending source of creativity. Whether you incorporate freshly bloomed flowers or gather the colorful foliage from a forest during fall, adding a touch of nature is best for a cohesive photobook. Adjust the white balance to enhance the vibrancy of colors, and opt for a macro lens for detailed images.
What’s best about being a photographer is that you can embrace various weather conditions instead of photographing inside. With weather-resistant gear, you can capture otherworldly photos of the couple against dramatic backgrounds. Remember that, at least for rainy days, slower shutter speeds, such as 1/60, can also capture the motion of raindrops and bring out the motion in images.
Find your cooperation technique
Last but not least, collaborating with the newlyweds is crucial to creating a heartfelt photobook. However, different photographers will approach this matter according to their experiences. In some cases, photographers like to take the lead, as they have a standard for taking pictures and are looking towards a linear production process. In addition, it is less overwhelming for them to operate in a certain way than to take the pictures according to every person’s opinion at the wedding.
Others, on the other hand, will “parkour” the entire session and capture whatever they like, while having fun. This technique will ensure more candid and vivid pictures, in which people may not notice they’re targeted. Still, this might be more difficult to organize, which will prove challenging later for the photographer during the editing phase. Moreover, it might be that many of the photos are unusable.
Final take
Being a wedding photographer may seem straightforward, but there are numerous aspects to consider during the event. You must be creative and ensure the couple receives pictures that enhance their personalities, and also check their wishes. Therefore, achieving this goal can be accomplished by leveraging the natural surroundings, focusing on the outfits, especially the dresses, and striking a balance between taking the lead and accommodating the couple’s wishes. If you’re confused or overwhelmed, always start with the basics and use a linear plan, in which you photograph the wedding accessories, the couple, and the venue, and then build the visuals from that point.
