BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

list of photos to take at a wedding

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January 20, 2006

Reflection in mirror [classic is when bride puts on earrings.]
Mother of Bride [MOB] and Bride
Father of Bride [FOB] and Bride

At the church:

Several shots of flowers - before church begins to fill with people
Limo with Bride arriving
Bride exiting limo and dashing into church
Entry of MOG and FOG
Entry of MOB
Bridal procession - one shot of each Bridesmaid
Maid/Matron of Honor
Bride and FOB
Variety of pictures during the ceremony - note some clergy prohibit photos [of course, folks in the congregation violate that rule all the time
Exchange of vows
Groom kissing bride first time as B&G
Recessional walk [B&G]

After ceremony in front of the altar:

Wedding party
B&G and Bride's Parents [family]
B&G and Groom's Parents [family]
B&G
B and Bridesmaids
G and Groomsmen
B&G and Minister

Departure from church
B&G through rear window of limo

At the reception

Entry of each couple in wedding party
MOG and FOG
MOG and FOG
B&G

First dance - B&G
Dance of FOB and Bride
Dance of FOG and Bride
Dance of Groom and MOG
Dance of Groom and MOB
Toast by Best Man
Various shots during reception activities - line dances, etc.
Chair toss of Bride
Garter removal
Cutting of cake
B&G feed each other
One picture of folks at each table - be careful to arrnage this so that all folks can be seen and taller people are in the center of the symmetrical shot
Welcome to the Family Words by FOB and FOG
Final speech by Groom if any

Departure

B&G leaving the reception

REMEMBER:

Most important person: Bride [therefore most pictures]
2nd most important: MOB
3rd most imortant: Groom
4th most important: Maid/Matron of Honor
5th most important: Female Attendants
6th most iportant: Best Man
7th most important: Groomsmen
Least important: FOG [I've been there twice and I mean it sincerely!]

Finally, don't rely on your digital camera's capability to snap many, many pictures. Relying on this, in the hopes you'll get some good images, is NOT the way to assure good/great pictures. You MUST work quickly, but you must compose and be aware of lighting, exposure, subject movement, etc.

Don't expect to dance and party if you're the main photographer. Don't drink. And, make sure your escort doesn't have a problem with your being the photographer - therby, leaving him all alone.

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January 21, 2006

look for unusual angles. don't just stand there and shoot, get on the ground and shoot up, stand on things and shoot down, shoot through flowers. Shoot thru windows. find odd perspectives/angles and shoot them.

since you dont do weddings, normally, spend alot of time on the formal photos, this will wind up being more important than alot of the other stuff.

if it is going to be dark, rent some faster lenses, yours wont cut it as is. also, rent some back-up equipment in case your fails for any reason.

lighting is very difficult, usually, so it's better to shoot raw and not worry about WB issues, unless you feel you are an expert at that.

and most of all, don't stress out, just have fun and relax.

cheers,
jerry

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January 21, 2006

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January 21, 2006

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January 21, 2006

Go to her with a list of formal groupings of people. That's it. All the rest, you just do without any commitment.

Also, I tell brides to plan on about 3 minutes per grouping. This way, it's up to them how much time they want to spend smiling and saying cheese (obviously, that's not my most favorite part of the day). Because what a bride will do is give you 3 hours worth of formals and 30 minutes to do them in and then get pissed off because you are keeping them from getting to the reception.

Give her a list of main stuff, bride with dad, bride with mom and dad, bride and groom with both parents, etc. That's it. Then if she wants more, let her write it in. They usually don't write too many things...maybe a couple of things that are important to them, like a photo of grandma with the bride, or something.

But, all the other stuff is what you shoot without a written commitment. Could you imagine promising to shoot something, and then for some reason beyond your control, you can't? It happens.

Also, wedding photography has changed alot. It is very different than it was 16 years ago. Now, it's common to have a team, or at least two photographers, and shooting PJ all over the place with the camera constantly at your eye.

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January 21, 2006

Elizabeth. ps I live in Wagga Wagga in Australia. What country are you in?

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January 22, 2006

I live in Louisiana, USA

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January 22, 2006

Bob

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January 22, 2006