11 Tips for Wedding Photographers

Wedding Photography Tips

Before The Wedding

1) Set up a Meeting:

First things first. A meeting with the soon to be married couple is vital as it gives the photographer the opportunity to find out exactly what is expected. The photographer should ask the clients to search for photos on the internet or in magazines to get an idea of what shots they would like. This will help the photographer when compiling the shot list for the wedding.

2) Create a Shotlist:

Having a shot list is a great tool to ensure the photographer captures all the specific pictures the bride and groom requested, as well as those the photographer would like to capture as well. A photographer can easily get distracted by all the hype and action during the wedding that they might let a few important photos slip. Remember that a wedding and all its proceedings is a once in a life time event and that it is the photographers main duty to capture the best memories thereof.

3) Timeline for Proceedings:

Be sure to ask the couple for a timeline of the wedding. Being prepared takes a lot of stress off of the photographer’s shoulders as they will know exactly where to position themselves and what lenses to use next etc. The timeline must work in conjunction with the photographers shot list.

4) Visit the Venue Beforehand:

Visit both the formal and after party venues before the wedding takes place. This is where the photographer compiles the shot list in conjunction with the
timeline. Remember to pay close attention to the lighting of the venue/s during specific times of the day, as this will be your guide to where you have to position
yourself during the wedding. A flash will only help to a certain extent and the best pictures, especially for wedding photography, is captured with natural light.

5) Attend the Rehearsel:

Nowadays it is quite common for the bride and groom to attend a rehearsal with the priest before the wedding. The photographer should take a camera along to the
wedding rehearsal and take a few test shots to use as a guide for the actual wedding. Attending the wedding rehearsal is also a good opportunity for the photographer
to fine tune the shot list and timeline.

On the day of the Wedding

6) Comfortable Shoes:

This might sound like an obvious tip, but many photographers show up at weddings with tight fitting and slippery formal shoes or high heals.
Even though a wedding is a formal occasion the photographer is the one person that never gets to sit during the +-8 hours of shooting. Wearing comfortable shoes
with good support and grip goes a long way in ensuring you enjoy the shoot -and give the clients the best possible pictures.

7) Calm Photographer = Calm Bride:

Just by organising a meeting with the bride and groom and attending the wedding rehearsal the photographer has done 90% of reassuring work needed. This will most likely be the biggest occasion of their lives, so the photographer has to be professional and on time to win the trust of the clients. Remember to relax and smile on the day of the wedding as this will calm all the jitters on the big day.

8) Spare Battery & Memory Card

There have been cases of photographers doing a whole day’s wedding shoot just to come home and see that they never had a memory card in the camera! A photographer must ALWAYS carry a spare battery and memory card on the day of the wedding. Even if it is just a 2 hour shoot, you never know when one of the devices decides to break.

9) Mute Camera Sounds:

This is only relevant to the very formal parts of the wedding, i.e. whilst the couples are saying their wedding vows etc. The photographer should not bombard the bride and groom with loud shutter noises, beeps and flashes during these intimate parts.

12) Get a Second Photographer:

Getting a second photographer to help you during the wedding shoot is great, as it allows you to capture various angles at the same time. If possible, try and get a photographer from the opposite gender as you can then take pictures of both the bride and groom while getting ready etc. The second photographer can also fulfil other roles like holding the reflector while you take pictures, change your lenses and just do some general “runner” tasks.

11) Take fun Pics as well:

As stated before, weddings are usually quite formal events, but this does not mean that the photographer can’t have fun with the pictures. Get the groomsmen and bridesmaids involved and let them jump, climb trees, throw stuff up in the air etc.

Bez Photography Specialises in Wedding Photography in Pretoria. For more information, please visit our website at www.bez4photos.co.za

5 Photography Spots in Pretoria

Union Buildings:

Situated in the heart of Pretoria stand the iconic Union Buildings.

This architectural marvel does not only serve as the seat for the national government, 

but its beautiful Edwardian and Cape-Dutch architecture serves as a perfect background for photographers, practising all kinds of photography genres. The venue also features lush green gardens and amphitheatre which serves as a perfect setting for wedding photography and couple shoots alike.

Voortrekker Monument:

This majestic, 40 meter tall, granite monument  is one of the most iconic landmarks in Pretoria, if not South Africa. It is situated on top of a hill in a 240ha nature reserve and its spectacular views serves as the perfect destination for landscape photography. Using the massive stairway leading up to the monument (and the monument itself) as back ground, you can also shoot some stunning couple/family photos. Tourist also love having their pictures taken at national landmarks and since the Voortrekker Monument attracts some 200 000 visitors annually it could make for some good part time business for photographers.

Pretoria Botanical Gardens:

This 50ha treasure chest of South African flora is situated in the Eastern suburbs of Pretoria. It is the perfect venue if you enjoy nature and -or micro photography with its large variety of plant, flower and tree species. Wildlife and especially bird photographers will be glad to know that there are more than 200 bird species within the borders of this botanical garden. There are also reptiles and small mammals like Duikers one can photograph. 

Sammy Marks Museum:

Just 20 kilometres east of Pretoria lies the Sammy Marks museum. This Victorian mansion boasts some 48-rooms, with some of the finest 19th century paintings, silver ware and porcelain, making it the perfect destination for some vintage photography. Outside the museum, the tennis courts and lush gardens is the perfect setting for wedding photography. Just 100 meters from the museum lies a photographers dream setting in the form of an old (run down) farm house and stalls. The rusted buildings and chipped off face brick  walls ads a lot of character to pictures, especially for couple photography, wedding and modelling shoots. The farm house is surrounded by a beautiful natural forest and the Pienaar River flows just 50 meters from the farm house and is a great setting for nature and modelling photography. Taking all the above into consideration it is easy to see why the Sammy Marks Museum is one of the most sought after venues for photographers in Pretoria.

Rietvlei Nature Reserve:

Rietvlei Nature Reserve is situated on the Southern outskirts of Pretoria and is the biggest nature reserve within city borders, containing wild animals, in the world. It is a nature photographers dream venue as the 3 800ha reserve boasts some 2000 head of game, including buffalo, rhino and lion! If you are a wildlife photographer that enjoys bird photography, you will be delighted to know that the reserve has more than 300 different species within its borders. The reserve has two large dams which provides Pretoria with 15% of its drinking water. The huge dams also serve as a breathtaking background for both landscape and wildlife photography.

Kindly visit our website for more information: Bez4photos