7 Tips for First Time Wedding Photographers

Photographing your first wedding?? I got you! These are my best tips for shooting your first wedding ever. phew!

It wasn't easy to narrow this into a short list - what else would you add? Leave me a comment with your best tips for shooting weddings.

🚩 Possible question to ask the engaged couple before the wedding day:
- Where will you be getting ready?
- Would you like getting ready photos?
- Where will the ceremony take place?
- How long will the ceremony be?
- Are there rules or restrictions for photography during the ceremony?
- Will you be seeing each other before the ceremony (aka a "first look) and if yes, where?
- How many are in your bridal party?
- Is there travel time between ceremony and reception? (If yes, how long)
- Is there parking available at each location throughout the day?
- What is a good contact number for both of you for any day-of emergencies?
- Can you provide me with a timeline of the wedding day?
- Who would you like to be in your family photos? (Ask for a list with full names)
- Are there any family situations, deaths, or divorces I should be sensitive to?
- Are there any special or surprise moments planned for the reception?
- What is the most important part of the wedding day to each of you?

This list could certainly go on ...but it should give you a great jumping off point!

📹 WHAT TO WATCH NEXT:
How I grew my photography business

📸WHATS IN MY CAMERA BAG:

I have not been paid to promote or endorse any of these items. These are my honest opinions and thoughts. All gear has been purchased with my own money. Some links are affiliate links, meaning that at no cost to you, I may receive a small commission if you buy it.

[Joymichelle]

What are YOUR best tips for someone shooting their first wedding?

[alexsanci]

Most kind photographer with useful advice, thanks for sharing your videos.

[elizastewart]

Ask the Locals! The venue staff probably has seen way more weddings in that particular space than you have. Ask them what the "favorite" spots or images they have seen people love! This also gives you the opportunity to offer to pass along a few images for their website, if they want them. More exposure for yourself and creates a good relationship with the venue that could lead to future referrals!

[GeeberK]

Great, great video. And thank you for the links to additional videos too... VERY HELPFUL!!

[TeddyParker]

Please feel free to add timestamps to your description and then delete my comment so people who wanna come back to this video or go over a single thing twice can do so quickly:
0:45 bonus tip, use a contract
1:15 tip 1, bring a back-up camera
2:10 tip 2, bring friend/family member to hold gear/shot-list
2:45 tip 3, discuss timeline & expectations with the couple
4:00 tip 4, show up early, plan for the unknown (traffic, venue timeline changes, etc)
4:35 tip 5, request a shot list WITH NAMES
5:45 tip 6, plan for low and/or harsh light (practice these lightings beforehand)
7:30 tip 7, back up images IMMEDIATELY, not after a shower or sleeping, and NEVER format cards before back up is achieved

[tubeyouwatcher]

Love your attention to detail in these vids, they’re so helpful! 🙌

[tereguzman]

Great advice 🙏👏🏻😃 as always, thanks Joy

[adeinewallacephotography]

Loved the veil shot as the veil was bent seeing it in the frame of the image and the newlywed couple faces is crisp and clear! I think I need an assistant lol. I get the bridal party to help for this too.

[cherriemaytucson]

Thanks for your tips, by the way tomorrow I will shoot my first solo wedding (11.14.20) with my own camera, and It helps me to do what I need to do and prepare.

[janfiertam]

This is helpful! I am interested in leaning new thing and photography is the most interesting for me. Can you please recommend film camera and lens for beginner? :)

[kaightiemunsch]

Connect with your client before. Go over all the detail and get what the clients expectations set for the day. This also makes sure you have discussed timeline so you can get the time needed to meet those set expectations.

[chiyamedia]

Are you able to make a video on how you come up with the design for your photo albums and how you choose which ones to add in it and how many?

[randallguinn]

This video was very helpful to me i'm going to be shooting the wedding on the 12th I just graduated from photography School.

[karinaochoa]

Just discovered you and immediately subscribed! This video was helpful, and I will be checking out all the other videos you mentioned!

[wanneske]

Great tips ! I've done like 10 weddings. The tip about bringing a friend is a bit controversial. If I'm paid for a wedding, how much should I pay the friend or relative who helps me out but has no clue about photography ?

[shadyninja]

Don't forget to set your camera to shoot in RAW.
I shot a whole wedding in raw as a 2nd shooter by mistake and fully regretted it.

[joeweihs]

I’m a senior and I have a D5000 with a nifty 50 my daughter is getting married can you suggest setting for me ? Out doors after 6 pm

[martaantonelli]

I'm gonna help a professional photographer at a wedding, I'm a beginner and that will be my first wedding. I'm a bit nervous about the ceremony, it'll be in a church and I don't really know how to handle this. Do you have any tips?

[AllieOnPointe]

My wedding photographer and friend (who was gifting it to me) just completely bailed on my wedding after I’ve already used my budget on other things. So I really wish we had had a contract with this 😩 it kills me that as a photographer I can’t solve my own problem 🤦🏻‍♀️

[danyexzea]

Can someone that is an introvert be a wedding photographer?