Sixth Bloom

  • Photography Tips
    • Start Here
    • Photography Courses
    • Edit Pictures Like a Pro
    • Grow Your Business
    • Learn Your Camera
    • Childrens Photography Tips
    • Family Photography Tips
    • Newborn Photography Tips
    • Senior Photography Tips
    • Wedding Photography Tips
    • Photography Projects
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Food
    • Instant Pot
    • Meals
    • Snacks
  • Kids Activities & Crafts
  • Family
    • Gardening Tips
    • Travel
    • Money Saving & Budgeting
    • Home & Lifestyle
      • Our Family Life
      • Decor & DIY
  • About Me
    • Featured On
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Me
    • Guest Post Application

September 24, 2015 By Sixth-Bloom 1 Comment

80+ Tips for Shooting your First Wedding

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure and Privacy policies here

Sharing is caring!

6887 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Inside: Today I’m giving over 80 Tips for Shooting your First Wedding –  These wedding photography tips for beginners might just save your sanity when shooting your first wedding.  This wedding photography tutorial is packed with wisdom and ideas.  

Are you about to shoot your first wedding?  Everything is going through your head of making sure you do this RIGHT and don’t mess up?  I’ve been there, I know.  You’ve scanned every article you’ve read everything you can get your hands on before your first wedding.  This is Over 80 Tips to read and use as a guide before you shoot your first wedding!

Is there anything you could add to this list?  Please comment and tell us so we can add it, this just helps the next person that takes a few minutes to read this!

Tips for Shooting your First Wedding

Tips for Shooting your First Wedding

  1. Pack your gear the Day/night before (Related Article of 10 Extras You Should Have in your Wedding Day Bag)
  2. Communicate clearly to your bride/groom  a week or two in advance for the ebb and flow of the day
  3. Charge Camera Batteries
  4. Have Extra Camera Batteries
  5. Charge Flash Batteries
  6. Have Extra Flash Batteries
  7. Bring Your Camera Battery Charger with You
  8. Bring Your Flash Battery Charger with You
  9. Slow down even though it’s a crazy busy day
  10. Bring a Back Up Camera
  11. Bring a Back Up Lens
  12. Bring lots of memory cards
  13. Shoot your images Raw
  14. Bring a Bottle of Water
  15. Bring an energy bar/snack
  16. Wear good/comfortable shoes
  17. Space out your memory cards, have two for each set of the day, so if one corrupts you are set
  18. Don’t be afraid to get in someone else’s shot even if you’re in the way, you are the hired photographer
  19. If you have to politely tell a guest to move that’s ok too!
  20. Just roll with the day and whatever happens!
  21. Keep your lines straight in your shots, angles are not so hip!
  22. Have fun!
  23. Bring a shot list
  24. If you use flash, bounce it
  25. Act as if you’ve got control of the day!  Don’t be scared!
  26. Get meaningful shots
  27. During formals shoot for the bride!
  28. During formals shoot for the mother of the bride
  29. During formals shoot for the grandmothers
  30. You are shooting for three generations to purchase prints! (#27-29)
  31. Don’t fear mistakes, you learn from them!
  32. You become the coordinator, so don’t be afraid to take charge
  33. Be prepared to instruct on what to do with their hands and how to stand during the family formals
  34. Be confident
  35. Don’t rush through the portraits
  36. Just know that things often run late, it’s the nature of the day
  37. Shoot everything!
  38. Be professional
  39. Take all of the detail shots (i.e. rings, dress, flowers, shoes, dress, tux, perfume, notes, gifts etc)
  40. Bring a watch or carry your phone to keep track of time
  41. Arrive Early
  42. Scope out your location for portrait spots
  43. Pull the bride and groom to the side and remind them to hold the first kiss for a second or two longer
  44. Stay focused on anticipating the “next moment” to happen so you can capture it
  45. Don’t dwell on what is going “wrong” or not as planned
  46. Do test shots of where the ceremony will take place
  47. Do test shots of your second shooter walking down the aisle so you can nail the
  48. Remember you are offering a service and people will remember you for that
  49. Even though there is a normally a maid of honor be prepared to hold the brides dress as walking
  50. Watch for details for the brides veil to be straight
  51. Watch for details on the grooms suit to be straight
  52. Tuck bobby pins in your camera case
  53. Bring a long a small sewing kit for when there is a button falling off or something needs to be attached quickly
  54. Don’t stop shooting through the entire day!
  55. Have a step stool in your car incase you need it for portraits (ceremony formals could be on a stage and you are lower)
  56. Never stop looking around
  57. If there is a coordinator contact them for the wedding timeline
  58. Talk to the DJ for his timeline on the dances
  59. Hire a second shooter
  60. Have your second shooter keep you on track with time
  61. Have your second shooter a shot list and help keep track of the shots
  62. Know how to work your flash ahead of time
  63. Know how to operate your camera
  64. Talk to the officiant to ask about moving around and placement
  65. Take a picture with your phone of the equipment you’ve brought along in your car so you can refer back to it if need be
  66. Always have a signed contract, even if it’s your blood sister!
  67. Be confident!
  68. Instruct the bride/brides maids to hold their bouquet at belly button level!
  69. Bring some smarties (or the like, something without color in them!) to bribe your ring bearer/flower girl if need be
  70. Communicate. Be sure to communicate clearly for your poses! This helps everyone be at ease.
  71. Shoot for the venue
  72. Shoot for the floral designer
  73. Shoot for the cake baker
  74. Shoot for the DJ
  75. Shoot for the Caterer
  76. Shoot for the Wedding Coordinator
  77. Return images to #67- 72 as a thank you for working with them.
  78. Put the camera down for about 15 minutes before the ceremony begins.  Give yourself a break
  79. If doing a first look communicate very strongly how it will go so there are no oops! (Also see: 12 Tips for a First Look)
  80. Pull the bride/groom aside towards the end of the reception for some shots.  (If they are ok with this!)
  81. Rest before the wedding.  Don’t pack your day out.

Currently the most popular Pin on Pinterest: 12 Must Do’s When Shooting Your First Wedding

Kately James – a renown wedding photographer in Virginia also mentions: watching online tutorials!  Brilliant!

tips for first wedding

1048734_1495204330744802_8464650090251468468_o

 

Hi I’m Erin a Southern girl from South Mississippi, owner and chief editor of Sixth Bloom a blog helping mom-tographers as well as up and coming photographers  become successful!  You will find me living life to the fullest with my mister (aka husband) and our new little addition Miss Elle in our 500+ sq foot cottage as we build our dream house on our two acres!  We are blessed beyond measure, love to travel, involved in ministry at our church and in between all of that I run three successful businesses!

Follow me at: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

Filed Under: Wedding Photography Tips

Popular Posts

photo business tips

5 Essentials to Start Your photography Business

DIY Newborn Prop

DIY Newborn Prop | Rope Bucket

activites with toddlers in winter

15 Places to go with Toddlers on a Cold Winter

best time to take outdoor pictures

Learn the Best Time to Take Pictures Outside

« 3 Key Tips in a Successful Photography Business
12 Tips for a Successful Twin Senior Session »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


I'm Erin owner and chief editor of Sixth Bloom! A wife and mom living the small town life in Mississippi just outside of New Orleans Louisiana. A retired piano teacher of 19 years, currently a professional photographer and blogger. I love Jesus, my family, coffee, french fries and traveling!

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023