A Step-By-Step Guide for Wedding Photography: Time Saving Tips

s.smith

Weddings are notorious for being a high-stress, fast-paced event. As a wedding photographer, it's essential to find ways to minimize that stress and save time so you can get the best shots of the big day.

Can you think of what they might be?

Pistnbroke

To reduce stress....
Have a good contract that puts it all on the B/G manager if there is a problem.
Go wired .
Be insured .
Wear a dinner jacket and bow tie....get respect
Get paid before the wedding.
If bride or groom smoke add 30 min to photo session time.
Use a camera with two memory cards.
Remember only 1in 100 weddings will you get the perfect bride in the perfect dress in the perfect location who is not marrying an a$$ whole.
Don't crack jokes about Jimmy Savelle...stick to masonic jokes.
Have a code between you and your associate that means we are off " lets go have a fag" is ours ( we don't smoke) Wedding/guests get violent/threatening or you feel justified in leaving

To reduce time.
don't Chimp
Use a zoom...don't change lenses or carry a bag of junk
Use two photographers.
Don't stop for guests to take pictures say " Take as many photos as you like but don't get between me and the bride and don't slow me down."
Use a Megaphone
Shoot it all at F8 Auto iso 200-6400....tape up the command dials
Use a flash flipper
Shoot everything on JPEG large basic processed in lightroom.
If using more than one camera sync the clocks (with a GPS)
don't drink ..less toilet visits.
First dance to take place by 7.30 pm

Rx4Photo

Establish a good rapport with the wedding planner. She will know details that you might not know. Like where you stood stand when certain things happen. When will certain things happen, where will the couple be when certain things happen, etc. You'll want the best vantage point and this could be vital info. An early chat with the DJ could help here as well.

Stick a couple of granola bars in your pocket. You don't want to faint due to low blood sugar.

Drink water or soda for the sugar/carb energy source.

If you're afforded a catered plate, eat like it will disappear in 10 minutes ... then get back to work.

Ask the couple ahead a time if you may steal them away for a few personal photos during the reception. If they say OK, make that time count. Better they know ahead of time and expect it than to come up to them while they're trying to eat and asking to take them outside.

Two cameras with minimal lens changes. I found a Spider holster on the hip rather convenient for the 2nd cam.

Pistnbroke

RX4 ..I never ever found a wedding planner that was any use in 40 years ..they are only there to suck money out the b/g ...99% of the time they are not there on the day...If you need to ask where you stand and whats going to happen then you should not be there.
(The wedding planner may have a different function in the US to the UK)

If you are offered a catered plate refuse it ...you will get it 10 sec before the speeches and it will be cold anyway.....get a real meal at a restaurant on the way home.

don't drink any clear liquid..the guests will think its Gin ...photograph you and put the pic on facebook .....no no orange juice wins.

Talk to a DJ.. never they are the most unreliable people at the wedding .Just as likely to turn off all there lights for the first dance as put them all on as you requested. They think they are underpaid and you are overpaid so they act to stuff up your work.
Trust no one, rely on no one .Ministers/managers/DJs....be in control , take your own disco lights ( battery operated and pull them out as the first dance music starts ....too late mr DJ )

Your basic problem is that unless the manager/planner/DJ is making money out of you they are not interested in your problems ...if they are on a back hander (bribe) things can be different.

P mode works best for disco dancing ..never use flash.

Rx4Photo

And here is the reason this board SCREWS itself at times. Every one has different experiences and if someone's have been skewed to the negative - then they think that's the standard.

Sorry for your less than positive life experiences @Pistnbroke

Pistnbroke

A lot of your wedding experience relates to how much you charge. If you do it cheap you get cheap people but people in authority can be a problem too like High Court judges and policemen. Just keep polite give no reason for complaint. If couple refuse to do what you ask just check the light is on on that body worn mike. EPLS