I thought that people may be interested in knowing what I do before I feel that I am prepared for a wedding and since I have a wedding coming up this next weekend I thought it an appropriate time to write some things down that go on my mental check list.
I have come to understand that there can never be to much communication between the Bride/Groom and their wedding photographer before their wedding. With that in mind; about 2 weeks from the wedding I send an email, or place a phone call, reminding them that I am thinking of them and their wedding day and how important to them it is going to be to me and the rest of their invited guests. I also use this time to ensure that the times and address’s that I have written down for my availability are still current and what is needed.
Although I would have already received photographs that the bride and groom want me to attempt to duplicate some what it is important to review these several times, making some notes to ensure that you have the idea and pose ready when it comes time for the event. Additionally it is always a good idea to pick up a couple of bridal magazines to ensure that you are current with the trends that your bride and grooms have been seeing to ensure that you will understand what it is that they are talking about if they have a spontaneous idea for a photograph.
Equipment:
When it comes to photographing a wedding it is always important that you have all of your equipment ready this doesn’t only mean the equipment that you have but also the equipment that you feel you are going to be needing for the event. Every wedding is different and in a different location, each location provides unique opportunities and unique obstacles, I don’t think that any photographer would want to spend every wedding at the same location taking the same photographs so it is always good to take time to mix things up.
In order to be useful your equipment must be functioning with out any problem any questions you may have about the functionality of a certain piece of equipment must be paid proper attention before any event especially one that is, with all hopes, a once in a life time event. Equipment must be thoroughly cleaned and prep to ensure that there will be no dust spots or smears on the lenes during use, while this may not be as important for a sports game weddings often require precision the first go around.
Details:
The wedding that I have coming up this weekend is my first outdoor wedding in quite some time offering very unique opportunities for everyone and challenges for the photographer. Weddings near the end of the day are always beautiful due to the nice wonderful long shadows and spectacular highlights with nice warm tones, however if you have to photograph into the sun things can be a nightmare, even during the most beautiful portions of the day shad is often the places that you want to take photographs, this will keep people from having strange highlights and also allows their eyes to be clearly seen.