Wedding photography helps the newlyweds to immortalize the most significant milestone of their lives. With some creative wedding photography tips, a beginner or even a seasoned photographer can learn how to improve the quality of photography and transform ordinary images into something more meaningful.
During destination weddings, carrying bulky power generators becomes tedious. Jackery Portable Power Stations are compact and portable and help you charge your camera gear and important equipment with ease. With Jackery Portable Power Stations, you can even power up the photo booth kiosks where newlyweds would like to have fun shoots in front of a backdrop.
What Is Wedding Photography?
Wedding photography is the art of capturing the moments and emotions of newlyweds with their family and friends. Beyond just capturing images, wedding photography preserves cherished memories that last a lifetime. From candid shots to meticulously arranged portraits, wedding photography brings out the joy, love, and celebration of the day.
As Destin Sparks rightly said, "Photography is the story we fail to put into words." Here, Destin Sparks echoed the sentiment that a picture is worth a thousand words, and during the wedding, it becomes the responsibility of the photographers to bring out the stolen glances between the couple or the exuberance of the dance floor.
Wedding Photography Tips: Gear
Just like street photography or wildlife photography, wedding photography requires specialized gear and equipment to ensure that every precious moment is captured without any trouble to the couple or their family members.
Some of the most prominent wedding photography gear are the camera bodies, lenses, and lighting equipment. As a seasoned wedding photographer, one can carry a full-frame sensor mirrorless camera to get high-quality shots and a wide-angle lens (24 mm or 35 mm) to capture group shots.
Weddings mostly happen on the outskirts or at a remote destination, and in such scenarios, having a battery backup source to charge the camera battery or power up the strobe flash becomes crucial. In such a case, one can carry Jackery Portable Power Stations to quickly charge their gears.
An extensive camera gear list for wedding photography is mentioned here:
Wedding Photography Tips: Preparations
One of the most important wedding photography tips for beginners or professionals is to have thorough preparation before the actual wedding. By having detailed preparation beforehand, a photographer can ensure that a smooth and successful event happens. More importantly, with the right wedding photography preparations, a photographer and their client will know exactly what they want and how they are going to achieve it.
Here are some of the essential wedding photography tips for detailed preparations:
Research Location
Visit the wedding venue before the wedding day to familiarize yourself with the location, setup, and lighting conditions. If possible, you can even discuss with the organizers to understand the seating arrangements in advance.
Create A Shot List
Brainstorm ideas with the couple to understand their requirements and then offer a practical approach to achieving those shots. This way, you will have a shot list outlining the key moments that the couple wants to capture.
Develop a Workflow
Discuss it with the organizer and couple to plan out the timeline of the day. Get the details about the ceremonies, reception, dance, and post-ceremony portraits to optimize your shooting schedule.
Camera Settings Basic
Camera settings are among the most important wedding photography preparations that you can do. The right camera settings will save you time and help you avoid missing out on key events. Some of the most common camera settings are:
- Exposure Triangle:ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed are the most important parts in the manual shooting mode. Try understanding the relationship between them to achieve the perfect exposure for various lighting conditions.
- White Balance:With white balance, you can ensure that you have removed the unrealistic color casts, so make white subjects look white in the final result. By adjusting the right white balance, you can manipulate the tone of your pictures.
- Focus Mode:Use single autofocus mode for stationary subjects, like wedding portraits. But shift to the continuous focus mode when planning to take candid moments between the couple or a group.
- Metering Mode:There are several metering modes, like evaluative, spot, or center-weighted. Choose the right metering mode to properly expose your images.
- Image Quality:Go to the menu settings of your camera and change your image quality to RAW. Even though the image size would be larger compared to the JPEG or JPGs, the RAW images would offer maximum flexibility in the post-processing stage.
- Drive Mode:Choose between the single shot or continuous burst based on the pace of the event.
- Flash Settings:For balanced lighting, adjust the flash settings by changing the power output and flash exposure compensation.
Pack Emergency Kit
Do not be solely dependent on one camera or a camera battery. It is recommended to carry spare batteries, Jackery Portable Power Stations to provide photo booths, lens cleaning supplies, and even a small toolkit for quick fixes.
Scout Locations
In case of weather or unexpected changes to the original plan, you must have a spare location ready in mind. Discuss it with the couple and explore the kind of photography that you can complete in the backup locations.
Hire an Assistant
It is always a great idea to hire a second shooter or have an assistant who can help you carry the equipment and take some quick pictures from a different angle.
Review Contract
Before the wedding day, ensure that you and the client understand your responsibilities and obligations. Most of the time, video shooting is also considered part of wedding photography—discuss the deliverable output quality with the involved parties before you start shooting.
Wedding Photography Tips: Shot Line
A wedding day comprises several key moments and events. It is highly recommended to have a create shot line ready to have a clear understanding of the deliverables. Here's a breakdown of the typical timeline and shot list for wedding photography:
Morning of the Wedding
Start the day by documenting both bride and groom and how they are getting dressed, hair and makeup, and final touch-ups. Try capturing the moments of anticipation and excitement as the couple and their family members get ready for the day ahead.
Groom Coverage
Take several portraits of the groom and groomsmen getting ready. This would include some candid shots of putting on suits, adjusting ties, and sharing laughs. Such pictures would show camaraderie and bonding between the groom and his groomsmen.
Bride Coverage
Similarly to the groom, take pictures of the bride and bridesmaids getting ready, including putting on the wedding dress, accessories, jewelry, and makeup. Such moments would highlight how the family members can help the bride get prepared for the ceremony.
Ceremony
Start clicking pictures of the arrival of guests, the decor of the ceremony venue, and traditional photos. These moments would include the processional exchange of vows and rings.
Reception
Capture the arrival of the newlyweds into the reception or dance floor along with the speeches and toasts from the best men and key family members.
Post-Wedding
During the evening hours, try using the golden hours or twilight for romantic portraits of the couple in the outdoor surroundings. This would also include the couple's departure from the reception venue.
Here's an infographic to make you understand the shot list of wedding photography in detail:
Wedding Photography Tips: During The Wedding
Even if you have shot multiple weddings or if this is your first time going to a wedding as a professional photographer, there are several important wedding photography tips that you should follow that help you capture unforgettable moments.
Here are some essential tips and tricks to have a successful wedding photography day:
- Be Flexible: Always be prepared to have unexpected changes to adapt quickly to ensure that you do not miss out on capturing important moments.
- Communicate Clearly: Try having open communication with the couple about the shots. Discuss the same with the couple's family and friends to understand their expectations and how you can achieve them.
- Posing Guidance: Remember that the couple and their family members are not professional posers. So they might get uncomfortable posing. Try providing them with a gentle posing direction to ensure natural and flattering poses.
- Natural Lights: Take advantage of natural light as much as possible. Try positioning your subjects facing the light to reduce the harsh shadows.
- Organize Group Photos: Organize group shots in advance to streamline the process and avoid wasting time in understanding what the family or group is expecting.
- Capture Candid Moments: Always keep an eye on candid moments throughout the day, as they end up becoming the best pictures for all the involved parties.
- Handle Dynamics With Ease: Always be mindful of different family members and friends when capturing group photos. Discuss it with the couple if you want to ensure that everyone involved is comfortable and feels included.
- Stay Calm: A wedding is one such thing where things can go haywire without the control of anyone. As a professional photographer, be prepared for unexpected shots, requests, and changes. In such cases, maintaining a calm and positive demeanor.
Wedding Photography Tips: Post Wedding
Once you have successfully executed the wedding photo shoot, it's time to handle the post-wedding process, which involves culling the photos and coordinating with the client for prompt delivery.
Some essential wedding photography tips involving the post-wedding process are:
- Cull Photos Quickly: You might have taken 100s of photos during the wedding day, but not all the photos would make it to the final deliverables. Cull the photos based on the shots to ensure that there are no duplicate or unusable pictures.
- Organize Files: Create a proper folder in your system to organize the files by name of the client, events, locations, etc. This would make it easier for you to locate specific images during the final editing round.
- File Backup: Try making at least one backup of all the pictures to prevent data loss and ensure the safety of the images.
- Editing: Ensure that you follow a consistent editing style in all the photos. It is also recommended to have the same color grading to maintain the feel and look of the day. However, you can take out a couple of candid photos and color-grade them differently to give them a unique style.
- Communicate With the Client: Always keep the client updated about the process and try providing them a realistic timeline for delivering the final edited pictures from your side.
How Do Jackery Portable Power Stations Help For Wedding Photography?
Jackery is an internationally recognized manufacturer and seller of solar generators, battery backups, and solar panels. Jackery's line of portable power stations is specially created for those individuals who prefer an environmentally friendly source of energy to power up their appliances.
Jackery Portable Power Stations not only operate at less than 35 dB but are compact and lightweight, which makes them ideal for indoor and outdoor shoots. Jackery Portable Power Stations support multiple recharging options, including solar panels, car sockets, and AC outlets. With high-performing battery capacities, it can serve as the backup power source for photo booths and provide essential power to wedding photographers.
Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station is one of the best-selling products from Jackery. With this portable power station, one can charge low to high-power appliances for long hours, like strobe lights, photo booths, laptops, etc. With a foldable handle, multiple charging points, and an ergonomic design, this is an ideal portable power station for wedding photographers who are looking to power up their camera gear at remote locations. Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station weighs only 13.32 lbs, which makes it pretty easy for wedding photographers to carry it.
In order to understand the working hours, let's take a scenario where you need to charge a photo booth (90 W), laptop (70 W), and a camera battery (5 W) with Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station:
Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh * 0.85 / Wattage Consumption of All the Appliances
Working Hours = 518 Wh * 0.85 / 165 W = 2.6 H
Note: The reason to multiply the battery capacity by 0.85 is to consider the power loss during the appliance charging.
Customer Review:
"I needed an option to lug around a 12V car battery for outdoor projects. I could build myself a solar generator, but after weighing the cost and time of doing so, I decided to find an alternative. After much research, the Jackery 500 fits my needs to the T. Lightweight, plenty of ports, safety features, and MTTP solar charging." -- John Newman.
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station weighs only 8.27 lbs, making it ideal for destination wedding photo shoots. With dual PD posts capable of up to 100 W output, this Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station supports fast charging for multiple camera gear and equipment, such as drones, smartphones, LED lights, etc.
In order to understand the working hours of this portable power station, let's take a scenario where you need to charge a drone (90 W), laptop (70 W), smartphone (29 W), and a camera battery (5 W) with Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station:
Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh * 0.85 / Wattage Consumption of All the Appliances
Working Hours = 288 Wh * 0.85 / 194 W = 1.2 H
Customer Review:
"Lightweight, making it portable, can charge a phone, laptop, plug in lights, & a small appliance for cooking." -- Marie.
Wedding Photography Tips FAQs
What size of power station do I need for wedding photography?
The power station's size depends on the shoot's duration and the number of wedding photography gear. For instance, you have to shoot a destination wedding where you are looking to power up your drone (90 W), smartphones (29 W), and a strobe light (20 W) with a Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station, then:
Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh * 0.85 / Wattage Consumption of All the Appliances
Working Hours = 518 Wh * 0.85 / 139 W = 3.1 H.
How do I get good at wedding photography?
The best wedding photography tip is to practice consistently and learn from experienced photographers. This way, you can understand the lightning techniques and master your gear.
What is the best ISO for wedding photography?
Technically, ISO varies according to the lighting conditions, but try staying in the range of 800-1200 during indoor shoots and consider dropping it to 100-400 for outdoor shoots.
What order should wedding pictures be taken in?
Always start with getting ready shots, followed by details, ceremony, couple portraits, family portraits, group photos, bridal party, dance party, toasts, cake cutting, couple's first dance, and candid moments.
How many photos should a wedding photographer give you?
The number of wedding photos depends on the length of the ceremony and contract details. However, a good benchmark is around 50-100 photos per hour. Whereas, a full-day wedding shoot can bring 800-1500+ images.
Final Thoughts
Wedding photography is an extremely important type of photography because it becomes nearly impossible to recreate the moments. As a seasoned photographer, one should always be attentive to special moments and try capturing them as and when it is possible. Explore different wedding photography tips to master the basic camera settings and get acquainted with the exposure triangle and other tricks.
It would look unprofessional when, during a wedding, you run out of battery or do not have a backup source to power up the gear. Jackery Portable Power Stations are portable and extremely lightweight, which provides an ideal condition for wedding photographers to carry in and around the wedding venue.
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