When it comes to improving your wedding photography, you're likely to hear a lot about gear. We've done our fair share of these gear guides from using fast lenses to complicated lighting set ups. Now, we want to talk about techniques you can use to up your wedding photography game.
Let's take a step back and return to the basics. In this guide, we're going to look at five simple things you can do to up your wedding photography game. These tricks will aid us in both our understanding of the job, marketing ourselves, and client relations.
Be Prepared for Anything
This may sound cliché but hear us out. While you're the photographer, you may also take on other responsibilities. I've known photographers who've needed to briefly step in as a stylist, supplying bobby pins he so conveniently had in camera bag for just such an occasion. I myself have put a boutonniere on a groom's lapel when it was almost forgotten. As the wedding photographer, your job is capturing the day and in doing so you observe and learn a lot about the workings of such an event.
That knowledge means you know the events of the day down to the smallest details. By recording a wedding day, you see every detail and notice these things, so best not keep them to yourself. Offer a lending hand where you can and your clients will notice. These little things go a long way to improve the bride and groom's wedding day, but also up your chances of being recommended in the future.
Strengthen Your Online Presence
There's no escaping social media in this digital age. To make it in any art form, you need to promote yourself and stand out amongst the crowd. This goes beyond just posting pics on Instagram but involving your audience in your process.
Show behind the scenes looks at your work, whether it be on the job, editing, or printing final images. By sharing the process, you let your audience and prospective clients see the pride you take in your work. They see how you conduct yourself on the job and this can result in more bookings.
For greater coverage, a website will be needed. This puts our work on full display and allows us to further divulge our process without the distractions of followers, likes, and hashtags. If you don't have a website, make one. There are plenty of user-friendly website host sites like Squarespace and Wix that make the process seamless.
Try Second Shooting
When a wedding is quite large or the photographer just needs a helping hand, they hire a second shooter. The second shooter's job is dictated by the needs of the hired photographer but generally involves assisting and capturing angles and moments the main shooter cannot or getting different angles on the most important moments in the event.
Depending on the photographer you're working for, second shooting may involve more assistant like work than actual shooting. It's a broad job and can involve anything from candid and detail photography to grabbing lenses or adjusting light stands for the hiring photographer. This will give you a better idea of the detail shots you may want from a second shooter someday, but also a greater appreciation for second shooters.
Second shooting is a great way to learn new techniques from other photographers. This also means adopting the style of the hired photographer for a seamless look across the entire portfolio. This too can be a great learning opportunity, as trying a different style can bring fresh ideas to your own work. Not only is this a great learning opportunity, but it's a way of staying busy if you have gaps in your own schedule.
Dress to Impress
Looking professional and modest while on the job is essential. While you don't want to distract from the wedding party or even the guests, you want to look like you belong in the venue and take pride in your appearance. A safe bet is to wear all black, as you'll be less noticeable as you traverse the ceremony and reception hall, though every wedding different. Match the aesthetic of the event. A beach wedding will certainly require a different wardrobe from one in a church.
Don't skimp on footwear. You will be on your feet all day, so you'll want footwear that is less restrictive. Sleek, black sneakers are acceptable as are any dressier shoe. It's also ok to mix things up and bring a comfier pair for later in the event. Comfort is an important factor as you'll be moving around a bit more than most. For that reason, a bonus tip. And this one comes from experience. Always bring an extra pair of pants. You never know what may happen, and let's just say that gaffer's tape can serve as an impromptu patch for rips and tears.
Take Pride in Your Work
As the saying goes, "there are hundreds of guys in her DMs telling her she's pretty. Be different." So many photographers today give clients nothing more than a USB with the images on board or less, a link to a cloud-based server. There's nothing inherently wrong with this delivery system, in fact, digital files should always be included. What you want to do is to stand out by offering more than the competition.
Putting the responsibility of printing photos into the hands of your clients may be easy but offering prints from the source guarantees quality work. Find a local print shop or better yet, invest in a photo printer so you can ensure your client receives the best versions of their precious images.
Even well into the 21st century, we're not above the classic wedding album. Sure, there are plenty of sites where clients can design their own photo books, but not all are of the same quality. By offering to deliver a complete photo album, you can control the quality of the final result, ensuring your work is showcased in all of its glory.
Another fun offering would be a photo gift item like a slate. Photo slates are inexpensive and present nicely, making them a great gift item for your clients. When they see how nice their images look printed, this may inspire them to do some further printing, and if you offer that service, they'll likely come back to you.
Put it to Practice
Wedding photography is the largest and most commercially viable genre of the photo industry, so it's imperative that you stand out. This may not be in your body of work alone, but in how you conduct yourself and how you make the client feel. Try some of the techniques above and see what works for your style.
As artists, we're always learning. Never discount the benefits of a new tool in your arsenal and always be open to new ways of doing things. To learn more about wedding photography, check out our other guides and articles on the B&H Explora page!
