The Reality of Being a Wedding Photographer

Being a wedding photographer, for me is a joy. Not only do I get to do what I love, but you have the privilege of being part of couple’s special and intimate day. Knowing I am capturing shots that will give them a lifetime of joy and emotion when they look at them, I get as excited as they do to get the post editing done and whisked off for them to "oooh" and "awww" at.

To get the great shots isn’t always as easy as you would think. A lot of people ask why wedding photography can be so expensive and this is because it isn’t just a case of point and shoot. A good photographer won’t use the auto settings on a camera, they will use their manual settings, choosing the shutter speed, ISO and aperture with every type of shot, going from inside to outside needs an adjustment of camera settings due to the lighting difference and you have to do all this while trying to capture those precious moments that if you miss, will have gone forever.

Thinking outside the box, as I’ve mentioned in my previous blogs, is also key. Yes, the standard posed shots are great and are all that some couples want but thinking of ways to mix it up and make it fresh to showcase something different is always on your mind.

You also have to be quick, not only focusing on the bride and groom but their surroundings and the guests and their reactions to the scenario in hand whether that be the ceremony, the speeches or the first dance. The little looks that the bride and groom exchange with each other that no one else will notice and they probably haven’t even realised they have done are also a must and I will say again, those candid shots for me are the ones that evoke the most feelings after the event.

When taking the group shots, you have to be firm and friendly all at the same time. Having to ask people to stand in certain positions, placing their hands in a particular way and looking at the camera isn’t always straightforward, and you have to take so many pictures of the same setting, just in case someone has their eyes shut, which would then ruin the picture and render it as useless!

Being a wedding photographer keeps you fit! You are constantly running from one place to another, trying to keep up with the happy couple. I have done things such as run through long grass, buried myself into a hedgerow, climbed up a disused fire escape and peeked round corners in the quest to get those unique moments on film.

Don’t get me wrong, for me, this is all part of the excitement and vibe of the day, especially if you are working with other vendors such as videographers and content creators as building up a bond and a rapport with these people is vital. You can share ideas and learn something new from each other, share each other’s posed and moving shots and these relationships can go on to give you more work through recommendations.

Next time you think “oh a wedding photographer just has to stand there and press a button”, remember, it’s not always as plain sailing as you envisage and is so much more than that - a lot of hard work and effort goes into the end result.