How to avoid failure in wedding photography as a beginner
I’ve seen and been through a lot during my 12-year career as a wedding photographer, meeting hundreds of couples and thousands of people. I will probably never say that I’ve seen everything, as each year I come across something new that completely takes me by surprise. Nonetheless, there have been countless moments that have taught me to be humble and never assume I know everything.
I’ve done plenty of things wrong and spent many nights thinking about how stupid I was during a certain moment. I’ve almost lost several weddings when a hard disk stopped working and only miraculously was able to recover everything. I’ve gotten extremely sick the day before a wedding and was incredibly lucky to find a few free photographers to cover for me. Some of my worst nightmares are to not be able to deliver the memories of the day to my couples or missing a wedding because something unexpected happens.
But in time, I’ve learned a lot about wedding photography and I can finally be almost completely at peace with packing my bags in the morning and confidently walk onto the scene of a wedding. Although I will never be able to call myself a master, or even extremely good at wedding photography, I think I’m able to express some of my biggest lessons in this matter. It might help someone who is just starting out and coming across the same issues I had to deal with and how I managed to overcome them…most of the time!
1. Never assume you got the shot!
Always check your work every few frames or so!
Some might say that only beginners have to watch each and every photo as soon as they take it. I would say that it’s healthy to do so to avoid failures. Especially when changing the light conditions or the lens, it’s a good idea to check the screen every few captures or so. You never know what setting you might have unintentionally changed!
I lost count of how many times I got caught in the heat of the moment and forgot to change settings while getting out of a church and blowing out a few frames before checking. I once managed to turn the aperture ring on my Fuji lens without realizing and instead of shooting the cake at f1.8, I did most of my shots at f5.6. Luckily, my other camera captured half of the photos and I managed to save the day!
2. Always have a backup for everything!
Something, sometimes, will definitely go wrong!
I know, in the beginning, it’s difficult to buy a lot of equipment and you have to make do with what you have. But I cannot stress enough how much peace of mind you get when you know that whatever might happen to you or your gear, there is a solution or two. Always try to have a backup camera and a few lenses stored in a different place than your main camera. They don’t have to be the same level or quality as the others, even a compact camera or a kit lens might help in a time of need. Also, have backup batteries, memory cards, and lights!
A long time ago, I took half the pictures of a wedding with a 24–70 lens that somehow didn’t focus properly anymore. The photos were a little out of focus, not enough to notice on the back of the camera, but just enough to be noticed by the clients. The bad thing was that even if I had noticed earlier, I did not have a standard lens to change it on the spot!
A special mention must be made about backing up the photos once you get home. While some photographers are overly zealous and copy everything three or four times during the day, as well as at home, you must have at least a backup or two at all times (in different physical places if possible). Lastly, always buy and shoot with cameras that have two slots for memory cards!
3. Do not assume what your clients like!
Just because you like it, doesn't mean they will!
Sometimes, hyped up by previous success and thinking that you have done a great job creating something really special, you get completely crushed by some negative remarks from your clients. There’s a saying that I’ve found to be completely true in this case…if your couple loves everything you’ve done, you rarely hear back from them, but if they hate just a few photos from thousands delivered, the whole internet will hear about it! It’s ok to get excited in front of your computer seeing beautiful results, but never assume that all your clients will notice.
Nonetheless, at times, the opposite is also true. You might not like the results, thinking that you’ve messed up a wedding, only to get the most unexpected positive reviews. I’ve had plenty of weddings where I’ve chosen what I thought to be the best of the best photos to promote, only to see brides choose completely different ones for an album or social media. One thing I’ve learned in the last decade is that even if I have managed to capture the most unique and emotional scene you could imagine, if someone does not like their appearance in that particular frame, they’ll overlook any artistic quality it might possess!
4. Own up to your mistakes!
It is better to lose a little time or profit than your reputation!
We all make mistakes! In wedding photography, it’s inevitable to make a lot of them. As long as it’s not catastrophic, there are solutions to fix them most of the time. The important thing is to learn from each error and own your failures. It’s a lot worse to be a fraud than a mediocre photographer. Especially in the beginning, you have to take every measure to make sure you deliver something of value to your clients. It might be a good idea to avoid taking risks while you are a beginner and stick with the classical shots that have been tried and tested in time.
One of my biggest regrets from the early years of doing wedding photography is trying to book as many weddings as possible. As my colleague and I were becoming somewhat known in the business, we thought we could book two weddings on the same date and send some other photographers and videographers we didn’t know enough about to one of them. Although I could see that we could not deliver the same quality, it worked for a while. Until it didn’t!
Another photo and video team delivered pretty bad results and we had to take all the dissatisfaction and regret of the couple. My video partner and I owned our mistake and tried to do everything in our power to make things right. I re-edited all the photos in my own time, trying to improve as much as I could, where it was still possible. I also did a free after-wedding session with the couple and in the end, we parted as friends. The moral of the story is don’t send anyone else to do your job. We have never worked on more than a single event on a particular day since then!
5. Be ready for the unexpected!
Not all weddings are the same!
The worst and the best thing about weddings is that no two of them are completely identical. There is always something different, you are challenged all the time, adapting and adjusting. Each country and each culture has different traditions. Most of the time, even within the same region of a country there are completely different customs. Even if you have a well-crafted schedule and you have learned everything you possibly can about the day, something will change or go differently during the actual event and you have to know how to handle it.
I can’t remember how many times I’ve been caught by surprise by something during a wedding. From a priest who gave us specific directions on where to stand inside the church to a groom who sprained his ankle at the photoshoot. I’ve had to think on the spot and make the most out of any bad situation. From a cake that was supposed to come down from the roof and didn’t quite land on the table to a policeman who stopped me for a routine check on the way to the ceremony, I’ve been through a lot of things. The best advice is not to panic and be the clear mind in a sea of uncertainty!
6. Don't be a lone wolf!
Competition does not exclude friendship!
You don’t have to be drinking pal with every other photographer in your town or area. You should definitely know the best of them so you can learn and grow. You can even reach out and if you want, maybe you’ll gain a few friends with the same passion. Competition also has a lot of advantages, as it’s the only way to assess your level and strive to become better. A great way to improve your skills, while also socializing is by attending photography conferences or workshops.
I’ve gained a lot from going to such events in the last 10 years, including one of the largest wedding conferences in Eastern Europe, where I’ve been going each year since it started. Beyond seeing some of the best event photographers in the world and learning a lot of things, each year I’ve gained several new friends. I’ve received several referrals from them, sending me couples where they were booked and I’ve done the same more than once. When I had a medical emergency right before a wedding needed an operation, I had two of my photographer friends cover the event and managed to do a good job. There’s no telling when you might need a helping hand in this industry!
7. Know your couple!
Try to adjust your style according to your couple!
Always make an effort to know a few or a lot of things about the people you will photograph. Caught in the whirlwind of preparation and emotions, they might forget to reach out before the event. Take the first step and set up a meeting or at least a longer discussion to talk to them. Not only to set up the plan of the big day, but also to get acquainted and get a feel of their personality. Some people are natural in front of a camera, while others might need direction for the slightest move.
I’ve seen people freeze up every time I pointed the camera at them, cracking a smile that looks more of a forced grin. I’ve also had countless couples asking us what to do next…during their wedding! We’ve had brides telling us which angles to shoot her at all times. There were even wedding guests who tried to give me lessons in photography. I’ve met grooms that got bored after 5 minutes during a photo session… I’ve seen a lot of things and met a lot of people at events, each of them completely different to the previous. No matter if you do it before or during the day of the wedding, always try to form a connection to your couple!
8. Always watch for emotions!
Don't overthink everything and just go with the flow!
If you’re too caught in the technical stuff and always analyzing everything, you might miss the atmosphere of the event. You are not attending a wedding to organize every detail and direct every person there. While sometimes you might need to intervene, if things flow seamlessly, you have to sit back and absorb everything around you. Of course, there are some weddings that just seem like a boring conference, with every detail planned and executed. But most times, every human gathering will be a series of small moments, some more emotional and meaningful than others. Just be ready to capture some of them!
My favorite shots are of people laughing and enjoying themselves, without knowing they are photographed. If there are a few tears mixed in, even better! I’ve learned that it’s not possible to give a couple just these photos…most of them will also want their eternal posed pictures that many of us dread. This does not mean we can’t make both! Just make sure you get all the safe required shots and then you can immerse yourself in the event or even become invisible, searching for candid moments!
9. Be mindful and empathic!
It's better to miss the shot, but make their day a little better!
Except for the couple and a few relatives, people who attend a wedding will soon forget the masterful photos you took. However, they will surely remember your vibe and dedication. A good word spoken at the right time can help more than you know. The couple, and especially the bride, is usually on an emotional rollercoaster during her wedding, so try to be extremely calm and comforting to her wishes.
Different families have different dynamics and relationships, so be mindful of hurting any feelings with your words or actions. Always take the middle ground and if you are not sure that your presence can help, just stay away and do your job.
I will never be that photographer who sees something go wrong during an event and shoot away, happy to get some unique photos. My first instinct when I see a bride tripping and falling down is to help her out. Of course, I might win some awards or the laughs of my social followers by clicking the shutter and posting the picture online. Nonetheless, if it’s not something minor or funny, just be a good human being first and a genius photographer later!
10. Take care of your physical and mental health!
Stress and exhaustion are the biggest enemies of success!
There is nothing worse than going to an event not feeling in good physical shape or with other things on your mind. Overworking, lack of sleep, illness, emotional problems and many other things can impact the success of a wedding day as a photographer. If you are not feeling well, your work will most likely suffer accordingly.
Some parties in Romania have extremely loud music, like beyond the bearable limit of a human being. So I bought quality sound canceling earphones and these were the best investment ever. When I started getting back pains from carrying too much weight and standing at my desk for hours, I changed all my gear for lighter mirrorless equipment and invested in a good desk chair! On the emotional side of things, I try to avoid stress as much as possible before and during the wedding. While you can never control the things that take a toll on your mental wellbeing, I always try to stay away from negative people and strong emotions!
11. Don't forget to have fun!
Best part is that you still get paid at the end!
There’s a reason why we are not working a 9 to 5 job behind a desk…beyond the obvious one that we love photography and seeing people happy! We are also allowed to have fun while doing our job, I would say it’s even better if we do and the photos will sometimes reveal our joy. I am not saying that you have to become the jester of the gathering or start sampling the cocktails of the open bar. I have seen these types of photographers and there’s nothing more horrendous.
Nevertheless, if the atmosphere is engaging and inciting, you are allowed to enjoy yourself while also doing your job at the highest level. People around you will usually loosen up faster if you’re smiling and acting like you’re at a party. If you look and act like you’re part of the crew, soon enough the couple and their guests will relax and act more natural. One of the best things that starting wedding photography has done is transform me from a complete introvert into a somewhat sociable person!
